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    Home » Recipes » Course » Side Dishes » Yellow Rice Pilaf

    Yellow Rice Pilaf

    April 12, 2022 by Valerie Brunmeier

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Yellow Rice Pilaf in a white bowl with a spoon with text.
    A spoon scoops yellow rice pilaf with text.

    This easy yellow rice recipe is a great way to add interest to your dinner plate! Turmeric adds a burst of vibrant color and sweet carrots and peas add flavor to this beautiful Yellow Rice Pilaf.

    A top down shot of a white bowl of Yellow Rice Pilaf with a spoon.

    This totally festive Yellow Rice Pilaf is like a burst of sunshine on your dinner plate! The ingredient list is simple and you can pull this easy stovetop recipe together any night of the week in 30 minutes. It’s mild flavor makes it a great choice for serving with a wide variety of entrees and kids and adults alike will get a kick out of the bright yellow color.

    You might have tried one of the packaged yellow rice mixes you can find on grocery store shelves but it’s incredibly easy to make homemade yellow rice. You can jazz it up with your own seasoning and for even more color and interest, I like to add vegetables to make a pilaf style rice.

    A spoon resting in a bowl of Yellow Rice with carrots and peas.

    FAQ

    What is yellow rice?

    Yellow rice is white rice that has been cooked with either turmeric or saffron threads which turn the rice bright yellow and impart their own unique flavor. Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world but ground turmeric is a much more affordable option for making yellow rice at home. With slight variations, yellow rice is a traditional dish in a large number of cuisines including South American, Indian, Spanish, Caribbean, and more.

    What type of rice is used in yellow rice?

    Yellow rice is typically made with a long grain white rice like basmati or jasmine rice.

    What does yellow rice taste like?

    The flavor of yellow rice will vary depending on whether it was made with turmeric or saffron and any other added ingredients. In this Yellow Rice Pilaf, turmeric adds a mild, earthy flavor that is complemented with onion powder and a small amount of sugar. Sweet bits of carrots and peas are what differentiate this recipe from others and make it a true pilaf. Yellow rice recipes made with saffron have more of a sweet, floral flavor and are commonly served with Spanish paella.

    Ingredients for Yellow Rice Pilaf

    The ingredients for Yellow Rice Pilaf with text.
    • Coconut oil
    • Diced yellow onion
    • Diced carrot
    • Long grain white rice – Like Jasmine rice or Basmati rice.
    • Minced garlic
    • Seasoning – Ground turmeric, sugar, kosher salt, onion powder, and paprika
    • Low sodium broth – Either chicken or vegetable broth.
    • Frozen peas – There’s no need to thaw the peas in advance. The warmth from the rice is all they need to cook from their frozen state.
    • Fresh Italian parsley

    How to Make Yellow Rice Pilaf

    Rice, turmeric and other ingredients being combined in a skillet.
    1. Melt the coconut oil in a deep skillet or sauté pan. Add the onions and carrots and cook until the veggies begin to soften, about 3 to 4 minutes.
    2. Stir in the rice, garlic, turmeric, sugar, salt, onion powder, and paprika. Stir and cook to soften the garlic and toast the spices until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
    3. Pour in the broth. Stir to combine and increase heat as needed to bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and cook for 20 minutes or until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender.
    4. Uncover and stir and fluff the rice. Stir in the peas and parsley and remove from the Yellow Rice Pilaf from the heat.
    A top down shot of Yellow Rice Pilaf in a white skillet with a spoon.

    How to Store Yellow Rice Pilaf

    • Refrigerate – Transfer leftover yellow rice to an airtight container or zippered plastic storage bag and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
    • Freeze – For longer storage, use freezer-safe plastic storage bags and freeze yellow rice for up to 2 months.

    Tips for Reheating

    You can reheat Yellow Rice Pilaf either thawed or directly from the freezer. Just place it in a microwave-safe bowl, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a microwave-safe lid, and cook it on high for 2 to 4 minutes. If the rice seems, dry, add a splash of water, stir it well, and cook for another 15 seconds, or until warmed through.

    A wooden spoon holding a scoop of Yellow Rice.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Lemon Basil Baked Cod
    • Turkey Couscous Meatloaf
    • Chicken Bites
    • Ground Pork Stir Fry with Zucchini and Mushrooms
    A top down shot of a white bowl of Yellow Rice Pilaf with a spoon.

    Yellow Rice Pilaf

    Valerie Brunmeier
    This easy yellow rice recipe is a great way to add interest to your dinner plate! Turmeric adds a burst of vibrant color and sweet carrots and peas add flavor to this beautiful Yellow Rice Pilaf.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Indian, Mediterranean
    Servings 6
    Calories 252 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
    • ½ cup diced yellow onion
    • ½ cup diced carrot ¼-inch dice
    • 1 ½ cups long grain white rice like jasmine or basmati rice
    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
    • 1 ½ teaspoons ground turmeric
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • ¼ teaspoon paprika
    • 3 cups low sodium broth vegetable or chicken
    • ½ cup frozen peas
    • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley

    Instructions
     

    • Melt the coconut oil In a deep skillet or sauté pan over MEDIUM heat. Add the onions and carrots and cook until the veggies begin to soften, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the rice, garlic, turmeric, sugar, salt, onion powder, and paprika. Stir and cook to soften the garlic and toast the spices until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
    • Pour in the broth. Stir to combine and increase heat as needed to bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to LOW, cover, and cook for 20 minutes or until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender.
    • Uncover and stir and fluff the rice. Stir in the peas and parsley. Remove from the heat and serve.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.75cupCalories: 252kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 7gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 241mgPotassium: 263mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2028IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword yellow rice pilaf
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    All information provided regarding nutrition on this website is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Content related to nutrition is not medical advice nor is it intended to replace medical advice. The website is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any disease, condition, illness, or injury. Before beginning any diet program, modifying your diet, or making changes to the diet of a child in your care, including following the nutrition information available on the website, you should seek advice from a licensed professional.

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    Filed Under: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian

    About Valerie Brunmeier

    Valerie, a long time food blogger and cookbook author, launched Wholesome Made Easy in June of 2020. Her true passion is sharing her experience as a working mom of four to help other busy home cooks create wholesome, delicious meals that take a lighter approach. Her recipes have been featured on Better Homes & Gardens, Good Housekeeping, Redbook, Country Living, Cosmopolitan, Buzzfeed, MSN, Shape Magazine and more.

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