• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Southern Bytes
  • All Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Dog Food & Treat Recipes
  • Recipe Stories
  • Cooking Method
    • 30 Minute Recipes
    • Crock-Pot Recipes
    • Deep Fryer Recipes
    • Dehydrator Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Oven Recipes
  • Recipe Courses
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Bread
    • Breakfast
    • Condiments
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Main Courses
    • Salads
    • Side Dish Recipes
    • Soups, Chilis, & Stews
  • By Diet Type
    • Dairy-Free Recipes
    • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Keto Recipes
    • Kid Friendly Recipes
    • Paleo Recipes
    • Whole30 Recipes
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
  • By Cuisine Type
    • Asian Inspired Recipes
    • Cajun Recipes
    • Italian Recipes
    • Jamaican Inspired Recipes
    • Mexican Inspired Recipes
    • Southern Recipes
    • Spanish Recipes
    • facebook icon
    • pinterest icon
    • email icon
    • instagram icon
    • twitter icon
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Dog Food & Treat Recipes
  • Recipe Stories
  • Cooking Method
    • 30 Minute Recipes
    • Crock-Pot Recipes
    • Deep Fryer Recipes
    • Dehydrator Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Oven Recipes
  • Recipe Courses
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Bread
    • Breakfast
    • Condiments
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Main Courses
    • Salads
    • Side Dish Recipes
    • Soups, Chilis, & Stews
  • By Diet Type
    • Dairy-Free Recipes
    • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Keto Recipes
    • Kid Friendly Recipes
    • Paleo Recipes
    • Whole30 Recipes
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
  • By Cuisine Type
    • Asian Inspired Recipes
    • Cajun Recipes
    • Italian Recipes
    • Jamaican Inspired Recipes
    • Mexican Inspired Recipes
    • Southern Recipes
    • Spanish Recipes
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Dog Food & Treat Recipes
    • Recipe Stories
    • Cooking Method
      • 30 Minute Recipes
      • Crock-Pot Recipes
      • Deep Fryer Recipes
      • Dehydrator Recipes
      • Instant Pot Recipes
      • Oven Recipes
    • Recipe Courses
      • Appetizers & Snacks
      • Bread
      • Breakfast
      • Condiments
      • Desserts
      • Drinks
      • Main Courses
      • Salads
      • Side Dish Recipes
      • Soups, Chilis, & Stews
    • By Diet Type
      • Dairy-Free Recipes
      • Gluten-Free Recipes
      • Keto Recipes
      • Kid Friendly Recipes
      • Paleo Recipes
      • Whole30 Recipes
      • Vegan Recipes
      • Vegetarian Recipes
    • By Cuisine Type
      • Asian Inspired Recipes
      • Cajun Recipes
      • Italian Recipes
      • Jamaican Inspired Recipes
      • Mexican Inspired Recipes
      • Southern Recipes
      • Spanish Recipes
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Courses » Side Dish Recipes

    Better than a Box Rice Pilaf Recipe

    Published: July 19, 2019 · Updated: March 24, 2020 by Kari · 6 Comments · This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

    RECIPE ↓
    A white bowl with rice pilaf and a silver spoon and a pink napkin.

    Bring back memories of your favorite box of rice pilaf. It is fluffy, flavorful, and has none of the chemicals and unnecessary amounts of sodium that you find in a box mix.

    A white bowl with rice pilaf and a silver spoon and red plain napkin.

    When I was in college and was still learning to cook, I almost always made boxed foods because they were really easy to cook. (I pretty much lived on Knorr alfredo pasta packages and butter noodles.) I also loved Near East Pilafs and Couscous - I felt so fancy eating "rice pilaf."

    When I got a bit older and got better at cooking, I became a little more health-conscious. I realized that instant foods probably did not need to have a place in my diet.

    This rice pilaf smells just like a Near East pilaf as it is cooking, it brings back so many memories for me.

    Then the taste - this tastes JUST like a box of rice pilaf! (Maybe even a little better 😉 )

    Why Make Rice Pilaf from Scratch?

    First of all, everything is better from scratch. Rice pilaf is made just as easily as regular rice. The only thing that takes more time than boxed pilaf is the time required to dice some garlic and measure out spices. (This can even be done while your water is boiling, so it takes no more time than boiling water and tearing open a box.)

    You also probably already have all the ingredients.

    🥘 Ingredient Notes

    • butter
    • chicken or vegetable broth
    • water
    • rice
    • orzo
    • dried, minced onion
    • turmeric
    • fresh garlic
    • kosher salt
    • black pepper

    Instructions

    Begin by melting 1 tablespoon of butter.

    Squares of butter melting in a small, white and gray pot.

    Once melted, add 1 cup of chicken broth or vegetable broth and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil.

    Spices and two measuring spoons on a gray wooden background.

    Next, add your rice, orzo, and spices stir until well combined.

    Rice pilaf simmering in a white and gray pot.

    Bring back to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer.

    How Long Do You Cook it For?

    Cover and cook for 16 - 18 minutes, stirring occasionally. Make sure that the rice is not sticking to the bottom of the pot. If it seems to be cooking too fast and absorbing too much liquid, add half a cup of water and reduce heat.

    Rice pilaf simmering in a white and gray pot.

    When your 16-18 minutes is up, your rice should be soft, fluffy, and perfectly cooked.

    Garnish with parsley and season with extra salt and pepper if desired.

    Serve immediately as a side dish. We recently enjoyed it with sauteed sweet bell peppers and crispy chicken thighs.

    A white plate with a crispy chicken thigh, sautéed bell peppers, and rice pilaf.

    📖 Options

    Rice pilaf has so many variations:
    • garlic and herb
    • chicken flavor - seasoned with poultry seasoning
    • extra garlic
    • with added vegetables - add diced red bell peppers, broccoli, sauteed onions, or peas

    A white bowl with rice pilaf and a pink napkin.
    A white bowl with rice pilaf and a silver spoon and red plain napkin.

    Better Than a Box Rice Pilaf

    5 from 1 vote
    Kari
    Bring back memories of your favorite box of rice pilaf. It is fluffy, flavorful, and has none of the chemicals or unnecessary amounts of sodium that you find in a box.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 1 min
    Cook Time 18 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Dinner, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 165

    Equipment

    • Medium saucepan with a lid

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tbsp butter
    • 1 cup chicken broth Bone broth or vegetable broth work well also
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup white or long grain rice
    • ⅓ cup orzo Raw or cooked leftover is fine

    Spices

    • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
    • ⅛ tsp ground turmeric
    • ⅛ tsp black pepper
    • ½ tsp kosher salt
    • ½ tsp dried minced onion

    Instructions
     

    • Add butter, broth, and water to a small saucepan.
    • Bring to a boil and then stir in rice, orzo, and all spices.
    • Return to a boil, then reduce to simmer.
    • Simmer COVERED for 18 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the liquid starts to cook off too fast, add a little more water and reduce heat.
    • Fluff with a fork to serve.

    Notes

    There are so many variations that you can make - extra garlic, diced vegetables, peas, garlic and herb, or even a little parmesean cheese. Experiment away!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 4gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 358mgPotassium: 85mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 59IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg

    Nutrition information is approximate and is automatically calculated, so should only be used as a guide.

    Keyword 30minutemeal, copycat, rice
    Tried this recipe?Mention @southernbytes or tag #southernbytes!
    « Easy Oven Roasted Broccoli with Garlic & Olive Oil
    How to Make Easy Homemade Dog Food in an Instant Pot »

    About Kari

    I am a WordPress Developer, Food Blogger, and Health Coach. I love to cook and experiment with fun new recipes. I hope you enjoy!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kim

      July 23, 2019 at 11:52 am

      I also ate a lot of boxed foods in college! And this reminds me of one I loved too. 🙂 I will be trying this!

      Reply
    2. Angela Greven | Mean Green Chef

      July 23, 2019 at 5:45 am

      A tasty look side dish, great that it comes together so quickly!

      Reply
    3. Beth

      July 22, 2019 at 10:15 pm

      Kari, I didn't see information about the quantities of spices, etc., and would be curious to know, I'll check back in case you plan to edit your post. Thanks - it looks tasty!

      Reply
      • Kari

        July 24, 2019 at 10:58 pm

        Thanks for pointing that out for me! I didn't even realize it had not saved the recipe 🙂 It is all there now!

        Reply
    4. Erika

      July 22, 2019 at 8:21 pm

      This looks so amazing. It looks so soft and would be a perfect side dish.

      Reply
    5. Karla Petersen

      July 21, 2019 at 12:00 am

      I've never made rice pilaf, but I love eating it, so it's now on my to-do list. Thank you!

      Reply

    Please let me know what you think about the recipe :) Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Kari!

    I am a WordPress developer, food blogger, and health coach. I love to cook and experiment with fun new recipes. I hope you enjoy!

    Want to cook like Southern Bytes? Check out our shop!

    Recent Posts

    A bowl of crock pot boneless country style ribs with onions.

    Crock Pot Country Style Ribs

    A close up of dehydrated cherry tomatoes.

    How to Dehydrate Cherry Tomatoes

    A small bowl of redneck caviar with black-eyed peas, corn, black beans, and tomatoes with a side of tortilla chips.

    Redneck Caviar

    A cast iron pan with parchment paper topped with fried catfish fillets.

    What to Serve with Fried Catfish

    A close up image of creamy crawfish pasta and a white wine, cream, & butter sauce.

    Crawfish Monica

    A white bowl of cheesy hash brown casserole.

    Crockpot Cheesy Hashbrown Potatoes

    Browse Recipes

    • Kari's Favorite Southern Bytes Recipes
    • Paleo Recipes
    • Courses
    • Dog Food & Treat Recipes

    Summer Recipes

    A close up of dehydrated cherry tomatoes.

    How to Dehydrate Cherry Tomatoes

    A cast iron pan with parchment paper topped with fried catfish fillets.

    What to Serve with Fried Catfish

    A bowl of southern style green beans cooked in a crock pot with ham, bacon, and red bell peppers.

    Crock Pot Southern Green Beans

    Creamy southern coleslaw (shredded carrots & cabbage covered in mayonnaise) up close.

    Classic Southern Coleslaw

    A white dish with crispy fried chicken tenders on it.

    Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders

    A bowl of creamy southern potato salad with a mustard based dressing.

    Easy Southern Potato Salad

    More Summer Favs >>

    Southern Bytes has been Featured By:

    Footer


    Southern Bytes has been Featured By:

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Shop
    • Reader Opinions

    Newsletter

    • Subscribe to Get Recipes

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About

    Copyright © 2020 - Southern Bytes

    • 61
    128 shares