4 Recipes for 3 Ingredient Rice

Thursday, July 28, 2016
If you're looking for simple side dishes that don't require a long shopping list, these 4 easy 3-ingredient rice recipes are exactly what you need.

With just three basic ingredients, you can transform plain rice into a flavorful side dish that's perfect for busy weeknights, holiday dinners, potlucks, or meal prep.

Whether you're craving rich buttery flavors, creamy coconut rice, bold Mexican-inspired taco rice, or savory Italian herb rice, these recipes prove that delicious doesn't have to be complicated. They're budget-friendly, beginner-friendly, and can be on the table in minutes.

The best part is that each recipe starts with pantry staples, making them ideal when you need a quick side without a lot of planning.

Pair them with grilled chicken, steak, seafood, pork, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal the whole family will enjoy.

4 easy rice recipes in a collage of photos




Why You'll Love These 3-Ingredient Rice Recipes

  • Only three simple ingredients in each recipe.
  • Perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
  • Budget-friendly and family-approved.
  • Easy enough for beginner cooks.
  • Great for meal prep and leftovers.
  • Ready in about 20 minutes or less.
  • Pairs with almost any main course.
  • Easy to customize by adding vegetables, herbs, or proteins.


taco rice


The Four Delicious Rice Recipes

  1. Buttery Rice Pilaf: A rich, buttery side dish with toasted flavors that pairs beautifully with roasted chicken, turkey, pork chops, grilled steak, or seafood. It's comforting, elegant, and simple enough for everyday dinners.
  2. Coconut Rice: Creamy, lightly sweet coconut rice makes an excellent companion for grilled shrimp, tropical chicken, salmon, curry dishes, and Asian-inspired meals. Every bite is fluffy, fragrant, and full of flavor.
  3. Taco Mexican-American Rice: This bold and flavorful rice is seasoned with classic taco flavors, making it the perfect side for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, grilled chicken, or taco bowls. It's an easy way to bring restaurant-style flavor to your dinner table.
  4. Italian Herb Rice: Loaded with savory Italian herbs, this versatile rice complements chicken parmesan, meatballs, grilled vegetables, pork tenderloin, baked fish, or pasta dinners. It's a simple side that tastes like it took much more effort.


coconut rice


Easy Ways to Customize These Recipes


Although each recipe uses only three ingredients, you can easily make them your own by adding:
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro
  • Green onions
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Toasted almonds or pine nuts
  • Mushrooms
  • Peas
  • Diced bell peppers
  • Corn
  • Black beans
  • Cooked bacon
  • Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
  • Lime juice
  • Fresh garlic
  • Lemon zest
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Cooked chicken
  • Shrimp
  • Smoked sausage
  • These rice recipes make excellent side dishes with: Grilled chicken breasts, Rotisserie chicken, Baked salmon, Grilled shrimp, Pork chops, Meatloaf, Beef roast, Steak, BBQ ribs, Fried chicken, Baked fish, Stir-fried vegetables, Curry dishes, Fajitas, Taco night, Holiday turkey or ham


taco rice with beans and cheese


Helpful Tips

  1. Use long-grain white rice for the fluffiest texture. Rinse rice before cooking if desired to remove excess starch. Allow the rice to rest for 5 minutes after cooking before fluffing with a fork.
  2. Double the recipe for meal prep or larger gatherings. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  3. Freeze cooked rice in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months. Reheat with a splash of broth or water to restore moisture.
  4. Can I use brown rice? Yes! Brown rice works well, but you'll need to increase the cooking time according to the package directions.
  5. Can I make these recipes ahead of time? Absolutely. These recipes are perfect for meal prep and reheat beautifully throughout the week.
  6. Can I use instant rice? Yes. Instant rice makes these recipes even faster while still delivering great flavor.
  7. Can I add protein? Definitely! Stir in cooked chicken, shrimp, sausage, ground beef, or tofu to turn any of these rice recipes into a complete meal.


herb rice with butter and peas


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easy rice recipes, rice, 3 ingredient rice recipes
American
Yield: 12
Author: Claudia Lamascolo
4 Recipes for 3 Ingredient Rice

4 Recipes for 3 Ingredient Rice

If you're looking for simple side dishes that don't require a long shopping list, these 4 easy 3-ingredient rice recipes are exactly what you need.

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 30 Min

Ingredients

  • 1. Buttery Rice Pilaf
  • 2. Coconut Rice
  • 3. Taco Mexican American Rice
  • 4. Italian Herb Rice

Instructions

  1. Buttery Rice Pilaf
  2. This rich, buttery pilaf pairs perfectly with almost any protein.
  3. Melt 1 stick of salted butter in a saucepan, then toast 1 1/2 cups of white rice in the butter for 2 minutes.
  4. Pour in 3 cups of water and 1 packet of onion or vegetable soup mix.
  5. Simmer covered for 15-20 minutes.
  6. Coconut Rice
  7. A slightly sweet and silky smooth rice.
  8. Combine 1 1/2 cups of white rice, 1 can (13.5 oz) of full-fat coconut milk, and 1 1/2 cups of water in a pot.
  9. Add a pinch of salt.
  10. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
  11. Taco Rice
  12. In a skillet, combine 1 cup of long-grain white rice, 1 can of chicken broth, and 1 can (10 oz) of mild or hot red enchilada sauce.
  13. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer on medium heat for 12 to 15 minutes until the rice is tender.
  14. Italian Herb Rice
  15. 1 cup white rice or brown, 2 cups Chicken or vegetable broth, 1 tablespoon Italian herb seasoning (oregano, thyme, rosemary, and basil). Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
  16. Bring to a boil, cover with a tight lid, and simmer on low heat. Cook for 15 minutes, remove from heat, and let sit covered for 5 minutes before fluffing

Notes


The Four Delicious Rice Recipes

  1. Buttery Rice Pilaf: A rich, buttery side dish with toasted flavors that pairs beautifully with roasted chicken, turkey, pork chops, grilled steak, or seafood. It's comforting, elegant, and simple enough for everyday dinners.
  2. Coconut Rice: Creamy, lightly sweet coconut rice makes an excellent companion for grilled shrimp, tropical chicken, salmon, curry dishes, and Asian-inspired meals. Every bite is fluffy, fragrant, and full of flavor.
  3. Taco Mexican-American Rice: This bold and flavorful rice is seasoned with classic taco flavors, making it the perfect side for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, grilled chicken, or taco bowls. It's an easy way to bring restaurant-style flavor to your dinner table.
  4. Italian Herb Rice: Loaded with savory Italian herbs, this versatile rice complements chicken parmesan, meatballs, grilled vegetables, pork tenderloin, baked fish, or pasta dinners. It's a simple side that tastes like it took much more effort.

Easy Ways to Customize These Recipes


Although each recipe uses only three ingredients, you can easily make them your own by adding:

  • Fresh parsley or cilantro
  • Green onions
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Toasted almonds or pine nuts
  • Mushrooms
  • Peas
  • Diced bell peppers
  • Corn
  • Black beans
  • Cooked bacon
  • Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
  • Lime juice
  • Fresh garlic
  • Lemon zest
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Cooked chicken
  • Shrimp
  • Smoked sausage
  • These rice recipes make excellent side dishes with: Grilled chicken breasts, Rotisserie chicken, Baked salmon, Grilled shrimp, Pork chops, Meatloaf, Beef roast, Steak, BBQ ribs, Fried chicken, Baked fish, Stir-fried vegetables, Curry dishes, Fajitas, Taco night, Holiday turkey or ham

Helpful Tips

  1. Use long-grain white rice for the fluffiest texture. Rinse rice before cooking if desired to remove excess starch. Allow the rice to rest for 5 minutes after cooking before fluffing with a fork.
  2. Double the recipe for meal prep or larger gatherings. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  3. Freeze cooked rice in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months. Reheat with a splash of broth or water to restore moisture.
  4. Can I use brown rice? Yes! Brown rice works well, but you'll need to increase the cooking time according to the package directions.
  5. Can I make these recipes ahead of time? Absolutely. These recipes are perfect for meal prep and reheat beautifully throughout the week.
  6. Can I use instant rice? Yes. Instant rice makes these recipes even faster while still delivering great flavor.
  7. Can I add protein? Definitely! Stir in cooked chicken, shrimp, sausage, ground beef, or tofu to turn any of these rice recipes into a complete meal.


Nutrition Facts

Calories

353

Fat (grams)

31 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

15 g

Carbs (grams)

2 g

Fiber (grams)

1 g

Net carbs

1 g

Sugar (grams)

1 g

Protein (grams)

16 g

Sodium (milligrams)

57 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

75 mg

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.

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