Best 9 Easy Pilaf Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey with pilaf, a versatile and flavorful dish that transcends cultural boundaries. This aromatic rice-based dish, often adorned with an array of colorful vegetables, succulent meats, and fragrant herbs, has captivated palates for centuries. From the vibrant streets of Istanbul to the bustling bazaars of Delhi, pilaf weaves a tapestry of culinary traditions, embodying the essence of comfort and nourishment.

Our collection of pilaf recipes offers a tantalizing array of flavors, textures, and cooking techniques to suit every palate and preference. Whether you seek a classic Turkish pilaf infused with the warmth of cumin and paprika, a hearty Greek pilaf brimming with juicy chicken and vegetables, or a fragrant Persian pilaf perfumed with saffron and dried fruits, our culinary guide has you covered.

For those with dietary restrictions, we present a delectable vegan pilaf, a symphony of wholesome grains, roasted vegetables, and tangy spices. And for those craving a taste of the Mediterranean, our Spanish paella, brimming with succulent seafood and vibrant vegetables, is a true feast for the senses.

As you embark on your pilaf-cooking adventure, let our recipes be your trusty compass, guiding you through each step with clarity and precision. Discover the art of creating perfectly fluffy rice, master the technique of toasting spices to unlock their full flavor potential, and learn how to incorporate a medley of ingredients harmoniously to create a dish that is both visually stunning and tantalizingly delicious.

So, gather your ingredients, prepare your cooking vessels, and let your taste buds embark on a journey of culinary exploration. Pilaf awaits, ready to captivate your senses and leave you craving more.

Let's cook with our recipes!

EASY PILAF



Easy Pilaf image

This basic pilaf is quick and easy to make.

Provided by Elaine Mical

Categories     Side Dish     Rice Side Dish Recipes     Pilaf

Time 50m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 tablespoons butter
1 onion, chopped
1 cup uncooked white rice
2 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Prepare a 1 quart baking dish with butter.
  • Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the onion in the butter until translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the rice; cook until the rice is slightly golden. Pour in the chicken broth. Season with the salt. Simmer another 5 minutes. Transfer to the prepared dish.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the broth is completely absorbed, 35 to 40 minutes. Fluff with a fork to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 162.3 calories, Carbohydrate 27.9 g, Cholesterol 10.2 mg, Fat 4.1 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 2.8 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, Sodium 416.3 mg, Sugar 0.9 g

EASY RICE PILAF



Easy Rice Pilaf image

Onion soup mix and frozen peas really "rev up" your rice in this recipe. This side dish is a nice alternative to potatoes and complements turkey or any main course.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup uncooked long grain rice
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1-1/2 to 2 tablespoons onion soup mix
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1-2/3 cups boiling water
1 cup frozen peas

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, brown rice in oil, stirring constantly. Blend in soup mix and pepper. Stir in water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until the rice is tender. Stir in peas. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts :

EASY LEMON RICE PILAF



Easy Lemon Rice Pilaf image

This creamy rice dish is the perfect side choice for fish. The subtle lemon and creamy Parmesan give it a robust and memorable flavor. Double delicious when used with jasmine rice! Guaranteed you'll be asked to make it again and again!

Provided by LemonLush

Categories     Side Dish     Rice Side Dish Recipes     Pilaf

Time 48m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 large egg yolks
¼ cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest, or to taste
2 tablespoons butter
1 ½ cups uncooked jasmine rice
3 cups chicken broth
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

  • Combine egg yolks, cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a bowl; whisk thoroughly.
  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add rice; cook, stirring constantly, until opaque, 3 to 4 minutes. Add chicken broth; stir quickly. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Fold lemon-cream mixture into the rice; mix well. Stir in Parmesan cheese and parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 281.9 calories, Carbohydrate 40.2 g, Cholesterol 98 mg, Fat 10.2 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 6.3 g, SaturatedFat 5.8 g, Sodium 667.6 mg, Sugar 0.8 g

EASY COUSCOUS PILAF



Easy Couscous Pilaf image

Carrot, celery, and onion infuse this couscous with loads of flavor.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small carrot
1 small celery stalk
1 small onion
Coarse salt and pepper
1 cup water
1 cup couscous

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add carrot, celery stalk, and onion, all finely chopped; season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add water; bring to a boil.
  • Stir in couscous into vegetable mixture in pan. Remove from heat; cover, and let steam 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Season with salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 227 g, Fat 3 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 6 g

EASY MUSHROOM RICE PILAF



Easy Mushroom Rice Pilaf image

Make and share this Easy Mushroom Rice Pilaf recipe from Food.com.

Provided by b4uc1or2

Categories     Low Cholesterol

Time 1h

Yield 4-5 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup brown rice
2 cups broth (I used chicken broth)
4 ounces chopped fresh mushrooms (1 1/4 cups)
2/3 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Combine all ingredients in 3-quart saucepan.
  • Bring to boil.
  • Reduce heat to low.
  • Cover and simmer for 50 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and let stand, covered for 10 minutes.
  • Stir and serve immediately.
  • ENJOY!

EASY MICROWAVE RICE PILAF



Easy Microwave Rice Pilaf image

This quick and easy side dish has a lot of flavor, is quick, and is mighty convenient when the stove is going full steam ahead. It's also easy to leave out or add to.

Provided by Redneck Epicurean

Categories     White Rice

Time 25m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 -2 tablespoon margarine
1 cup hot water
1/3 cup uncooked rice
1 tablespoon chicken bouillon
1 dash garlic powder

Steps:

  • Combine onion, celery, green pepper, and margarine in 1 quart casserole dish. Sprinkle with garlic powder, cover, and microwave on high 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Stir in hot water, uncooked rice, and bouillon.
  • Microwave 5 minutes on high, then 10 to 12 minutes on 50 % power. Let stand 5 minutes, fluff with fork.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 91.7, Fat 3, SaturatedFat 0.5, Sodium 63.5, Carbohydrate 14.7, Fiber 0.6, Sugar 0.8, Protein 1.4

EASY FRUITED WILD RICE PILAF



Easy Fruited Wild Rice Pilaf image

Her savory rice side dish has become a favorite with family and friends, writes Carolyn Keith from Evanston, Illinois. Studded with golden raisins, dried cherries and nuts, it goes together in no time using a convenient rice mix and dresses up a variety of main dishes.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 45m

Yield 5 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 small onion, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
1 package (6 ounces) long grain and wild rice mix
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
3/4 cup golden raisins and cherries
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, saute onion and celery in butter until tender. Add rice mix with contents of seasoning packet; stir to coat. , Stir in the broth, fruit and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 24-28 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. , Remove from the heat; stir in pecans. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Nutrition Facts :

EASY VEGETARIAN BROWN RICE PILAF



Easy Vegetarian Brown Rice Pilaf image

DH and I are trying to get healthy and lose some weight, but of course it's gotta be tasty! He is hooked on brown rice.

Provided by Sudika

Categories     Lactose Free

Time 40m

Yield 3-4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup brown basmati rice
1 bell pepper, sliced (any colour of your choice)
1 cup green beans or 1 cup flat beans, sliced
1/2 cup peas
1 teaspoon cumin seed
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, freshly grated
1 green chili, finely chopped
4 sprigs fresh thyme (or any herb of your choice)
1 tablespoon butter (or ghee)
salt and pepper
1 tablespoon almonds, flaked and toasted (optional)

Steps:

  • Cook rice according to instructions and set aside.
  • In a pan heat butter and fry ginger, chilli and cumin for a minute, then add beans. If using fresh peas, also add now.
  • Cook till beans and peas are tender but firm. You may need to add a few tablespoons of water. If using frozen peas, rinse under hot water and add now along with sliced peppers.
  • Cook for few minutes till peppers are heated through.
  • Mix in rice and add salt, pepper and herbs to taste.
  • Sprinkle almonds.
  • Serve hot with thick lentil dal on the side.

EASY CHICKEN PILAF CASSEROLE



Easy Chicken Pilaf Casserole image

This wonderful chicken/rice casserole is a favorite in our house, and it is often requested for supper (Tip: any left over cooked chicken (or cooked turkey, I always freeze a whole cooked turkey breast)... just freeze and use in recipes that call for cooked chicken, that way you will always have it on hand, and ready to use). Also, this recipe is great made with cooked turkey instead of chicken. Prep time does not include cooking the rice.

Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz

Categories     Chicken

Time 1h

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

4 tablespoons butter
2 -4 tablespoons flour
2 -3 cloves fresh minced garlic (optional)
1 3/4 cups half-and-half cream (OR 3/4 cup milk with 1 cup half and half cream)
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can chicken broth
1 -2 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
salt
fresh grated black pepper, to taste
2 cups cooked chicken, cut into bite-size pieces
1 cup cooked long-grain rice
1/4-1/2 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced (or canned, drained is okay)
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

  • Set oven to 350 degrees.
  • Grease a 2-quart casserole dish.
  • In a saucepan, melt butter; whisk in flour and fresh garlic (if using), and whisk for 1 minute.
  • Gradually stir in half and half cream and chicken broth; bring to a light boil, and simmer for 2 minutes, until thickened; add in grated Parmesan cheese (you can use as much as you desire) salt and pepper.
  • Fold in the cooked chicken, rice, mushrooms, peppers and parsley.
  • transfer to a prepared casserole dish.
  • Cover, and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the rice is done, and the casserole is bubbly.
  • Note: cooked brown rice is great also.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 462.2, Fat 29.6, SaturatedFat 16.6, Cholesterol 123.3, Sodium 471.7, Carbohydrate 23.2, Fiber 1.7, Sugar 3, Protein 25.8

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the pilaf will taste. Look for long-grain rice, such as basmati or jasmine, and flavorful broth, such as chicken or vegetable broth.
  • Rinse the rice before cooking: This will help to remove any starch and prevent the rice from sticking together.
  • Toast the rice before adding the liquid: This will help to bring out the flavor of the rice and give it a slightly nutty taste.
  • Use the right amount of liquid: The general rule is to use 1 cup of liquid for every 2 cups of rice. However, you may need to adjust this ratio depending on the type of rice you are using and how moist you want the pilaf to be.
  • Cook the pilaf over low heat: This will help to prevent the rice from burning and ensure that it cooks evenly.
  • Let the pilaf rest before serving: This will allow the rice to absorb all of the flavors and become fluffy.

Conclusion:

Pilaf is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or side dish. It is also a great way to use up leftover rice. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious and flavorful pilaf that your whole family will enjoy.

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