Indulge in the simplicity of making Mediterranean yellow rice, a year-round favorite that brings comfort during the fall and winter months.
Pair it flawlessly with a variety of main courses, or relish it as a delicious dish all on it's own.
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Mediterranean yellow rice is a vibrant and aromatic dish that showcases the bold flavors of the Mediterranean region.
This delicious recipe combines fragrant jasmine rice with a rich infusion of turmeric powder, creating a striking yellow color.
Onions and garlic are sautéed until tender, infusing the rice with a savory depth of flavor.
Further flavor is added to the dish with a luscious vegetable or chicken stock, providing a comforting and savory base.
To finish, a generous garnish of fresh cilantro and parsley adds a burst of freshness, complementing the earthy and spicy notes of the turmeric.
This Mediterranean yellow rice is not only a feast for the senses but also a delightful side dish that pairs wonderfully with a variety of Mediterranean-inspired main courses.
What's the best kind of rice to use for yellow rice?
For this recipe for Mediterranean yellow rice, it is best to use a long grain rice like basmati rice or jasmine rice.
This is because the slightly nutty and floral notes of this kind of rice pairs well with the Mediterranean flavors.
You could use other types of rice, like medium grain rice, but this will give the dish a stickier texture.
You would also need to adjust the cooking time.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Enjoy this Mediterranean yellow rice as a side dish to other meals such as grilled meats like chicken, or fish, grilled vegetables, stew, or even salads.
- This recipe is gluten free, vegan friendly, and vegetarian.
- Mediterranean yellow rice is easy to make.
- Perfect to serve at pot lucks, weeknight dinners, last minute dinner parties, and special occasions like Thanksgiving, Easter, or Christmas.
- Great for meal prep.
Cost To Make
Estimated cost = $4.25, or $1.06
Ingredients
Please note that below is a guide for some of the ingredients we used in the recipe. The printable recipe further down the page has the complete list of ingredients, including quantities and step-by-step instructions.
- Vegetable Oil: Or you could use extra virgin olive oil.
- Brown Onion: Finely chopped
- Minced Garlic
- Jasmine Rice: Rinse your rice (2 to 3 times) until the water runs clear. If using basmati rice, cook for 25 minutes.
- Turmeric Powder: This is what gives this rice it's yellow color.
- Stock: You could use vegetable or chicken stock.
- Salt and Pepper
- Cilantro: Coriander, roughly chopped, optional.
- Parsley: Roughly chopped, optional.
Instructions
This recipe for Mediterranean yellow rice serves 4. The ingredient quantities can easily be adjusted to suit how many serves you need to make.
Step One: Heat vegetable oil in a medium sized saucepan.
Once hot add the brown onion and cook until the onion is tender and lightly browned.
Then add the minced garlic and rinsed and drained rice. Saute for a further 1 to 2 minutes.
Step Two: Add the turmeric powder, stock, and salt and pepper to the saucepan.
Mix through and bring the liquid to a boil.
Once at a boil, reduce to a simmer and gently stir the rice.
Step Three: Cook, covered with a lid for 20 minutes. Once cooked turn off the heat and allow the rice to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
Step Four: Gently fluff the rice (mix the rice gently with a spoon or fork) and then mix through the chopped coriander and parsley (if using). Serve.
Tips for Success
- Make sure you rest your rice before serving. This will improve the texture and enhance the flavor of the rice.
Substitutions / Variations
- Mix in cooked shrimp, mussels, or other seafood for a delightful Mediterranean-inspired paella.
- Add some diced chicken when you are cooking your onions.
- Mix through some sauteed bell peppers, zucchini, and tomatoes.
- Add a pinch of ground coriander, ground cumin, and paprika for a spicy twist.
- Add some lemon zest and juice and some fresh thyme and oregano.
Serving Suggestions
Some ways we love to serve this yellow rice include with:
- Grilled shrimp skewers
- With a simple salad, such as fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese
- Lamb kebabs
- Grilled meats like chicken, fish
- With roasted Mediterranean vegetables like eggplant, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes
- Toasted pine nuts
Storage
This Mediterranean basmati yellow rice can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 2 to 3 days.
FAQ
Mediterranean yellow rice is typically made with ingredients like jasmine or basmati rice, turmeric powder, garlic, onion, and various herbs.
Yellow rice is also known as "arroz amarillo" in Spanish and "saffron rice" in some regions due to its color and aromatic qualities. There are many variations on yellow rice, including Mediterranean yellow rice, Asian style yellow rice, and even risotto.
Golden rice and yellow rice are similar in color, but golden rice is a specific variety of rice, while yellow rice primarily gets its color from turmeric or saffron.
What rice is used for what?
Ever wondered which might be the best rice to use for a dish you're about to make.
Or maybe you're just curious and want to know more about rice in general.
Why not check out our pages on what is basmati rice and what is jasmine rice.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below! We'd love to hear how it turned out.
Recipe
Mediterranean Yellow Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 small (120 grams, 4.23 ounces) brown onion finely chopped
- 1 ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 cups (400 grams, 14.11 ounces) jasmine rice rinsed and drained (see note 1)
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 3 cups (750ml/grams, 26.46 ounces) stock e.g. vegetable or chicken stock
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons (7 grams, 0.25 ounces) cilantro coriander, roughly chopped, optional
- 2 tablespoons (7 grams, 0.25 ounces) parsley roughly chopped, optional
Instructions
- Heat vegetable oil in a medium sized saucepan. Once hot add the brown onion and cook until the onion is tender and lightly browned. Then add the minced garlic and rinsed and drained rice. Saute for a further 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add the turmeric powder, stock, and salt and pepper to the saucepan. Mix through and bring the liquid to a boil. Once at a boil, reduce to a simmer and gently stir the rice.
- Cook, covered with a lid for 20 minutes. Once cooked turn off the heat and allow the rice to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Gently fluff the rice (mix the rice gently with a spoon or fork) and then mix through the chopped coriander and parsley (if using). Serve.
Notes
- If using basmati rice, cook your rice for 25 minutes.
Samantha says
I loved making this the other day, I just had to come back and say thanks for the recipe.