The Rice Chick

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Breakfast
  • Main Meals
  • Desserts
  • Rice 101
  • About
search icon
Homepage link
  • Breakfast
  • Main Meals
  • Desserts
  • Rice 101
  • About
×
Home » Easy Rice Dishes For Dinner

Mediterranean Yellow Rice

Oct 19, 2023 · Modified: Dec 10, 2023 by Emily · 1 Comment

Jump to recipe

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.

Yellow rice with chopped herbs in a bowl.
Jump to:
  • What’s the best kind of rice to use for yellow rice?
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Cost To Make
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Tips for Success
  • Substitutions / Variations
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storage
  • FAQ
  • What rice is used for what?
  • Helpful Rice Cooking Tips
  • More Mains Recipes
  • Recipe
  • Comments

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.

Mediterranean yellow rice on a white plate.

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.

Ingredients for Mediterranean yellow rice.
  • 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.

Cooking rice and onion in a saucepan with a wooden spoon.

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.

Cooked Mediterranean yellow rice in a saucepan.

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.
Close up image of Mediterranean rice in a plate.

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

What is Mediterranean rice made of?

Mediterranean yellow rice is typically made with ingredients like jasmine or basmati rice, turmeric powder, garlic, onion, and various herbs.

What is yellow rice also known as?

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.

What’s the difference between golden rice and yellow rice?

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.

Helpful Rice Cooking Tips

Want to know how to cook rice or just need a little refresher?

Check out how to easily cook basmati rice, sushi rice, and jasmine rice on the stovetop.

Or, why not check out our recipes on how to make basmati rice, jasmine rice, and sushi rice in the Instant Pot.

Mediterranean rice in a plate.

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below! We'd love to hear how it turned out.

More Mains Recipes

  • Ghee Rice with Coconut Milk
  • Hosomaki
  • Jeera Rice Recipe
  • Coconut Rice
  • Instant Pot Basmati Rice
  • Spam Fried Rice
  • Vietnamese Egg Omelette
  • Mediterranean Salad
  • What To Serve with Summer Rolls
  • Crispy Rice Paper Rolls
  • Maltese Baked Rice
  • Instant Pot Arroz Caldo

Recipe

Close up image of yellow rice in a bowl with a spoon.

Mediterranean Yellow Rice

Emily
Fluffy, fragrant, and delicious Mediterranean yellow rice. This dish makes for a great side dish to many different meals like roasted vegetables, grilled meats, and salads.
5 from 1 vote
PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
ESTIMATED COST : $4.25, or $1.06
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Western
Servings 4 serves
Calories 468 kcal

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

  1. If using basmati rice, cook your rice for 25 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serveCalories: 468kcalCarbohydrates: 92gProtein: 9gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 99mgPotassium: 523mgFiber: 5gSugar: 2g
Nutrition Disclosure
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it went!

More Easy Rice Dishes For Dinner

  • Close up image of turkey and rice.
    Ground Turkey and Rice
  • Close up image of beef bulgogi bibimbap.
    Bulgogi Bibimbap
  • Beef fried rice on a plate.
    Beef Bulgogi Fried Rice
  • Close up image of ground beef and rice in a white bowl.
    Rice and Ground Beef

Comments

    Join the Discussion Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




  1. Samantha says

    December 15, 2023 at 2:11 pm

    5 stars
    I loved making this the other day, I just had to come back and say thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
Author image.

Hi, I'm Emily! There's much more to rice than just cooking it on the stove. It's so versatile and you can create so many beautiful dishes with it. From puddings and desserts to main meals and even finger foods. There is something for everyone!

More about me →

Popular

  • Rice paper croissants.
    Rice Paper Croissants
  • Close up image of Arborio rice in a glass bowl with a wooden scoop.
    Arborio Rice Substitutes
  • Close up image of arborio rice.
    What is Arborio Rice?
  • Close up image of sushi handrolls.
    What is sushi wrapped in?

Web Stories

  • Hosomaki
  • Arroz Doce
  • Easy Rice Recipes
  • Fried Rice Recipes
  • Mango Mochi

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions

Contact

  • Image Sharing Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contact
  • About

Copyright © 2025 The Rice Chick