Yellow Rice – Two quick and simple yet super delicious rice dishes, Indian and South African styles seasoned mainly with turmeric, ginger and curry powder for a taste bud sensation. A great accompaniment for kinds of curries, seafood and other meat dishes.
Not too long ago I shared with you a recipe for brown spinach green rice. Since then, it has become my go-to rice recipe and to put it mildly – the whole family is obsessed with it.
One of my resolutions this year was to not get into a cooking rut. So I have decided to switch things up a little bit and make another kind of rice. My heart was ultimately set on Cape Malay version of yellow rice.
What is yellow rice?
Yellow Rice is a popular traditional yellow-colored rice dish in cuisines like Spanish, Caribbean, Indian and South African, among others. It is usually made by mixing white rice with saffron or turmeric to give off a yellow color. Turmeric is a love or hate spice – you either hate it or love it. It has a peppery, warm and somewhat bitter flavor with a light fragrance.
So I started out wanting to make a traditional south African dish and then ended up with a Cuban/Indian style yellow rice (as seen above).
Then I decided to take my behind back to the kitchen and make what I had set out to make, because sometimes I shy away from using certain ingredients in a recipe. In this case, it was adding raisins and sugar to a savory rice side dish. After making it, I kinda liked it!
The turmeric, curry and ginger, mellows out the sugar and you are left with a simple, flavorful and aromatic side dish. Try both recipes of yellow rice and you decide which one you prefer.
Is yellow rice bad for you?
Most of those yellow rice boxes and packages that you can buy from the grocery stores are heavily loaded with chemicals, additives and MSG. So technically, that type of yellow rice is bad for you when you over indulge.
These yellow rice dishes here are made from scratch, which is waaay better than the boxed ones. And if you want to make it healthier for you, you can replace white rice with brown rice. You can also use low sodium broth to reduce the amount of salt. Aaaaand hey, adding some peas into this dish makes it healthy-ish, right? 😉
When cooking with spices I like to start by sautéing the spices so they can bloom. It really makes the dish taste a lot better.
However, if you don’t want to lift a finger and do any extra work, the super duper easy way to make this rice is just throwing everything in a pot, bring to a bowl and let it simmer for about 18 minutes (a rice cooker works fine too). If you like plump raisins soak them in warm water first for about an hour before cooking. Serve it with your favorite protein or with this other South African favorite bobotie.
Enjoy!!
Watch How to Make It
Yellow Rice
Ingredients
Indian Style Yellow Rice
- 2-3 tablespoons cooking oil/butter
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- 2 cups white rice
- 1- 1 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 4 cups chicken stock or water
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt or more adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- 1 cup or more peas defrosted
- Black pepper to taste
South African Yellow Rice
- 2-3 tablespoons cooking oil/butter
- 2 cups white rice
- 1- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon powder ginger
- ¼ teaspoon curry powder optional
- 4 cups chicken stock or water
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt or more adjust to taste
- ½ cup raisins
Instructions
South African Yellow Rice
- Heat a saucepan with oil/ butter. Then add, ginger, turmeric, curry, and brown sauté for about a minute.
- Stir in rice to the pan, about 2 minutes, then add 4 cups of stock/water and raisins bring to a boil. Then reduce heat, and simmer until rice is completely cooked- about 18- 20 minutes. As the rice cooks you may add more stock if needed. Fluffy and serve
Indian Style Yellow Rice
- Heat a saucepan with oil, then add onions, garlic, ginger , paprika, curry pepper, cayenne pepper, and white pepper sauté for about a minute.
- Stir in rice to the pan, about 2 minutes, then add 4 cups of stock/water, bring to a boil reduce heat, and simmer until rice is almost cooked- about 10-12 minutes into cooking.
- Then throw in the peas, cover and continue cooking, for a few more minutes until rice is completely cooked. You may add more stock if needed. Fluffy and serve.
Tips & Notes:
- When cooking with spices I like to start by sautéing the spices so they can bloom. It really makes the dish taste a lot better.
- However, if you do want to lift a finger and do any extra work. The super duper easy way to make this rice is just throwing everything in a pot, bring to a bowl and let it simmer for about 18 minutes (a rice cooker works fine too)
- If you like plump raisins soak them in warm water for about an hour before cooking.
Nutrition Information:
How to Make Yellow Rice
Indian Style Yellow Rice. Heat a saucepan with oil, then add onions, garlic, ginger , paprika, curry pepper, cayenne pepper, and white pepper sauté for about a minute.
Stir in rice to the pan, about 2 minutes, then add 4 cups of stock/water, bring to a boil reduce heat, and simmer until rice is almost cooked- about 10-12 minutes into cooking. Then throw in the peas, cover and continue cooking, for a few more minutes until rice is completely cooked.
You may add more stock if needed. Fluffy and serve.
South African Yellow Rice. Heat a saucepan with oil/ butter. Then add, ginger, turmeric, curry, and brown sugar. Sauté for about a minute. Stir in rice to the pan, about 2 minutes.
Then add 4 cups of stock/water and raisins bring to a boil. Then reduce heat, and simmer until rice is completely cooked – about 18- 20 minutes.
As the rice cooks you may add more stock if needed. Fluffy and serve.
Cynthia says
I liked the recipe and I am happy that I can control of salt. Thanks
Imma Adamu says
I’m glad you liked it, Cynthia. Thank you!
Kesha says
Wanted to try something different, finding this recipe has not disappointed me,y family loves it,I did the Indian version, yummy
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! So glad it was a hit with your family, Kesha! Thanks for stopping by!
Brian C says
I’ve always liked rice but this is over the top. I made the India style , mixed in a can of black beans at the end and served with a grilled fish on top. Thanks for the recipe. I can’t wait to try more from your site.
ImmaculateBites says
Oh Wow. That sounds delicious! Glad it was a hit for you, Brian 🙂 !
Nunu says
You don’t say when to add the turmeric to the Indian rice.
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Nunu,
It’s listed in the instructions, right after adding curry powder.
Jessica Cecilia says
Thank you for sharing this recipe. This recipe its very helpful to us. Now my mother has been using this recipe to make this food. I’m waiting for the next recipe. Thanks You
Cay Holme says
Excellent recipes. Africa has plenty of excellent food but the media refuses it to be eaten by masses. Thanks for sharing. There is a vegetable in Africa called; “Huckleberry”. The best vegetable to the eaten. trust me if you are a spinish lover, then, you will be pleased
Marcia Oppong says
Hi Imma,
I made a variation of your indian style yellow rice. I used your recipe for inspiration on what ingredients to use, but in the end I didn’t necessarily use your measurements, I just kinda eyeballed everything. Came out good! Lol. I didn’t have a measuring cup, so maybe one day later I will try with the measurements and come back with an update! Thanks always for your flavorful recipes!
Superrr says
I have tried several of your published recipes and really enjoy them. I especially like the fact you include the nutritional content for each recipe. I would like to know what is the serving size (in the Nutritional Facts section) for these recipes?
imma africanbites says
Thank you for trying out my recipes. For this recipe, serving size is per 1 cup.
Char Ingram says
What brand of white rice do you use/recommend
ImmaculateBites says
I usually use Basmatic rice
Vanessa Coleman says
I tried the South African rice with your recipe for paprika chicken legs and it was amazing!!!! This is now one of my go-to dinners. So glad I decided to try this. The rice was perfectly flavored. I used golden raisins cuz that’s what I had and it was a perfect balance. Thanks for this!
imma africanbites says
What an incredible chicken and rice combo! Thank you for taking the time to share this with me, Vanessa. Have a good one!
Samantha says
Thank you for sharing this, I had forgotten about this recipe until I saw it today. It brings back some wonderful memories. I am going to make this for my family next weekend for our family get together, as my Dad loves Yellow Rice.
imma africanbites says
Looking forward to hear how this one turned out for you, Samantha. Enjoy!
Grace says
I was wondering if the rice needs to be boiled or washed a few times to remove the starch? My husband will not eat rice if he taste the starch, so I usually will boil the rice for a few minutes until the water is cloudy. I then rinse the rice and then add fresh water.
I would think rinsing the rice à few times should be enough.
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Grace, I think washing a couple of times should do it .let me know how it works out for you. Thanks !
Patricio says
I am having several issues cooking the rice. This is in regards to Jollof, Check rice and the Pilaf rice as well.
The rice is too soft and very soggy. Which rice is the best to use? I usually use Jasmine rice but would Basmati rice be better?
ImmaculateBites says
If your rice is too soggy then it might be too much water and/or prolonged cooking time . Although I prefer Basmati rice jasmine rice works as well here. For the check rice try uncle bens.
Christina says
Drooling, you legit have me drooling right now! I’m excited I found your site because our friends are from South Africa. We are hosting them soon to make dinner together. They are making traditional South African dishes and I’m in charge of the side dish. I’m totally going to make this recipe for them!
Seriously though, the dish looks and sounds amazing 🙂
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks Christina! Do let me know how it works out !
Michele says
Hi
I made your Indian yellow rice I use saffron and curry powder, cinnamon powder, paprika, salt and cloves as thats what I had. It wasnt very yellow as I think my saffron is no longer effective or I didn’t put enough but it tasted great. Will try the South African rice when I buy some turmeric.
ImmaculateBites says
Hello,
So happy to hear this. Thanks for the feedback
SaavyBabe says
We use the rice with peas recipe and it is so good! I use the recipe as it is and I’ve modified it and it still tastes amazing. One of those recipes that really can’t go wrong. Thank you!
ImmaculateBites says
Agree you just can’t mess it up! Thanks for letting me know how it worked out for you.
Areej says
Making the Indian one today! I noticed that salt an turmeric are not in the Indian rice instructions.
I am a new fan of your blog. Thank you for your great recipes!
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Are! Seasoned with salt according to preference . Use about 1 teaspoon of tumeric powder. Happy Cooking!!!
Sarah says
Hi Imma! I am currently stewing the Jamaican Oxtail Curry. It is smelling delicious! Which version of the rice do you think would match best?
Thanks so much!
ImmaculateBites says
Caribbean rice and beans would be just Perfect. Happy Cooking!!!!
Diona R says
Just found your site, SO happy I did!
ImmaculateBites says
So Happy you are here Diona!
Binta says
Good evening! Just came across this..yum! Is the rice parboiled or raw rice that was added please? The stories, the steps,the food,the pictures …. All to die for. Well done!
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks Binta. No parboiling needed.
Kerry says
Hi I could not see when to add the brown sugar? ? Help please
imma africanbites says
Hi Kerry. Add it along with the other seasonings and saute.
Meagan says
I must begin by saying I usually don’t leave reviews on recipe blogs. But holy cannoli. You’re a culinary genius. This is, hands down, the best rice I have ever had. Anywhere. Ever. I made the Indian style version and followed the recipe exactly. My husband said it’s one of the best things I have ever made. You have made two people very happy. Thank you.
ImmaculateBites says
Aww….I am so honored that you would make the exception for me. Tell hubby he’s got good taste.
Kidd says
This looks so delicious and I can’t wait to try it! I wonder how it will taste if I use brown rice instead as our family does not really eat white rice .
ImmaculateBites says
There will be a slight difference in taste but not overwhelming. Do let me know how it works out for you.
bernice alexander says
I added some coconut milk to my yellow rice it tasted even better.
imma africanbites says
Thanks for sharing that tip, Bernice.
Akua says
I also made it using organic coconut oil and it also came out great
Akua says
I tried it 🙂 Really good and was easy to make!
ChiO says
Yellow rice and raisins looks delicious. Chewing rice and having the raisins burst with all that juice… yum!
[email protected] Eats says
I could totally eat BOTH those rices without anything else! I adore flavoured rices. IMMA you truly are killing me, I feel like I just need to set aside a month and just cook stuff from your blog. I just love your food SO much.
ImmaculateBites says
Aww thanks Nagi!!!
Albie says
Thanks for the nice recipe. Should the garlic and ginger be sliced or ground?
ImmaculateBites says
It should be minced . Thanks.