This Rice Pilaf is a classic side dish that goes well with nearly any meal, making it a wonderful staple in anyone’s kitchen. It’s simple, fluffy, and flavorful, and ready in about a half hour. It’s satisfying as is, or it can easily be customized with fresh herbs and other additions.

Rice Pilaf - In a White Bowl with Slotted Spoon

A lot of times people think of plain rice as a boring side dish, but you can create quite a different experience depending on how you cook it.

This easy rice pilaf recipe is about as minimal as it gets when it comes to ingredients, but still has wonderful flavor and texture. It’s perfectly fluffy and steamed, with separated, tender grains that aren’t sticky.

The method I share here is adapted from a Cook’s Illustrated cookbook I received for Christmas many years ago, called The Science of Good Cooking (affiliate), and it has gone through MANY rounds of recipe testing.

I was quite intrigued by their chapter on rice and have since experimented with several methods, as well as many different varieties. This is my favorite way to make pilaf, and the results are quite compelling for skipping the box mix and cooking from scratch!

Tips for Best Results

Pick the right variety – My two favorites are jasmine or basmati, which are both long-grain, fragrant, and easily accessible varieties. I find that generic “long grain rice” doesn’t have as much aroma.

Rinse thoroughly, but don’t soak – No matter what type of rice you use, for the distinct separate grains that typically characterize a Rice Pilaf, you’ll want to rinse the grains thoroughly under running water, to rinse away the excess starch from the outside. Soaking will actually give you a bloated end result and should be avoided.

Let it sit for 10 minutes after cooking – This makes such a big difference in the end “fluffiness” and allows any last bits of moisture to absorb in. Don’t skip it unless you’re absolutely in a rush.

Step by Step Overview:

To get started, melt butter in a nonstick pan over medium heat, then add shallots and salt:

Butter and Shallot in a Nonstick Pan

Butter will give you the superior and classic flavor, but you may also use olive oil if you prefer.

You may also substitute yellow or red onion if you prefer them over shallots.

Let that cook for about 5 minutes, until the shallots soften. While the shallots cook, prepare the rice.

What kind of rice to use?

My top recommendations are to use Jasmine or Basmati. They are both quite different from each other, so try both to see which you like better. I personally prefer Jasmine a bit more, but will do Basmati if I’m making a more Indian-themed meal.

You may also use the generic “long grain rice” or standard white rice from the store, but keep in mind that quality ranges quite a bit.

Place the rice in a strainer, and rinse for 2 minutes with cold water.

Rinsing Jasmine Rice in a Fine Mesh Strainer

Rinse but don’t soak

No soaking is necessary for a good rice pilaf. Cook’s Illustrated did tests and discovered that it can actually make the grains bloated and overcooked. Rinsing under running water is perfect for rinsing away the outer starch and giving you nicely separated grains in the final dish.

When the shallots are properly softened, they should look like this:

Softened Shallots Cooked in Butter in Pan

Add the rinsed uncooked rice to the pan, and stir:

Jasmine Rice Pilaf - In Nonstick Pan with Green Spatula

Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring often, until the grains looks chalky and opaque. You can see how different the rice looks in the photo below. This toasting period also aids in getting the best rice pilaf texture we ultimately want, with separated individual grains.

Then add chicken stock or chicken broth and a little extra salt to the pan:

Pouring Chicken Stock Into the Rice Pilaf Recipe Batch

Broth vs Stock

Broths are typically made more with meat, whereas stocks are made more with bones, giving a different type of mouthfeel to each one. However, here you can use either one and have similar results.

Just make sure to use a good quality stock or broth. I suggest buying a handful of brands from the store and doing your own taste test. I have found that brands vary hugely in terms of richness and flavor. I tend to like Swanson and Imagine.

The Perfect Rice to Liquid Ratio

For rice pilaf, we do a 2 cups rice to 3 cups liquid ratio. That’s right: the amount of liquid and ratio for pilaf is different than regular steamed rice. You don’t need as much liquid when you’re toasting the grains beforehand in oil, and adding more will give you mushy rice and a bloated end result.

Bring the liquid to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer (medium-low heat) and put the lid on. After 18-20 minutes of cooking time, the liquid will be absorbed:

Cooked Rice Pilaf in Pan Without Lid

Fluff the rice and give it a good stir, as it can get drier on the bottom than the top.

Then replace the lid and let the rice rest for 10 more minutes.

Fully Cooked Rice Pilaf with Lid to Trap Heat

This gives the water more time to redistribute, and gives the grains a lighter texture. This really does make a big difference for fluffy rice!

One Batch of Rice Pilaf Recipe in White Bowl with Serving Spoon

How to Serve It

The Rice Pilaf will be at its best when served piping hot after cooking, because the grains tend to firm up as they cool to room temperature. You may want to keep it in the pan to better retain heat, instead of placing in a serving bowl.

I love serving this classic recipe with dishes like Crispy Braised Chicken Thighs, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Spatchcock Roast Chicken, and Pork Tenderloin.

Feel free to throw in some chopped fresh herbs, like chives, basil, chervil, or parsley. You may toss it in either right before you rest the pilaf for 10 minutes, to wilt the herbs slightly, or right before serving, to wilt the herbs less.

Tabbouleh, Herb Mushroom Barley, and Quinoa Cakes are a few of my other favorite starch sides. Enjoy!

Recipe Variations

This basic rice pilaf can be customized in a variety of different ways. For more flavor, try adding a bay leaf and garlic clove to the broth, then remove before serving. Or top with grated parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, or other favorite herbs.

Tips and FAQ

How do you store leftover Rice Pilaf?

Keep in an airtight container so the pilaf doesn’t dry out, and store for up to 5 days in the fridge.

Can Rice Pilaf be frozen?

Yes, it freezes well for up to two months.

Can Rice Pilaf be made in a rice cooker?

Cooking the rice in the oil is essential, so a rice cooker won’t work well. An Instant Pot (affiliate) is a better option.

How do you reheat Rice Pilaf?

Reheat in the microwave, always with a lid or some sort of cover to trap the steam in, otherwise the pilaf will dry out.

Can you use brown rice?

I recommend looking up a different recipe specifically tailored to brown rice. Swapping in a brown rice here will not work well. I advise the same if you want a wild rice pilaf recipe.

Did you enjoy the recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Or, follow me on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest!

A bowl of rice pilaf with spoon

Rice Pilaf

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
This Rice Pilaf is simple, fluffy, and flavorful, and a good side dish for Chicken, Beef, Pork, and more.
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Ingredients

  • 2 cups long grain white rice (I think jasmine and basmati are best)
  • 2 tbsp butter (or olive oil*)
  • 1/2 cup chopped shallots
  • 1/4 + 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3 cups chicken stock

Instructions 

  • Place the rice in a strainer, and rinse well for 2 minutes.
  • Add the butter, shallots, and 1/4 tsp salt to a nonstick pan (use one that has a lid), and cook for 5 minutes over medium heat, until slightly softened.
  • Add the rinsed rice and toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring often, until the grains turns chalky and opaque.
  • Add the chicken stock and remaining 1/4 tsp salt, and increase the heat to medium high to high, just enough to bring the liquid to a boil. Once the liquid reaches a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer (medium low or low heat), and cover the pan with the lid**.
  • Cook for 18-20 minutes, until the liquid has been absorbed.
  • Stir and fluff the rice, as the bottom tends to get drier than the top, replace the lid, and let the pilaf sit for 10 more minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

*To make this dairy free, you can use olive oil. It’s still good, but know that it won’t have that classic pilaf flavor.
**A tight-fitting lid is important, one that was designed for the pan, and not a makeshift lid.
Storing leftovers: Keep in an airtight container so the pilaf doesn’t dry out, and store for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Freezing: Freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave, always with a lid or some sort of cover to trap the steam in, otherwise the pilaf will dry out.

Nutrition

Calories: 302kcal, Carbohydrates: 53g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 13mg, Sodium: 208mg, Potassium: 196mg, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 120IU, Vitamin C: 0.2mg, Calcium: 21mg, Iron: 0.7mg

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Author: Fifteen Spatulas