Rice Pilaf

Easy rice pilaf is a flavorful side dish that goes with any number of main dishes! You'll love how fluffy, tender, and aromatic the rice is!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Steam Time 5

Total Time 40

Servings servings

Calories 249kcal

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring constantly, until the rice begins to turn lightly golden, about 4 minutes.
Stir in the broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then cover with the lid, and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
Remove the lid, and the parsley, and fluff the cooked rice with a fork, stirring in the parsley as you fluff. Serve immediately.

Flavor options: My recipe is a great starting point, but you can get creative and add more flavor! Turmeric, cumin, and cinnamon would be great additions for Middle Eastern/South Asian flair, for example. You can also change up the herbs and use fresh mint and cilantro instead of (or in addition to) parsley.
When toasting the rice: Make sure to stir constantly so the onion doesn't start to burn.
Do not peek at the rice while simmering. Keep the lid on the whole time. Lifting the lid causes steam to escape.
Don't stir the rice while it simmers. This activates the starch in the rice and will yield sticky rice.
Let the rice stand after cooking. Keep the rice covered for 5 minutes after it is done simmering. It will continue to steam during this time so you end up with gloriously fluffy rice.