Seasoned Rice Mix

By
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen is a journalist, quick-cooking and slow-cooking expert, and accomplished cookbook author with over 30 years of experience in testing and developing recipes.
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Updated on 07/22/21
Seasoned Rice Mix

The Spruce / Emily Baker

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 30 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Yield: 3 cups mix

Rice is a filling and delicious side dish to everything, from roasted meats to stews, but it also can be a main dish on its own when you want to serve a vegetarian dish. Pre-packaged seasoned rice is a go-to for many busy home cooks because it comes with lots of flavors and is convenient. Our recipe brings you the best of seasoned rice, without the unnecessary additives of packaged food and with tons of flavor.

This quick and easy side dish is a healthy and flavorful way to spruce up your rice. It's flavored with herbs and butter, so just choose your favorite rice, mix, cook, and serve dinner in just 30 minutes. If using brown rice, be mindful that it takes twice, and sometimes three times, as much time as white rice. No matter the kind of rice you're using, check the bag as the amounts of water needed vary depending on the type of grain. The uncooked rice, dry herbs, and seasonings can be mixed and kept in the pantry for up to six months.

Serve seasoned rice with fish, chicken, beef, or pork or eat it on its own for a buttery and delicious meal.

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Ingredients

For the Seasoned Rice Mix:

  • 3 cups long grain rice, white or brown rice

  • 1/4 cup dried parsley

  • 2 tablespoons instant bouillon powder, chicken, beef, or vegetable

  • 1 tablespoon onion powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

For Cooking:

  • 1 tablespoon butter

Steps to Make It

Make the Rice Mix

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Seasoned Rice Mix ingredients

    The Spruce / Emily Baker

  2. Mix the uncooked rice, dried parsley flakes, bouillon powder, onion powder, and thyme leaves in a medium bowl.

    Seasoned Rice Mix ingredients together in a bowl

    The Spruce / Emily Baker

  3. Pour into a tightly sealed glass or plastic container and store for up to 6 months.

    Seasoned Rice Mix in a jar

    The Spruce / Emily Baker

Cook the Rice

  1. In a medium saucepan, add the necessary amount of liquid for 1 cup of the seasoned rice you're using. Depending on the grain it can vary between 2 or 3 cups of liquid. You may use broth as well. Add butter as well, and bring the mixture to a boil.

  2. Stir in 1 cup of the rice mix. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes for white rice and 35 to 45 minutes for brown rice, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.

  3. Remove from the heat and fluff with a fork. Serve hot.

  4. Enjoy!

How to Serve a Vegetarian Rice Main Dish?

Rice is filling, packed with fiber, and delicious as a vegetarian main. Here are a few options on how to serve your rice as a vegetarian main:

  • Beans and salsa: Serve the rice with a side of beans and salsa, slices of avocado, and some lime wedges to add some acidity.
  • Seaweed and tofu: Either a seaweed salad or roasted packaged seaweed can complete this easy and flavorful dish. Top your rice with the seaweed of your choice, and serve with baked or fried tofu.
  • Roasted vegetables and gravy: Roast any vegetables you have at hand, seasoning them generously with olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Serve the rice with vegetables and some vegetarian mushroom gravy to add some richness to the dish.

Customized Seasoning

It's easy to customize the flavor of this spiced rice by swapping out or adding to the dried spices. Some good options include:

  • Cajun-style: Add 1 teaspoon each of dried garlic, celery salt, paprika, and cayenne pepper to the mix.
  • Italian-style: Add 1 teaspoon each of dried basil, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and dried oregano to the mix.
  • Greek-style: Add 1 teaspoon each of dried oregano, lemon pepper, dried garlic, dried marjoram, and a pinch of nutmeg to the mix. Add a squeeze of lemon when fluffing the cooked rice.
  • Mexican-style: Add 1 teaspoon each of dried garlic, dried parsley, paprika, dried oregano, and dry cumin to the mix. When cooking the rice, add 4 tablespoons of tomato paste to the cooking liquid.
  • Indian-style: Add 1 teaspoon each of dried cilantro, dark mustard seeds, chili flakes, cumin seeds, cardamom seeds, and turmeric to the mix. When making the rice, add 2 cloves to the cooking liquid, and remove the cloves when serving.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
66 Calories
1g Fat
12g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 66
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 3%
Cholesterol 3mg 1%
Sodium 271mg 12%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 1mg 4%
Calcium 14mg 1%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 39mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)