10+ White Rice Recipes Healthy for Wholesome Meals

White rice is a staple in many kitchens around the world, known for its versatility and mild flavor. You can create a variety of healthy dishes using white rice that are both delicious and satisfying.

Whether you are looking for a tasty side dish or a main course, these recipes can fit into your healthy eating plan.

There are countless ways to prepare white rice with nutritious ingredients. From grain bowls to seasonings that enhance its natural taste, these recipes offer options for everyone. You will discover how easy it is to incorporate healthy practices into your meals while enjoying this beloved grain.

1) Lemon Herb White Rice

Lemon herb white rice is a tasty and simple side dish. It pairs well with many meals and adds a refreshing flavor. You can make it with a few basic ingredients.

Start by cooking long-grain white rice. Then, toss in some lemon juice, garlic, and fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for extra flavor.

The tangy lemon and fragrant herbs make each bite enjoyable. This rice can brighten up any dinner plate.

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh herbs (like parsley or thyme)
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the rice under cold water.
2. In a pot, combine rice and water. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes.
4. Once cooked, fluff the rice with a fork.
5. Stir in lemon juice, garlic, herbs, and salt. Serve warm.

2) Spinach and Garlic White Rice

Spinach and garlic white rice is a simple, delicious dish. It keeps the rice flavorful and adds healthy greens to your plate. You’ll love how the garlic adds depth to the dish.

To make this dish, start with cooked white rice. Then, sauté garlic in olive oil until it’s fragrant. Next, add fresh spinach and cook until it wilts.

Mix everything together and enjoy a tasty, nutritious meal. This dish pairs well with grilled chicken or fish.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked white rice
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F or 180°C).
2. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted, around 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the cooked rice and mix well.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.

3) Jasmine Rice Pilaf

Jasmine rice pilaf is a fragrant and tasty side dish that pairs well with many meals. The fluffy texture and subtle aroma boost any dinner plate. Plus, it’s easy to prepare!

To make this dish, you will need jasmine rice, which can be found at most grocery stores. Using butter or olive oil adds a rich flavor to the rice. You can also throw in some onions and garlic for extra taste.

Ingredients

• 1 cup jasmine rice
• 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth (about 475 mL)
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the butter or olive oil over medium heat in a large pot.
2. Add the chopped onion and garlic. Cook until soft, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Stir in the jasmine rice and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Pour in the broth and bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender.
6. Fluff with a fork and season with salt as needed. Enjoy!

4) Veggie-Stuffed Bell Peppers with White Rice

Veggie-stuffed bell peppers are a colorful and healthy dish that’s easy to make. Using white rice adds a nice texture and helps fill you up. You can customize the veggies based on what you have at home.

Start by cooking the white rice according to the package instructions. Then, prepare bell peppers by cutting off the tops and removing the seeds.

Once the rice is ready, mix it with vegetables like spinach, corn, and beans.

Fill each pepper with the rice and vegetable mix. You can add cheese on top if you like it melty. Then, bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 25-30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 4 bell peppers
• 1 cup white rice
• 1 cup cooked spinach
• 1 cup corn
• 1 cup black beans
• Optional: cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook rice according to package instructions.
3. Cut tops off bell peppers and remove seeds.
4. Mix rice, spinach, corn, and beans in a bowl.
5. Fill peppers with the rice mixture.
6. Top with cheese if desired.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

5) Spicy White Rice with Black Beans

This dish is perfect for a quick and healthy meal. The combination of spicy white rice and black beans creates a flavorful and filling option. It’s great for lunch or dinner.

Start by cooking your white rice. You can use regular or jasmine rice for a nice texture.

Once the rice is cooked, mix in canned black beans. Rinse and drain the beans first to reduce sodium.

Then, add spices like cumin, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper to give it a spicy kick. Stir well and heat through until everything is warmed.

Serve your spicy black beans and rice with fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime for extra flavor. Enjoy your meal!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 (15 oz.) can black beans
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• Salt to taste
• Fresh cilantro and lime (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Rinse the white rice under cold water.
2. In a pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
3. Add the rice and reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 18 minutes (or until water is absorbed).
4. Drain and rinse the black beans.
5. Mix cooked rice with black beans in a large bowl.
6. Stir in cumin, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
7. Heat on low until warmed through.
8. Garnish with cilantro and lime if desired.

6) Citrus Cilantro Rice

Citrus cilantro rice is a bright and tasty side dish. It pairs well with many meals and adds a fresh flavor to your plate. This recipe combines the zest of citrus with the freshness of cilantro.

To make it, cook your rice and then toss it with lime juice, orange juice, and chopped cilantro. The bright flavors will bring your rice to life. You can add a little salt for extra taste.

This dish is a great way to enjoy a healthy twist on traditional rice. It is simple and quick to make, making it perfect for any night of the week.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon butter
• ½ cup chopped cilantro
• Juice of 1 lime
• Juice of 1 orange
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a pot, bring water to a boil.
2. Add rice and salt. Stir and cover.
3. Reduce heat and simmer for 18 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and let it sit for 5 minutes.
5. Fluff rice with a fork.
6. Stir in butter, citrus juices, and cilantro. Mix well.

7) Curried White Rice with Chickpeas

Curried white rice with chickpeas is a delicious and nutritious option for any meal. This dish is simple to prepare and packed with flavor. The chickpeas add protein, making it a filling choice.

To start, cook your white rice according to package instructions. While the rice cooks, heat a pan and add some oil. Then, sauté onions, garlic, and your favorite spices for a fragrant base.

Once that’s done, mix in canned chickpeas and cook until heated through. Then, combine the chickpeas with the cooked rice. You can add fresh spinach for extra nutrients.

Garnish with cilantro for a fresh touch.

Ingredients

• 1 cup white rice
• 1 can chickpeas, rinsed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh spinach (optional)
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook rice according to package instructions.
2. In a pan, heat oil over medium heat.
3. Sauté onions and garlic until soft.
4. Add curry powder, salt, and pepper.
5. Stir in chickpeas and heat through.
6. Mix chickpeas with cooked rice.
7. Add fresh spinach if desired.
8. Garnish with cilantro before serving.

8) Ginger and Scallion White Rice

Ginger and scallion white rice is a flavorful and simple dish to make. Using fresh ingredients, you can enhance plain rice into something special.

Start by cooking your white rice as you normally would. Once it’s fluffy, you can stir in the ginger and scallions. This will give the rice a bright taste and aroma.

You can use leftover rice as well. Just heat it up with a bit of oil and mix in the ginger and scallions until everything is warm and fragrant.

Ingredients

• 1 cup white rice
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 1 bunch scallions (green onions), sliced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• 2 cups water
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the white rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for about 18 minutes (180°F or 82°C).
4. Once the rice is ready, stir in avocado oil, ginger, and scallions. Cook for 2-3 more minutes.
5. Serve warm and enjoy!

9) Zesty Lime White Rice Salad

This Zesty Lime White Rice Salad is a fresh and vibrant dish. It brings together fluffy white rice with a zesty lime dressing for a delicious twist.

Start by cooking white rice according to package directions. Let it cool before mixing in your favorite vegetables like diced bell peppers and sliced green onions.

Add fresh cilantro for extra flavor. Then, drizzle with lime juice and a bit of olive oil for a tasty dressing. Top it off with a pinch of salt and pepper to bring all the flavors together.

This salad is great as a side or a light meal. It’s perfect for lunch or picnics!

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked white rice
• 1 cup diced bell peppers
• ½ cup sliced green onions
• ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the white rice following the package directions.
2. Allow the rice to cool completely.
3. In a large bowl, combine the rice, bell peppers, green onions, and cilantro.
4. Drizzle the mixture with lime juice and olive oil.
5. Season with salt and pepper, then mix well.

10) Mushroom and Herb White Rice

Mushroom and herb white rice is a tasty and healthy side dish. The earthy flavors of mushrooms combine perfectly with fresh herbs. This dish is simple to prepare and adds a lot of flavor to your meals.

To make it, start by sautéing mushrooms in butter or oil. Then, cook your white rice with vegetable broth for added taste. Finally, mix in your favorite herbs like parsley or thyme for extra freshness.

You can serve this dish alongside grilled chicken or fish for a complete meal. The combination of mushrooms and herbs makes it more than just plain rice.

Ingredients

• 1 cup white rice
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter or oil
• 1/4 cup fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, or your choice)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat butter or oil in a pan over medium heat.

2. Add sliced mushrooms and sauté until soft.

3. In another pot, bring vegetable broth to a boil.

4. Add the rice to the boiling broth, reduce heat, and cover.

5. Cook for about 18 minutes or until rice is done.

6. Fluff the rice and mix in sautéed mushrooms and chopped herbs.

7. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.