Easy Rice Pilaf

Transform your side dish game with this Easy Rice Pilaf—a fragrant, flavorful, and foolproof recipe that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or as a crowd-pleasing addition to your holiday table. This one-pot wonder combines the earthy sweetness of sautéed yellow onion and carrot with the aromatic depth of garlic and bay leaf, all simmered to perfection in chicken or vegetable broth. Toasting the long-grain white rice enhances its nutty flavor, while a finishing touch of fresh parsley adds a burst of color and freshness. Ready in just 35 minutes, this versatile dish pairs effortlessly with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or any protein of your choice. Whether you're hosting guests or preparing a quick family meal, this Easy Rice Pilaf is a delightful and elegant upgrade to plain rice everyone will love!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 medium carrot, peeled and finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Melt the butter and olive oil together in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and carrot to the pan and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent and the carrot starts to soften.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the rice to the saucepan and stir well to coat the grains in the butter and oil. Toast the rice for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.

Step 5

Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and stir to combine. Add the salt, black pepper, and bay leaf.

Step 6

Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Step 7

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, and let the rice simmer for 15 minutes.

Step 8

After 15 minutes, turn off the heat but leave the lid on. Allow the rice to rest for an additional 5 minutes.

Step 9

Remove the bay leaf and fluff the rice with a fork. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 10

Serve warm, garnished with freshly chopped parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	884.7 grams (884.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	694

Total Fat 39.80g	51%
Saturated Fat 16.60g	83%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 62mg	21%
Sodium 2947mg	128%
Total Carbohydrate 75.70g	28%
Dietary Fiber 4.50g	16%
Total Sugars 7.80g
Protein 10.70g	21%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 107mg	8%
Iron 4mg	19%
Potassium 509mg	11%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.9%

Protein: 6.1%

Carbs: 43.0%