Gourmet Rice Dressing

Elevate your holiday table or everyday meals with this exquisite Gourmet Rice Dressing—a harmonious blend of tender long-grain rice, vibrant aromatics, and rich seasonal flavors. Featuring sautéed onions, celery, and carrots, this dish is infused with fragrant thyme and sage, then finished with a medley of toasted pecans and sweet dried cranberries for a perfect balance of savory and sweet. Cooked in chicken or vegetable stock for depth, this versatile recipe can be served as a warm, flavorful side dish or used as a stuffing for poultry. With just 15 minutes of prep and a total cook time of under an hour, this rice dressing is both easy to make and impressively elegant. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any special occasion, it’s a must-try recipe that combines classic comfort with a gourmet twist.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups long-grain rice
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 2 stalks celery stalks, finely diced
• 1 large carrot, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 0.5 cup pecans, roughly chopped
• 0.5 cup dried cranberries
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear; set aside to drain.

Step 2

In a large skillet or saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the diced onion, celery, and carrot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are softened and aromatic.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, being careful not to let it burn.

Step 5

Stir in the rinsed rice, ensuring each grain is coated with the butter and oil. Toast the rice for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.

Step 6

Add the chicken or vegetable stock, along with the dried thyme, dried sage, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet or saucepan, and let it simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.

Step 8

While the rice is cooking, toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant. Set aside.

Step 9

Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork and remove from heat.

Step 10

Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, chopped parsley, toasted pecans, and dried cranberries. Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper as needed.

Step 11

Serve the Gourmet Rice Dressing warm as a side dish, or use it as a stuffing for poultry. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1866.7 grams (1866.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1767

Total Fat 106.60g	137%
Saturated Fat 34.90g	175%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 124mg	41%
Sodium 5361mg	233%
Total Carbohydrate 187.20g	68%
Dietary Fiber 24.00g	86%
Total Sugars 68.20g
Protein 24.50g	49%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 394mg	30%
Iron 9mg	47%
Potassium 2194mg	47%

*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: 53.1%

Protein: 5.4%

Carbs: 41.5%