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Ultimate Fluffy Homemade Rice Pilaf: The Best Way to Beat Boxed Mixes

A perfectly molded serving of fluffy rice pilaf garnished generously with chopped fresh parsley.
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You can make a savory, fluffy rice pilaf from scratch that tastes better than any boxed mix. This quick recipe uses toasted orzo and broth for deep flavor, perfect as a weeknight rice side dish.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup orzo pasta
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice (like Basmati or Jasmine), rinsed
  • 2 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat the butter and olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add the orzo to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, until it turns golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the pan and cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
  4. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the rinsed rice, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to lightly toast the grains. This step is key for fluffy rice.
  6. Pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  7. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the saucepan tightly with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid. Do not stir during simmering.
  8. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it stand, covered, for an additional 10 minutes. This resting period allows the steam to finish cooking the rice perfectly.
  9. Fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • Rinsing the rice removes excess starch, which helps prevent mushy results.
  • For a richer flavor, substitute half the broth with white wine and let it cook down before adding the rest of the liquid.
  • This recipe works well as a vegetarian rice pilaf if you use vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://yummagnet.com/easy-fluffy-homemade-rice-pilaf-recipe/