Our Best Rice Side Dishes

From the Recipe Creator: Green onions and fresh parsley give this rice its name, but the appealing flavor is what makes it memorable. —Karin Bailey, Golden, Colorado

From the Recipe Creator: This speedy side dish complements almost any main dish. It's just the right amount for my husband and me, but is also easy to double for a larger group. —Norma Jean Koelmel, Shattuc, Illinois

From the Recipe Creator: There's a lot more you can do with sushi rice besides making homemade sushi. Use it to create a healthy rice bowl, tuck it into a lettuce wrap topped with grilled meat or use it as a base for your favorite stir-fry. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen

From the Recipe Creator: I take this dish to many potlucks and never fail to bring home an empty pot. I learned about the mouthwatering combination of meats, beans and seasonings while working for the Navy in New Orleans. If you want to get a head start, cover the beans with the water and let them soak overnight. Drain them the next day and continue with step 2 as directed. —Kathy Jacques, Summerfield, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: This yummy rice mixture is a delightful change from our traditional cornbread dressing. To make it a meal in itself, I sometimes add finely chopped cooked chicken and a little more broth. —Linda Emery, Bearden, Arkansas

From the Recipe Creator: This recipe's wow factor makes it perfect for special occasions. To save time, the asparagus and prosciutto can be roasting while the rice cooks on the stovetop. Then both will be ready to stir into the risotto by the time the rice is done. —Deonna Mazur, Buffalo, New York

From the Recipe Creator: Feed a crowd with this authentic arroz con gandules recipe, which was handed down to me from my mom. It's a staple with the familia at all our gatherings. —Evelyn Robles, Oak Creek, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: For a special holiday side dish, I dressed up an old recipe to give it a little more Texas character. Everyone loved the savory flavor and crunchy pecans. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, TX

From the Recipe Creator: Growing up in the South Pacific, rice was the mainstay of our diet. When my husband and I moved stateside, we created this Hawaiian fried rice recipe. We bring this dish to every potluck, and it's always the hit of the party. —Janice Edwards, Plainville, Illinois

From the Recipe Creator: You'll find that my easy Spanish rice is better than any boxed mix in grocery stores. Best of all, it can be prepared in the same amount of time as those so-called "quick and easy" boxes. —Anne Yaeger, Washington, DC

From the Recipe Creator: This hearty dish will add pizazz to your plate with its beautiful blend of flavors and colors. I often serve it as a main course with salad and bread. —Tina Coburn, Tucson, Arizona

From the Recipe Creator: This easy, delicious and healthy side is a showpiece that always delights. You can use grain, squash, fruits and nuts to suit your taste—it's impossible to go wrong! —Lynn Heisel, Jackson, Missouri

From the Recipe Creator: This colorful confetti rice is a traditional dish in Puerto Rico. We enjoy it in the summer alongside grilled shrimp kabobs, but it is good with most any entree. -Laura Lunardi of West Chester, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: For those of us who are white rice lovers at heart, this recipe makes brown rice taste great! Everyone takes seconds; it is that good. It is so easy to prepare. To convert for vegetarians, just substitute veggie broth for the beef broth. Any leftovers are delicious the next day. —Amy Berry, Poland, Maine

From the Recipe Creator: We love this Asian rice recipe that's loaded with veggies and a hint of gingery freshness. It's so versatile, and even the picky eaters in our family love it! —Teri Lindquist, Gurnee, IL

From the Recipe Creator: This recipe has become such a family heirloom that I asked my mother's permission before passing it along. It has traveled to weddings, landmark birthdays and wedding anniversaries—and it always makes people happy. —Janet Mahowald, Rice Lake, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: My mom and I transformed plain rice by adding feta, cranberries, pumpkin seeds and cayenne. We wound up with a sweet and spicy crowd-pleaser. —Lisa de Perio, Dallas, Texas

From the Recipe Creator: Simple rice pilaf is a lifesaver when you are hosting Thanksgiving. Just place the ingredients in the slow cooker and forget about it until it’s time to serve. —Kathleen Hedger, Godfrey, Illinois

From the Recipe Creator: The wild rice adds a wonderful flavor to this casserole. I like to serve it on special occasions. —Jann Marie Foster, Minneapolis, Minnesota

From the Recipe Creator: Anything can be in a rice pilaf. Adding peas and baby portobello mushrooms gives it a springlike burst of color and a variety of textures. —Stacy Mullens, Gresham, Oregon

From the Recipe Creator: This satisfying dressing has always been received well at church socials and family reunions. The recipe feeds a crowd—I cut back if I'm serving a smaller group. —Ruth Hayward, Lake Charles, Louisiana

From the Recipe Creator: No need to buy premade pilaf mix when you can easily make your own in 20 minutes. The lemon zest adds a welcome burst of tang. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen

From the Recipe Creator: I love making bulgar pilaf with apricots. So glad I tried it with dried apples and golden raisins! —Elizabeth Dumont, Madison, Mississippi

From the Recipe Creator: Once a week I create a new recipe for my blog, An Officer and a Vegan. I first made this risotto when I needed something cheerful and comforting. It would be fantastic with asparagus, zucchini or summer squash, but use whatever veggies are in season. —Deanna McDonald, Grand Rapids, Michigan

From the Recipe Creator: This recipe is perfect for potlucks or church suppers since it produces a big batch and has flavors with broad appeal. Most folks can't guess that the secret ingredient is chicken noodle soup mix. -Naomi Flood, Emporia, Kansas

From the Recipe Creator: This pilaf is fantastic with fish or poultry and especially compatible with turkey. Since it's so colorful, I like to think it makes my turkey dressed for the holidays. —Erica Ollmann, San Diego, California

From the Recipe Creator: My children often request this dish. It also adds a great "wow" factor to a festive buffet table.—Andria Peckham, Lowell, Michigan

From the Recipe Creator: My family's favorite Mexican restaurant serves a similar rice as a side dish. I threw this together one night when I was making fajitas, and everyone loved it! It's such an easy side dish and pairs well with kabobs on the grill, too. —Robin Baskette, Lexington, Kentucky

From the Recipe Creator: Since trying this stuffing recipe from my sister, I haven't made any other kind. It's so moist and tasty. When a big bowlful starts circulating around the table, happy holiday smiles get even bigger! —Connie Olson, Green River, Wyoming

From the Recipe Creator: Risotto is a creamy Italian rice dish. In this version, the rice is briefly sauteed, then slowly cooked in wine and seasonings. Watch for that magic moment when the risotto transforms from just rice in liquid to creamy, tender deliciousness. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen

From the Recipe Creator: I created this colorful side dish after eating something similar at a restaurant. It complements any Tex-Mex meal wonderfully. Sometimes I add cubes of grilled chicken breast to the rice to make it a meal in itself. —Michelle Dennis, Clarks Hill, Indiana

From the Recipe Creator: This savory side dish has been a family favorite for years. Our daughter Jennifer became an expert at this recipe at age 12, which was a huge help for a busy working mom like me. We really enjoy this rice dish in the summer with a grilled entree. —Jeri Dobrowski, Beach, North Dakota

From the Recipe Creator: Cumin, picante sauce and avocado do a terrific job of perking up rice in this any-day side dish. —Margaret Allen, Abingdon, Virginia

From the Recipe Creator: Squash and beer make my risotto different and delicious. Plus, cooking it in the oven cuts down on hands-on time making it. Win-win. —Katie Ferrier Gage, Houston, TX

From the Recipe Creator: It's a snap to change the spice level in this popular rice side dish by choosing a milder or hotter salsa. It's a delicious way to round out burritos or tacos when the clock is ticking. —Molly Ingle, Canton, North Carolina

From the Recipe Creator: This tender side dish is perfect for the holidays or any time you want to add a special touch. Dried cranberries, currants and almonds serve up color and texture. My co-workers all make this rice pilaf for their families. —Pat Gardetta, Osage Beach, Missouri

From the Recipe Creator: My family has enjoyed this delicious rice dish for many years. With chopped red and green peppers, it's both fresh-tasting and festive-looking. It's the perfect light side dish for a big holiday meal. —Chere Bell, Colorado Springs, Colorado

From the Recipe Creator: I like to serve this Greek-style rice dish alongside steaks with mushrooms. It makes an elegant side that can be doubled for guests. —Jeanette Cakouros, Brunswick, Maine

From the Recipe Creator: With asparagus, spinach and peas, this simple side adds spectacular flavor and tons of health benefits from green veggies. Add some Parmesan cheese, and you've got one delectable dish! —Kendra Doss, Kansas City, Missouri

From the Recipe Creator: This bright rice dish has a creamy texture that's reminiscent of a lemon risotto, but without all the watching and stirring. Keep this one in your back pocket for hosting dinner guests—or a great side any old day! —Lyndsay Wells, Ladysmith, British Columbia

From the Recipe Creator: This versatile, colorful dish complements a variety of meats or other vegetarian entrees. To give this dish a crunchy texture and additional flavor and protein, stir in 2 cups of bean sprouts just before serving. —Paulette Cross, Lowville, New York

From the Recipe Creator: I love my slow cooker because it's so easy to make dinner with one! This flavorful curry was first created for a potluck, and since then the recipe has been requested often.—Jess Apfe, Berkeley, California

From the Recipe Creator: This dish is a creamy and rich party-special alternative to potatoes. —Judy Grebetz, Racine, Wisconsin