Simple & Delicious Rice Pilaf in a Rice Cooker

Amazingly simple and delicious rice pilaf with orzo made in a rice cooker! Perfect side dish. Vegan + gluten free!

  • Yield: 4 Generous Servings
  • Prep Time: 5 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 Minutes
  • Key Ingredients: Rice, Spices, Garlic
A rice cooker filled with vegan rice pilaf on a wood table. Fresh parsley, a green napkin, and two gold forks are next to the rice cooker.
This rice pilaf is perfect for dinner as it’s simple to make but big on flavor.

This rice pilaf made with orzo is so fluffy and simply spiced with garlic, onion, coriander and paprika. It’s filled with flavor but simple enough that you can easily add this to your weeknight dinner rotation since it’s made in the rice cooker! Add all the ingredients to the rice cooker, give it a stir, and hit the start button! In 25 minutes you’ll have an easy side dish with almost no work. 

Add this rice pilaf to all sorts of dinners! It’s perfect with some bbq tofu, oven baked herb tofu, grilled or roasted veggies, or alongside a vegan quiche. 

Ingredients

Here is a quick rundown of what you’ll need to make this rice pilaf. For the recipe amounts, please see the recipe card below. 

Ingredients for the rice pilaf in various bowls and plates on a wood table. Black and white labels have been added to name each ingredient.
Ingredients for the rice pilaf in various bowls measured out and ready to cook.
  • Rice: Jasmine rice and basmati rice are my two go-tos for this recipe but any long grain rice will work. 
  • Orzo: This is a type of pasta that is small and shaped like rice and tastes so good in this! Yes, there are gluten free orzo pastas available, but if you like, you can use any teeny tiny pasta shape. Even alphabet noodles would work! 
  • Onion and Garlic: Some aromatics to make this taste great. 
  • Spices: Coriander, paprika, and dried garlic and onion
  • Salt: A pinch of salt to round out all the flavors. 

Instructions 

This rice pilaf  comes together so quickly! It really is easy to make.

Make sure to check out the recipe card below for the full recipe and ingredient list.

Step One: Rinse the Rice 

Start by rinsing the rice. Make sure that the water runs clear so that you have removed a lot of the starch. If you skip this step, the rice can turn out gummy. I typically use a big mesh strainer and wash it for a full minute under running water. 

Step Two: Prep the Veggies

Chop the onion and garlic into small pieces. If you are sensitive to onions, you can rinse them under some cool water for a minute to help remove some of that sulfur. I always do this! 

Step Three: Add to the Rice Cooker 

A rice cooker on the wood table is filled with the rice pilaf before cooking. Bits of fresh onion float on top of the broth.
Adding all the ingredients to the rice cooker and letting it do it’s thing.

Next, add the rinsed rice to the rice cooker. Then add the orzo, onions, garlic, and spices. Give this a stir first to evenly distribute the spices. Finally, add the broth. 

Give it a good stir and press the “on” button (or the equivalent on your rice cooker). And that’s it! Now it’s time to wait while the rice cooks. 

Depending on if you made a single or double batch of this rice, in about 25 minutes your kitchen should be smelling amazing. 

Tip! When the rice is done, let it rest for about 5 to 10 minutes with the lid on but don’t stir it. This helps to finish steaming. 

Fluff the rice with a fork and serve. 

Looking down at a plate of vegan rice pilaf on a wood table. There is a green napkin, gold forks, and fresh parsley next to the plate.
The finished rice on a plate.

Top Tips 

  • Rinse Rice: It can’t be understated how important it is to wash the rice! Rinse the rice in a fine mesh strainer under cool water for 1-2 minutes until the water runs clear. This removes that extra starchiness and prevents the rice from being gummy. 
  • Don’t Stir: As soon as the lid of your rice cooker goes on, refrain from stirring the rice as this can cause the rice grains to break resulting in sticky rice. 
  • Allow the Rice to Rest: After cooking, don’t remove the lid and let the rice rest in the hot pot for about 5 to 10 minutes to allow the moisture to distribute evenly and let it finish cooking. 

How to Store 

Fridge: Store leftover rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

To Reheat: Place the rice in a microwave safe bowl along with a sprinkle of water. Cover with a damp paper towel and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring and re-covering until heated through. 

A side view of a plate filled with rice pilaf. Fresh parsley is on top. A gold fork is in the foreground and glasses are blurred in the background.
The orzo and rice make for the best texture in this pilaf!

Want to save this recipe for later? Add it to your favorite recipe board on Pinterest!

If you try these out, please leave a comment below! This provides helpful feedback to both me and other readers. And if you want more delicious, vegan friendly recipes you can subscribe to the newsletter. Did you make these? Please tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest! I love to see your creations!

A rice cooker filled with vegan rice pilaf on a wood table. Fresh parsley, a green napkin, and two gold forks are next to the rice cooker.

Simple & Delicious Rice Pilaf in a Rice Cooker

Amazingly simple and delicious rice pilaf with orzo made in a rice cooker! Perfect side dish. Vegan + gluten free!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: side dishes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 259kcal

Equipment

  • Rice cooker
  • measuring cups
  • mixing spoon

Ingredients

  • 1 cup long grain rice
  • ½ cup orzo
  • ¼ onion minced
  • 1-2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon dried onion
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Rinse the rice. Using a mesh strainer or a large bowl, rinse the rice til the water runs clear. Make sure to shake out any excess water.
  • Prep the vegetables. Mince and chop the onions and garlic. If you’re sensitive to onions, be sure to rinse the onions to remove some of the sulfur before adding it to the rice.
  • Add the ingredients to the pot. Add the rinsed rice to the rice cooker along with the onion, garlic, broth, orzo, oil, and all the spices.
  • Cook the rice. Press the start button and let it go! Or, follow the instructions for your unique rice cooker.
  • Serve. When the rice is finished, let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork and adding the freshly chopped parsley. Enjoy!

Notes

  • How to Store 
    • Fridge: Store leftover rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 
    • To Reheat: Place the rice in a microwave safe bowl along with a sprinkle of water. Cover with a damp paper towel and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring and re-covering until heated through.

Nutrition

Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 619mg | Potassium: 119mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 312IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg
Love this recipe?Mention @friendlyvegankitchen or tag #friendlyvegankitchen!

More Rice Recipes

See All Sides >>

Chocolate bar marzipan jujubes jelly-o carrot cake caramels. Tootsie roll cookie jujubes powder icing lemon drops. Pastry brownie topping oat cake chocolate cake jelly candy gingerbread tart.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating