Go Back
–+ servings
Print Recipe
5 from 14 votes

Easy Yellow Rice Recipe

This easy homemade Yellow Rice Recipe is buttery, fluffy, and loaded with savory flavor thanks to chicken bouillon and golden toasted vermicelli. It’s the perfect side dish for grilled chicken, Mediterranean platters, and saucy mains like curry or shawarma. With just a few pantry staples, you can make a restaurant-quality side in under 30 minutes.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time18 minutes
Resting Time10 minutes
Total Time33 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Brianna May

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup basmati rice
  • 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 teaspoons granulated or powdered chicken bouillon
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon Morton kosher salt*
  • 1/3 cup vermicelli pasta*
  • 1 2/3 cups water

Instructions

  • Rinse the Rice: Place the basmati rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold water for 1–2 minutes, or until the water runs mostly clear. Set aside to drain.
    1 cup basmati rice
  • Melt Butter & Toast Vermicelli: In a medium saucepan, add the butter, chicken bouillon, granulated garlic, turmeric, and salt. Melt over medium heat, stirring to combine. Once the butter is bubbling, stir in the vermicelli and cook for 2–3 minutes, or until lightly golden and fragrant.
    3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 teaspoons granulated or powdered chicken bouillon, 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated garlic, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, 1/4 teaspoon Morton kosher salt*, 1/3 cup vermicelli pasta*
  • Add Rice & Cook: Stir in the rinsed rice, then pour in the water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
    1 2/3 cups water
  • Rest & Fluff: Remove from heat and let rest, uncovered, for 10 minutes before fluffing. After the 10-minute rest, fluff with a fork and serve.

Notes

  • Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
  • Vermicelli Pasta: Adds a delicious nutty bite when toasted. Break into 1-inch pieces. You can substitute broken angel hair pasta or fideo noodles.
  • Don’t Stir Cooked Rice: Be sure to fluff gently with a fork instead of stirring cooked rice.
  • Rinse the Rice: Rinse the rice really, really well! Not rinsing will result in sticky, gummy rice. Rinsing is also key for fluffy rice!
  • Don’t Walk Away: Stir the vermicelli constantly as it toasts. It can burn quickly once the butter is hot.
  • Cover Tightly: Use a pot with a tight-fitting lid so the steam doesn’t escape during cooking.

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 429mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.3g