How To Season Rice

how-to-season-rice

I never really liked rice. Growing up we would have Chinese takeout at least once a week—usually Friday nights—and the last thing I would touch would be the rice. It always tasted so plain. I even bought a rice cooker and for a year never made rice in it; why would I?

how-to-season-rice-chopsticks

That’s probably because all the rice I had tried was just rice—nothing added to it—and that’s just not good. Add a little seasoning, however, and rice goes from a side dish to a star on the plate.

Seasoning rice is so easy and just requires a few pantry staples. The flavor is similar to the seasoned rice in sushi rolls. And because the sugar makes the rice sticky, it’s easier to eat with chopsticks! I used brown basmati rice because that’s what was on hand, but you can use brown or rice, long or short grain.

How To Season Rice

You’ll need:

  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • 2 Tablespoons sugar
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar*
  • 1/2 Tablespoon Sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

*Can use white vinegar in a pinch

how-to-season-rice-serving

Method:

  1. Heat up the rice in a pot or microwave if it’s not already hot.
  2. Add in the sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, and salt and mix thoroughly.
  3. Scoop onto plates and serve hot.

how-to-season-rice-plate

Once you’ve mastered making delicious rice, everything else on the plate instantly tastes better, too. You can mix in whole sesame seeds or chili powder for a stronger flavor if you’d like.

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11 Responses to How To Season Rice
  1. Faith @ For the Health of It
    January 10, 2012 | 10:23 am

    This will come in really handy as I start working through the brown rice I bought in bulk – I’m like you and find rice pretty plain and boring (especially when I have the option of other carbs like bread and pasta), but I’m committed to finding ways to make it more exciting!

  2. Kait
    January 10, 2012 | 12:52 pm

    Hmmm…I am really excited to try this. Might have to make some Chinese take-out this weekend!

  3. Amber K
    January 10, 2012 | 2:42 pm

    You’re right, plain rice always tastes so blah. That’s why I stopped going to P.F. Chang’s. They only had one gluten-free vegetarian option – plain steamed veggies and rice. BLAH!

  4. Rebekah @ Making Miracles
    January 10, 2012 | 4:34 pm

    I love rice but usually covered in something with sauce and/or flavor – I will definitely have to give this a try and give rice another shot as a stand alone side dish!

  5. Yvonne
    January 10, 2012 | 5:15 pm

    Thank you! Maybe this way I will be able to get my kids to eat rice!

  6. lynn @ the actor's diet
    January 10, 2012 | 8:11 pm

    i’ve never thought about seasoning rice! growing up chinese, we always just had saucy sides for it to soak up…

  7. Qi Ting @ A Dessert Diet
    January 11, 2012 | 2:53 pm

    I live in Singapore and we make amazing seasoned rice! A few more suggestions: 1) Use chicken stock or leftover chicken soup instead of water to cook the rice. 2) Fry some garlic and onions together till fragrant and add to cooked rice with a tsp of salt. 3) Use coconut milk and a tsp of salt instead of water to cook rice (very popular here!!!).

  8. Jessica
    January 12, 2012 | 12:29 pm

    Could you share (or direct me to) the delicious-looking dish that’s accompanying your rice here?

  9. Melissa
    January 5, 2013 | 10:54 pm

    This is really tasty! I just made it tonight. Whenever we’re a little short on cash, I like to make a bunch of rice to supplement our meals, but I’m always a little disappointed with plain, bland rice. This rice with just a bit of soy sauce and sriracha is amazing!