22 Rice Side Dishes For Every Meal

These rice side dishes will make any meal complete. From bacon fried rice to herbed rice pilaf, there is something here for every night of the week. Compliment your main dish with one of these easy to make and flavorful rice dishes. They are sure to please!

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Savory Chicken Rice

A white bowl filled with cooked rice garnished with chopped green herbs. A wooden spoon rests on the bowl's edge. The background is a light, textured surface. — Savory Chicken Rice. Photo credit: Flavorful Eats.

Savory Chicken Rice is an easy homemade version of the boxed favorite. It’s a perfect side dish for any entrée and easy to make.

Get the recipe: Savory Chicken Rice

Arroz Mexicano (Mexican Rice)

Arroz Mexican served in a clay bowl and topped with a cilantro leaf.

Join the fiesta with Arroz Mexicano, the fluffiest rice that turns every meal into a Mexican celebration in just 30 minutes.

Get the recipe: Arroz Mexicano

Arroz Blanco (Mexican white rice)

Arroz blanco served on a decorative blue plate.

Delicious Arroz Blanco is like a cloud of fluffy white rice that everyone will love eating. Made with an onion sauce that gives the rice a yummy flavor.

Get Recipe: Arroz Blanco

Healthy Coconut Cilantro Lime Rice

A bowl of brown rice garnished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges. The rice is speckled with herbs and sits on a light surface. Nearby are chopsticks and a partially visible lime. — Healthy Coconut Cilantro Lime Rice. Photo credit: Haute and Healthy Living.

Coconut Cilantro Lime Rice is aromatic and flavorful. Brown rice is cooked with ginger, garlic, and coconut milk, then tossed with cilantro and lime juice.

Get the recipe: Healthy Coconut Cilantro Lime Rice

Herbed Rice Pilaf with Orzo

A pot of creamy risotto garnished with fresh herbs. The rice is fluffy and slightly yellow, suggesting a buttery or cheesy flavor. The metal pot contrasts with the white background, while green herbs add a pop of color. — Herbed Rice Pilaf with Orzo. Photo credit: Three Olives Branch.

Herbed Rice Pilaf with Orzo is a versatile side dish. Fluffy rice is flavored with herbs and butter, perfect for many dinner ideas. Easy to make and budget-friendly.

Get the recipe: Herbed Rice Pilaf with Orzo

Bacon Fried Rice

A dish of fried rice with diced carrots, green onions, scrambled eggs, and bacon bits served in an oval blue and white bowl. Chopsticks are placed beside the bowl on a burlap mat. — Bacon Fried Rice. Photo credit: Delightful Plate.

Bacon Fried Rice combines smoky bacon with classic fried rice. Quick and tasty, it uses ingredients already in your kitchen.

Get the recipe: Bacon Fried Rice

Egyptian Rice with Vermicelli (Roz bel Shareya)

A bowl of fluffy rice mixed with golden noodles, garnished with fresh parsley. A fork is lifting a portion. A bowl of uncooked rice in the background on a striped cloth. — Egyptian Rice with Vermicelli (Roz bel Shareya). Photo credit: Chocolate & Chai.

Egyptian Rice with Vermicelli is a hearty dish typically paired with meat or vegetables. The rice and noodles combine for a comforting side.

Get the recipe: Egyptian Rice with Vermicelli (Roz bel Shareya)

Arabic Rice With Vermicelli

A bowl of golden rice garnished with slivered almonds and fresh parsley. The rice is set on a decorative green plate with intricate patterns, which sits on a textured woven mat. A fork is placed at the top of the bowl. — Arabic Rice With Vermicelli. Photo credit: Nuts and Twigs.

Arabic Rice with Vermicelli is a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine. Fluffy Basmati rice and nutty vermicelli make a simple, flavorful side dish.

Get the recipe: Arabic Rice With Vermicelli

Indian Lemon Rice in Desi Ghee {Gluten Free Recipe}

A vibrant plate of yellow rice garnished with a lime slice and herbs, served with two small bowls of sauce and yogurt. A floral-patterned cloth and a smaller bowl of rice sit nearby, with a red cloth accenting the arrangement. — Indian Lemon Rice in Desi Ghee. Photo credit: Veg Buffet.

Indian Lemon Rice is bursting with tangy lemon and earthy curry leaves. Made with leftover rice, it’s a beloved Indian delicacy.

Get the recipe: Indian Lemon Rice in Desi Ghee {Gluten Free Recipe}

Yellow Saffron Rice

A bowl of fragrant rice with raisins, pine nuts, and saffron threads, accompanied by a cinnamon stick. A wooden bowl filled with pine nuts is nearby. A spoon rests in the rice, ready to serve. — Yellow Saffron Rice. Photo credit: Spabettie.

Yellow Saffron Rice is fragrant and flavorful with simple ingredients. This easy recipe is loved by everyone for its rich layers of flavor.

Get the recipe: Yellow Saffron Rice

Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Casserole

A wooden bowl filled with creamy chicken and wild rice soup garnished with fresh herbs. The hearty dish shows a mix of tender chicken pieces, wild rice, and creamy broth, topped with a sprig of green herbs. The background includes scattered ingredients. — Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella.

Transform holiday leftovers with this Turkey Wild Rice Casserole. Easy to make in an Instant Pot, it combines turkey and wild rice for a comforting meal.

Get the recipe: Instant Pot Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Casserole

Whole30 Vegan Harvest Rice

A white casserole dish filled with a colorful mixture of rice, Brussels sprouts, pecans, cranberries, and roasted sweet potatoes. A spoon rests in the dish, which is placed on a light-colored cloth. — Whole30 Vegan Harvest Rice. Photo credit: Organically Addison.

Whole30 Vegan Harvest Rice is both sweet and savory. This cauliflower rice dish is great for meal prep and easy meals.

Get the recipe: Whole30 Vegan Harvest Rice

Chinese Egg Fried Rice

A bowl of fried rice is on a wooden table. The rice is mixed with scrambled eggs and garnished with chopped green onions. A decorative blue and white pattern lines the bowl's rim. A dark napkin and a blurred plate are partially visible nearby. — Chinese Egg Fried Rice. Photo credit: Beyond Kimchee.

Chinese Egg Fried Rice is a quick, 15-minute dish. Stir-fried rice with scrambled eggs, green onions, and soy sauce makes a fluffy, delicious meal.

Get the recipe: Chinese Egg Fried Rice

Classic Vegetable Fried Rice

A close-up of a bowl of vegetable fried rice topped with sesame seeds. The dish includes carrots, peas, and onions mixed with rice and soy sauce. Chopsticks are resting on the side of the bowl. — Classic Vegetable Fried Rice. Photo credit: Strength and Sunshine.

Classic Vegetable Fried Rice is quick, easy, and perfect for using leftover rice. Gluten-free, vegan, and full of veggies, it’s a healthy meal.

Get the recipe: Classic Vegetable Fried Rice

Korean Corn Rice

A bowl of rice mixed with corn is placed on a wooden tray. Next to it, there is a small bowl of dipping sauce garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. A wooden spoon and a colorful napkin are also on the tray. — Korean Corn Rice. Photo credit: Beyond Kimchee.

Korean Corn Rice is a summertime favorite. Fresh corn and short grain rice create a flavorful, vegan-friendly side or main dish.

Get the recipe: Korean Corn Rice

Pork Fried Rice Recipe

A white plate with beef fried rice garnished with green onions. The rice includes peas and diced red peppers. A fork is placed nearby, and there's a portion of the dish visible in a white bowl at the top right corner. A green cloth is on the left. — Pork Fried Rice Recipe. Photo credit: The Forked Spoon.

Pork Fried Rice transforms day-old rice into a delicious meal. Made with marinated pork, veggies, and eggs, it’s filling and flavorful.

Get the recipe: Pork Fried Rice Recipe

Chimichurri Rice

A plate of seasoned rice with herbs and red pepper flakes, garnished with fresh parsley. A spoon rests on the plate, and a bottle with a cork stopper is nearby. A light-colored cloth is draped beside the dish. — Chimichurri Rice. Photo credit: Daily Dish.

Chimichurri Rice is a bright, zesty dish from Argentina. It’s perfect with tofu steaks, roasted veggies, or as a burrito filling.

Get the recipe: Chimichurri Rice

Easy Char Siu Fried Rice

A plate of fried rice garnished with vegetables and diced meat, served on a decorative woven mat. The dish includes peas, carrots, and scrambled eggs, providing a colorful and appetizing appearance. — Easy Char Siu Fried Rice. Photo credit: Savour The Pho.

Char Siu Pork Fried Rice is flavorful and ready in under 20 minutes. A fast way to use leftover Chinese BBQ pork.

Get the recipe: Easy Char Siu Fried Rice

Kimchi Bokkeum Bap

A colorful plate featuring kimchi fried rice topped with a sunny-side-up egg and seaweed strips, on a decorative blue and white floral-patterned dish. — Kimchi Bokkeum Bap. Photo credit: Savour The Pho.

Kimchi Bokkeum Bap with pork belly is simple and delicious. Tangy kimchi and rich pork belly create a perfect flavor combination.

Get the recipe: Kimchi Bokkeum Bap

Easy Coconut Rice

Two bowls of white rice topped with cilantro and lime wedges. A lime is in the background, and a fork rests nearby on a wooden surface. — Easy Coconut Rice. Photo credit: The Soccer Mom Blog.

Easy Coconut Rice is made with coconut milk for extra fluffiness. It’s the perfect side dish for Thai cuisine or any meal.

Get the recipe: Easy Coconut Rice

Instant Pot Mexican Rice

This Instant Pot Mexican Rice comes together in a breeze! Fluffy and so tasty. Serve next to your favorite Mexican dish and enjoy.

Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mexican Rice

PF Chang’s Fried Rice – Copycat Recipe

A bowl of flavorful fried rice with vegetables like broccoli and snap peas is placed on a wooden table. A spoon is resting in the rice. In the background, a skillet filled with more rice and a small dish of sliced green onions are visible. — PF Chang’s Fried Rice – Copycat Recipe. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella.

This copycat PF Chang’s Fried Rice brings the restaurant flavors to your kitchen. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a delicious blend of rice, veggies, and a sweet sauce.

Get the recipe: PF Chang’s Fried Rice – Copycat Recipe