Best 7 Southwest Rice Pilaf Recipes

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Southwest rice pilaf is a flavorful and versatile side dish that can be served with a variety of main courses. With its mix of rice, vegetables, and spices, it adds a zesty flair to any meal. This classic dish combines the bold flavors of the Southwest with the heartiness of rice, making it a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats, roasted chicken, or even vegetarian dishes. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a delicious addition to your next dinner party, southwest rice pilaf is sure to please.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

SOUTHWEST RICE PILAF



Southwest Rice Pilaf image

I like to combine the starch and vegetable in my side dishes. This one's tasty with tacos and fajitas-two of my family's favorite meals. -Martha Ulfelder, Southborough, Massachusetts

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 cups uncooked instant rice
1 can (11 ounces) Mexicorn, drained
1/3 cup minced fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Cook rice according to package directions. Stir in the Mexicorn, cilantro, butter and salt.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 194 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 10mg cholesterol, Sodium 514mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

SOUTHWESTERN RICE PILAF



Southwestern Rice Pilaf image

This dish makes a delicious accompaniment to steak or chicken fajitas.

Provided by Ris Lacoste

Categories     Side dishes

Yield six to eight.

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, medium diced (1-1/2 cups)
1 medium poblano, stemmed, seeded, and finely diced (1/2 cup)
4 large cloves garlic, minced (2 Tbs.)
1-1/2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
1-1/2 cups long-grain white rice
1 tsp. kosher salt; more as needed
2-1/2 cups low-salt chicken broth
1 14-oz. can diced tomatoes, drained well
1 lime
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
1 jalapeño, stemmed, seeded, and minced

Steps:

  • In a heavy-based 3-qt. saucepan with a tight lid, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, poblano, and garlic, and reduce the heat to medium low. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chili powder and cumin and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is softened and the spices are very fragrant, about 3 minutes.
  • Add the rice and salt, and stir well to coat each grain with oil. Toast for a full 5 minutes, stirring regularly to keep the grains separated and to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pan (the rice may turn opaque before 5 minutes is up, but keep going). Reduce the heat to low if there are any signs of scorching.
  • Add the chicken broth and tomatoes, stir once, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 18 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the pilaf sit, still covered, for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, finely grate 1 Tbs. zest from the lime, and then cut the lime into wedges. Once the pilaf has rested, remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Using the fork, gently fold in the cilantro, jalapeño, and lime zest. Season to taste with salt. Serve with the lime wedges for spritzing over the rice.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize six to eight., Calories 200 kcal, Fat 40 kcal, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, TransFat 4.5 g, Carbohydrate 36 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 5 g, Sodium 290 mg, UnsaturatedFat 3.5 g

SOUTHWESTERN RICE



Southwestern Rice image

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

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 30m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium green pepper, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup uncooked long grain rice
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 cups frozen corn (about 10 ounces), thawed
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained

Steps:

  • In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; saute pepper and onion 3 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute., Stir in rice, spices and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until rice is tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients; cook, covered, until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 198 calories, Fat 3g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 1mg cholesterol, Sodium 339mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 7g protein.

SOUTHWESTERN RICE PILAF



Southwestern Rice Pilaf image

Make and share this Southwestern Rice Pilaf recipe from Food.com.

Provided by A Messy Cook

Categories     White Rice

Time 50m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped red onion
3 minced garlic cloves
1 teaspoon chili powder
3/4 teaspoon cumin
3/4 teaspoon oregano
1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
2 cups chicken broth
1 (16 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies, drained
1 1/4 cups frozen corn
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 cup sliced scallion

Steps:

  • Heat oil in large saucepan; saute onion until softened.
  • Add next four ingredients (garlic through oregano) and cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
  • Add rice and stir until grains are coated with oil.
  • Add broth, tomatoes, and chiles; bring to boil and add corn.
  • Reduce heat to low, cover and cook until rice is tender, about 25 minutes.
  • Season with hot pepper sauce and serve with cilantro and scallions.

ARIZONA SOUTHWEST RICE PILAF



Arizona Southwest Rice Pilaf image

This is a tasty flavor combination. I found this while looking for recipes native to our new state. This was in a cookbook, "Flavors of the Southwest."

Provided by Debloves2cook

Categories     Vegetable

Time 45m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can beef broth
1 tomatoes, diced
1 large jalapeno chile, minced (or 1-4 oz. can)

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a heavy large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add onion, red pepper, carrot and celery.
  • Saute until vegetables begin to soften, about 7 minutes.
  • Add rice and stir to coat well.
  • Add broth and bring to a boil.
  • Cover skillet, reduce heat to low and simmer until rice is tender and broth is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
  • Mix in tomato and jalapeno; heat through.
  • Serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 310.5, Fat 11.7, SaturatedFat 1.5, Cholesterol 1, Sodium 820.5, Carbohydrate 44.7, Fiber 2.6, Sugar 4.3, Protein 7.1

RICE AND GREEN CHILE PILAF



Rice and Green Chile Pilaf image

Categories     Rice     Side     Quick & Easy     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Hot Pepper     Gourmet     Dairy Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Serves 2

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 small onion, chopped fine
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large garlic clove, minced
4-ounce can mild green chiles, drained and chopped
1/2 cup long-grain white rice
3/4 cup low-salt chicken broth
1 scallion green, sliced thin, if desired

Steps:

  • In a small heavy saucepan cook onion in oil over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened. Stir in garlic, chiles, and rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until rice is translucent, about 1 minute. Add broth and salt and pepper to taste and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook pilaf, covered, until liquid is evaporated and rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Fluff pilaf and stir in scallion.

TASTY SPICY RICE PILAF



Tasty Spicy Rice Pilaf image

This recipe makes a delicious side dish. Goes good with meats and veggies. It's a tasty rice with a little bit of spice! I LOVE garlic, so if you don't like it as much as I do, then just add 2 cloves instead of 6.

Provided by Luv2Cook

Categories     Side Dish     Rice Side Dish Recipes     Pilaf

Time 35m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 tablespoons butter
1 onion, diced
1 roasted red pepper, diced
6 mushrooms, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups uncooked instant rice
3 cups chicken stock
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat; cook and stir onion, red pepper, mushrooms, and garlic until tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in rice. Add chicken stock; cover and boil until liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Season with red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 287.4 calories, Carbohydrate 49.8 g, Cholesterol 15.8 mg, Fat 7.2 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 6.5 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 937.4 mg, Sugar 4.1 g

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients. Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make your rice pilaf taste its best. Look for high-quality rice, such as basmati or jasmine, and fresh vegetables.
  • Toast the rice before cooking. This helps to bring out its flavor and give it a slightly nutty taste. To toast the rice, heat a little oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the rice and cook, stirring constantly, until it is golden brown.
  • Use a flavorful broth. The broth you use to cook the rice pilaf will add a lot of flavor to the dish. Choose a broth that you enjoy the taste of, such as chicken broth, vegetable broth, or beef broth.
  • Add vegetables and other ingredients. Vegetables and other ingredients can add flavor, color, and texture to your rice pilaf. Common additions include chopped onion, celery, carrots, peas, and corn. You can also add nuts, seeds, or dried fruit.
  • Cook the rice pilaf until it is tender. The rice pilaf is done cooking when the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes.
  • Fluff the rice pilaf before serving. Fluffing the rice pilaf with a fork will help to separate the grains and make it look more appetizing.

Conclusion:

Southwest rice pilaf is a flavorful and easy-to-make side dish that can be enjoyed with a variety of main courses. It is a great way to use up leftover rice, and it is also a good option for a vegetarian or vegan meal. With its colorful vegetables and flavorful spices, southwest rice pilaf is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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