Frustrated with having too much leftover rice after cooking? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We’ve compiled an extensive list of 27 easy and delicious leftover rice recipes that will turn your meal nights from bland to grand. So let’s get started on this culinary journey by diving into the list!
Rice Pancakes
Very often, people struggle with what to do with leftover rice. Fortunately, one solution is to make some delicious rice pancakes. This dish is a great way to repurpose excess rice, and it’s become increasingly popular in recent times. Unlike traditional pancakes, these are incredibly sweet and have a unique flavor profile due to their light spices, making them a fun and tasty option for leftover meals.
Tuna Rice Salad
Passionate tuna enthusiasts will love this refreshing recipe that combines the protein-rich fish with rice in a delicious and healthy salad. Not only is it incredibly filling, but also a great way to satisfy your cravings without overindulging. The best part? This dish is not only tasty but also packed with nutrients, making you feel good about what you’re eating.
With leftovers that can be refrigerated for up to three days, you can enjoy this meal guilt-free and plan your meals in advance, saving you time and effort.
Chicken And Rice Soup
Need something comforting to warm you up on a chilly evening? This chicken and rice soup recipe is an ideal way to repurpose leftover rice. The rich broth infuses into the chicken, while the rice absorbs all the flavors, resulting in a mouth-watering dish that’s both satisfying and flavorful.
Taco Rice
Combining the flavors and texture of tacos with the convenience of a one-pot dish, taco rice is an excellent alternative for those who crave Mexican-inspired cuisine but are short on time. It’s astonishingly easy to prepare and tastes remarkably similar to traditional tacos, without the fuss of assembling individual ingredients. With only 15 minutes needed from start to finish, you’ll be indulging in this delicious vegan option before you know it.
Plus, its plant-based nature makes it a great choice for social gatherings or potlucks, as everyone can enjoy it regardless of their dietary preferences.
Turmeric Rice Salad
Looking at this turmeric rice salad, it’s easy to see why it’s a stunning alternative to traditional Mediterranean dishes. The abundance of various vegetables makes it an incredibly healthy option that doesn’t compromise on flavor. Furthermore, the incorporation of turmeric adds an extra layer of depth to the dish, leaving you wanting more with each bite.
Hibachi Fried Rice
Love at first bite, hibachi fried rice is a dish that is both easy to prepare and incredibly delicious. Lucky for you, if you have sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and frozen peas in your kitchen, then you already possess all the necessary ingredients to create this mouth-watering meal. Little wonder why even the most discerning eaters will be won over by its irresistible flavor.
Leftover chicken breast can easily be added to turn it into a more substantial dish that’s perfect for any occasion.
Rice Pudding
Carefully crafted to delight your taste buds, this leftover rice variation is a game-changer. Not only does it match the quality of freshly cooked rice pudding, but it’s also incredibly easy to prepare. With just three essential ingredients, you can whip up this classic dessert in no time. The addition of evaporated milk gives it an extra creamy texture, although using regular milk is still a perfectly valid option if that’s what you have on hand.
One of the best things about rice pudding is its incredible versatility – you can experiment with various toppings to take your dish to the next level. Consider adding some sweet jam or a sprinkle of cinnamon for added flavor and flair.
Broccoli, Cheddar, And Wild Rice Fritters
Considering the variety of dishes available, this broccoli, cheddar, and wild rice fritter recipe stands out for its unique yet tantalizing taste. Not only are these fritters mouth-wateringly delicious, but they’re also packed with an abundance of flavor.They have a distinct advantage in terms of preparation time, requiring minimal effort to create, and can be whipped up using just 5 essential ingredients.
Cheesy Zucchini Casserole With Rice
Splendidly, one of the greatest advantages of this cheesy zucchini casserole is its perfect blend of taste and healthiness. This dish allows you to enjoy a mouth-watering meal without feeling any guilt or anxiety about its nutritional value. One of the key ingredients that elevates this casserole’s appeal is the use of Greek yogurt, which not only adds a rich and creamy texture but also makes it incredibly filling.
Paella Salad
Among the numerous classic rice dishes out there, Paella is undoubtedly one of the most beloved and iconic ones, and its salad variation is an absolute must-try! The recipe for this dish is incredibly healthy and boasts a multitude of diverse ingredients that come together in perfect harmony to create a truly delectable culinary experience.
For added depth of flavor, you can incorporate steamed mussels into your paella salad – it’s also versatile enough to be served as either a side or main course.
Leftover Rissoto Cakes
Keen cooks will appreciate the simplicity of this recipe, which boasts a remarkable turnaround time of just 10 minutes from prep to plate. This speedy dish is made even more appealing by its requirement for only five ingredients, all of which blend together in harmony to produce an exceptionally delicious taste experience. These leftover risotto cakes are not only quick and easy to make but also offer a fantastic flavor that is sure to satisfy your cravings.
Shrimp Fried Rice
Often overlooked by many home cooks, this simple shrimp recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves seafood. Its understated approach to flavors allows the natural taste of the shrimp to shine through without being overpowering. The key ingredients are straightforward: garlic and ginger complement the succulent shrimp perfectly on a bed of fluffy rice.
Crispy Cutlets
Keeping your taste buds on their toes, these crispy cutlets are an absolute delight. They combine the simplicity of rice with the heartiness of potatoes, making them the ultimate comfort food that’s sure to leave you feeling full and content. What’s more, this dish requires a mere 7 ingredients, making it incredibly easy to prepare, and the result is a flavor sensation that will have you hooked from the very first bite.
But be warned: these crispy cutlets pack a punch of heat, so if you’re a fan of spicy food, get ready to ignite your taste buds with every morsel.
Rice Pakora
Honouring the traditional Indian flavour profile, these fritters are an explosion of warm spices that will leave you craving more. To fully appreciate their rich flavours, it’s essential to have a dipping sauce at hand. Additionally, serving them with a light and refreshing salad on the side can help to balance out the boldness of the dish.
Vegetarian Bean And Rice Burrito
Savoring the flavors of the classic bean and rice burrito, this recipe takes all the delicious elements and reimagines them into a mouth-watering leftover rice dish that’s both tasty and satisfying.This creative twist on a traditional favorite retains its vegetarian roots while offering flexibility for meat-eaters to add their preferred protein. In fact, one of the most popular additions is crispy bacon, which pairs perfectly with the beans and rice.
Fried Chicken And Rice Waffles
Hearty breakfast or brunch options are always in high demand, but sometimes it’s refreshing to mix things up a bit. In this recipe, the waffles take center stage, made with leftover rice for added texture and topped with succulent pieces of fried chicken. The combination is absolutely delicious and works remarkably well as a satisfying filling lunch.
The waffles pair perfectly with the crispy fried chicken, creating a match made in heaven that you can make multiple times and change it up slightly with each iteration to keep things interesting.
Vegan And Gluten-Free Lentil Loaf
Always on the lookout for delicious and healthy meal options, this gluten-free lentil loaf is an excellent choice. Not only does it meet your dietary requirements by being completely free from gluten, but it also happens to be 100% vegan, making it suitable for a wide range of consumers with specific needs. The dish itself is remarkably wholesome and has a fantastic flavor profile that will surely impress even the most discerning palates.
One of its standout features is how incredibly filling it is, making it perfect for large gatherings or family meals. Furthermore, the lentils are an excellent source of fiber, which not only contributes to the overall nutritional value but also adds to the dish’s appeal.
Rice Balls
Highlighting the fun and vibrant nature of these rice balls, they make an excellent addition to any party or gathering. The three variations – mushroom and vegetable rice, egg and pickled radish, and ham and spinach – cater to diverse tastes, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Each option is not only visually appealing but also boasts a rich flavor profile that will leave you wanting more. If desired, an extra kick can be added by incorporating spicy ingredients into the mix.
Mushroom Broccoli Quiche
Vibrant with an array of vegetables, the tofu batter in this quiche recipe makes it an ideal choice for those following a meat-free diet, particularly when paired with leftover rice (refer to our related article ‘28 Easy Meat-Free Recipes’). The beauty of this dish lies in its flexibility, allowing you to customize the fillings according to your personal taste preferences. Even with the standard recipe, which is incredibly delicious and filling, you won’t be disappointed with this quiche.
Leftover Rice Dosa
Preparing a delicious rice dosa at home can be an incredibly easy task, and the end result tastes absolutely lovely. If you’re new to Indian cuisine, a dosa is essentially a thin pancake made from fermented rice and lentil batter, similar in appearance to a French crepe. This recipe works wonderfully as a side dish, and one of the most popular accompaniments that pairs well with it is mango chutney, which adds a sweet and tangy flavor.
Furthermore, this dosa can be enjoyed both as a sweet and savory side dish, and its texture and flavor will surely not disappoint.
Korean Rice Bowl
Taking the concept of Korean rice bowls to new heights, Bibimbap is a culinary masterpiece that bursts with vibrant flavors. Typically considered a complex dish, this recipe may seem daunting at first glance, but don’t be fooled – it’s surprisingly easy to prepare and can be ready in under an hour. The end result is well worth the effort, as the combination of textures and tastes will leave you wanting more.
Stuffed Peppers
Relying on the versatility of stuffed peppers as a meal option, they present an attractive choice due to their significantly healthier nature compared to other alternatives. One can fill the peppers with almost anything, which is undoubtedly one of its biggest advantages. This recipe in particular showcases the pairing of leftover rice and ground beef, resulting in a truly delightful culinary experience.
The addition of ground beef amplifies the flavors within the dish, elevating it to new heights.
Conclusion
Plenty of people often find themselves with leftover rice after cooking a meal, but rather than letting it go to waste, there are plenty of fun and tasty options to consider. From simple and quick stir-fries to more elaborate dishes like fried rice or rice bowls, these recipes offer a great way to repurpose your leftover rice without too much fuss.
Directions
Key steps to follow for a delicious culinary experience are outlined below: Kick-start by selecting one of the recipes listed, then click on its name to access the associated website. Next, gather all the required ingredients as specified in the recipe and finally, proceed with cooking the meal. Once you’ve finished cooking, take a moment to appreciate your culinary creation, but don’t forget to leave feedback for others by writing a review.
