Looking for a simple and delicious side dish to complement your Brazilian-inspired meal? Look no further than this classic Brazilian Rice recipe. Made with fragrant jasmine rice and infused with the flavors of onion, garlic, and chicken bouillon, this rice dish is flavorful and easy to make. Follow the steps below, and you'll have a perfect side dish to accompany your main course in no time. So let's get started!
What is Brazilian rice?
Brazilian rice, also known as "arroz brasileiro" in Portuguese, refers to the style of cooking rice that is commonly enjoyed in Brazil. It's a staple dish in Brazilian cuisine and is often served alongside a variety of other foods, such as beans, meats, stews, and vegetables.
Depending on the region of Brazil and personal preferences, Brazilian rice may include additional ingredients such as vegetables (carrots, peas, and bell peppers are common choices), herbs (such as parsley), and sometimes spices. The rice can be served plain or with a variety of accompaniments, such as feijoada (a traditional Brazilian black bean stew), grilled meats, poultry, or seafood.
Brazilian rice is an integral part of Brazilian culinary culture and is enjoyed as a side dish in numerous meals across the country. It's known for its flavorful and aromatic qualities, making it a popular choice to complement a wide range of main dishes.
Brief Highlight Of Our Brazilian rice Recipe:
- Taste: This classic Brazilian Rice is a flavorful and aromatic side dish. It features fragrant jasmine rice infused with the savory flavors of onion, garlic, and chicken bouillon. The sautéing of the rice in oil or butter enhances its taste, resulting in a delightful combination of sweet, savory, and aromatic notes. It's the perfect accompaniment to a variety of Brazilian-inspired main courses.
- Texture: Brazilian Rice is known for its light and fluffy texture. The jasmine rice, when properly cooked, has grains that are tender, separate, and not sticky. The sautéing of the rice grains before simmering helps ensure a fluffy and pleasant mouthfeel.
- Method: Making this classic Brazilian Rice is a straightforward process. It involves sautéing chopped onions and minced garlic, adding jasmine rice, and then simmering with water and chicken bouillon until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed. The step-by-step instructions are clear and easy to follow, resulting in a delicious side dish that pairs perfectly with various Brazilian-inspired dishes.
Brazilian rice ingredients
Note: The full ingredients list is provided in the recipe card below.
- Extra virgin olive oil, butter, or canola oil: These oils are used to sauté the onion and garlic, which infuses the rice with their flavors and helps to prevent the rice from sticking to the pan.
- Onion: The onion is finely chopped and sautéed until translucent, giving the rice a sweet and savory flavor.
- Garlic: The garlic is finely minced and sautéed until fragrant, adding a rich and pungent flavor to the rice.
- Knorr granulated chicken flavor bouillon: This chicken bouillon adds a salty and savory flavor to the rice while providing a golden color to the grains.
- Jasmine Rice: Jasmine rice is a fragrant, long-grain rice commonly used in Asian and Brazilian cuisine. It has a slightly sweet flavor and a delicate aroma that pairs well with the other flavors in this dish.
- Boiling water: The boiling water is used for cooking the rice, hydrating the grains, and allowing them to absorb the flavors of the onion, garlic, and chicken bouillon.
Tools you'll need
How to Make Brazilian Rice
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
Heat oil or butter in a heavy gauge medium pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the rice, stirring constantly, until the rice has absorbed the oil or butter and the grains are translucent.
Add the water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat, season with chicken bouillon or salt, cover, and allow to simmer until all the water has been absorbed and small holes appear in the rice, about 7 minutes.
Turn off the heat and let the rice sit, still covered, for 3 minutes. This lets the residual steam continue cooking the rice, resulting in a fluffy texture. Once the 3 minutes have passed, uncover the saucepan and use a fork to fluff the rice delicately. If the rice isn't as tender and fluffy as desired, you can allow it to sit for an extra 2 minutes or as needed before fluffing. The grains should be separate and tender.
Substitutions
- Oil: You can substitute the extra virgin olive oil, butter, or canola oil with other neutral-flavored oils, such as vegetable or grapeseed. Alternatively, you could use flavored oils, such as sesame or chili oil, to add a different dimension of flavor to the rice.
- Onion: If you don't have onion, you can substitute it with shallots or leeks with a similar flavor profile.
- Garlic: If you don't have fresh garlic, substitute it with garlic powder or minced garlic from a jar.
- Knorr granulated chicken flavor bouillon: You can substitute the chicken bouillon with vegetable bouillon for a vegetarian version of the recipe or use chicken broth or stock instead of water to add more depth of flavor to the rice.
- Jasmine Rice: You can substitute jasmine rice with other types of long-grain rice, such as basmati or white rice.
Variations
- Add vegetables: Add diced carrots, peas, or bell peppers to the rice during cooking to add flavor and nutrition.
- Use different spices: Instead of chicken bouillon, use cumin, paprika, or chili powder to add a different flavor profile.
- Add protein: Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or sausage to the rice to make it a more substantial main dish.
- Make it vegan: You can make the dish vegan using vegetable bouillon instead of chicken bouillon and oil instead of butter.
- Make it spicy: Add chopped jalapenos, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce to the rice to give it a spicy kick.
- Make it cheesy: Stir some grated parmesan or cheddar cheese into the rice after cooking to give it a cheesy twist.
How to Serve
Brazilian Rice is a versatile side dish that can be served in various ways. It's traditionally served alongside grilled or roasted meats such as steak, chicken, or pork, as the Rice's rich flavors complement the savory taste of the meat. Alternatively, it can be paired with black beans as a vegetarian or vegan meal or as a side dish for a meat-based dinner. It's also a great side dish for hearty stews or soups, such as feijoada, a traditional Brazilian stew made with beans, beef, and pork.
Brazilian Rice can also be used as a filling for burritos or bowls. Add some cooked protein, veggies, and toppings to create a balanced and flavorful meal. Lastly, it's delicious and can be enjoyed and satisfying. The possibilities are endless with this versatile and tasty side dish!
How to Store & Re-Heat
Proper storage and reheating are essential to ensure that Brazilian Rice retains its flavor and texture. Leftover Rice should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. When reheating Rice, there are two main methods: microwave or stove. To reheat in the microwave, transfer the Rice to a microwave-safe bowl, cover it with a damp paper towel, and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes or until heated. To reheat on the stove, add a splash of water or chicken broth to the Rice to moisten it, cover the pan, and heat on low, occasionally stirring, until heated.
Regardless of your chosen method, remember to fluff the Rice with a fork after reheating to ensure that it is evenly heated and has a light and fluffy texture. However, remember that reheated Rice can sometimes have a slightly different texture and taste than freshly cooked Rice, so it's best to consume Brazilian Rice when it's fresh and only store and reheat leftovers if needed.
Make-Ahead
Making Brazilian Rice ahead is a great way to save time and simplify your meal preparation. To make the Rice ahead of time, cook it as directed in the recipe and let it cool completely to room temperature. Then, transfer the cooled Rice to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you're ready to serve, reheat the Rice using one of the methods described in the reheating section.
Remember to fluff the Rice with a fork before serving to ensure it's light and fluffy. Proper storage is key when making Brazilian Rice ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out or absorbing unwanted odors from the fridge. When reheating, you may need to add a splash of water or chicken broth to the Rice to help moisten it up. By following these tips, you can easily make Brazilian Rice ahead of time and enjoy a delicious and fluffy side dish without any hassle.
How to Freeze
If you have leftover Brazilian Rice or want to make a large batch for future meals, you can freeze it later. To freeze Brazilian Rice, let the Rice cool to room temperature after cooking, then transfer it to a freezer-safe, airtight container or freezer bag. Be sure to label the container or bag with the date and contents. Store the Rice in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to use the Rice, remove the container or bag from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Once thawed, reheat the Rice using one of the methods described in the reheating section. Remember that frozen Rice may have slightly altered texture and flavor, so it's best to consume it within a few days after thawing. To prevent the Rice from becoming too dry, add a splash of water or chicken broth to moisten the Rice during reheating. With these tips, you can quickly freeze Brazilian Rice and have a convenient, delicious, and fluffy side dish at your fingertips for future meals.
Tips for Making The Best Brazilian Rice
- Toast the Rice: Toasting the Rice in the oil mixture before adding the water gives it a nutty and slightly smoky flavor. Be sure to stir constantly to prevent the Rice from burning.
- Use good quality rice: Good quality long-grain rice, such as jasmine rice, will ensure that the grains cook evenly and have a fluffy texture.
- Don't rinse the Rice: Unlike some other rice recipes, Brazilian Rice does not require rinsing before cooking. Rinsing can wash away the starch that helps to give the Rice its fluffy texture.
- Cover the Rice tightly: Cover the Rice tightly with a lid or foil during the cooking process to trap in the steam and prevent the Rice from drying out.
- Don't peek: Resist the urge to lift the lid and check on the Rice during the cooking process, as this can release the steam and affect the texture of the Rice.
- Let the rice rest: Letting the rice rest for a few minutes after cooking allows the grains to absorb any excess moisture and become light and fluffy.
FAQ
What is the difference between Brazilian Rice and other types of Rice?
Brazilian Rice is typically made with jasmine rice and has a slightly nutty and toasty flavor. It's often cooked with onions, garlic, and chicken bouillon for added flavor.
Can I use other types of Rice instead of jasmine rice?
You can use different types of long-grain Rice, such as basmati or white Rice, but the texture and flavor may differ slightly from the traditional Brazilian Rice recipe.
Can I make Brazilian Rice without chicken bouillon?
You can omit the chicken bouillon for a vegetarian version of the recipe or use vegetable bouillon instead.
Can I add vegetables or protein to Brazilian Rice?
You can add diced carrots, peas, or bell peppers to the Rice during the cooking process or add cooked chicken, shrimp, or sausage to make it a more substantial main dish.
How long can I store leftover Brazilian Rice?
Leftover Brazilian Rice can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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📋 Recipe
How to Make Brazilian Rice
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil , butter, or canola oil
- 1 medium onion , finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves , finely minced
- 1 tablespoon Knorr granulated chicken flavor bouillon , to taste
- 3 cups Jasmine Rice (no rinsing)
- 5 cups boiling water
Instructions
- Heat oil or butter in a heavy gauge medium pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute until the onion is translucent about 5 minutes. Add the rice, stirring constantly, until the rice has absorbed the oil or butter and the grains are translucent.
- Add the water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat, season with chicken bouillon or salt, cover, and allow to simmer until all the water has been absorbed and small holes appear in the rice, about 7 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let the rice sit, still covered, for an additional 3 minutes. This lets the residual steam continue cooking the rice, resulting in a fluffy texture. Once the 3 minutes have passed, uncover the saucepan and use a fork to delicately fluff the rice. If you notice that the rice isn't as tender and fluffy as desired, you can allow it to sit for an extra 2 minutes or as needed before fluffing. The grains should be separate and tender.
Notes
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
