This homemade rice pilaf recipe is quick and easy, and chances are good that you have all the ingredients in your kitchen right now!
I don’t know about you, but I’m no stranger to boxed rice mixes. Before I started The Weary Chef, a meat, roasted vegetable, and some sort of Rice-a-Roni was dinner at least once or twice every week. While it is easy to grab a box of seasoned rice mix to accompany most any meal, that box also includes lots of sodium, preservatives, and other ingredients you might be better off avoiding.
That’s why I started making my own rice side dishes more often, like this simple rice pilaf recipe loaded with sweet peas and dill. This is a very simple side dish that goes great with just about any meat. I usually have all the ingredients in my kitchen at any given time. Use fresh dill and parsley if you have it, but dried works fine too. The only amounts you need to stick to strictly are the rice and liquid. You can adjust the herbs or add in other things like finely diced carrots or slivered almonds if that’s your thing. Make it your own, and I bet you’ll be making this easy rice pilaf on the regular!
Dill Rice Pilaf
This simple rice dish is lightly flavored with dill and peas. It goes especially well with chicken or fish.
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 white or yellow onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic crushed or minced
- 1 cup white rice uncooked
- 2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian dish)
- pinch kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill or 1 teaspoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley (or 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced)
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
Instructions
-
Heat oil over medium heat in a medium pot. Add onion and sauté until tender, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and sauté one minute longer.
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Stir in rice, and sauté for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add broth, salt, pepper, dill, and parsley. Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat to simmer and cover. Cook 10 minutes.
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Stir in frozen peas, and simmer an additional 10-12 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed.
- Prep Time: 3
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Side Dish
I have a love affair with rice. It’s true. That’s why I have an entire rice bowl category of dinner recipes, and here are a couple other rice side dishes I know you’ll like!
Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie says
What a perfect side dish!! I know we will be making this a lot in the future. YUM!
Andi Gleeson says
Thanks so much, Becky! It’s a good one to keep in mind when you just want something simple and easy.
Nutmeg Nanny says
What a flavor packed rice pilaf! Dill is so under used and totally flavorful. So good!
Andi Gleeson says
Thanks so much!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
I would eat this for a meal all by itself! Looks great!
Andi Gleeson says
I could too. Thank you, Nancy!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says
Oh gosh those boxed rice and pasta mixes still make an appearance at my parents…we actually had one a few weeks ago when nI was staying with them when our kitchen was being redone. And not gonna lie…it was pretty darn good but I love your idea of making our own! Definitely gonna have to had this to our menu!
Andi Gleeson says
Heck yes they’re good! Those food scientists know what they are doing. ;) This rice is good too though, and healthy too.
Beth says
I always forget how much I like dill! It’s a great herb to spice up rice!
Andi Gleeson says
I love it too, Beth. Thanks!
Ceil allard says
These both look delicious. I love rice, peas and avacodos some this one will be relished.
Andi Gleeson says
Thanks so much, Ceil. Glad you found some good recipes to try!
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
Right! Those boxes are loaded with sodium! This recipe is such a perfect substitute and still super easy! Love it!
Andi Gleeson says
Thank you, Krista!
Donna says
Which one to make first?????????
These all look delicious!. Actually I was just in the pantry looking for a box of rice..this will do nicely.
Andi Gleeson says
I hope you enjoy whichever recipe you pick. Thanks so much, Donna!
Yvonne @ StoneGable says
Now this is my kinda rice! Love the addition of dill! YUMMY!
The Weary Chef says
Thanks so much, Yvonne!