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Home » Recipes » rice » The Best Rice Pilaf

December 21, 2021

The Best Rice Pilaf

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The Best Rice Pilaf | Foodtastic Mom #ricepilaf #ricerecipes #besteverricepilaf #easyricepilaf via @foodtasticmom

Why is this the best rice pilaf? Because it is my Mom’s recipe. White rice cooks to perfection in the oven with just a few surprising ingredients.

rice pilaf on a plate with ham and green beans
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I have been eating rice pilaf for a long time, since the late 1970’s is my earliest memory. This recipe is directly from my Mom’s hand-written recipe card. She made this every year for Christmas dinner. Serving it with ham, green beans and rolls. Usually a cranberry Jello salad too. I’ve researched a lot of rice pilaf recipes on Google. None of them look like my Mom’s. I doubt she created it herself, but I never asked her where she might have gotten the original recipe. What’s the secret to making the best rice pilaf? It’s beef consommé. The flavor in this rice is so comforting and delicious. I hope you try it and let me know what you think!

close up of a serving of rice pilaf on a dinner plate

What is Rice Pilaf?

Pilaf is the American spelling for the British word Pilau. This dish can be traced to both Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines. Rice Pilaf is fluffy rice, cooked in a stock or broth (in this case, beef consommé, which is clarified beef stock) with the addition of meat, sometimes spices and/or vegetables. Based on this definition, there is a lot of room for interpretation as to what makes the best rice pilaf. Like I said, for me, that means my Mom’s recipe. 

a dish of rice pilaf straight out of the oven

Ingredients for The Best Rice Pilaf

  • Margarine – if you don’t keep margarine on-hand or if you have some other objection to it, you can use butter instead.
  • Onion
  • Green Pepper
  • Mushrooms – use the 4-ounce cans of mushrooms stems and pieces. I have tried using fresh mushrooms in the past and they just aren’t as good in this dish.
  • White Rice – I have tried substituting brown rice, but I really think white rice has the best flavor and texture for this recipe.
  • Beef Consommé 

serving the best rice pilaf

How to make The Best Rice Pilaf

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Finely chop both the onion and green pepper.
  3. Add one stick of margarine and the chopped onion and green pepper to a large, Pyrex measuring cup (or similar microwave-safe dish).
  4. Microwave in one minute increments, stirring after each minute, until the margarine (or butter) is completely melted.
  5. Drain two cans of mushrooms and add them to a large, clean bowl. 
  6. Add the rice, onion and green pepper mixture, and two cans of beef consommé.
  7. Stir the mixture until well combined.
  8. Carefully pour the rice mixture into a 9×13 casserole dish.
  9. Bake the rice on the center rack of the oven at 350 degrees F, uncovered, for one hour.

a serving of the best rice pilaf topped with mushrooms

Kitchen Tips

  • My favorite knife for chopping vegetables
  • 4-cup Pyrex measuring cup
  • Casserole dish similar to what I use for this recipe
  • 4-oz can of mushrooms stems and pieces
  • Campbell’s Beef Consommé

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The Best Rice Pilaf | Foodtastic Mom #ricepilaf #ricerecipes #besteverricepilaf #easyricepilaf
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The Best Rice Pilaf | Foodtastic Mom #ricepilaf #ricerecipes #besteverricepilaf #easyricepilaf
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5 from 5 votes

The Best Rice Pilaf

Why is this the best rice pilaf? Because it is my Mom's recipe. White rice cooks to perfection in the oven with just a few surprising ingredients.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings 8
Author Foodtastic Mom

Ingredients

  • 1 stick margarine or substitute with butter
  • 1 small sweet onion finely chopped
  • 1 small green pepper finely chopped
  • 1 cup white rice
  • 2 4-oz cans mushrooms stems and pieces drained
  • 2 10.5-oz cans beef consommé

Instructions

  •  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Finely chop both the onion and green pepper.
  • Add one stick of margarine and the chopped onion and green pepper to a large, Pyrex measuring cup (or similar microwave safe dish).
  • Microwave the margarine, onion and green pepper in one minute increments, stirring after each minute, until the margarine (or butter) is completely melted.
  • Drain two cans of mushrooms and add them to a large, clean bowl. 
  • Add the rice, onion and green pepper mixture, and two cans of beef consommé.
  • Stir the mixture until well combined.
  • Carefully pour the rice mixture into a 9x13 casserole dish.
  • Bake the rice on the center rack of the oven at 350 degrees F, uncovered, for one hour.

More Rice Recipes

  • How to Cook Rice
  • Greek Rice Salad
  • Easy Fried Rice
  • Vegetarian Chili
  • Mexican Rice and Bean Soup
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Found In: rice, sides

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Comments

  1. Jennifer says

    January 01, 2022 at 12:53 pm

    5 stars
    I love that this recipe is baked in the oven – it’s so delicious and easier than a stove-top recipe!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      January 01, 2022 at 1:51 pm

      It is fool-proof because there is not stove-top cooking required! Thanks for taking the time to rate and comment!

      Reply
  2. Gwynn Galvin says

    January 01, 2022 at 3:02 pm

    5 stars
    I love how easy and delicious this recipe is and that it bakes in the oven. Fabulous idea!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      January 02, 2022 at 11:46 am

      It was always a crowd pleaser!

      Reply
  3. Lauren says

    January 01, 2022 at 3:37 pm

    5 stars
    I love how accessible the ingredients are! A great and quick side dish

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      January 02, 2022 at 11:46 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  4. Artney says

    January 01, 2022 at 4:46 pm

    5 stars
    I love the mushrooms and that this dish is baked in the oven! It has so many great flavors and textures. Delicious!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      January 02, 2022 at 11:45 am

      It’s one of my absolute favorite side dishes of all time. Thanks for taking the time to rate and comment!

      Reply
  5. Chenée says

    January 01, 2022 at 5:06 pm

    5 stars
    This rice pilaf came out so delicious! And it was so easy to make! Thanks for a great recipe!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      January 02, 2022 at 11:45 am

      So glad to hear this. You’re welcome!

      Reply

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jill
My name is Jill and I share simple and delicious, family-friendly recipes. I want you to feel super in YOUR kitchen!

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