Saffron Yellow Rice In Rice Cooker : Cooking With Bliss

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This beautiful fragrant saffron yellow rice is made in a rice cooker and is infused with saffron, ground turmeric and aromatics.

It's an easy last-minute side dish to complete any meal and brings a unique element to any plate.

saffron yellow rice in white bowl with parsley garnish.

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What to serve with Saffron Yellow Rice
Ingredients
How to Make Saffron Yellow Rice in Rice Cooker
FAQs
Top Tips
Storage and Reheating
More Rice Dishes
📖 Recipe

What to serve with Saffron Yellow Rice

This recipe is versatile and can be paired with various types of meats such as chicken, beef, seafood, and vegetables.

Poultry:

Beef:

The best and easiest London Broil
Grilled Flanken Short Ribs
Oven Baked Chuck Roast
Oven Baked Tri-Tip
Easy Oven Braised Brisket
Grilled Chuck Roast
Oven Baked Beef Short Ribs or Instant Pot Beef Ribs

Seafood

Ingredients

Let's take a closer look at what you'll need to make this dish.

Rice: Long grain white rice, basmati rice or jasmine rice are great options.
Saffron: Saffron is a spice. The threads are a deep crimson color which are collected and dried and are mainly used as a spice or a coloring agent. When the threads are added to hot water, the water turns a beautiful yellow color. Saffron can be an expensive ingredient; however, I find that the saffron threads at Trader Joe's is reasonably priced and a little goes a long way.
Ground Turmeric: This spice has an earthy flavor with a distinct pungent aroma and is a deep yellow color. When sauteed with cooking oil, onion, and garlic, the flavor is amplified creating an even more flavorful yellow rice dish.
Aromatic: Taking the extra step to saute the onions and garlic with the ground turmeric is worth the extra effort. It only takes around 2 minutes.
Grapeseed oil or olive oil: Is used to saute the onion and garlic and bloom the turmeric, onion powder and garlic powder.

Refer to the recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Saffron Yellow Rice in Rice Cooker

The beauty of making saffron yellow rice in a rice cooker is that the rice cooker does all the work leaving you with minimal clean-up. The rice cooker simplifies the process, so your rice is cooked perfectly every time.

saffron threads steeping in hot water in saucepan.

Steep saffron threads in hot water for 10 minutes.
Use a fork to remove the saffron threads. You can either lift them out or gently tilt the pot and use the fork to press the threads against the sides of the pot, where they will stick. Remove them and discard.

heating turmeric, other seasonings, and aromatics in saucepan.

Add grapeseed oil to a skillet over low to medium heat.
Heat onion and seasonings except for salt then add garlic.
Continue to heat for several seconds.

saffron turmeric mixture heated in saucepan.

Add saffron liquid to skillet with seasoning and mix until combined.

uncooked rice and saffron turmeric mixture that was heated now added to rice insert.

Rinse rice under cool water until water is no longer cloudy.
Add saffron mixture.

uncooked rice and other ingredients inside rice cooker insert.

Then, using the built-in measurements, fill the rice cooker with water until it reaches the correct level and add salt.
Cover the rice cooker with the lid that comes with the rice cooker.
Press the 'Cook' button which will light up.

cooked yellow rice inside rice cooker insert.

When the rice is done, the 'Warm' button will light up.
Remove the lid when ready to serve.
Using a fork, fluff rice then taste and add additional salt if needed.

yellow rice in white bowl with parsley garnich next to striped napkin.

FAQs

How much water do you put in a rice cooker for yellow rice?

This will depend on the number of cups of rice you're using, and if you're using the measuring cup that comes with your rice cooker or a regular measuring cup. For each cup of white rice measured with the rice cooker’s measuring cup, add an equal amount of water, using the measurement lines inside the rice cooker’s insert as a guide. For example, if you measure 2 cups of white rice using the rice cooker measuring cup, add enough water until the water level reaches 2.

Do you put rice or water first in the rice cooker?

I recommend putting rice in your rice cooker first then add the water. The rice will need to be submerged in the water. Also, by putting the rice in first you will prevent splattering.

Can yellow rice be made in a rice cooker?

Absolutely, cooking yellow rice in a rice cooker will ensure that it will cook perfectly every time. If you can't seem to cook rice over a regular stove-top. Using a rice cooker is a fool-proof way of getting beautiful fluffy rice.

What can I use to turn rice yellow?

Turmeric for sure but you can also infuse with saffron to elevate the flavor.

How do I make rice not mushy or sticky in the rice cooker?

You must use the right amount of water. Too much water will leave you with mushy or sticky rice. It's also worth noting that brown rice uses more water than white rice (read instructions on packaging if using brown rice).

Top Tips

Boil ¼ cup water until really hot, then add the saffron threads and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
Use a fork to remove saffron threads before adding the saffron mixture to the skillet with the heated turmeric.
Rinse rice with cool water until the water runs almost clear.
Make sure to add the correct amount of water to the rice cooker to prevent your rice from being under-cooked or overcooked.
Intensify the flavor of the yellow rice by blooming the ground turmeric first. This is done by essentially heating the spices in a little oil. This method extracts more flavor from the spice you are blooming.

Storage and Reheating

Storing

Saffron yellow rice can be easily stored in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid or a ziploc storage bag and placed in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Reheating

It can be reheated in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds. If by chance you feel as though it needs moisture, you can add a couple of teaspoons of water to the rice before putting in the microwave.

Alternatively, you can reheat the rice by wrapping it completely in foil, placing it on a baking sheet or in a baking dish, and warming it in the oven until heated through.

More Rice Dishes

Looking for more recipes like this - try these:

Simple One Skillet Hamburger Rice Recipe

The BEST Cajun Red Beans and Rice

Thanksgiving Cajun Rice Dressing

Saffron Yellow Rice In Rice Cooker