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    Home » Recipes » Side Dish Recipes

    Saffron Yellow Rice In Rice Cooker

    Modified: Nov 26, 2024 · Published: Mar 20, 2023 by Cree · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    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.
    Jump to:
    • 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:

    • Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breast
    • Pan Fried Panko Chicken Breast
    • Spatchcock Chicken
    • Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Wings
    • The Best Charcoal Grilled Chicken Wings
    • Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Wings
    • Cajun Oven Roasted Turkey Thighs

    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

    • Broiled Cajun Blackened Cod
    • Lemon Garlic Broiled Salmon
    • Cajun Grilled Salmon
    • Easy Cajun Panko Fried Shrimp

    Ingredients

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

    ingredients for making saffron yellow rice.
    • 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

    📖 Recipe

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

    Saffron Yellow Rice in Rice Cooker

    By Cree
    Saffron Yellow Rice in Rice Cooker
    This beautiful fragrant saffron yellow rice is made in a rice cooker and is infused with saffron, ground turmeric, and aromatics.
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Bloom (Heat) Seasoning: 2 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 17 minutes minutes
    Calories: 242kcal
    Saffron Yellow Rice in Rice Cooker

    Equipment

    • 1 Rice Cooker
    • 1 Small pot
    • 1 Skillet or saucepan
    • 1 Cutting board
    • 1 Chef's knife

    Ingredients 

    • 2 cups white rice (or 1-¼ cup using a regular measuring cup)
    • ¼ cup water (PLUS more will be used inside of rice cooker refer to instructions)
    • 1-½ teaspoon saffron (you can get Spanish saffron threads from Trader Joe's)
    • ½ tablespoon grapeseed oil (or extra olive oil)
    • 2 cloves garlic (2 medium sized cloves or 1 large clove minced)
    • 1 tablespoon onion (minced)
    • 1-½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

    Instructions

    • Mince garlic and onion. Set aside.
    • Add water to small pot and heat on top of stove-tip until water is hot but not boiling then soak the saffron threads in hot water for 10 minutes. Steep saffron threads in hot water for 10 minutes. Remove threads using a fork or tilt the pot and using your fork push the threads against the sides of the pot (the threads will stick to the sides) then remove and discard the threads.
    • Add grapeseed oil or olive oil into to a skillet and place over low to medium heat. Add onion and seasonings except for salt and heat (this is also called blooming). Continue to heat for several seconds then add garlic and continue to heat for several more seconds.
    • Pour the saffron liquid without the threads into the skillet with the heated spices and mix until combined. Wash the rice until the water no longer appears cloudy and add to rice cooker then add the contents from the skillet into the rice cooker.
    • Using the built-in measurements, fill the rice cooker with water until it reaches the correct level. Cover the rice cooker with the lid that comes with the rice cooker then add salt. Press the 'Cook' button which will light up.
    • 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.

    Notes

    • 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 saffron mixture to skillet with 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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 242kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Sodium: 198mg | Potassium: 95mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 0.2IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For the most accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information using the specific ingredients and brands you use.

    Tried this Recipe? Don’t forget to give this recipe a Star Rating and Leave a Comment below- I’d love to hear from you.
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    HEY, I'M CREE

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