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.
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Food Pairing
This recipe is versatile and can be paired with various meats and vegetables such as chicken, beef, and seafood.
Poultry:
- Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breast
- Pan Fried Panko Chicken Breast
- Spatchcock Chicken Recipe
- Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Wings
- The Best Charcoal Grilled Chicken Wings
- Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Wings (Baking Powder)
- Cajun Oven Roasted Turkey Thighs
Beef:
- The best and easiest London Broil
- Grilled Flanken Short Ribs
- Oven Baked Chuck Roast
- Tri Tip
- Easy Oven Braised Brisket
- Grilled Chuck Roast in Foil
- Oven Baked Beef Short Ribs or Instant Pot Beef Ribs
Seafood
- Broiled Cajun Blackened Cod
- Lemon Garlic Broiled Salmon
- Cajun Grilled Salmon In Foil
- Easy Cajun Panko Fried Shrimp
Ingredient Notes
- 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: Has an earthy flavor with a distinct pungent aroma and has a deep yellow color. When sauteed with cooking oil, onion and garlic, the flavor of the turmeric 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.
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 literally simplifies the process ensures that your rice is cooked perfectly every time.
- 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 to a skillet over low to medium heat.
- Heat onion and seasonings except for salt then add garlic.
- Continue to heat for several seconds.
- Add saffron liquid to skillet with seasoning and mix until combined.
- Rinse rice under cool water until water is no longer cloudy.
- Add saffron mixture.
- 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.
- 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.
Refer to recipe card for detailed instructions.
FAQs
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 every cup of rice you measure using the rice cooker measuring cup, you need the same amount of water (using the built-in measurements on the inside wall of the rice cooking container or insert). For example, if you measure 2 cups of rice using the rice cooker measuring cup, then add enough water until the water level reaches 2.
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.
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.
Turmeric for sure but you can also infuse with saffron to elevate the flavor.
It is important that you use the 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. For every cup of rice you measure using the rice cooker measuring cup, you need the same amount of water (using the built-in measurements on the inside wall of the rice cooking container or insert).
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 saffron mixture to skillet with heated turmeric.
- Rinse rice with cool water until with 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
This saffron yellow rice can be easily stored in an airtight container with a tight fitting lid or in a ziploc back and placed in the fridge for up to 2-3 days without drying out.
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 also reheat your rice by completely wrapping it in foil and placing on a baking sheet or baking dish and placing in the oven to reheat until warm.
More side dishes
Did you make this recipe?
If so, let me know how it went. Leave a 'Star Rating' within the recipe card down below and/or TAG @cookingwithbliss on Instagram. I can't wait to see how it turned out.
📖 Recipe
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 with 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.
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