Rice is one of the most consumed foods worldwide, not only because it is versatile, but also because it is economical, and of course, delicious on its own. However, we often find ourselves with leftover rice because we might have made too much, and thinking of throwing it away is not a good idea at all. It is much better to think about how to use it in other recipes.
11 Recipes You Can Make with Leftover Rice
So, if you don’t know exactly what to do, here are several tasty recipes you can prepare with that leftover rice, avoiding waste and creating new dishes worth trying.
Fried Rice
Fried rice is one of the most popular ways to reuse leftover rice, and the best part is that with just a few additional ingredients, such as vegetables, eggs, and a protein of your choice like chicken, shrimp, or tofu, you can prepare a delicious and quick dish.
Simply sauté the ingredients in a bit of oil, add the rice, and season with soy sauce or another sauce of your preference. You can also try our recipe for easy Chicken Fried Rice, which is pictured above!
Tacu Tacu
Tacu Tacu is a Peruvian recipe that combines leftover rice with beans, creating a hearty and flavorful dish. According to mahatmarice.com/recipes/tacu-tacu/, you mix the leftover rice with cooked and mashed beans, chopped onion, garlic, and cumin.
Then, form it into a sort of patty and fry it in a pan until it is golden on both sides. For an extra touch, serve it with a Creole sauce and, if you wish, accompany it with a fried egg or meat.
Baked Rice
Baked rice is a traditional Spanish recipe ideal for using leftover rice. Fry slices of potato and set them aside. Sauté sausages, onion, bell pepper, and garlic, then add cooked rice, chickpeas, saffron, and season.
Place a layer of potatoes in an ovenproof dish, add the rice mixture, slices of tomato, and a head of garlic, then bake it. In the end, you will get a comforting combination with incredible flavors and textures, which you can further personalize by adding olives, chicken, or pork.
Cuban-Style Rice
This classic dish is perfect for a quick and great meal. Simply heat the leftover rice and serve it with a fried egg, fried ripe plantain, and tomato sauce. You’ll get great results without needing to be a professional chef, as it is a simple but flavorful combination.
Rice Croquettes
Rice croquettes, as the name suggests, are mainly composed of rice and are a great option for an appetizer or as a side dish. To make them, just mix the leftover rice with grated cheese, egg, and breadcrumbs, and any other ingredients you prefer. Then, form balls or cylinders and fry them until golden. Adding herbs and spices to taste will make them even more delicious.
Arancini
Arancini are an Italian specialty consisting of rice balls filled, usually with ragù, mozzarella, or peas, then breaded and fried.
This recipe is perfect for using leftover risotto rice, but any type of rice will work well. Try this Fried Cheese Balls recipe for a tasty snack!
Rice Soup
Adding leftover rice to a soup is an easy way to make it more filling. This works with any soup, such as vegetable, chicken, or even tomato soup. The rice will absorb the flavors of the broth and add a pleasant texture. We love this easy Chicken and Rice Soup with vegetables!
Rice Salad
Rice salads are fresh and nutritious. Mix the leftover rice with fresh vegetables like cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, and onion, and add a vinaigrette of your choice. You can also incorporate tuna, shredded chicken, or legumes to make it more complete.
Rice Paella
Use leftover rice to prepare a quick paella, without much hassle. Sauté some vegetables, add seafood or chicken, and season with saffron and paprika. Incorporate the rice and a bit of chicken or seafood broth to absorb all the flavors.
Rice Sushi
Making sushi rolls or nigiris is another way to use leftover rice. For this, you will need nori seaweed, fresh fish, vegetables like avocado and cucumber, and a bit of imagination to create your own combinations.
Rice Pudding
Not everything has to be savory; rice is perfect in some sweet preparations, such as rice pudding, which is delicious and easy to make with leftover rice from the previous day or the same day if you want to make a dessert.
Cook the rice with milk, sugar, cinnamon, and a bit of lemon or orange peel. Then, let it simmer until it reaches a creamy consistency. Try our easy Almond Milk Rice Pudding recipe for a delicious dessert!
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