20 Easy Black Rice Recipes Fit for a King (2024)

These black rice recipes will transform your usual rice dishes into extra tasty, Insta-worthy entrees.

Called forbidden rice in ancient China, it was once so valuable it was only served to royalty.But today, it’s become more widely available, with more and more Asian countries producing the grain.

20 Easy Black Rice Recipes Fit for a King (1)

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox.

And it’s a lot more affordable too.

It’s nutty, chewy, high in fiber, low (ish) in calories, and can be used to make sweet porridge, pudding, sushi, and more.

With these black rice recipes, you’ll never think a rice side dish is bland again!

1. Forbidden Black Rice

Let’s get the show on the road with this sticky, savory, velvety forbidden black rice recipe.

Besides its health-promoting properties, there’s another reason black rice is such a highly-coveted grain.

It’s deep black when raw but turns into a deep purple when cooked! It’s stunning, to say the least.

That’s why, despite how basic this rice dish is, I still consider it decadent.

2. Sweet Potato & Forbidden Rice Power Bowls With Miso Tahini

The colors in this rice bowl alone should be enough to get you to make it.

Full of sweet potatoes, broccoli, edamame, purple cabbage, green onions, hemp seeds, and of course, black rice, there’s no shortage in flavors, textures, and nutrition.

But it doesn’t end there.

Tying them together is a sweet, nutty, and creamy dressing of tahini, miso, orange, and maple syrup.

It’s an intriguing combination which I’m positive you’ll love.

3. Black Rice Salad with Spicy Toasted Sesame Dressing

Rice in a salad? This combination doesn’t come by often, which is unfortunate because I think it’s incredible.

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox.

In this dish, you’ll combine forbidden rice, roasted red peppers, cucumber, almonds, mint, and cilantro and toss them in a sweet, tangy, and umami-rich Asian dressing.

Believe me; it’ll be a hit.

4. Indonesian Black Rice Pudding

Start your day right with this sweet and hearty Indonesian black rice pudding! It’s so filling; it’ll keep you energized until your next meal.

More importantly, it’s delicious!

The black rice is infused with coconut milk and coconut sugar, which complement the nuttiness of the grain very well.

Finished with banana slices, coconut chips, and hemp hearts, I bet this dish will be your newest breakfast favorite.

5. Black Rice Risotto with Mushrooms and Caramelized Onions

East meets West in this black rice risotto with mushrooms and onions. It’s an epic fusion of cuisines!

Black rice makes such a great risotto because it’s naturally sticky and chewy.

The addition of mushrooms and caramelized onions provide a great contrast of sweetness and earthiness, gifting your tastebuds with playful flavors.

6. Mango and Avocado Noodle Salad with Puffed Black Rice

Black rice might not be the main feature of this dish, but it’s certainly the component that gives it pizazz.

Thai rice noodles are tossed with mango and avocado slices, along with a savory and tangy lime and miso dressing.

That already sounds quite lovely, but making the dish extra intriguing is the addition of puffed black rice.

Puffed what now?

It’s basically black rice that’s fried in hot oil until the skins burst and the rice puffs into crunchy, nutty, and toasty grains.

It’s great in salads, such as this one, but I highly recommend you use it to garnish soups and stir-fries as well.

7. Black Fried Rice with Snap Peas, Hemp Seeds, and Scallions

With this recipe, fried rice has never been healthier!

This stir fry combines black rice, carrots, snap peas, eggs, hemp, and scallions.

Ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sriracha give it more flavor. It’s a beautiful mix of salty, savory, as well as sweet, and spicy.

8. Black Rice & Sweet Potato Salad

I’d honestly never thought to combine black rice and sweet potato until I came across this recipe.

I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome!

Besides the two key ingredients, this salad also features avocado slices and feta cheese, which contribute lovely flavors and textures as well.

This salad is undeniably hearty with its combo of two starchy, carb-rich components. It’s a complete meal that will keep you pumped up until your next meal.

As an added bonus, it’s vegetarian.

9. Easy Chicken Black Rice Bowl

This bowl is brimming with black rice, fresh greens, chicken glazed with soy sauce and honey, and creamy cashew and tahini sauce.

Considering how delectable and filling it is, it’s surprising how this rice bowl is also incredibly nutritious. It’s gluten-free and dairy-free, to boot!

10. Black Rice Sushi Rolls

I bet you didn’t think you could make sushi with black rice, huh?

While this is certainly not a recipe for authentic sushi, it’s absolutely a killer.

What’s not to love? First of all, the rice’s deep black hue adds such an appeal to the already appetizing dish.

Second, its nuttiness offers another layer of flavor to the sushi.

Lastly, black rice makes the iconic Japanese dish so much healthier! That’s what I call a win-win-win!

11. Vegan Burritos with Black Rice and Lentils

I don’t know about you, but I never grow tired of burritos. To me, they’re always a good idea – even vegan ones.

In fact, I’m sure even meat lovers will find these black rice and lentil burritos a delight!

Loaded with black rice, lentils, chickpeas, corn kernels, and green peas, these wraps can’t be faulted for being boring.

12. Black Rice Bowl with Crispy Tofu

Here’s another dish for all my vegan readers out there!

This dish is a colorful bowl of black rice, crispy tofu, Asian coleslaw, broccoli, and chopped green onions.

If you think that already sounds amazing, wait until you hear about the black rice.

Instead of simply cooking the rice in water, you’ll throw in ginger, garlic, and soy sauce to the mix.

The result is a wildly aromatic, ridiculously flavorful rice so good you can eat on its own.

13. Baked Orange Cauliflower + Forbidden Rice

Orange and cauliflower are another strange flavor combination, but oh boy, it works beautifully!

This is a vegan take on the classic orange chicken, where instead of meat, you’ll use broccoli florets.

Together, the black rice, cauliflower, and orange create a glorious vegetarian dish full of sweet, nutty, tangy, and earthy flavors.

14. Black Rice Salad with Tomatoes and Basil

This recipe gives an Asian staple a Mediterranean makeover, and I think it’s fantastic.

It’s a black rice salad tossed with cherry tomatoes, basil, red onion, pine nuts, and mozzarella cheese.

The hearty and refreshing ingredients create a beautiful balance that makes this light yet very filling.

15. Soy-Ginger Glazed Salmon with Black Rice

This simple dish of salmon and black rice never disappoints.

It’s very straightforward: fatty grilled salmon coated with soy-ginger glaze rests on a bed of perfectly cooked rice.

It’s a basic, no-frills dish that always hits the spot.

16. Black Rice and Spinach Salad

Black rice and spinach join forces to make a hearty and healthy salad!

I know it doesn’t sound too exciting, but like I always say: don’t knock it until you try it.

With fresh strawberries, blueberries, and pistachios, this salad is far from boring.

As great as the mix-ins are, I think the dressing takes the cake.

The blend of orange champagne vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and orange juice ties the components together perfectly.

17. Thai Curry With Black Rice

Give classic curry a black rice twist, because why not?

A medley of vegetables is bathed in a thick curry sauce infused with coconut milk, turmeric, soy sauce, and garlic.

The main element here is definitely the vegetarian curry, but I think the rice is what makes it extra special.

Its nuttiness complements with curry wonderfully well!

18. Black Rice Tabbouleh with Chickpeas Feta and Pistachios

In case you’re not familiar, tabbouleh is a Levantine salad that consists of finely chopped parsley, tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, chickpeas, feta, and an olive oil dressing.

It usually contains bulgur, which is a cereal food made from durum wheat.

But in this case, as you may have guessed, you’ll use black rice instead.

19. Black and Orange Forbidden Rice with Acorn Squash and Pecans

Black rice is mixed with acorn squash and pecans for a hearty vegetarian dish. Despite its Halloween colors, this dish is perfect for any occasion!

Plus, its wonderful mix of sweet, salty, and earthy makes it a delight not just for vegetarians but for carnivores as well.

20. Greek Black Rice Caprese Salad

Capping off this list is a colorful salad that combines the best of Asian and Greek flavors.

Loaded with black rice, fresh basil, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, mozzarella, and a balsamic vinaigrette, this salad is a refreshing side dish perfect for bringing to your next summer picnic or potluck.

20 Easy Black Rice Recipes Fit for a King (2)

20 Easy Ways to Cook Black Rice

Eat like royalty with these once forbidden black rice recipes. Loaded with antioxidants and nutrients, this incredible grain is ideal for a family feast.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Select your favorite recipe.
  • Organize all the required ingredients.
  • Prep a delicious recipe in 30 minutes or less!
20 Easy Black Rice Recipes Fit for a King (3)

Did you like the recipe?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 1

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Thanks!

Share on social media:

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

Related posts

30 Platinum Jubilee Recipes Fit for Royalty30 Black Bean Recipes From Dinner to Dessert13 Best Black Raspberry Recipes and Desserts10 Best Black Cod Recipes for Dinner25 Best Black-Eyed Pea Recipes You’ll Love10 Best Black Garlic Recipes

20 Easy Black Rice Recipes Fit for a King (2024)

FAQs

How much water do I need for 1 cup of black rice? ›

By soaking black rice 30 minutes before cooking, you'll end up with a more tender and moist texture. Otherwise, you can also prepare it straight from the jar for a texture that's firmer and more chewy. Get the right ratio. 1 cup of black rice is best prepared with 2 cups of water.

What does black rice go well with? ›

Black rice pairs really nicely with baked tofu, tempeh, and eggs. Try soft-boiling them or cooking them sunny-side-up. Your favorite veggies.

Should black rice be rinsed before cooking? ›

You don't need to rinse black rice before cooking it; doing so might wash away some of its nutrients. In a large, heavy saucepan, combine 1 cup black rice, 1/4 tsp kosher salt, and 1 3/4 to 2 1/4 cups water (less for chewier grains; more for a slightly softer texture). Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

How long does black rice take to cook? ›

Black rice usually takes around 40-50 minutes to cook. However, the exact cooking time may vary depending on the quantity and the method used. It's recommended to follow the instructions on the package for the most accurate cooking time and results.

How much water do I need for 2 cups of black rice? ›

For those wondering how much water or how much rice you need, the ratio of water to black rice is 1 ¾ to 1. In other words, for each cup of black rice, you'll need 1 ¾ cups of water, chicken stock, or vegetable broth.

What is the water ratio for black rice? ›

For tender yet chewy grains, follow these steps: Calculate ratios: 1 cup rice should cook in 1 3/4 cups water; scale up or down as needed. Don't rinse: The outer layer has antioxidants, which may help lower cholesterol.

Is black rice good for stomach? ›

Black rice is a rich source of fibre and vitamins. Increasing fibre intake might help your stomach feel full and satisfied for a long period. This may reduce food intake and may help in weight management.

Is black rice healthy to eat? ›

Eating black rice can give you a worthwhile boost on your heart health and overall fitness. Along with protective anthocyanins, black rice contains high amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids known for their role in supporting eye health.

Why is black rice called forbidden rice? ›

Why is black rice called 'forbidden' rice? Black rice (also known as forbidden black rice or emperor's rice) is used in traditional Chinese medicine. It was once reserved only for the wealthy and powerful to ensure their health and long life. No one else was allowed to eat it.

What happens if you don't wash black rice? ›

If you aren't careful to wash black rice before cooking it in the rice cooker, you could end up with a gummy result, or worse – the excess starches could cause a volcano-like effect in your rice cooker and spill starchy purple goo all over your kitchen counter.

Should black rice be chewy? ›

I just recently discovered black rice and I absolutely love its chewy yet “al dente” texture and its distinct rich nutty flavor! This Forbidden rice provides the richest nutritional value of any bran rice, providing a higher level of protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber. It is very rich in antioxidants.

Which is the healthiest rice to eat? ›

For example, whole grains are better for our health when compared to simple carbs – which is why brown rice or black rice are regarded as the healthiest options. You should certainly be looking into eating whole grain rice.

Is black rice good for high blood pressure? ›

The anthocyanins in black rice may contribute to heart health by helping to lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation. Additionally, black rice contains fibre, which can help lower cholesterol levels. A healthy heart is essential for overall well-being.

How do you know when black rice is cooked? ›

The Method:

Over medium-high heat, bring the water to a boil. Add the salt, reduce heat, cover, and cook for about 30-35 minutes. Resist the urge to open the lid too often to check on the rice because this will let a lot of steam out. Continue cooking until the rice is tender and chewy and all water is absorbed.

Why does black rice taste so good? ›

As far as taste is concerned, black rice has a mild, nutty flavor, similar to that of brown rice. It also has a very chewy texture, which is why it's often used in porridge, puddings, and rice cakes. And those who avoid gluten will be pleased to learn that black rice is naturally gluten-free.

How much water do I need for 1 cup of rice? ›

For tender grains of rice that easily separate, such as in a pilaf, use 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice. You can also use another liquid like stock in this 2:1 ratio. For slightly chewier, fluffy white rice, use 1 1/2 cups of water for every cup of rice, or a 1.5:1 ratio.

How much water do I need for 1 cup of dry rice? ›

Measure 1 1/2 cups of water and 1 teaspoon olive oil for every cup of uncooked rice. (1 cup dry rice yields about 3 cups cooked.) Combine the rice, oil, and water in a medium saucepan, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil over high heat.

Why black rice is called forbidden rice? ›

Why is black rice called 'forbidden' rice? Black rice (also known as forbidden black rice or emperor's rice) is used in traditional Chinese medicine. It was once reserved only for the wealthy and powerful to ensure their health and long life. No one else was allowed to eat it.

What is the perfect rice to water ratio? ›

For most types of rice, you'll always use a ratio of 1 cup rice to 2 cups water, which you can scale up or down. (Double-check your rice packaging to be sure.) Feel free to swap in chicken or vegetable broth for more flavor. Then, stir in your rice and salt.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Velia Krajcik

Last Updated:

Views: 6608

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Velia Krajcik

Birthday: 1996-07-27

Address: 520 Balistreri Mount, South Armand, OR 60528

Phone: +466880739437

Job: Future Retail Associate

Hobby: Polo, Scouting, Worldbuilding, Cosplaying, Photography, Rowing, Nordic skating

Introduction: My name is Velia Krajcik, I am a handsome, clean, lucky, gleaming, magnificent, proud, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.