Rice is the universal accompaniment to any meal. It's the perfect pairing for everything. But what goes well with a perfect pairing? A perfect sauce! You could use some great chicken and rice sauces or just sauces for chicken, but if you want the best flavor combo, then you need the best sauces for rice. It doesn't matter what else you pair this dish with; there's a sauce here for just what you need!
Some sauces you can use for rice are a stir-fry sauce, mushroom gravy, sriracha sauce, and sweet and sour sauce. But these aren't all the rice sauces you can use, so let's go over them all!
Jump To
📌 Types of Rice
Short grain rice - Short grain rice like Arborio and sushi rice have plump and starchy consistencies. This gives them a creamy texture when cooked.
Medium grain rice - Medium grain rice has a slightly moist and tender texture when cooked. Some types include Jasmine and Valencia rice.
Long grain rice - Long grain rice has a slender, elongated shape and a drier, fluffier texture when cooked. Some types are Basmati and Carolina rice.
🧑🍳 Most Popular Rice Dishes
Paella: This is a traditional Spanish dish featuring saffron-infused rice, mixed with meats and vegetables.
Biryani: This delicious South Asian rice dish is prepared with basmati rice, meat, and a blend of fresh spices.
Risotto: A classic Italian rice dish cooked using a special variety of short-grain rice, broth, butter, white wine, and Parmesan cheese.
Sushi: Sushi is a Japanese dish consisting of vinegared rice, seafood, and vegetables that're wrapped in seaweed or served individually.
Jambalaya: This is a Creole dish from Louisiana that features rice, meat, and vegetables that are seasoned with cayenne, paprika, and thyme.
💡 Best Sauces for Rice
Stir fry sauce
Why not make a classic rice dish with one of the tastiest sauces for rice? A good old stir-fry sauce never fails to deliver. A mixture of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and other seasonings is tossed in with leftover rice to create a really tasty, savory dish. That squeeze of lemon at the end will give that bonus zing to the umami-rich infused rice.
Mushroom Gravy
What's better than a thick and rich gravy for rice. A mushroom gravy is the best one to use. The chunks of mushroom dripping in a rich earthy flavor never gets old. A delicious gravy sauce that pairs well with rice is a savory mushroom gravy. The Mushrooms, butter, flour, and broth combo gives a perfect coat of brown deliciousness on rice. Toss in some of your favorite herbs, and you're all set!
Soy Sauce
Just one dip, and you'll have rice tasting of umami heaven. A side of soy sauce is a prime accompaniment to rice dishes. The salty and rich umami flavor you can add in a pinch is why it's so perfect for rice. Two types you can use are light and dark soy sauce. Light has a thinner and saltier taste, while dark has a sweet, more viscous texture. You could even go off and use different light soy sauce swaps and dark soy sauce substitutes for tastier options for rice.
Sriracha sauce
We all succumb to the spicy urge one way or another, so do it the tasty way with a sriracha sauce! This delicious hot chili sauce has a perfect combo of tanginess and sweetness that comes from its chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, and sugar fusion. Just a dollop of this will transform any dreary rice meal into a fiery and tangy flavor playground. You can even try using some sriracha sauce substitutes for even more similar options.
Sweet and Sour Sauce
The worlds of sweet and sour sauce flavors make for one of the best flavor combo sauces for rice. The bright and tangy nature of this sauce coats each rice granule with a delicious zing. It has a balance of acidity and tang that just can't be matched. A side pairing of this sugar, vinegar, ketchup, and soy sauce combo with make any rice dish twice as tasty!
Tahini Sauce
The veils of Middle Eastern history are pulled back to reveal a nutty and luscious sauce. Tahini sauce is the best of Middle Eastern flavor. It packs a fine, earthy flavor with a rich, nutty sweetness and a burst of tang. The sauce uses a blend of ground sesame seeds and a squeeze of lemon juice to give you all this flavor. You can smother any rice dish you have, as the flavor is purely delicious.
Greek Tzatziki
Let's bring back a true creamy Greek yogurt sauce classic. The Greek Tzatziki is one of the simplest sauces for rice but a truly creamy one. It has a fantastic, cool nature that comes from the splash of lemon juice and cucumber it has. Using the thickest and creamiest yogurt is a great way to thicken yogurt sauce for that perfect dipping and coating consistency. Just top with herbs and a dash of olive oil, and you'll have the richest and creamiest rice sauce.
Scallion sauce
You really get that delicious taste of spring with this Chinese sauce. The fusion of flavors in scallion sauce has layers of simple yet rich umami richness. It uses a simple scallion, ginger, and soy sauce mixture to create a light yet refreshingly tasty sauce. This fresh twist is exactly what any rice dish should have. Savory and umami perfection with a light and refreshing twist, what can get tastier than that?
Chimichurri
A classic chimichurri sauce has all the tang and freshness you'll ever need. The herbal and basic nature of this tasty sauce makes it a refreshing sauce for rice to make. The South American blend uses a dash of fresh parsley, oregano, garlic, vinegar, and olive oil. With this simple mixture, you get every ounce of zesty freshness coating the rice.
Coconut Curry Sauce
The best sauces for rice won't be complete without a traditional coconut curry sauce. The rich, sweet flavors of this tasty sauce are balanced out with a lovely creamy texture that coats your mouth in nutty and sweet flavors. The sauce uses a creamy coconut milk base with a splash of curry powder and aromatic treats like lemongrass to perfectly cover rice in unmatched flavor.
Teriyaki Sauce
Add a glossy sheen of pure tangy sweetness with a classic teriyaki sauce. Just a dip of this soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame seed, and honey blend will give tons of flavor to your rice. The use of this sauce in chicken teriyaki is a testament to the simple but delicious fusion this sauce can bring to any meal. You can make the sauce even better by using some great ways to thicken teriyaki sauce for that richer, more sweet flavor.
Gochujang Sauce
You can't get more flavors in a sauce than this Korean delight. Gochujang has the texture and flavors that every rice needs. The spice, the savory goodness, it doesn't get better than that. Its blend of fermented soybeans, glutinous rice, and red chili pepper are combos that really bring out one of the best sauces for rice. If you want a similar but slightly different flavor and texture, there are some great gochujang substitutes you can use.
🧐 FAQs
Sauces commonly used for fried rice include soy sauce, oyster sauce, and hoisin sauce, each adding depth of flavor and richness to the dish. Additionally, sesame oil and rice vinegar are often used to enhance the overall taste and aroma of the fried rice, creating a savory and satisfying meal.
For rice dishes, it's recommended to use light soy sauce. This type of soy sauce adds a subtle saltiness and umami flavor without overpowering the delicate taste of the rice, allowing the other ingredients in the dish to shine through.
You can make rice taste good without sauce by cooking it with flavorful broth or stock, adding aromatic herbs and spices during the cooking process, and incorporating ingredients like sautéed onions, garlic, and toasted nuts for added depth and richness.
Comments
No Comments