Rice pilaf is one of those timeless side dishes that feels fancy but couldn’t be easier—especially when your rice cooker does all the work. This Rice Pilaf Rice Cooker Recipe delivers fluffy, flavorful rice cooked in broth with aromatics, butter, and a touch of seasoning. It’s the perfect hands-off dish for busy weeknights, holidays, or any meal that needs a comforting, reliable side.
Whether you're new to rice cookers or already love making stove-top pilaf, this recipe gives you a foolproof method that guarantees tender, separate grains every time.
Prep & Cook Time
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 cups rice pilaf
Ingredients
- 2 cups long-grain white rice (jasmine or basmati recommended)
- 3 tablespoons butter (or olive oil)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust depending on broth)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf (optional)
- ½ teaspoon turmeric or paprika (optional for color)
- ½ cup peas, toasted slivered almonds, or chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Directions
- Rinse the rice: Place the rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until the water runs mostly clear. This removes excess starch and helps achieve fluffy, separate grains.
- Sauté the aromatics: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Toast the rice: Add the rinsed rice to the skillet and stir for 1–2 minutes to lightly toast the grains. This classic pilaf step boosts flavor and prevents mushiness.
- Transfer to the rice cooker: Pour the toasted rice mixture into your rice cooker. Add the broth, salt, pepper, bay leaf, and optional turmeric or paprika. Stir gently to combine.
- Cook: Close the lid and set the cooker to its White Rice or standard Cook setting. Allow the rice cooker to complete its cycle.
- Rest & fluff: When the cooker switches to Warm, let the rice rest for 5 minutes. Remove the bay leaf, then fluff with a fork.
- Garnish & serve: Fold in peas or sprinkle with almonds or parsley if desired.
Tip: If your rice cooker tends to run hot, add 2–4 tablespoons of extra broth before cooking. This prevents over-drying and keeps the pilaf tender.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) — Estimated values
- Calories: 238
- Total Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 420mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 37g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Potassium: 90mg
Pro-Tip:
If you’ve been making pilaf on the stovetop, you’ll be amazed at how much easier and more consistent this recipe becomes with a good rice cooker. Modern rice cookers heat evenly, regulate moisture perfectly, and take all the guesswork out of getting fluffy, separate grains every time. Whether you’re upgrading an older model or buying your very first one, investing in a quality rice cooker can completely transform how often—and how effortlessly—you make recipes like this Rice Pilaf Rice Cooker Recipe. Click the button below to browse top-rated rice cookers on Amazon and find the perfect match for your kitchen.
Conclusion
This Rice Pilaf Rice Cooker Recipe brings together convenience and flavor in a way that’s almost impossible to mess up. By combining sautéed aromatics, lightly toasted rice, and savory broth, you get a dish that tastes like it simmered on the stove—but with none of the fuss. Serve it with chicken, beef, seafood, or roasted vegetables, or enjoy it as a simple, comforting meal on its own.
If you love easy, dependable rice cooker recipes, this pilaf is sure to become a go-to favorite in your kitchen.
