Rice Dressing (A Holiday Favorite)
This Rice Dressing has been passed down through the generations from Italy to the South. It’s simple to make and is served in my house year-round as a side dish, especially during the Thanksgiving holiday.
This holiday rice dressing holds a special place in my heart because it was passed down to me by my Italian grandmother. My family brings the taste of Italy to the South every year and has become one of our most cherished family traditions.
Whether you’re serving turkey, ham, or a vegetarian spread, this dish is a perfect fit and makes a great make-ahead option for Thanksgiving. Rice stuffing is hearty and satisfying, and a welcome twist to the traditional dressing or stuffing recipes.
This dish is equally amazing, just like my Pork Chops and Yellow Rice, Rice-A-Roni Chicken Casserole, Mushroom Rice Recipe, and Rice and Beans Recipe. As you can see, rice is a base for creating many flavorful dishes we love.
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🍚 The Difference Between Rice Dressing and Dirty Rice
Rice Dressing and Dirty Rice are both Southern-loved dishes, and they share a few similarities. This Southern rice dressing is different because it does not contain ground meats, chicken gizzards, or livers. So whether you call it Cajun dirty rice, Cajun rice dressing, or just rice dressing, they all contain rice and have some of the same seasonings.
Dirty Rice gets its name from the “dirty” appearance by adding ground beef or chicken livers. It’s very popular among Louisianans and is also called Louisiana rice dressing. The meat gives this dish a hearty and rich flavor, which differs from my rice and dressing. Dirty rice tends to be a bit spicier than rice dressing.
💗 Why You’ll Love Rice Stuffing Recipe
- Flavorful: This Italian dressing is loaded with rich flavors, making it a standout side dish, and everyone needs a great dressing recipe in their file.
- Comforting: The first bite of rice dressing takes me back to my childhood days when I first tasted this amazing dish.
- Vegetarian Option: When using vegetable broth, this is a vegetarian-friendly dish.
- Hearty: It has potato, rice, and other vegetables, making it a hearty dish.
- Versatile: My rice stuffing for turkey is a classic southern dish with Italian roots, and it’s a milder version of a Cajun rice dressing recipe. Feel free to experiment with added meats.
🥘 Rice Dressing Ingredients
The rice dressing mix uses simple ingredients. For the complete recipe, please see the printable recipe card below.
- Vegetable Broth: You can use vegetable broth for a vegetarian dish or turkey, chicken, or beef broth/stock. I sometimes use low-sodium chicken broth to cut back on salt. Using broth instead of water gives the rice more flavor.
- Long-Grain White Rice: This forms the base and is one of the main ingredients in this dish. It’s not instant rice; it’s long grain rice. Follow the package directions, substituting the water for broth. If you like brown rice, you can use that as well. You’ll need to adjust the cooking time.
- Potatoes: I use two thickly diced Russet potatoes, which add texture. I love this dish with potatoes.
- Onion: Brings flavor to the dressing. Any chopped onion (yellow, white, or Vidalia) will work nicely.
- Celery: Celery adds crunch and flavor to the dish. I use it often in dressing recipes.
- Butter: Butter is used to saute the vegetables. It adds a creaminess to the rice and potatoes.
- Mushrooms: Mushrooms add more texture to the rice dressing.
- Garlic: Garlic creates a fantastic aroma and flavor.
- Garlic Powder Seasoning: I like garlic powder. If you prefer, you can add some onion powder as well.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Season to taste. Adjust to your liking.
📖 Recipe Variations
- Substitute the Stock: You have several choices for stock or broth. My mom and I mostly use the broth from a freshly roasted turkey. If you bake a juicy Thanksgiving turkey, use the juices to flavor your rice for the dressing. It has lots of flavor and will make a difference in the taste. This is my number one way to make this dressing at Thanksgiving. But, during the year, when turkey is not on the menu, vegetable or chicken stock is used for this recipe.
- Add Meat: Add some cooked ground beef before baking to serve as a main dish. Or combine a cooked meat mixture of chicken livers, gizzards, or cooked ground sausage. Adding meat and Cajun seasonings turns this into a tasty Cajun rice dressing.
🔪 How To Make The Best Rice Dressing
Rice dressing with potatoes is the perfect side dish for any occasion. It usually shows up more during the holidays, but it is simple enough for a weeknight meal or Sunday dinner. For the full recipe and complete list of detailed instructions, see the printable recipe card below.
Step 1: Prepare Baking Dish. Spray with nonstick spray and preheat the oven.
Step 2: Cook the Rice. Bring most of the broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add rice, stir, and bring back to a boil.
Step 3: Boil the Potatoes. Boil potatoes while the rice cooks.
Step 4: Saute the Vegetables. Saute onion, mushrooms, garlic, and celery in butter in a skillet over medium heat until tender. Stir in seasonings.
Step 5: Combine the Ingredients. Stir in rice and potatoes into the mushroom mixture. Add the remaining broth.
Step 6: Bake. Pour into the prepared casserole dish. Bake, covered, for 30 minutes.
Southern Cornbread Dressing is another favorite I usually serve during the holidays.
💭 Pro Tips
- Use the Correct Rice: You are using long-grain rice, not instant rice.
- Use Broth: Use broth instead of water. You can use vegetable broth for a vegetarian dish or turkey, chicken, or beef broth/stock.
- Make Ahead Friendly: Make this dish up to a day in advance, refrigerate, and reheat when needed.
- Adjust the Seasonings: Adjust the seasonings to your taste and use your favorite ingredients.
🧺 How to Store and Reheat Leftover Rice Stuffing
- Refrigerator: Store all leftover rice in airtight containers or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. Grabbing a ready-to-go container is perfect for work or guests who enjoy leftovers.
- To reheat: Place in a microwave-safe dish and heat for a minute or two until hot.
❔ FAQs
Rice Dressing is a savory homemade Italian dressing made with rice, potatoes, celery, seasonings, and vegetables. It’s the perfect combination of vegetables and broth-infused rice.
Yes, rice dressing can be made in advance and refrigerated for several days. Reheat in the oven before serving. This is the perfect easy side dish for the holidays and can free up your oven space for more delicious dishes.
While they share similar ingredients, dirty rice and rice dressing differ. Dirty rice usually contains meat and gets its name from the “dirty” appearance of the meat and spices. Rice dressing, on the other hand, can be made with meat or be vegetarian.
You can use wild rice; be sure to follow the package directions and swap the water for broth.
Add ground sausage, diced chicken, diced turkey, ground beef, and chicken livers/gizzards. All of these would be good choices and quite delicious.
More Holiday Favorite Recipes
If you’ve tried this Rice Dressing recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it turned out in the 📝 comments. Thanks for visiting!
👩🏻🍳 Recipe
Easy Rice Dressing
Ingredients
- 4 cups Vegetable Broth divided, can use chicken, beef, or turkey broth
- 1½ cups Long-Grain Rice uncooked
- 1½ pounds Potatoes diced and cooked (2 medium potatoes)
- 1 cup Onion diced
- 2 cups Celery chopped
- ½ cup Butter
- 8oz. Mushrooms sliced
- 2 tablespoons Garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon each Garlic Powder, Salt, Black Pepper
Instructions
- Spray a 13"x9" baking dish with nonstick spray. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 350°.
- Cook the Rice. Bring 3-1/2 cups broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add rice, stir, and bring back to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. **See Recipe Notes
- Boil the Potatoes. Boil potatoes while the rice cooks. Peel and dice potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. Add them to a medium saucepot and cover by 2 inches with water. Boil for 10-15 minutes or until fork tender. Drain.
- Saute the Vegetables. Meanwhile, saute onion, mushrooms, garlic, and celery in butter in a skillet over medium heat until tender. Stir in seasonings.
- Combine the Ingredients. Stir in rice and potatoes into the mushroom mixture. Add the remaining 1/2 cup broth.
- Bake. Pour into a greased 13" x 9" casserole dish. Bake, covered, at 350° for 30 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use the Correct Rice: You are using long-grain rice, not instant rice. Cook the rice according to the package directions. Substitute the water for the broth.
- Use Broth: Use broth instead of water. You can use vegetable broth for a vegetarian dish or turkey, chicken, or beef broth/stock.
- Make Ahead Friendly: Make this dish up to a day in advance, refrigerate, and reheat when needed.
- Adjust the Seasonings: Adjust the seasonings to your taste and use your favorite ingredients.
This is a family favorite that has been made every Thanksgiving and Christmas for over 80 years. My family always looks forward to this dish being on the table.