Easy Rice Dressing Recipe (A Holiday Favorite)
An Easy Rice Dressing 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 Thanksgiving.
This dish is equally amazing, just like my Baked Pork Chops and Rice, Chicken and Rice, Creamy Mushroom Rice, and Red Beans and Rice. As you can tell, rice is a base for creating many flavorful dishes we love.
Family Recipe
My mother passed this recipe to me, and it was passed to her by her mother-in-law, my Italian grandmother. If turkey is on the menu, this dressing is on the table. Rice dressing is not just for the holidays; plus, it’s easy enough to be served year-round for Sunday dinner and goes great with grilled chicken, hamburger steak, or fried pork chops. My family brings the taste of Italy to the South.
Cranberry Stuffing, Chicken and Dressing, and Cranberry Sauce are my favorite holiday dishes; this dressing is no exception. My mom makes this every year and brings it for dinner. It’s a tradition that brings warmth and comfort to the table.
Why Should I Make Traditional Rice Dressing
- This rice dressing recipe is flavorful, and everyone needs a great dressing recipe in their file.
- My rice dressing is a classic southern dish and is a milder version of dirty rice.
- When using vegetable broth, this is a vegetarian-friendly dish.
- It has potato, rice, and other vegetables, making it a hearty dish.
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 for the “dirty” appearance by adding ground beef or chicken livers. It’s very popular with 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 more spicier than rice dressing.
Rice Dressing Ingredients
The rice dressing mix uses simple ingredients. For the complete recipe for rice dressing, 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, Vidalia) will work nicely.
- Celery – Celery adds crunch and flavors 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 like, add some onion powder as well.
- Salt & Black Pepper – Season to taste. Adjust to your liking.
How To Make The Best Rice Dressing
Rice dressing with potatoes is the perfect side dish for any time of the year. 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.
- Cook the rice according to the package directions. Substitute the water for broth. In a separate pot, boil the potatoes until tender.
- Saute vegetables and stir in seasonings.
- Mix all ingredients.
- Pour into a greased baking dish and bake.
Substitutions for Vegetable 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 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.
Southern Cornbread Dressing is another favorite I usually serve during the holidays.
Can I Add Other Meats To This Recipe
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 Store Leftover Traditional Rice Stuffing
Store all leftover rice wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or airtight containers. 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 have meats 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 Dishes
Sausage Apple Cranberry Stuffing
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
- 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 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.
- Meanwhile, saute onion, mushrooms, garlic, and celery in butter in a skillet over medium heat until tender. Stir in seasonings.
- Stir in rice and potatoes into the mushroom mixture. Add the remaining 1/2 cup broth.
- Pour into a greased 13" x 9" casserole dish. Bake, covered, at 350° for 30 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
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.