EASY HOLIDAY SIDE DISH RECIPE: Raisin & Almond Rice Pilaf

Looking for an EASY HOLIDAY SIDE DISH RECIPE? Look no further than this quick and delicious Raisin & Almond Rice Pilaf featuring Riceland white rice.

I love to cook. I love to cook. Cooking for my family and cooking for others is just such a joy for me. But even as someone who LOVES to cook… sometimes I am just tired and I need something quick and easy. So, I am ALL about quick and easy recipes. I am also a big fan of “holiday” meals. I always host Thanksgiving every year and I do pretty much all the cooking… PLUS we also love to host friends for dinner during the holidays.

Since I cook a lot, I am ALWAYS looking for new or unique side dish options. Obviously the staples like mac & cheese and cranberry sauce and green beans are great… but sometimes you just want something new or unique! For today’s post recipe, I actually teamed up with Riceland Foods – an amazing company that works with over 5,500 family-owned farms around the country!

This raisin & almond rice pilaf is so easy to make (DONE in under 25 minutes!), really delicious, kid friendly, and can go with so many other dishes. We ate ours with a maple-orange glazed chicken (recipe for THAT coming soon!), but you could easily serve this rice side dish with pork, turkey, fish, or even just a vegetable medley. 

The Riceland Holiday Gift Box!

Every year Riceland has a holiday gift box in partnership with Feeding America®! This year’s Riceland gift box includes a brand-new pouch of Riceland rice along with a kitchen towel, pot holder and wooden cooking spoon. With every purchase of one of their gift boxes, $5 will be donated, which helps provide at least 50 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of member food banks. How awesome is that? You can check out the Riceland gift boxes here!

Okay! Now on to the recipe!

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EASY HOLIDAY SIDE DISH RECIPE: Raisin & Almond Rice Pilaf

Course Side Dish

Prep Time 2 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 22 minutes

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

• 1 cup Riceland Natural Long Grain White Rice
• 2 cups Broth (I used bone broth I made from my Thanksgiving turkey)
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/3 cup raisins
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 tsp Himalayan pink salt
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• dash dried basil
• dash onion powder
• dash black pepper (to taste)
• 1 tsp butter (optional)

Instructions

1. Add 1 cup of Riceland natural long grain white rice with 2 cups of broth to a large saucepan. Add salt and butter. Bring to a boil.

2. Reduce from boil, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until liquid is *almost* absorbed entirely. 

3. Add in almonds, raisins, and remaining spices. 

4. Stir and cover for the remaining 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.

5. Serve and enjoy!

So what do you think? Will you try this recipe? What is your favorite, easy holiday side dish recipe?