Arroz Amarillo
How to Make Yellow Rice – A classic Arroz Amarillo Recipe for fluffy and flavorful Spanish rice every time. Pair this vibrant side with your favorite Mexican, South American, and Caribbean dishes!
Why We Love This Fluffy Yellow Rice Recipe
Yellow Rice (Arroz Amarillo) is a popular side dish served in countries all over the world. It’s enjoyed throughout Spain, Central and South America, the Caribbean, India, Africa, and Southwest Asia… In fact, you’ll find a signature version of yellow rice on nearly every continent!
While there are subtle differences in recipes from various regions, the concept is similar and pretty simple: Long-grain rice is steamed with vibrant aromatics, including onion and either turmeric, annatto, or saffron for that signature yellow color.
Our simple Latin-inspired Arroz Amarillo recipe makes the most flavorful and fluffy yellow rice every time. It’s perfect to serve with your favorite Mexican, South American, and Caribbean dishes – or simply eat by the bowlful. It’s just that satisfying!
Mexican yellow rice is made in just 4 basic steps, and is ready to enjoy in 30 minutes.
It’s quick and easy to prepare as a nearly effortless side, and can even be included as part of your weekly meal prep!
Ingredients You Need
As mentioned above, there are a few different ways you can add the amarillo to the arroz. We use turmeric for a lovely hue and subtle earthy flavor. However, feel free to use a pinch of annatto or saffron to create your version of yellow rice!
For this Mexican yellow rice recipe, you need:
- Dried long-grain rice – white rice is classic but you can use brown
- Butter – or oil
- Onion – diced
- Garlic – minced
- Chicken base – or chicken bouillon, replaces the need for salt (If you use chicken broth, do not add the water).
- Turmeric – for that perfect yellow color
- Adobo seasoning – store-bought or homemade for a rich, smoky flavor
- Water
- Cilantro – garnish chopped and sprinkled to taste
How to Make Arroz Amarillo
First, set a 4-quart sauce pot over medium heat on the stove. Add the butter, onions, and garlic. Sauté for 3-5 minutes to soften. Then stir in the dry rice.
Note: Make sure the grains of rice are well coated in butter.
Add the chicken base, spices, and water. Stir well.
Cover the pot and bring to a gentle boil. Once boiling, lower the heat a little and stir. Cover the pot again and cook/simmer for 15-18 minutes.
You’ll know it is done when the rice looks fluffy on top, and there are vent holes in the top of the rice.
Remove from heat and toss the rice (or fluff with a fork). Then cover one more time and let the rice steam for another 5 minutes.
Lastly, stir in the fresh chopped cilantro.
Serve this Arroz Amarillo Recipe warm with your favorite main dishes.
Tips & Tricks
- Make this yellow rice Indian style with cardamom seeds and a handful of golden raisins! Serve with butter chicken or your favorite Indian dishes.
- Use white rice for best results. Brown rice won’t work as well in this recipe, since it requires a different ratio of liquid.
- Rinse the rice! Fluffy yellow rice is even fluffier when you rinse the rice beforehand!
Get the Complete (Printable) Arroz Amarillo Recipe Below. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
You can serve this arroz amarillo recipe with any dishes you would typically eat with rice! I love it with Honey Garlic Pork Chops or Baked Chicken Cutlets.
Mexican, South American, and Caribbean dishes also pair perfectly with this recipe. Serve as a side with classic Tacos Al Pastor, Black Bean Sweet Potato Skillet Enchiladas, and Carne Guisada. It’s great to enjoy with Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken and Grilled Lamb Chops. Or serve in a bowl and dig in!
Frequently Asked Questions
This Spanish yellow rice is made with regular rice, but is cooked with turmeric and other spices to give it that bright, yellow color!
Make your arroz amarillo with steamed sweet peas, shredded coconut, saffron, or golden raisins. Stir in the add-ins along with the chopped cilantro (if using) after the rice has cooked and before the final 5-minute steam.
Instead of butter, use your favorite high-heat neutral-tasting oil. Then, swap the chicken base with vegetable bouillon.
This is an excellent recipe to make ahead. Store cooled leftovers in a sealed, airtight container and keep them in the fridge for 4-5 days. Reheat in the microwave or stovetop; you might want to add a splash of water if the rice seems a bit dry. You can also store it in the freezer.
Looking for More Delicious Side Dishes? Be Sure to Try:
- Easy Spanish Rice Recipe
- Sauteed Yellow Squash with Blistered Tomatoes
- The Best Refried Beans Recipe
- Aromatic Indian Rice Recipe
- Caribbean Confetti Rice
- Chicken Congee with Jasmine Rice
- How to Cook Basmati Rice
Yellow Rice Recipe (Arroz Amarillo)
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried long grain rice
- 2 tablespoons butter or oil
- ½ cup finely diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons chicken base or bouillon or vegetable base
- 2 teaspoon turmeric
- 2 teaspoons adobo seasoning
- 4 cups water
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Set a 4-quart saucepot over medium heat. Add the butter, onions, and garlic. Sauté for 3-5 minutes to soften. Then stir in the rice. Make sure the rice is well coated in butter.
- Add the chicken base, turmeric, adobo seasoning, and water. Stir well.
- Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat a little and stir. Then cover and cook for 15-18 minutes, until the rice looks fluffy and there are vent holes in the top of the rice.
- Remove from heat and toss the rice. Then cover and let the rice steam another 5 minutes. Stir in the cilantro and serve warm.
This yellow rice was really flavorful and the whole family loved it.
Yum! This was so easy to make and my family absolutely loved it!
This vibrant rice goes so well with our favorite grilled chicken!!! So delicious and satisfying!
This is the absolute best recipe for yellow rice! I had all the ingredients on hand, it was flavorful, fluffy, and the recipe was easy to follow. I am so grateful I’ll never have to buy packaged yellow rice again. Thank you!
Made this at least 12 times, the most delicious and easy yellow rice have ever made
I have never made yellow rice before, love it but never tried to make it myself. This recipe was super easy and the rice turned out perfect and totally yummy! I will definitely be keeping this one in the “recipe box” for future use! Thanks for sharing!!!
Followed this recipe and it turned out awesome! Paired it with Grilled Lamb Chops and our dinner turned out to be really amazing. We enjoyed this recipe for sure.
I love a good yellow rice recipe and this hits the spot. It is indeed fluffy and super flavorful. It goes so well with black beans and grilled chicken. Yum!
This is perfect to go with our enchiladas tonight and I just know our family will love this! So excited to give this a try. Easy and delicious rice!
I love a good arroz Amarillo! This is perfect for most dinners in my household! So great!