READY IN 30 mins

Cuban-Style Yellow Rice

Read Reviews (9)

"Yellow rice is a staple in the Caribbean because of its beautiful color and flavor. Being Cuban, yellow rice was a common dish in my house. It's traditional to garnish yellow rice with pimentos, but I don't like them so I don't. Serve yellow rice with Cuban-style roast pork, or add cooked chicken pieces while cooking the rice to make Arroz con Pollo." — Mombabe

Directions

Place the rice in a sieve and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. Shake sieve to remove excess water from rice.
Place rice in a large saucepan with a tightly fitting lid and add water. Stir in the onion, salt, annatto powder, paprika, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover pan, and simmer. After cooking for 10 minutes, gently stir the peas into the rice. Cook until all the water is evaporated and the rice is tender, 15 to 20 minutes longer. Serve garnished with pimento slices.

Kitchen-Friendly View

PREP 10 mins
COOK 20 mins
READY IN 30 mins

Footnotes

Editor's Note
For more information, check out our article about annatto. Annatto can be purchased at grocery stores selling South American or Caribbean food products.

Reviews More Reviews

Most Helpful Positive Review

May 21, 2010

Since I only needed this for a few people and the reviews complained of it being runny I made a few change with great results. I sauteed 1 C of dry rice, onion, and garlic in hot oil and then added about 1/2 tsp annatto powder, 1/4 tsp paprika, a little chicken bouillon, and 1/2 tsp cumin. Then I added 2 C water and 1/4 c frozen peas. I brought it to a boil, turned heat to low, then covered and cooked 20 mins. I removed the rice from the heat and left covered for 5 mins. Then I fluffed with a fork. PERFECT! I served this with Salsa Chicken (also from this site) for an easy weeknight meal. This was a great way to use my annatto powder.

—MI$$DREA

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Most Helpful Critical Review

Jun 02, 2009

This recipe is delicious! But I found an even more delicious and quicker way to make yellow rice! I used Vigo yellow rice and was amazed. Vigo yellow rice was so simple to make and tasted even better than the home made rice.

—Alessandra

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15 Ratings

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Jul 23, 2008

This was a very good recipe, although I am partial to short grain (pearl) white rice. I used half an envelope of sazon instead of the annato powder and paprika, as these are both included in the sazon. Re: Don in Maryville Try cutting down the liquid to 6 cups. Long grain rice can be tricky sometimes. That's the proportion that usually works out for me.

—Adriana

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May 13, 2010

very bland for cuban rice, if you loose the peas & pimiento and add 1 clove garlic finely minced, & 1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes you can get closer to a rice dish recognizable to most cuban food aficionados

—Uncadon

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Sep 26, 2008

This turned out really good - although a little 'wet' like some others. I may cut down on the liquid next time. Thanks!

—SunnyByrd

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Feb 02, 2010

This was pretty bland. I won't be making this again.

—Nikki

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May 11, 2008

rice was too sticky and wet. what did I do wrong?

—Don in Maryville TN

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Sep 19, 2011

Unsure why this recipe has a lower score. I usually do not look at recipes with lower score, however this one intrigued me and for my surprise it was pretty good. You should give it a try. I did not used peas or pimientos- do not care for them- and I cooked on the rice cooker and followed the rice cooker instructions. Served with black beans.

—CoolChef

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Nutrition

Calories
120 kcal
6%

Carbohydrates
26.1 g
8%

Cholesterol
0 mg
0%

Fat
0.2 g
< 1%

Fiber
0.8 g
3%

Protein
2.6 g
5%

Sodium
206 mg
8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Cuban-Style Yellow Rice

Serving Size: 1/24 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 24
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 120
Calories from Fat: 2

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 0.2g < 1 %
** Saturated Fat 0.1g < 1 %
** Cholesterol 0mg 0 %
Sodium 206mg 8 %
Potassium 68mg 2 %
Total Carbohydrates 26.1g 8 %
Dietary Fiber 0.8g 3 %
Protein 2.6g 5 %
** Sugars 0.6g
Vitamin A 5 %
Vitamin C 9 %
** Calcium 2 %
** Iron 15 %
** Thiamin 20 %
Niacin 15 %
Vitamin B6 5 %
** Magnesium 4 %
Folate 42 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.