Don’t let its name fool you: a rice cooker can be used to make so much more than a simple batch of rice! It’s one of the most versatile kitchen tools on the market, and one you won’t be able to live without once you see what it can do.
Whether you’ve just unboxed a brand-new rice maker or are looking for a dose of inspiration, these 20+ rice cooker recipes are a great place to start!
The basics
Chili and Brown Rice
Add your favourite canned chili to this one-step rice cooker recipe and you’ll end up with a hearty, nutritious dish. Carrots and bell peppers round out the veggie side of this recipe, and the beans bring the protein.
Ham and Cheese Rice
One of the most classic sandwich combos just got a makeover. This recipe blends nutty basmati rice, salty ham, sharp cheddar, and healthy broccoli into a supremely satisfying dish – and it’ll all be ready within half an hour.
Maple Beans and Rice
Need to get full in a hurry? This sweet-and-savoury recipe can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or even breakfast! With just five ingredients (plus salt and pepper to taste) and a single cooking step, it’ll be ready in less than 30 minutes.
Classic Asian Rice
This simple rice recipe is a total cooking chameleon: you can serve it with any Asian-style meat, fish, or veggie on the side (or on top), or use it as a delicious base for homemade fried rice.
Yellow Coconut Rice
We’re nuts for this no-fail coconut rice recipe. Combine jasmine rice, coconut milk, water, and turmeric in your rice maker, then toast some shredded coconut while it cooks and sprinkle on top to serve.
Sushi Rice with Furikake
Psst – you can cook perfectly sticky, fluffy sushi rice at home with your rice cooker. While this recipe includes instructions for making your very own furikake (Japanese rice seasoning), you can also purchase a premade mix at your local Asian grocer for even faster prep.
Meat and fish
Chicken Curry Basmati Rice
Who knew that just a handful of ingredients could be as healthy, tasty, and filling as this curry dish? You can add everything on the ingredient list (except the peas) to your rice cooker, then let it do all the heavy lifting for you.
Chicken and Red Rice
In just two simple steps, you’ll have a beautiful protein-packed meal ready to go. Step 1: add your rice, butter, tomato paste, chicken, salt, and pepper to the cooker. Step 2: top with your choice of frozen veggies. It doesn’t get easier than this!
Thai Curry Rice and Salmon
Nothing beats the complex flavour profile of an aromatic Thai curry. This recipe includes Jasmine rice, ginger, garlic, and coconut milk as a base, plus your favourite variety of curry (green! red! yellow!). PS: you’ll be cooking the salmon filet inside your rice maker. Cool, right?
Sausage and Shrimp Pilau
This Persian pilaf combines savoury sausage and fresh shrimp to create a protein-packed dish that comes alive with worcestershire sauce and thyme. Want to make a splash at your next potluck or dinner party? Look no further.
Turmeric Shrimp Basmati Rice
A mouthwatering combo of highly aromatic spices (cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, turmeric, and cumin) makes this basmati rice recipe a slam dunk. Simmer all of the ingredients together in your cooker, then top with shrimp and fresh chopped cilantro.
Chicken Teriyaki Jasmine Rice
Can you believe you can cook up this crave-worthy teriyaki in just 30 to 45 minutes? Use your cooker to prepare your rice, chicken, and aromatics while you sautée broccoli and bell peppers on the stove top, then polish everything off in the cooker so the flavours can combine.
Vegetarian-friendly
Brown Rice & Sweet Potato Hash
This hearty veggie-packed recipe is comfort in a bowl. Aromatics like garlic and yellow onion meet kale, corn, and sweet potato for an autumnal dish that can be enjoyed on its own or as a creative take on turkey stuffing!
Southwestern Rice Salad Bowl
Bring your next bowl to life with a healthy base of brown rice and our spiced honey-lime dressing. A rainbow of veggies and complementary flavours will have your taste buds doing a happy dance.
Veggie Fajita Filling
Fajita night just got a whole lot easier! This recipe takes all of the classic fajita veggies – onion, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes – and adds them to the cooker with your rice so the flavours simmer together. Great taste, less prep.
Leamington Fresh Tomato Rice
This simple recipe requires just two kitchen tools: a rice cooker and a pan. Its creamy risotto base is the perfect match for traditional ingredients like tomatoes, onions, garlic, and cilantro.
“Rent week” Brown Rice and Beans
It’s cheap, it’s healthy, it’s delicious. Give the classic brown rice and black bean duo a little extra pizzazz with onion, garlic, cumin, and a squeeze of lime on top.
Spinach and Celery Root Basmati Rice
Nutty basmati rice, earthy celery root, and nutrient-packed spinach come together to create a deliciously nourishing meal that can be prepared in less than half an hour! Throw all of the ingredients into your rice cooker, then top with fresh spinach leaves at the end.
Pesto and Sun Dried Tomato Rice
This recipe is fancy in name only: it might sound and taste like a gourmet meal, but it couldn’t be easier to make! While your rice and tomatoes simmer inside the cooker, blend your basil, peas, garlic, parmesan cheese, and olive oil into a delicious homemade pesto!
Sweet treats
Strawberry and Rice Custard Tart
Your new secret dessert ingredient: rice! This creative pie filling combines cooked short rice with butter and sugar to create an irresistibly smooth, indulgent result. Throw in some strawberries, lemon zest, and ground almonds, and you’ve got a 10/10 tart.
Tres Leches Rice Pudding
Need a little sweetness in your life? A decadent combo of evaporated milk, coconut milk, and condensed milk is what gives tres leches its name. This iconic dessert is rich, silky, and satisfying, with a lovely cinnamony finish.
It all starts with the perfect rice
There are dozens of different rices out there, from long-grain rice to wild, and from organic to risotto. A high-quality rice is the start of any great rice cooker dish, and it’s easy to customize your recipes using different varieties and flavour profiles. For even more kitchen inspiration, visit our rice recipe page!