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    Home » Side Dishes

    Turkish Rice (Orzo Rice)

    Published: Jun 16, 2022 by Lee-Ann · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    My new recipe on the blog today is for Turkish Rice (Orzo Rice) or "sehriyeli pilav" in Turkish (rice with noodles).

    This Middle Eastern rice pilaf is easy to make and takes only a minute or two more than your usual white rice, but it's packed with heaps more flavour for that little extra time!

    basmati rice and orzo pasta in a white bowl with parsley and spoons

    What sets this Turkish rice pilaf apart from plain boiled rice is the addition of orzo pasta, which is fried in the pot just prior to the rice (and then liquid) being added.

    This gives the cooked rice a lovely nutty taste from the fried pasta.

    Orzo is small rice shaped pasta. Know as "arpa sehriye" in Turkey, in other countries (like here in Australia) it is also known as risoni.

    I have used long grain basmati rice for this pilaf which ensures you get lovely separate rice grains in your finished dish.

    Table of Contents

    • Why you will love Turkish rice
    • What you need to make Turkish rice
    • How to make Turkish rice
    • Top tips
    • Variations
    • Serving suggestions
    • Other recipes you may enjoy
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Turkish Rice (Orzo Rice)

    Why you will love Turkish rice

    • Easy.
    • Maximum flavour for minimal extra effort.

    What you need to make Turkish rice

    collage showing ingredients needed to make this recipe with labels
    • rice - I used basmati
    • orzo (risoni)
    • olive oil
    • chicken stock
    • salt
    • salted butter

    *Please see the recipe card below for exact quantities and detailed instructions

    How to make Turkish rice

    1. Heat olive oil and add orzo.
    2. Fry over medium heat until orzo is browned.
    collage showing process of making this recipe
    1. Add rinsed rice and stir to coat in oil.
    2. Add stock (or water) and salt and bring to a simmer, then cover and cook.
    images showing process of cooking recipe
    1. When rice has finished standing it looks like this.
    2. Add butter and fluff with a fork.
    images showing how to make this recipe

    Top tips

    • Rinsing the rice with cool water helps to get a nice fluffy bowl of rice at the end with separated grains.
    • The orzo browns up very quickly. While it's frying in the pot it's best to watch it carefully so it doesn't burn.

    Variations

    • In this Turkish style rice recipe I have used chicken stock, but you could use vegetable stock or water.
    • Add in some fresh crushed garlic when you add the rice.

    Serving suggestions

    • I like to garnish this Turkish rice with chopped parsley.
    • Serve along side any dish you would normally serve with rice such as stews or casseroles.

    Other recipes you may enjoy

    Jeera Rice - with fried whole cumin seeds plus onion and garlic together with basmati rice, this Jeera Rice (cumin rice) recipe is packed with flavour and so easy!

    Shawarma Rice - a Middle Eastern inspired one pot chicken and rice dish using thighs marinated in shawarma spices for a quick and easy dinner.

    Turkish Onions - sliced red onions lightly marinated in lemon juice and olive oil combined with sumac and fresh parsley to make an easy Turkish onion salad.

    Vermicelli Rice - a Middle Eastern dish that includes vermicelli pasta that has been fried until golden brown then cooked with the rice.

    Fatteh - a pile of golden brown, toasted pita bread topped with warm chickpeas then covered with garlicky yogurt and fried pine nuts sprinkled with fresh herbs.

    📖 Recipe

    basmati rice and orzo pasta in a white bowl with parsley and spoons

    Turkish Rice (Orzo Rice)

    Turkish Rice (orzo rice) is a great way to add some extra taste to your usual boiled rice. The fried orzo gives this rice rich nutty flavour.
    Print Pin Rate
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    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Serving: 4 as a side
    Calories: 233kcal
    Author: Lee-Ann Grace

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 3 tablespoon orzo pasta
    • 1 cup long-grain white rice I used basmati (rinsed and drained)
    • 2 cups chicken stock
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 tablespoon salted butter to serve
    • chopped parsley to serve

    Instructions

    • Heat olive oil in a large pot and add orzo.
      1 tablespoon olive oil
      3 tablespoon orzo pasta
    • Fry over medium heat until orzo is browned (this can happen quickly so keep an eye on it!).
    • Add rinsed and drained rice and stir to coat in oil.
      1 cup long-grain white rice
    • Add chicken stock (or water) and salt and bring to a simmer.
      2 cups chicken stock
      ½ teaspoon salt
    • Once simmering, turn the heat down to very low then cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 15 minutes (without peeking!).
    • At the 15 minute mark, turn the heat off and leave to sit for another 10 minutes (with the lid still unopened).
    • Add butter and fluff with a fork.
      1 tablespoon salted butter
      chopped parsley

    Notes

    • In this Turkish style rice recipe I have used chicken stock, but you could use vegetable stock or water.
    • Add in some fresh crushed garlic when you add the rice.
    *Please note that the amount of calories per serve is provided as a guide only, as ingredients and cooking methods can vary greatly*

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sean

      July 05, 2022 at 4:26 pm

      5 stars
      Easy and tasted great. Never thought of this before but will be trying it again. Thanks.

      Reply
      • Lee-Ann

        July 05, 2022 at 4:27 pm

        My pleasure Sean!

        Reply

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