Texas Roadhouse Seasoned Rice Recipe

Texas Roadhouse is the ultimate destination for perfectly cooked steak, Texas chili, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and juicy sirloins.

Aside from these staples of American cuisine, they also offer some of the most flavorful side dishes you’ll ever taste, and the famous Texas Roadhouse seasoned rice is one of the best options.

If you struggle to cook your rice properly and prevent it from turning into mush, this Texas Roadhouse seasoned rice copycat recipe is all you’ll ever need.

This seasoned rice is packed with flavors, highly aromatic, and extremely easy to replicate using just a few simple ingredients.

How to Make Texas Roadhouse Seasoned Rice

The first secret to a perfectly cooked rice is choosing long-grained white rice.

While the difference in flavor is pretty much nonexistent, it is the difference in texture that is crucial for this recipe.

You’ll notice that long-grained white rice, such as basmati and jasmine, doesn’t stick together as easily as the medium or short-grained rice, which is the key to your rice not turning out mushy.

Many people avoid serving rice as a side dish as it can turn out bland and flavorless.

While rice is quite neutral when it comes to both flavor and aroma, this should be considered an advantage.

This kind of flavor profile allows you to experiment with different seasonings and find the perfect combination that complements your main dish.

Rinsing rice before cooking is another important step, as it will both clean the rice and remove any excess starch, which would make your rice sticky and gummy.

It is also important not to undercook or overcook the rice.

You want to avoid cooking rice at high temperatures, as you could end up with chewy, undercooked rice.

Overcooking the rice, on the other hand, will cause it to stick together and lose its structure.

Ingredients:

(8 servings)

• 2 cups long-grain white rice
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 yellow onion (diced)
• 5 cups chicken stock
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp paprika powder
• 1 tbsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper

Instructions:

Step 1:

Prepare your long-grain white rice of choice by rinsing it.

Step 2:

Melt 1/2 cup of butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat.

Once the butter has melted, add in the rice you previously rinsed and dried with a paper towel.

Step 3:

Sauté the rice on medium-high heat until it develops a golden-brown color, which will take about 5-7 minutes.

Add in the diced onion, and sauté for a few more minutes, or until the onion has softened.

Step 4:

Now it is time to add in the Texas Roadhouse seasoning mix, including paprika, garlic powder, parsley, and crushed red pepper for a little bit of heat.

Stir all the ingredients together, making sure that all the seasonings are combined.

Step 5:

Pour in the chicken stock and mix everything well.

Then, bring the mixture to a boil.

Lower the heat, and cover the saucepan with a lid, which will allow the rice to fully cook.

Step 6:

Let the seasoned rice simmer on low for another 25-30 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed the chicken stock.

Make sure to taste the rice and check if the texture is to your liking.

It shouldn’t be too chewy, but make sure not to overcook it.

Serve your Texas Roadhouse seasoned rice while it is still warm, and garnish with some dried parsley on top.

Ingredient Substitutions

Even a simple recipe such as this one leaves room for adjustments and substitutions.

These are some of the best alternative options for the key elements of this Texas Roadhouse copycat recipe.

1. Medium or short-grain rice

While long-grain rice will give you the least amount of trouble when cooking, you can still substitute it with medium or short-grain rice.

As long as you rinse the rice thoroughly before cooking it, and cook it according to the instructions, there is a very low probability that it will turn out mushy and sticky.

That being said, feel free to replace jasmine or basmati rice with Arborio rice, sushi rice, or bomba rice for this rice recipe.

2. Red onion

Red onion is generally a sweeter, milder option than yellow onion.

Therefore, if you’re looking to add a subtly sweet flavor to your dish, feel free to replace yellow with red onion.

Diced or sliced red onion is an excellent way to garnish your seasoned rice, as well.

3. Olive oil

If you prefer using vegetable oil in place of butter in your cooking, feel free to use olive oil instead.

Olive oil is a trusty option, as it adds a slightly sweet, almost fruity note to your dishes.

However, keep in mind that adding even a little bit of butter is the best way to achieve that unique creaminess of the Texas Roadhouse seasoned rice.

4. Minced garlic

In case you prefer garlic to be dominant in your dish, it is always better to choose minced garlic instead of garlic powder.

Minced garlic will provide the full-intensity garlic aroma, whereas the garlic powder is a slightly toned-down version.

What to Serve With Texas Roadhouse Seasoned Rice

A better question than what to serve with Texas Roadhouse seasoned rice would be if there is actually anything that this ultimate side dish couldn’t be paired with.

This seasoned rice is so versatile and flexible that it can complement any main dish, including meat dishes, seafood, fish, as well as vegan recipes.

1. Chicken

Whether it be fried chicken tenders, roasted chicken, chicken wings, or chicken nuggets, seasoned rice is an excellent, extremely easy way of completing your chicken meal.

Seasoned rice is a dish that won’t interfere with the flavors and textures of your main dish but only elevate them.

2. Grilled shrimp

This easy fried rice recipe will become your go-to when it comes to complementing flavorful seafood dishes such as grilled shrimp.

Pairing soft, tender grilled shrimp with crispy fried rice also creates an interesting contrast of textures.

3. Steak

A properly cooked, well-seasoned steak with a side of deliciously seasoned rice is a combination you don’t want to miss out on.

For a pop of color on your plate, add some grilled veggies or your favorite salad, and you’ve got yourself a restaurant-grade dinner.

How to Reheat Texas Roadhouse Seasoned Rice

As tricky as it can be to properly prepare rice, reheating it is even more challenging.

It is important not to dry out the rice and get a chewy, gummy texture.

Yet another issue in warming up the rice concerns preserving the flavors, as rice tends to absorb all the seasonings and liquids.

Keep on reading to discover the best methods to reheat your Texas Roadhouse seasoned rice.

How to Reheat Texas Roadhouse Seasoned Rice On the stovetop

Melt a little bit of butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat.

Add the leftover rice, and let it sauté for a few minutes.

Add in a cup or two of chicken stock (depending on how much rice you’re reheating) to get the desired consistency.

Remember to stir the rice constantly to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.

Taste the rice to check if you need to add more seasoning, as the rice can often absorb all the flavors.

How to Reheat Texas Roadhouse Seasoned Rice In the microwave

Transfer the rice to a microwave-safe dish.

Then, add 1-2 tablespoons of chicken stock and give the mixture a good stir.

You may also add a little bit of butter if you want it to be creamier.

Microwave on high for about three minutes.

How to Store Texas Roadhouse Seasoned Rice

Before storing your leftover seasoned rice, remember to let it cool down completely at room temperature.

Store in the fridge

Transfer the rice to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for no longer than 3-4 days.

Store in the freezer

Cooked rice can also be stored in the freezer, either in a freezer-safe airtight container or a Ziplock freezer bag.

Your leftover seasoned rice can be kept in the freezer for up to four months.