Rice Alternatives That Are Just As Delicious As the Real Thing

Growing up, boil-in-bag white rice was a staple in my family’s home. But, like a lot of people, these days I’m trying to cut back on simple carbohydrates and instead, seeking out products that offer more robust nutritional profiles while still being able to work in my favorite classic recipes (a girl cannot live without fried rice!). Just one trip to the grocery store, and you’ll see that there are tons of tasty options out there. Whether you opt for a pantry-stable product that cooks up like traditional rice, or something made from fresh veggies, here are our favorite rice alternatives.

1. Banza chickpea rice

Banza’s rice packs in 11 grams of protein per serving, cooks up faster than regular rice, and tastes pretty much like the real thing.

Banza chickpea rice, $4/bag at Banza

2. RightRice

RightRice is a shelf-stable alternative for those watching their carbs. Made from chickpeas, lentils, and green peas, RightRice has twice as much protein as regular rice, five times the fiber, and 40% less net carbs.

RightRice, $11.98/3 bags at Amazon

3. Broccoli rice

Get more greens in your diet by replacing white rice with riced broccoli. By it frozen, then use it to make your fave dishes – think fried broccoli rice, or cheesy riced broccoli casserole.

Cece’s Veggie Co. Organic Riced Broccoli, $4.99 at Instacart

4. Sweet potato rice

Add a little more oomph to your favorite dishes with riced sweet potato. It has a fluffy, al dente texture, but its inherent sweetness adds exciting new flavor to classic recipes.

Boulder Canyon Authentic Foods riced sweet potato, $3.99 at Instacart

5. Cauliflower rice

Of all the riced vegetable options on the market, cauliflower has the most neutral taste. You can find it in the freezer aisle, though some brands can be found in the produce section, too.

Green Giant Riced Veggies Cauliflower, $3.49 at Instacart

6. Orzo

If you’re experimenting with rice replacements because of boredom, not nutrition, you could always try out orzo. Cooked like regular pasta until al dente and then drained, orzo can be used to make salads, pilafs, and sautees. We love to toss it with olive oil, lemon juice and chopped fresh mint leaves for a quick and delicious summer salad.

DeLallo Orzo, $4.19 at Instacart

7. Miracle rice

If going low-carb is your first priority, this is a great rice alternative. It’s made form the fiber of the Kannyuko Imo plant and only has three grams of carbs. We will warn you that when you open this, it has a pungent fishy smell that can be pretty off-putting but as soon as you cook it, the smell disappears and you’re left with a quick and easy rice alternative. Just hold your breath or something when you open it.

Miracle rice, $2.19 at Thrive Market

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