Nutty, chewy, naturally purple, and ancient goodness. HOW A-MAZING.
I think I love black rice so much because: healthy-ish + tastes like a splurge + is appropriate to eat for savory dinners OR sweet breakfast porridges.
Plus the fact that you can buy it almost anywhere now wins the bonus point jackpot in my book. I’m just saying.If you can dream it, it can be real.
1. Black Rice Sushi Rolls
Did you know you could make sushi with black rice? You totally can. I know this isn’t exactly an authentic sushi recipe, but it is a killer dish.
There is so much to love here. First off, that deep black color adds such a cool look to the plate. Second, the nuttiness of the rice adds a whole new layer of flavor.
And the best part? Black rice makes this iconic Japanese meal so much healthier. That is a win-win-win in my book.
2. Black Fried Rice with Snap Peas, Hemp Seeds, and Scallions
Fried rice has never looked this healthy! This stir fry mixes black rice with carrots and snap peas. You add eggs, hemp, and scallions to round it out.
The flavor comes from ginger, garlic, and soy sauce, plus a little sesame oil and sriracha for a kick. It is a beautiful mix of salty, savory, sweet, and spicy. YUM.
3. Greek Black Rice Caprese Salad
Here’s a colorful salad that brings Asian and Greek flavors together.
It is loaded with black rice, fresh basil, and tomatoes. Add in cucumbers, olives, and mozzarella, then toss it with a balsamic vinaigrette.
This is the perfect refreshing side dish to bring to your next summer picnic or potluck.
4. Baked Orange Cauliflower + Forbidden Rice
Orange and cauliflower might sound like a strange pair, but wow, it works beautifully. Think of this as a vegan spin on classic orange chicken, but you use broccoli florets instead of meat.
The black rice, cauliflower, and orange come together for a glorious vegetarian dish. It is full of sweet, nutty, tangy, and earthy flavors.
5. Thai Curry With Black Rice
Why not give classic curry a twist with black rice? A mix of veggies gets bathed in a thick curry sauce made with coconut milk, turmeric, soy sauce, and garlic.
The main event here is definitely the vegetarian curry, but the rice makes it extra special. The nuttiness just complements the curry wonderfully.
6. Black Rice Risotto with Mushrooms and Caramelized Onions
East meets West in this epic fusion dish. Black rice makes for a great risotto because it is naturally sticky and chewy.
The mushrooms and caramelized onions provide a contrast of sweetness and earthiness. It gifts your tastebuds with playful flavors.
7. Black Rice & Sweet Potato Salad
I honestly never thought to combine black rice and sweet potato until I saw this recipe. And I was pleasantly surprised by the result!
Aside from the key ingredients, this salad features avocado slices and feta cheese. They add lovely flavors and textures to the mix.
This salad is undeniably hearty thanks to the two starchy components. It is a complete meal that will keep you pumped up. Bonus: it is vegetarian.
8. Sweet Potato & Forbidden Rice Power Bowls With Miso Tahini
The colors in this rice bowl are enough to get you to make it.
It is full of sweet potatoes, broccoli, and edamame. You also have purple cabbage, green onions, and hemp seeds.
There is absolutely no shortage of flavor or nutrition here. But it doesn’t end there.
You tie it all together with a sweet, nutty, creamy dressing of tahini, miso, orange, and maple syrup. It is an intriguing combo that I am positive you will love.
9. Soy-Ginger Glazed Salmon with Black Rice
This simple dish of salmon and black rice is a winner. It is very straightforward: fatty grilled salmon gets coated with a soy-ginger glaze and rests on a bed of perfectly cooked rice.
This is a basic, no-frills meal that always hits the spot.
10. Easy Chicken Black Rice Bowl
This bowl is brimming with black rice and fresh greens. You get chicken glazed with soy sauce and honey, plus a creamy cashew and tahini sauce.
Considering how delectable and filling it is, it is surprising that this rice bowl is also incredibly nutritious. It is gluten-free and dairy-free too!
11. Black Rice Salad with Spicy Toasted Sesame Dressing
Rice in a salad? It doesn’t happen often, which is unfortunate because I think it is incredible.
In this dish, you combine forbidden rice with roasted red peppers and cucumber. Almonds, mint, and cilantro join the party too.
You toss it all in a sweet, tangy, and umami-rich Asian dressing. Believe me, it is going to be a hit.
12. Vegan Burritos with Black Rice and Lentils
I don’t know about you, but I never get tired of burritos. They are always a good idea. I am sure even meat lovers will find these black rice and lentil burritos delightful.
They are loaded with black rice, lentils, and chickpeas. Add in corn kernels and green peas, and you have wraps that simply cannot be faulted for being boring.
13. Black and Orange Forbidden Rice with Acorn Squash and Pecans
Black rice mixes with acorn squash and pecans here for a hearty vegetarian dish. Despite the Halloween colors, this is perfect for any occasion!
Plus, the wonderful mix of sweet, salty, and earthy makes it a delight for vegetarians and carnivores alike.
14. Black Rice Bowl with Crispy Tofu
Here is another dish for all the vegan readers out there!
This is a colorful bowl of black rice, crispy tofu, and Asian coleslaw. You also get broccoli and chopped green onions.
If you think that sounds amazing, wait until you hear about the rice. Instead of just cooking it in water, you throw in ginger, garlic, and soy sauce.
The result is wildly aromatic and ridiculously flavorful rice that is good enough to eat on its own.
15. Mango and Avocado Noodle Salad with Puffed Black Rice
Black rice might not be the main feature here, but it definitely gives this dish pizazz.
You toss Thai rice noodles with mango and avocado slices. A savory and tangy lime and miso dressing ties it together.
That sounds lovely, but the puffed black rice makes it extra intriguing. Puffed what now?
It is basically black rice fried in hot oil until the skins burst and it puffs into crunchy, nutty, toasty grains. It is great in salads like this, but I highly recommend using it to garnish soups and stir-fries too.
16. Indonesian Black Rice Pudding
Start your day right with this sweet Indonesian black rice pudding!
It is so hearty and filling that it will keep you energized until your next meal. More importantly, it is delicious.
The black rice gets infused with coconut milk and coconut sugar, which complements the nuttiness of the grain.
Finish it with banana slices, coconut chips, and hemp hearts, and I bet this will be your newest breakfast favorite.
17. Black Rice Tabbouleh with Chickpeas Feta and Pistachios
In case you aren’t familiar, tabbouleh is a Levantine salad. It consists of finely chopped parsley, tomatoes, bell peppers, and onion. You usually add chickpeas, feta, and an olive oil dressing.
It typically contains bulgur, which is a cereal food made from durum wheat. But in this case, as you might have guessed, you use black rice instead.
18. Black Rice and Spinach Salad
Black rice and spinach join forces to make a hearty, healthy salad.
I know it might not sound too exciting, but like I always say: don’t knock it until you try it. With fresh strawberries, blueberries, and pistachios, this salad is far from boring.
As great as the mix-ins are, I think the dressing takes the cake. The blend of orange champagne vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and orange juice ties everything together perfectly.
19. Black Rice Salad with Tomatoes and Basil
This recipe gives an Asian staple a Mediterranean makeover, and I think it is fantastic. It is a black rice salad tossed with cherry tomatoes and basil. Add in red onion, pine nuts, and mozzarella cheese.
The hearty and refreshing ingredients create a beautiful balance that makes this light yet very filling.
