Life doesn’t always leave time for elaborate meals. That doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor or satisfaction with these five-minute recipes. With a little creativity and the convenience of Minute® rice, you can whip up tasty, well-rounded meals in just minutes. Whether you’re making lunch between meetings or need a quick dinner for the family, these five-minute rice recipes are here to save the day.
Tips for Creating Quick Meals
- Use leftovers to your advantage. You can save plenty of time preparing a meal when you plan it around leftovers. Some ingredients, like a lot of proteins, can take a while to cook, so using pre-cooked leftovers is a great way to speed things up while still serving a well-rounded meal.
- Choose quick-cooking ingredients. Next time you’re at the grocery store, look for ingredients that take less time to cook and plan your meals around them. Proteins like shrimp and thinly sliced chicken will cook faster than others, and leafier vegetables like spinach are much faster to prepare than denser root vegetables.
- Use sauces and spices to liven up simple meals. A splash of soy sauce or a sprinkling of your favorite seasoning blend will add flavor without adding time—and help add some variety to your go-to quick meals.
- Stock your pantry with versatile staples. Have some of your favorite staples like rice, frozen vegetables and canned beans on hand that are versatile enough to fit into a variety of meals. Ready in as little as five minutes, Minute Instant Rice is a great option to keep stocked for fast dinners. Minute Rice Cups are ready in just one minute in the microwave, and are perfectly portioned so there’s no measuring or cleanup required. They come in many different rice varieties like Jasmine Rice, Brown Rice and Sticky Rice, as well as exciting flavors like Jalapeño and Cilantro & Lime.
Five-Minute Easy Rice Recipes
When you need a meal but you’re short on time, try these recipe ideas below to get you started. With quick and versatile ingredients like Minute rice, it’s easy to create a meal in very little time while still whipping up something that’s delicious and filling.
Avocado Shrimp Sushi Boat
A meal ready in five minutes doesn’t have to be boring, and this Avocado Shrimp Sushi Boat proves that! These sushi boats offer a modern twist on traditional sushi, bringing together many beloved sushi ingredients in a deconstructed format. Avocado halves make up natural bowls, so you can enjoy the creamy texture of avocado along with fresh cucumber, savory shrimp, bold sauces and the delicious texture of Minute Sticky Rice Cups.
Chicken & Rice Bowl with Creamy Garlic Sauce
This Chicken & Rice Bowl with Creamy Garlic Sauce recipe is a great way to spice up a rotisserie chicken for your dinner routine in no time. The decadent, homemade garlic sauce comes together in just a few minutes using melted butter, garlic, heavy cream and plenty of Parmesan cheese, all simmered together into a smooth sauce. Then, serve the sauce over the chicken and aromatic Minute Basmati Rice Cups for a dinner that’s sure to please.
Sriracha Salmon, Basmati Rice and Guacamole Burrito
Whether you’re on the go or need a quick, filling meal at home, this Sriracha Salmon, Basmati Rice and Guacamole Burrito is the perfect handheld meal that’s ready in no time. Salmon cooks quickly, so it’s an ideal protein to use when you’re short on time—or, substitute it with packaged pink salmon for an even quicker version. After preparing the salmon, mix together a Minute Basmati Rice Cup and cooked pinto beans, then place the rice and bean mixture and salmon in the center of a tortilla. Add tomato, guacamole and onion, then drizzle with Sriracha before rolling it up and digging in.
Microwave Fried Rice
Using a microwave and a Minute White Rice Cup, you can prepare fried rice at home in under five minutes! This Microwave Fried Rice makes enjoying a bowl of fried rice simple when you’re short on time. After preparing a Minute White Rice Cup, use the same rice cup to combine an egg with whatever frozen vegetables you’re in the mood for, and microwave for one minute on high. Mix the egg mixture into the rice along with soy sauce, and you’re ready to enjoy fried rice without the fuss.
Elote Style Rice Bowl
Packed with the vibrant flavors of fresh corn, cotija cheese, lime and the perfect hint of spice from a Minute Jalapeño Rice Cup, this Street-Corn Style (Elote) Rice Bowl side dish is proof you don’t need a lot of time to enjoy a meal with plenty of flavor. Enjoy this tasty rice bowl on its own, or add in some protein by topping it with leftover shredded chicken, shrimp or beans.
Shrimp Chutney with Basmati Rice
For a five-minute dish packed with flavor, try this Shrimp Chutney with Basmati Rice, which combines sweet and tangy mango chutney with shrimp over top of a Minute Basmati Rice Cup. The rice is mixed together with yogurt, cilantro, curry, and salt for a flavorful, Indian-inspired base. If you have a little extra time, garnish this dish with diced red onion and a wedge of lime for added crunch and acid.
Mediterranean Rice Bowl
Enjoy the classic pairing of beans and rice in a quick and easy Mediterranean Rice Bowl perfect for days when you’re short on time. This bowl may only take five minutes to prepare, but with garbanzo beans, cucumber, feta, red onions and dill all topped with Greek dressing, it’s packed with flavor and texture. The base of this bowl is a Minute Brown & Wild Rice Cup, which adds a great chewy texture and nutty flavor that’s perfect for a fresh and hearty meal.Delicious Meals, Just Minutes Away
As these recipes show, there are plenty of ways to make tasty, filling meals in only a few minutes. Having pantry staples like Minute rice on hand is a great way to ensure that you’ll always have the start of a great meal right at your fingertips. Minute Rice Cups make it quick and easy to prepare tasty rice. They come in many varieties and flavors to keep meals interesting.
These recipes are just the start! For more quick meal ideas that use just a handful of ingredients, check out our Mix It Up Rice Bowls. Fuel your day with filling breakfasts and end it with decadent desserts that will satisfy your sweet tooth. There’s no shortage of delicious things you can create using Minute Rice Cups.
