Different rice recipes in Kenya to prepare for lunch and dinner

Many people consider rice to be one of the easiest meals to prepare. It also presents numerous options to add to or serve it with. It is preferred by those who wish to have a light but delicious meal. So, what are some of the best rice recipes in Kenya?

Rice recipes in Kenya offer various options for preparing and serving your rice. Whether you are going for fried rice, pilau, or coconut rice, the steps are straightforward. You can prepare a sumptuous meal if you take the time to learn the ingredients and procedures involved.

List of mouth-watering rice recipes in Kenya to try

Rice is one of many people’s favourite foods in the world. It is a light meal that is easy to prepare and also delicious. Here are some of the popular recipes you can draw inspiration from.

1. Fried rice

Do you feel like eating something light and easy to cook? A fried rice dish is one of those foods that address all your foodie needs perfectly. Here is one of the best but simple rice recipes for dinner that you can serve three people.

The recipe is simple and straightforward.

Ingredients

Preparation

1. Boil peas until soft. In a different pan, fry diced onions till soft; add tomatoes and stir until it is soft.
2. Add carrots, then salt and stir, and pour in the rice.
3. Mix well and add 1/2 litre of water to the rice.
4. Cook for 20 minutes; drain the peas and add in the cooking rice.
5. Cover rice and cook it until rice is ready. Then serve.

2. Beef pilau rice

Are you looking for what to add to rice to make it tasty? How about trying pilau? Kenyan beef pilau is a simple dish of rice flavoured with meat stock and spices.

This rice dish is commonly served at parties and occasions. It is one of the best rice recipes in Kenya.

Ingredients

Preparation

1. 1. Peel the onions and garlic cloves.

1. Wash the beef and add into a pan. Slice in one onion and 2 garlic cloves with the ginger. Add bay leaves with a cup of water and some salt to taste.
2. Cook until the beef is tender, then remove from heat.
3. Keep the meat chunks and stock to one side.
4. Chop the remaining onion and garlic.
5. Wash the rice and repeat until the water runs clear.
6. In another pan, heat the oil under low heat.
7. Add the onions to the pot and cook until the onions start to caramelize and become brown. You should stir the onions with a wooden spoon continuously to prevent burning.
8. Pour in the garlic and the ground spices and stir for 30 seconds.
9. Add the rice to the pot. Pour in the stock and meat chunks. Add more water so there is enough to cook the rice (read the rice pack instructions). Taste for salt and add more if needed.
10. Cover and allow the rice to cook until all the moisture is absorbed.

3. Kenyan coconut rice

Coconut is one of the good things to mix with rice. It gives you the best easy rice recipes in Kenya you can try out. Here is a guide on how to prepare Kenyan coconut rice that you will love.

Ingredients

Preparation

1. 1. Put the rice, salt and 2 cups coconut milk and water in a pan.
   2. Over medium heat, bring to a boil and stir occasionally.
   3. Reduce heat, cover with a lid and simmer gently until the rice is done (about 20-25 minutes).

1. Add thick coconut milk and fluff up with a fork.
2. Serve with beef or chicken stew and vegetables of your choice.

4. Pork stew with rice

This is one of the recipes that can be made from rice. It is considered a special rice dish that is often served at weddings. You can draw inspiration for the preparation procedure below.

Ingredients

Preparation

1. 1. Put the pork into a sufuria and add 1 cup of water, cover and bring the pork to boil.
   2. Clean and chop the onions, tomatoes, grate the carrots, grind the gingers, and Tumeric.

1. Add some onions into a Sufuria, add oil and cook till golden brown.
2. Add some tomatoes, carrots, ginger, Tumeric, and salt, and stir.
3. Add 1/2 glass of water and cover.
4. Let the tomatoes cook until they are a paste.
5. Add 6 cups of water to the sufuria. Then, cover and boil.
6. Wash the rice, add it to the boiling water, and let it simmer.
7. Sieve the pork from the stock (preserve the stock for later use) and empty the pork into a bowl.
8. Add the remaining onions and cooking oil and cook till golden brown.
9. Add the pork and stir.
10. Add salt, turmeric, and ginger, and stir continuously and cover
11. Let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
12. Add your stock, stir and cover. Then boil for 10 minutes, till the pork is well cooked.
13. Serve the rice with the pork when hot.

5. Rice, peas, and mince stew

This is a simple dish of rice served with peas and minced stew. The meal will taste good only if the rice is cooked correctly. The cooking procedure is as follows;

Ingredient

Preparation

1. 1. Boil the rice with 2 cups of water and a bit of salt.

1. Cut the vegetables into cubes, mince the ginger and garlic and put aside.
2. Fry the onions for 2 minutes, then add ginger garlic paste to cook till fragrant.
3. Add the mince and let it cook till the water dries up.
4. Put in the diced potatoes, carrots and peas and cook on low heat for 5 minutes.
5. Add the tomato and a tablespoon of tomato paste to the middle of the pan and let it cook till soft.
6. Add the cumin, seasoning cube, salt and pepper and let it cook for 5 minutes.
7. Add the chopped peppers into small cubes and let the meal cook for 3 minutes.
8. Add a small bunch of coriander leaves for freshness.
9. Serve with rice and a side of traditional vegetables.

What can be eaten with rice in Kenya?

Plain rice is a perfect accompaniment for curry dishes and some meat and vegetable dishes. For example, you can serve it with chicken curry, lamb or chicken with potatoes, lamb and chicken. You can also serve it with beans, kamande, or beef.

Rice recipes in Kenya – Final word

Plain rice can be turned into the main attraction with the right combination of spices. There are numerous rice recipes in Kenya that you can try. The ones above are an excellent starting point to inspire your creativity.

Tuko.co.ke also shared top Kenyan recipes that you cannot afford to miss out on. Kenyan staples like maize and rice can be cooked in multiple ways. These staples can be served with traditional vegetables, sauces, and different meats.

Fortunately, Kenyan recipes are easy to follow and yield fantastic results. The diversity among Kenyans has also resulted in different traditional meals that make these dishes distinct and unique.