Food Recipes This Easy Saffron Rice Recipe Is About to Become Your New Favorite Side Be the first to rate & review! A bright, fragrant dish that goes with everything. By Phoebe Fry Published on June 23, 2024 Rate PRINT Share Close Photo: UliU/Getty Images Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 20 mins Total Time: 25 mins Yield: 4 servings (3 cups cooked rice) Jump to Nutrition Facts The use of saffron has been traced back to ancient civilizations across Asia and the Middle East. Over the ages, saffron has served many different purposes, from medicinal, to cosmetic, to culinary. Today, saffron is commonly used in the kitchen across international cuisines, including Moroccan, Italian, and Thai. Saffron comes from the dried stigmas of the saffron crocus—a perennial flower that originated in the Middle East. The result is a fragrant, red-colored spice that dyes food golden yellow. (Saffron is called “red gold” for good reason!) A common pairing with saffron is rice, and you can find endless versions of saffron rice. For example, there’s a version in India known as Parsi pulao that includes warming spices like cinnamon and cardamom, as well as dried fruit. And in northern Italy, there’s a famous risotto dish known as Risotto alla Milanese, a luxurious yet simple dish flavored with saffron. Saffron rice is a staple of Persian cuisine, too, and is typically served as a side alongside hearty dishes like kebabs, pomegranate chicken, and stews. Saffron is an expensive specialty product, but it’s very potent, so you only need a pinch to perfume and flavor a whole pot of rice. Keep reading for a simple recipe for fluffy saffron rice, which goes with everything and brings color to your table. Need some inspiration? Try saffron rice with Chickpea-Harissa Stew, Steak-and-Potato Skewers, or Grilled Swordfish and Asparagus — it won’t disappoint. Ingredients 1/2 teaspoon ground saffron threads 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 small yellow onion, finely diced 1 cup basmati rice, rinsed 1/4 tsp kosher salt 1 ½ cups water (you can also use chicken broth or vegetable broth) Directions Grind the saffron in a mortar and pestle until it reaches a fine, powdery consistency. Add 2 tablespoons of hot water to the mortar (bowl) to bloom the saffron. Mix to make a saffron concentrate. In a small pot, add olive oil and the diced onion and gently sauté over medium-low heat until the onions are translucent. Season with salt. Add the rinsed rice to the pot with the onion, and toast the rice for about a minute. Pour 1 ½ cups water or broth into the pot, and season with salt again. Add the saffron concentrate and mix to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover with a tight-fitting lid and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is fluffy and soft. When it’s finished cooking, keep the rice covered and remove it from the heat. Allow the rice to steam for 5 minutes before fluffing it with a fork and serving. Frequently Asked Questions What does saffron taste like? Saffron’s flavor is often described as sweet, floral, earthy, and sometimes slightly bitter, with a distinctive, fragrant aroma. Why is saffron so expensive? Saffron is among the most expensive spices in the world because of the labor-intensive process required to harvest the threads. Saffron crocuses only bloom for a short period of time (about three weeks) each year, which means that the harvesting window is brief. Each flower produces three stigmas, which are then dried to become saffron threads, and those delicate stigmas must be harvested by hand. For a sense of scale, it would take roughly 1,000 flowers to yield one ounce of saffron threads. Luckily, saffron is a potent spice, typically used in very small amounts so as not to overpower the dish, like in this Toasted Saffron Pasta Primavera or this Bouillabaisse. Rate It Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 472 Calories 28g Fat 51g Carbs 5g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Calories 472 % Daily Value * Total Fat 28g 35% Saturated Fat 4g 19% Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 333mg 14% Total Carbohydrate 51g 18% Dietary Fiber 1g 5% Total Sugars 3g Protein 5g 10% Vitamin C 3mg 4% Calcium 41mg 3% Iron 2mg 12% Potassium 161mg 3% *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.