5 Christmas Rice Recipes You'll Love To Eat

What exactly is “Christmas rice”? Well, the answer to that question is it all depends! To some people, typical Christmas rice recipes are those that you make using white rice, red bell peppers, and green bell peppers along with some seasonings. To others, Christmas rice is a specific kind of rice dish that they make during Christmas time. This is especially true in countries such as Trinidad and Norway. Keep reading for several festive rice recipes for Christmas from around the world that I know you’ll love!

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Why Rice?

Some of you may be wondering why you would cook rice recipes for Christmas.

The answer to that is that rice is a staple food around the world! In fact, according to National Geographic, 3.5 billion people around the world eat rice, especially in Latin America, Asia, and even parts of Africa.

Also, in many countries, rice plays an important role in a family’s Christmas meal.

My dad’s side of the family, for example, is Puerto Rican. We ALWAYS have arroz con gandules for Christmas (rice with pigeon peas).

So, as you can see, rice is a very important component of many Christmas meals around the world.

Easy Christmas Rice Recipe for All

Ok, so this is a generic Christmas rice recipe that you can practically make anywhere around the world.

(Well, maybe more specifically in the Americas).

The reason I say this is because the ingredients are not too difficult to find.

The basic ingredients for Christmas rice are as follows:

White rice
Chicken broth
Onions
Green bell peppers
Red bell peppers
Salt (optional)

Now, you may be wondering why some people call this a Christmas rice recipe because it seems SO BASIC!

Well, the reason for that is that the red and green bell peppers give it a festive look that’s popular around Christmas time.

(If you’re not already aware of this, red and green together remind a lot of people of Christmas here in the United States).

FYI, many families like using pomegranate seeds in their Christmas rice recipes. Can you dig it? It’s true!

Check out this recipe by With a Blast which uses pomegranate seeds AND almond slivers!

Brazilian Christmas Rice Recipe

Ok, so this Christmas rice recipe is one that you HAVE to try!

It’s a traditional rice dish in Brazil that many people enjoy eating especially during the holidays.

What so many people love about this recipe is that it has SO MUCH FLAVOR!

That’s because it’s made with more than just a few ingredients.

Here is a list of some of the main ingredients in this traditional Brazilian rice dish for Christmas:

White rice
Butter
Onions
Carrots
Raisins
Salt

Some Brazilians, like Camila McConaughey (Matthew McConaughey’s wife… yes the actor lol), like to jazz up their Brazilian Christmas rice recipes by adding some of the following ingredients:

Dried fruit
Diced tomatoes
Chopped ham
Peas
Heart of palm
Green olives
Mozzarella cheese

Here, take a look at the video below by H-E-B to see just how MOUTH-WATERING this festive rice recipe is!

Other Christmas Recipes from Around the World

Christmas Rice Recipe Trini Style

Now, how about a Christmas rice recipe from Trinidad?

This Trini-style holiday rice recipe is very similar to the easy Christmas rice recipe for all recipes above, except you add ginger and raisins (and some other delicious herbs and flavorings, too).

Here are just some of the main ingredients you’ll need for this Caribbean rice recipe for the holidays:

Cooked white rice
Red & green sweet peppers
Raisins or dried cranberries
Scotch bonnet peppers
Ginger
Garlic
Celery

Just take a look at the video below by Taste of Trini to see just how festive (and delicious) this Trini Christmas rice recipe truly is!

Dominican Christmas Rice Recipe

Ok, so I LOVE Dominican food. Would you say the same about yourself?

There’s just something about all the FLAVORS that encompass a traditional Dominican meal.

How can you go wrong with a Caribbean recipe for Christmas rice dishes from the Dominican Republic?

Although many Dominicans eat this dish at any time during the year, it is very common to eat this Caribbean side dish for Christmas, too.

Actually, according to My Dominican Kitchen, this rice dish I’m about to reveal to you is especially popular during the holiday season because you can make a large amount in a single pot.

Keep in mind, as I always say, each family’s recipe is going to be slightly different.

Nevertheless, here is just one recipe that I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy making for yourself and your family for your Christmas side dish or main dish.

This Dominican Christmas rice dish is called moro de habichuelas.

You might be saying Wait, I thought beans in Spanish is frijoles?

Well, in some countries it is (like in Costa Rica where I was born)! But, in other countries, especially in the Caribbean, beans are called habichuelas.

Moro de habichuelas is made with rice, beans, spices, herbs, and vegetables.

Also, the great thing about this dish is that you can make it ahead of time!

So, you can make it ahead of time, it feeds a lot of people, and it tastes GREAT!

I’m telling you … you just HAVE TO check out this recipe for yourself. I like this moro de habichuelas recipe by My Dominican Kitchen.

Danish Risalmande

Wait, so what about dessert?

Well, we’ve got a recipe for Christmas rice for that, too!

Just to let you know …

This is a SUPER TRADITIONAL rice recipe dessert that’s especially popular during Christmas time in Denmark.

More specifically, people enjoy eating this dessert for Christmas dinner and julefrokost, which is Christmas lunch.

It’s a rice pudding dessert that the Danish people make using whipped cream, vanilla, almonds, and sugar.

You eat it cold and it’s served with a cold or warm cherry sauce on top!

Mmmmmm Mmmmmm!

FYI, this dish is similar to other rice dessert dishes in other countries in Northern Europe.

Take a look at the list below to learn the names of similar dishes:

Sweden: Malta
Finland: Maltan riisi
Norway: Riskrem

Anyway, to find out how to make this DELICIOUS Danish Christmas dessert, check out this AWESOME video by Foodgeek:

FYI, here is a link to the recipe if you want to print it out for yourself.

What to Serve with Christmas Rice Recipes

Depending on your preference, you can serve any of these Christmas rice recipes with the following:

Roast chicken
Maple glazed ham
Rib roast
Cuban roast pork
Lamb
Turkey
Fish
Beef
Empanadas

Christmas Rice Recipes FAQs

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions related to Christmas rice recipes.

What can you put in rice to season it?

There are different ways to add flavor to rice. Here are some of the ways below:

Cook the rice in a flavored liquid, like chicken broth or coconut milk
Add tomato sauce while you’re cooking the rice
Cook the rice with some fresh herbs or spices–like curry
Add garlic, onions, and salt
Cook the rice in garlic, cloves, and cinnamon

(If you have any more ideas, please add them to the comments section below).

What can I add to white rice for flavor?

In addition to the suggestions above, you can also …

Make pico de gallo and spoon it on top (chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, lime juice, salt)
Add cheese
Chop up some vegetables and cook them with the rice
Add avocado

What goes good with rice?

Here are some ideas for foods that go well with rice:

Chicken
Beef
Pork
Empanadas
Fish
Burritos
Soup

Final Thoughts On Christmas Rice Recipes

What does the term Christmas rice recipe mean to you? Do any of these holiday rice recipes stand out? Have you tried any of them? If so, please let me know in the comments below! I’d really love to hear your thoughts!

Merry Christmas!