20 Easy Black Rice Recipes Fit for a King

These black rice recipes will transform your usual rice dishes into extra tasty, Insta-worthy entrees.

Called forbidden rice in ancient China, it was once so valuable it was only served to royalty.  But today, it’s become more widely available, with more and more Asian countries producing the grain.

And it’s a lot more affordable too.

It’s nutty, chewy, high in fiber, low (ish) in calories, and can be used to make sweet porridge, pudding, sushi, and more.

With these black rice recipes, you’ll never think a rice side dish is bland again!

1. Forbidden Black Rice

Let’s get the show on the road with this sticky, savory, velvety forbidden black rice recipe.

Besides its health-promoting properties, there’s another reason black rice is such a highly-coveted grain. 

It’s deep black when raw but turns into a deep purple when cooked! It’s stunning, to say the least.

That’s why, despite how basic this rice dish is, I still consider it decadent. 

2. Sweet Potato & Forbidden Rice Power Bowls With Miso Tahini

The colors in this rice bowl alone should be enough to get you to make it.

Full of sweet potatoes, broccoli, edamame, purple cabbage, green onions, hemp seeds, and of course, black rice, there’s no shortage in flavors, textures, and nutrition.

But it doesn’t end there.

Tying them together is a sweet, nutty, and creamy dressing of tahini, miso, orange, and maple syrup.

It’s an intriguing combination which I’m positive you’ll love.

3. Black Rice Salad with Spicy Toasted Sesame Dressing

Rice in a salad? This combination doesn’t come by often, which is unfortunate because I think it’s incredible.

In this dish, you’ll combine forbidden rice, roasted red peppers, cucumber, almonds, mint, and cilantro and toss them in a sweet, tangy, and umami-rich Asian dressing.

Believe me; it’ll be a hit.

4. Indonesian Black Rice Pudding

Start your day right with this sweet and hearty Indonesian black rice pudding! It’s so filling; it’ll keep you energized until your next meal.

More importantly, it’s delicious!

The black rice is infused with coconut milk and coconut sugar, which complement the nuttiness of the grain very well.

Finished with banana slices, coconut chips, and hemp hearts, I bet this dish will be your newest breakfast favorite.

5. Black Rice Risotto with Mushrooms and Caramelized Onions

East meets West in this black rice risotto with mushrooms and onions. It’s an epic fusion of cuisines!

Black rice makes such a great risotto because it’s naturally sticky and chewy. 

The addition of mushrooms and caramelized onions provide a great contrast of sweetness and earthiness, gifting your tastebuds with playful flavors.

6. Mango and Avocado Noodle Salad with Puffed Black Rice 

Black rice might not be the main feature of this dish, but it’s certainly the component that gives it pizazz.

Thai rice noodles are tossed with mango and avocado slices, along with a savory and tangy lime and miso dressing.

That already sounds quite lovely, but making the dish extra intriguing is the addition of puffed black rice.

Puffed what now?

It’s basically black rice that’s fried in hot oil until the skins burst and the rice puffs into crunchy, nutty, and toasty grains.

It’s great in salads, such as this one, but I highly recommend you use it to garnish soups and stir-fries as well. 

7. Black Fried Rice with Snap Peas, Hemp Seeds, and Scallions

With this recipe, fried rice has never been healthier!

This stir fry combines black rice, carrots, snap peas, eggs, hemp, and scallions. 

Ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sriracha give it more flavor. It’s a beautiful mix of salty, savory, as well as sweet, and spicy. 

8. Black Rice & Sweet Potato Salad 

I’d honestly never thought to combine black rice and sweet potato until I came across this recipe.

I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome!

Besides the two key ingredients, this salad also features avocado slices and feta cheese, which contribute lovely flavors and textures as well.

This salad is undeniably hearty with its combo of two starchy, carb-rich components. It’s a complete meal that will keep you pumped up until your next meal.

As an added bonus, it’s vegetarian. 

9. Easy Chicken Black Rice Bowl 

This bowl is brimming with black rice, fresh greens, chicken glazed with soy sauce and honey, and creamy cashew and tahini sauce. 

Considering how delectable and filling it is, it’s surprising how this rice bowl is also incredibly nutritious. It’s gluten-free and dairy-free, to boot!

10. Black Rice Sushi Rolls 

I bet you didn’t think you could make sushi with black rice, huh?

While this is certainly not a recipe for authentic sushi, it’s absolutely a killer. 

What’s not to love? First of all, the rice’s deep black hue adds such an appeal to the already appetizing dish.

Second, its nuttiness offers another layer of flavor to the sushi.

Lastly, black rice makes the iconic Japanese dish so much healthier! That’s what I call a win-win-win!

11. Vegan Burritos with Black Rice and Lentils

I don’t know about you, but I never grow tired of burritos. To me, they’re always a good idea – even vegan ones.

In fact, I’m sure even meat lovers will find these black rice and lentil burritos a delight! 

Loaded with black rice, lentils, chickpeas, corn kernels, and green peas, these wraps can’t be faulted for being boring.

12. Black Rice Bowl with Crispy Tofu

Here’s another dish for all my vegan readers out there!

This dish is a colorful bowl of black rice, crispy tofu, Asian coleslaw, broccoli, and chopped green onions.

If you think that already sounds amazing, wait until you hear about the black rice.

Instead of simply cooking the rice in water, you’ll throw in ginger, garlic, and soy sauce to the mix.

The result is a wildly aromatic, ridiculously flavorful rice so good you can eat on its own.

13. Baked Orange Cauliflower + Forbidden Rice

Orange and cauliflower are another strange flavor combination, but oh boy, it works beautifully!

This is a vegan take on the classic orange chicken, where instead of meat, you’ll use broccoli florets.

Together, the black rice, cauliflower, and orange create a glorious vegetarian dish full of sweet, nutty, tangy, and earthy flavors.

14. Black Rice Salad with Tomatoes and Basil

This recipe gives an Asian staple a Mediterranean makeover, and I think it’s fantastic.

It’s a black rice salad tossed with cherry tomatoes, basil, red onion, pine nuts, and mozzarella cheese.

The hearty and refreshing ingredients create a beautiful balance that makes this light yet very filling.

15. Soy-Ginger Glazed Salmon with Black Rice

This simple dish of salmon and black rice never disappoints.

It’s very straightforward: fatty grilled salmon coated with soy-ginger glaze rests on a bed of perfectly cooked rice.

It’s a basic, no-frills dish that always hits the spot.

16. Black Rice and Spinach Salad

Black rice and spinach join forces to make a hearty and healthy salad!

I know it doesn’t 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 the components together perfectly.

17. Thai Curry With Black Rice 

Give classic curry a black rice twist, because why not?

A medley of vegetables is bathed in a thick curry sauce infused with coconut milk, turmeric, soy sauce, and garlic.

The main element here is definitely the vegetarian curry, but I think the rice is what makes it extra special.

Its nuttiness complements with curry wonderfully well!

18. Black Rice Tabbouleh with Chickpeas Feta and Pistachios 

In case you’re not familiar, tabbouleh is a Levantine salad that consists of finely chopped parsley, tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, chickpeas, feta, and an olive oil dressing.

It usually contains bulgur, which is a cereal food made from durum wheat.

But in this case, as you may have guessed, you’ll use black rice instead.

19. Black and Orange Forbidden Rice with Acorn Squash and Pecans 

Black rice is mixed with acorn squash and pecans for a hearty vegetarian dish. Despite its Halloween colors, this dish is perfect for any occasion!

Plus, its wonderful mix of sweet, salty, and earthy makes it a delight not just for vegetarians but for carnivores as well.

20. Greek Black Rice Caprese Salad

Capping off this list is a colorful salad that combines the best of Asian and Greek flavors.

Loaded with black rice, fresh basil, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, mozzarella, and a balsamic vinaigrette, this salad is a refreshing side dish perfect for bringing to your next summer picnic or potluck.