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What To Serve With Yellow Rice – 39 BEST Side Dishes

If you’re wondering what to serve with your yellow rice, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I list 39 of the most popular side dishes for yellow rice.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best dishes to serve with yellow rice are lamb shish kebabs, Peruvian beef stir-fry, chicken adobo, and Moroccan fish tagine. You can also go with jerk grilled pork chops, shakshuka, or Shrimp Mozambique. Try Dominican beans, mushroom rendang, or lentil stew for meatless options. 

Ready? Let’s jump right in.

Lamb shish kebabs

Shish kebabs are one of my favorite dishes to make – they require minimal effort but deliver outstanding results.

The secret?

Letting the lamb soak in the spiced yogurt and lemon marinade overnight. This step tenderizes the meat while infusing it with a mouth-watering flavor too. 

Why we love this recipe: you get your fill of both protein and veggies with these succulent shish kebabs. 

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Spinach and potato curry

Also known as Aloo Palak, this is one of my go-to meatless curries. 

It’s super healthy and easy to make – the ingredients are everything comes together in one pot and it only takes 30 minutes.

Pro-tip: use frozen spinach instead of fresh to save time. 

This veggie curry goes fabulously with roti, naan, or a tasty helping of yellow rice. 

Why we love this recipe: it’s naturally vegan and gluten-free.

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Bobotie casserole

Stick with classic pairings and serve a plateful of exquisite South African bobotie alongside your yellow rice. 

This custard-topped beef casserole is reminiscent of moussaka but without the potatoes.

And don’t worry, all the ingredients are standard pantry staples! There’s no little known spices or vegetables involved.

Why we love this recipe: you can serve the leftovers with poached eggs and toast for a scrumptious brunch. 

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Dominican beans

What makes these Dominican beans stand out is their thick and creamy, gravy-like sauce that will coat every inch of your yellow rice. 

The key to the extra creamy sauce is cooking the beans in the water that you soak them in.

You can serve this as a second side dish with pork chops, or skip the meat and mix these into your yellow rice for a vegetarian-friendly dinner.

Why we love this recipe: it’s budget-friendly. 

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Dominican beans (habichuelas aguisada)
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Jerk sauce grilled pork chops

If you love spicy food, these pork chops are a must-try. 

The pork is marinated in a homemade jerk sauce, loaded with hot peppers, lime juice, and fresh ginger to give it a zesty, fiery kick. 

Psst… not a fan of the heat? Use green chilies or bell peppers instead.

Enjoy these spicy pork chops with a side of yellow rice and pineapple salsa for the ultimate cookout meal. 

Why we love this recipe: grilling these will fill your backyard with a delightful aroma. 

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Peruvian beef stir-fry

Shake things up with a Peruvian beef stir-fry.

Also known as Lomo Saltado, this stir fry has a surprise ingredient in the form of crispy French fries. 

The dish is usually enjoyed with a serving of yellow rice on the side – it’s twice the carbs, but everyone deserves to indulge from time to time. 

Why we love this recipe: it’s the ultimate treat for meat-and-potato lovers.

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Chicken adobo

This Filipino dish has become increasingly popular over the years.

After all, who can resist sticky, fork-tender chicken brimming with sweet and tangy flavors? 

The key to achieving optimum results is slowly braising the chicken. This softens the meat as it soaks up the goodness from the cooking liquid. 

Pair this chicken adobo with yellow rice for a hearty and authentic Filipino meal. 

Why we love this recipe: leftovers make for great sandwiches the next day.

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Mushroom rendang

Mushroom Rendang is a Malaysian favorite that pairs perfectly with a steaming side of yellow rice.

It has a lengthy and complicated ingredients list, so it’s great if you enjoy a challenge in the kitchen!

This recipe uses dried monkey’s head mushrooms to replicate the meaty bite you’d get with the traditional beef version, but tofu will also work.

Why we love this recipe: it lasts for a week in the fridge and gets better the longer it sits. 

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Shakshuka

This traditional Maghreb dish features poached eggs in a robust and boldly-spiced tomato sauce.

It’s a simple dish that’s incredibly comforting and packed full of flavor. 

Shakshuka is usually eaten for breakfast, but it’s excellent any time of the day – just pair it with some yellow rice to complete the meal. 

Why we love this recipe: it has a 4.96 rating from 219 votes. 

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Portuguese Shrimp Mozambique

If you’ve never tried this Portuguese dish, you’re in for a treat.

It highlights sweet juicy shrimp by cooking them in simple (but spicy) tomato sauce.

And to make sure not a drop of sauce goes to waste, you need a starchy side like yellow rice to soak it all up!

Psst… if you’re not a fan of seafood you can swap the shrimp for chicken.

Why we love this recipe: everyone will be lining up for second helpings.

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Ecuadorian lentil stew

Take your taste buds on a trip to Ecuador with this glorious lentil stew. 

The combination of spices like cumin, turmeric, and chopped cilantro to give the lentils a fabulous flavor you won’t be able to resist.

Serve it with some Ecuadorian yellow rice to keep things traditional.

Why we love this recipe: it’s great for feeding a crowd.

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Pineapple tofu skewers

Just like with meat, you’ll need to marinate your tofu before cooking to make it as tasty as possible. 

An overnight soak is always best, but even a quick one-hour rest will do wonders to the tofu’s flavor profile. 

Psst… don’t skip the spicy coconut yogurt sauce.

Why we love this recipe: it’s fun, unique, and delicious.

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Moroccan fish tagine

Feeling fancy? Try whipping up this Moroccan fish tagine. 

It features juicy white fish and lots of veggies, all drenched in a lightly spiced tomato sauce. The result? A nourishing dish that is oh-so rich and delicious. 

Psst… don’t have a tagine? Use a dutch oven instead. 

Why we love this recipe: it only takes 30 minutes but tastes like it’s taken hours!

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The best side dishes to serve with yellow rice

  • Lamb shish kebabs
  • Spinach and potato curry
  • Bobotie casserole
  • Dominican beans
  • Jerk sauce grilled pork chops
  • Peruvian beef stir-fry
  • Chicken adobo
  • Mushroom rendang
  • Shakshuka
  • Portuguese Shrimp Mozambique
  • Ecuadorian lentil stew
  • Pineapple tofu skewers
  • Moroccan fish tagine

What To Serve With Yellow Rice

In this short recipe, I show you exactly what to serve with your yellow rice.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Asian
Keyword: what to serve with yellow rice, yellow rice side dishes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 1 person
Calories: 95kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 portion yellow rice

Instructions

  • Prepare your yellow rice according to your favorite recipe.
  • In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
  • Side dishes include: lamb shish kebabs, spinach and potato curry, bobotie casserole, Dominican beans, jerk sauce grilled pork chops, Peruvian beef stir-fry, chicken adobo, mushroom rendang, shakshuka, Portuguese Shrimp Mozambique, Ecuadorian lentil stew, pineapple tofu skewers, and Moroccan fish tagine.
  • Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 100g | Calories: 95kcal

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