Pecan Rice, Pilaf with Spice

In need of a little comfort food? Tuck into the classic southern side dish of pecan rice. Complete with my twist of toasted pumpkin seeds and a little extra spice. The perfect addition to any meal that is loaded with flavor!

Pecans and pumpkin seeds toasted and mixed with  green onions, parsley, thyme and veggies make plain white rice come to life. How many times do you find yourself needing a side dish and having nothing but the boring old white rice to work with. I grew up on rice and by that I mean I literally grew up on rice. You see my dad not only grows corn but rice, beans and wheat. I remember all to well the look of awe on his face when I served him brown rice at my house a few years back. He was shocked at the horror of eating anything other than his beloved white on white rice! But that is why I love my Daddy! He dug in that brown rice to please his little girl and to his amazement he actually liked it! Go figure! However, we are not here to talk about brown rice. Sorry, I got off the subject a bit. I am here to enligthen you on a great white rice dish that is packed with so much flavor you will think it had been cooking all day long on the stove.

This pecan rice dish, also known as pilaf, has an amazingly rich and nutty flavor. The fresh carrots and celery bring a refreshing addition and the nuts give a nice crunch. My twist? Incorporating new spices I don’t typically use that much and that is celery salt, onion powder and all-spice! Oh I am getting hungry just thinking about it! The rice pilaf pairs perfectly with both seafood and meat and can easily be frozen for up to 2 months for a quick, no fail side dish that will be ready in minutes!

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Pecan Rice

Ingredients:

4 cups of vegetable broth

2 cups of white rice

5 TBSP of butter, unsalted

1/4 cup carrot, grated or just buy the carrot strips

1/4 cup diced celery

1/4 cup green onions, diced

1/2 cup toasted pecans

1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds

1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper

1/2 tsp cajun seasoning

pinch of onion powder, celery satl and all-spice

1 tsp fresh chopped thyme

Directions:

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium to high heat and add the rice. Stir to coat the rice and cook until slightly golden brown. Add the broth to the pot and cover. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Add in the celery, carrots, salt, pepper and thyme. Cover and cook for another 5-10 minutes, until all the liquid as been absorbed. Remove from heat and mix in the green onions, pecans and pumpkin seeds. Mix using a fork, barley fluffing the rice. Serve with freshly chopped parsley and can be served hot or at room temperature.

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54 comments

  1. Shawn

    Looks delicious…I could make a meal of just this dish & a glass of wine 🙂

  2. Erica

    I feel like this belongs on the thanksgiving table! So perfect! Even the color would just “go” with the thanksgiving theme. I love pumpkin seeds. How are you feeling mama to be (again ;))?

  3. Greg

    Very cool, I haven’t had pecan rice in years. My wife had a friend who made it. Yours looks better, shh!

    1. kbelleicious

      Oh don’t tell her you said that! I will keep your secret and thanks!

  4. Kelli

    Now how on earth does someone think to put all of this goodness into one dish? Glad you did!!!! This is alos a great go to dish when you are trying to impress, love it!

  5. Alli

    I love that this can be frozen. Making a big batch and keeping some on hand. Love it.

    1. Kitchen Belleicious

      Yes- so good frozen too because the flavors have time to really sink in. I have a whole batch frozen and waiting for us when the baby comes

  6. The Slow Roasted Italian

    Oh wow! This looks REALLY good. I love the pecans and pumpkin seeds in there. Can’t wait to try this.

  7. Tina (PinayInTexas)

    Your pecan rice sounds really good! I love that it has pumpkin seeds! Would love to try it!

  8. daphne

    Full of goodness! I’m on a low sugar diet at the moment and avoiding all sauces so this is perfect!

  9. My Carolina Kitchen

    Love the idea of pecans in this. Makes me miss my parents and their big pecan tree in their back yard.
    Sam

  10. Nicole-Lyn

    Yum! This looks so delicious!

    Have a great weekend!

  11. Three-Cookies

    I love pilaf, never tried with pecan though. Sounds delicious. Have a great weekend

  12. Anna and Liz Recipes

    Mmmm! This looks soooo delicious! I have to try this , I love anything with rice… and a nice touch with the pecans!

  13. Rachel @ Not Rachael Ray

    Yum! This looks so great! I love the addition of pecans. Have a great weekend!

  14. Candace

    I would have to make a double batch of that for sure. That looks delicious! I want to come eat at your house! Have a wonderful weekend, sweet friend!

  15. The Food Hunter

    What a great way to spice up rice. Thanks for sharing.

  16. Mary

    Delicious rice – wonderful flavors – I could live on this!
    Mary x

  17. yummychunklet

    Being Filipino, I’ve always had white sticky rice. But, this looks so tasty, I may have to switch it up! Great post!

  18. Maris (In Good Taste)

    The pecans and pumpkin seeds together must make this flavor bliss!

  19. Jody Brettkelly

    Oh I love rice anything and with pumpkin seeds? Genius! Have a fab weekend!

  20. Veronica's Kitchen

    It’s so comforting, I couldn’t live with rice. 😀

  21. Cooking Creation

    You are so making me drool right now. Pumpkin seeds and pecans?!?! YES!

  22. Kristy

    I’ve never heard of pecan rice before! I love learning new recipes and foods. And I love anything that’s called “comfort food.” 😉 Great story about your dad. Once daddy’s little girl, always daddy’s little girl. 🙂

  23. Maureen

    This rice looks amazing! I’m dying to put a fork in it! I want some so I’ve bookmarked it.

  24. Melynda@Moms Sunday Cafe

    This sounds lovely, and I really like it can be frozen for future meals! Thanks.

  25. Mandy - The Complete Cook Book

    I definitely think I can get my hubby to eat more rice with this flavourful dish – who knew rice could be so exciting.
    🙂 Mandy

  26. kitchen flavours

    This looks great! Being Asian, rice is the number one item that has to be on the menu in almost every meal! Would love to try this one day, looks so delicious! Thanks for sharing, have a lovely weekend!

  27. Maria @ Scandifoodie

    Oh I love the addition of pecans! Nice flavours!

  28. Jane Kirn

    What wonderful parents you had. To grow up eating and loving rice all of your life. No doubt nothing was ever dull in your mom’s kitchen to have a daughter that cooks and SHARES her recipes. Another print here.

  29. Jihane @Sinful Sundays

    Pecan rice? That sounds delish. I’d like to try it with your shrimp suggestion!

  30. Trish

    This rice looks like something my grandmother used to make. I have yet to find a recipe that mimics it but yours just might be the lucky one! Thanks!

    1. kbelleicious

      it probably is close to your grandmothers seeing as how it was my grandmothers too! hope you like it

  31. Marguerite

    What a wonderful pilaf! Love the flavors and the pecans! Thanks for the great recipe!

  32. Rivki Locker (Ordinary Blogger)

    Anything with pecans is a winner in my book. I love that this can be frozen. Great make-ahead side.

  33. Going Gourmet

    Love this rice dish. It has so much flavor going on with the toasted seeds! Awesome

  34. Roz

    I cannot imagine life without rice and like you have moved on to rice beyond ‘white’. However, like your father, my hubbie is a ‘white rice’ kinda guy. So I’d devour this all by myself, thank you very much! Sounds superb!!!! I tell you, your blog is just outstanding!

    1. Kitchen Belleicious

      Oh Roz, girl I swear one taste of this and he will be converted. It is awesome

  35. Kate (What Kate is Cooking)

    All of these flavors sound crazy good together! Pecans are my favorite 🙂

  36. Maria

    Love all of these flavors combined and looks so healthy too! I am a rice lover so I am bookmarking this for when the weather cools a bit more. Lovely dish… yet again. 🙂

  37. Shea

    Ooh, rice with pecans AND toasted pumpkin seeds? That sounds so good–I love learning a new twist on rice!

    1. Kitchen Belleicious

      The pumpkin seeds and pecans really made it special. You would love it Shea!

  38. The Harried Cook

    Rice with pecans? That’s so new to me… but it sounds and looks really delicious! What an interesting take on a pilaf! Thanks for sharing this… Yum! Must try this soon…

  39. Joanne

    I think your addition of the pumpkin seeds takes this from delicious to over-the-top good!

  40. Linda

    I really could see this rice dish pared with so many entrees! Wonderful combination adding in the pumpkin seeds with pecans; would not have thought of that!! It’s nice to see you using white rice; not just to make your daddy proud, but brown is used so much lately and sometimes as in this case, white is just more fitting!

  41. Going Gourmet

    It looks great! I love white rice but your right it gets boring. This is perfect way to liven things up

  42. TexasMom

    I love pecan rice but i haven’t had it in quite some time so this reminds me to make it- but i will definitely use your version. looks incredible

  43. Kulsum at JourneyKitchen

    I have never tried pecans in a pilaf but sounds delicious. Need to try!

  44. Tiffany

    I love rice and this looks amazing! It is really need to take recipes and to change them up to but a little twist on it. I am always afraid to do that because it might turn out bad. Great recipe and I am excited to try it out! Thanks for sharing!!

  45. Alea Milham

    I have never heard of Pecan Rice, but it looks fantastic! I will be trying this very soon, it sounds like it would make a lovely addition to any dinner party. Thank you for sharing this recipe with the Gallery of Favorites.

  46. April@The 21st Century Housewife

    This sounds incredible. I love rice pilaf, but your version has so many tasty ingredients, including my favourite nut, pecans! Love the spices too. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe (which I cannot wait to try!) with the Gallery of Favorites.

  47. Gallery of Favorites 10/7 | Premeditated Leftovers

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