Most orzo is vegan, but check the ingredient list on the box to make sure. The ingredients for orzo are usually durum wheat flour and water. This specific recipe is not vegan because it uses butter. To make this recipe vegan, use oil in place of butter and vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.

No, orzo is a type of pasta made from durum wheat flour and is not gluten-free.

Is orzo a type of rice or is it pasta?

Orzo is pasta that is in the shape of rice.

What does orzo rice taste like?

The flavor is buttery and nutty. The texture is wonderful, soft and fluffy from the rice but also slightly chewy and tender from the toasted orzo.

5-Ingredient Easy Orzo Rice

5 Ingredient Easy Orzo Rice

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5 from 3 reviews

This is a blend of toasted orzo pasta and basmati rice simmered into a buttery pilaf topped with fresh herbs. Orzo rice has a mild, nutty flavor that makes it a favorite, easy side dish for family dinners.

Author: Jenny - Kitchen Skip
Prep Time: 10
Cook Time: 25
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
Category: Side Dishes
Method: Simmer
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Units Scale

2 tablespoons salted butter
1/2 cup orzo
2 1/2 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock
1 1/2 cups basmati rice
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon salt
Fresh chopped herbs, for garnish (fresh parsley, dill, or your favorite herb)

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Instructions

Melt the butter over medium heat in a saucepan that has a lid.
Add the orzo and saute for 2 to 3 minutes, until the orzo turns a golden brown color. Stir the orzo frequently, making sure it browns evenly and doesn’t burn. Take care not to burn the orzo, and turn the heat down if needed.
Add the broth and bring the heat up to medium-high heat so the broth comes to a boil.
Add the rice, turmeric and salt and bring the broth back to a boil. Stir the rice to make sure none of the grains are sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Turn the heat down to LOW. Cover the pot and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes. Try to resist the urge to lift the lid, as you don’t want to release steam that is cooking the rice.
After 20 minutes, turn off the heat and remove the lid. Fluff the rice with a fork and add more salt to taste (use a fork, not a spoon because a spoon can smash the rice and make the texture mushy, not fluffy).
Top with fresh herbs before serving (optional)

Notes

Make sure the heat is on low, not medium low, when the rice and orzo are simmering for 20 minutes. If the heat is medium low, it's likely the rice will stick to the bottom of the pot.

Olive oil or sunflower oil can be substituted for the butter but the dish won't have as much flavor.

The orzo is toasted to give it a nutty flavor and to also slightly harden the pasta, so when it cooks for 20 minutes with the rice it holds its shape doesn't get mushy.

Storage and Re-heating

Orzo rice can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5 days, although it tastes best if eaten within 3 days. To reheat, sprinkle a tablespoon of water over the rice and microwave until heated. The water helps add moisture back to the rice, which gets dry when refrigerated.

Find it online: https://www.kitchenskip.com/orzo-rice/