Recipes Main Dishes Rice 7 Black Rice Recipes That Will Have You Loving The "Forbidden Rice" By Carl Hanson Carl Hanson Carl Hanson is a Senior Editor at Allrecipes who has been writing about food and wine for nearly 20 years. He enjoys creating content that informs, entertains, and assists busy home cooks get nourishing meals on the table for their families. Allrecipes' editorial guidelines Published on May 19, 2021 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo by bd.weld. Once upon a time, black rice was reserved for the emperor and his royal court, which is why black rice is sometimes called "forbidden rice." Today, it's becoming a pantry staple in more and more home kitchens. And why not? Black rice is delicious, with a wonderful texture and nutty flavor profile. It's nutritious, too. Black rice's dark color comes courtesy of plant pigments that are also powerful antioxidants — anti-inflammatory anthocyanins (also found in blueberries) that may offer benefits against cancer and heart disease. With black rice, you'll also get iron, essential amino acids, vitamin E, folic acid, and more fiber and protein than brown rice. What's more, black rice takes terrifically to simple preparations. Here are some favorite black rice recipes to try. 01 of 08 Black Rice View Recipe Photo by Buckwheat Queen. "Black rice is one of the handful of superfoods," says Love2cook32. "This rice is so flavorful and has a very unique presentation as it cooks up to a deep purple color. It goes great with just about any meal as a nice healthy side. I love to make it with salmon and a side of fresh veggies." 02 of 08 TK's Forbidden Black Rice Salad View Recipe Photo by Doughgirl8. "This fresh, delicious, and healthy dish is made with forbidden rice, which has been eaten in China for centuries," says Tonia. "It's full of fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and flavor. It somehow manages to give one a sense of well-being, peace, and energy at the same time. It is filling without leaving you with a feeling of being stuffed. Delicious! Serve slightly warm or at room temperature." 03 of 08 Riso Venere ai Gamberetti e Zucchini (Venus Black Rice with Prawns and Zucchini) View Recipe Photo by Buckwheat Queen. "Here's a delicate alternative to white rice," says Aldo. "This recipe will satisfy sophisticated palates with the unbeatable combination of prawns and zucchini!" 04 of 08 Black Rice Pudding View Recipe Photo by bd.weld. And for dessert? Black rice is also a great choice for dessert preparations. "This is a traditional recipe my friend's mother brought with her from Thailand," says MINLEE. "For those who really like sweet food, you may also top the pudding off with a drizzle of coconut cream or a mild fruit such as bananas." You might also like: Dairy-Free Black Rice Pudding 05 of 08 Spicy Forbidden Rice Salad View Recipe Photo by Buckwheat Queen. "A spicy blend of forbidden black rice, bell peppers, and cashews," says docswife. Try it beside almost any baked fish or chicken recipe. 06 of 08 Ground Turkey Kheema with Forbidden Rice View Recipe Linda T Nutritious black rice pairs with ground turkey, potatoes, and peas in a Indian-spiced, tomato-based sauce. "A lighter Indian dish with no heavy cream, served with nutty, whole-grain black rice," says Brian. 07 of 08 Purple Sticky Rice with Mango View Recipe Black sticky rice, fresh mango, and light coconut milk star in this delicious version of a favorite Thai dessert. "This rice is really amazing; the purplish black rice is a wonderful change!" says berriesandcocoa. 08 of 08 Related Recipes Thai Peanut Chicken. Allrecipes Magazine Top-Rated Thai-Inspired Recipes Ready in 45 Minutes Best Recipes with Szechuan Peppers Top Rated Dim Sum Recipes Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit