Rice cookers allow you to make perfect white rice with a touch of a button. But more than that, these nifty machines can actually be used to prepare quite a few dishes. Have you ever tried making rice cooker meals like risotto, jambalaya, or even pancakes in your little appliance? Here are different (and surprising!) rice cooker recipes you can cook that aren’t just rice!

Not just for cooking perfect white rice, a rice cooker can also be used to make many other dishes, including some you might not be expecting. You only need minimal cooking skills, simple ingredients, and a few minutes to spare in the kitchen to whip up perfect white rice or a delicious rice cooker meal.

From sushi rice to coconut rice and saffron rice, you can create the perfect rice you want with these rice cooker recipes! But wait! You can also make dishes like mac and cheese, rice pudding, and even a cake with your rice cooker! 

1. Rice Cooker Spanish Rice

Follow this easy spanish rice cooker recipe and you’ll have a home-cooked side on the table in 35 minutes. The flavors of the veggies, herbs, and brown rice blend into a hearty dish.

2. Basmati Rice

Make fragrant basmati rice for your next meal in the rice cooker. While it already has delicious flavor, you can enhance it with spices like cumin seeds, bay leaf, cardamom pods, etc.

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3. Rice Cooker Sushi Rice

Preparing sushi rice to perfection is an art form. This sushi rice recipe shows that it’s not just plain perfect rice, but delicious sticky rice. Finish it up with a dash of seasoned rice vinegar or a mixture of rice vinegar, salt, and sugar.

4. Rice Cooker Fried Rice

This rice cooker recipe comes together with just a few simple ingredients and takes less than 5 minutes to prep. Spice up the rice with veggies, sausage, and seasonings. Customize it any way you like, and dig in!

5. Rice Cooker Brown Rice

The best way to cook brown rice! It’s fast, easy, and produces fluffy, tasty rice every time. Use the correct ratio, fluff it with fork, and add seasoning to give it a little extra kick!

6. Cilantro Lime Rice

Here’s a tasty rice cooker recipe that you can make on the weekend but will last for the whole week. A balance of zingy citrus and refreshing cilantro, it takes just 30 minutes or less!

7. Rice Cooker Chicken And Mushroom Rice

Treasure your taste buds with this comforting bowl of chicken & mushroom rice! It’s a vibrant mix of perfect white rice, succulent chicken, tasty Chinese sausages, and fresh shiitake mushrooms.

8. Rice Cooker Rice Pudding

One of the easiest versions of rice pudding! Using four simple ingredients (rice, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract), you can create a rich and creamy rice cooker dessert with almost no effort.

9. Rice Cooker Saffron Rice

Turn your plain white rice into a luxurious side dish! With no additional prep time and just a couple of simple ingredients, you can make a bowl of fancy-feeling rice in just minutes. 

10. Rice Cooker Curry Rice

With a few pantry staples, you can whip up the perfect rice that complements your favorite curries. The recipe’s combination of spices is just right, making it a great side dish or a filling main course.

11. Rice Cooker Coconut Rice

Rice cooker recipes like this are flavorful, creamy accompaniments for Asian-inspired dishes. Made with coconut milk, coconut Rice is a fluffy, sweet side dish with a subtle coconut taste that lingers on the tongue after each bite.

12. White Rice

A list of rice cooker recipes won’t be a list without the recipe for perfect white rice on it. The secret to a light, fluffy, and delicious white rice? Rinse it first!

13. Rice Cooker Teriyaki And Shrimp

Cooking teriyaki shrimp and rice in a rice cooker is an easy way to make a healthy, home-cooked meal in one pot. To make this rice cooker meal, simply add a few extra ingredients to your rice cooker. 

14. Rice Cooker Quinoa

Quinoa is a perfect superfood, but it can be difficult to get the consistency just right. With this easy step-by-step guide, you will discover how to cook quinoa in a rice cooker for perfect results every time!

15. Red Beans And Rice

Rice and beans are two simple ingredients that go well together. You can eat them just as they are, or you can add spices, herbs, and veggies to take the flavor up a notch.

16. Rice Cooker Lemon Rice

A simple dish that’s perfect for spring! It’s full of bright fresh flavors from lemon zest and dried herbs and fluffy, perfect rice. It also works well with Moroccan, Greek, and Italian dishes!

17. Cheesy Broccoli Rice

A rice cooker meal that’s packed with flavor, and it pairs well with every meal. This recipe is ideal for weeknight meals with the family, as well as special occasions like holidays and potlucks.

18. Rice Cooker Turmeric Rice

Here’s a recipe for turmeric rice that you can make in the rice cooker. It will be wonderfully fragrant and golden yellow with the addition of garlic, onion, and chicken broth. Yum!

19. Rice Cooker Oatmeal

Have you ever tried rice cooker oatmeal? It’s a fast, nutrient-rich dish packed with fruit, spices and nuts. It takes just minutes to prepare in your rice cooker and it’s great for busy mornings. Try drizzling with a little maple syrup for an extra touch of sweetness.

20. Rice Cooker Rice Pilaf

How about a tasty rice pilaf to spice up your dinner menu? Simply add a few ingredients to your rice cooker, set the timer and in 10 minutes you’ll have a delicious meal!

21. Rice Cooker Jambalaya

This jambalaya is tasty and moist, with a flavorful sauce that isn’t too soupy. Browned peppers, onions and garlic blended with andouille sausage, rice, and chicken broth make this a satisfying rice cooker meal.

22. Rice Cooker Eggs

Yes, eggs are also featured in this rice cooker recipes list! Apparently, by steaming the eggs over boiling water, the cooking method is gentler. You can cook the eggs more easily to your preferred doneness.

23. Rice Cooker Mushroom Rice

With the rice cooker, it’s much easier to make creamy mushroom rice. All you have to do is press a button and wait for 45 minutes for this tasty rice dish. Enjoy!

24. Rice Cooker Parmesan Risotto

Flavorful and creamy dish, this parmesan risotto is quick to prepare and easy to love. A really yummy recipe with butter, Parmesan cheese, cream, and some shallots creating a medley of splendid flavors.

25. Rice Cooker Bread

Want to make fluffy soft Japanese-style bread? It’s easy! With a rice cooker and a few simple ingredients, you can have Japanese-style bread ready in no time. Perfect with your favorite spreads!

26. Rice Cooker Cheesecake

Made in the rice cooker, these Japanese-style cheesecakes are more like a souffle cake. The texture is much more airy, making it a popular choice for people who prefer something lighter.

27. Rice Cooker Pancakes

Don’t waste your time and energy standing over the stove flipping pancakes one at a time! Try this rice cooker pancake recipe today, which makes super-sized pancakes in just one button push.

28. Rice Cooker Pasta With Lentils

Ready for a delicious and easy meal? Prep this hearty, vegan meal in 30 minutes with your handy rice cooker. Pasta with lentils will also beef up your protein intake in a tasty way!

29. Rice Cooker Mac And Cheese

This mac and cheese recipe is so easy to make. You only need about five minutes of prep time, and in less than 20 minutes you’ll have creamy macaroni and cheese for a quick snack!

Did you make any of these recipes in the rice cooker? Let us know in the comments.

More delicious rice recipes

• Copycat Texas Roadhouse Seasoned Rice
• Copycat Popeye’s Red Beans And Rice
• Ground Beef And Rice Casserole