This buttery Armenian Rice Pilaf dresses up all of your special occasions. No longer will you think of rice as a plain and basic staple–Armenian pilaf is a sophisticated, yet simple side dish.
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What ingredients do I need for Armenian Rice Pilaf?
- Uncle Ben's Converted Rice: Listen up. This is the key ingredient in this recipe and there is no substitute for it, despite all the cost-cutting more efficient varieties of white rice available.
Even on Uncle Ben's website, the first reviewer for their converted rice, shares: "I learned how to make Armenian Rice Pilaf over 50 years ago from an Armenian lady who made the ABSOLUTE BEST pilaf. THE ONLY TYPE OF RICE one can use (according to her and now me after making it over 50 years) is UNCLE BEN'S ORIGINAL LONG GRAIN RICE. There is NO substitute for this Rice when making Armenian pilaf. When I'm out, I've substituted many other types of rice -- MISTAKE."
This is exactly what my mom has been preaching to me all these years! 😂😂 Moral of the story, if you remember to buy Uncle Ben's Converted Rice, you're more than half way to perfect pilaf!
- Vermicelli (or Fideo): Look for short-cut extra thin spaghetti-like pasta. If you can't find short-cut vermicelli, then, get the regular length vermicelli and break off an inch at a time into your pot of melted butter. In a pinch, you could also substitute pasta labeled as extra-thin spaghetti, but these noodles might be slightly thicker than ideal.
Other Ingredients:
- Butter
- Chicken broth
- Salt
- Slivered almonds (Optional)
How do I make Armenian Rice Pilaf?
Melt a stick of butter in a stock pot over medium heat. Truth be told, you can cut down on the butter if the thought of using that much butter causes you to break a sweat.But for extra special occasions, we go all in, and you should do the same.
Next, pour the short-cut vermicelli into pot, stirring and watching carefully to brown it without letting it burn. Stir in rice.
Meanwhile, warm chicken broth and then add it to the rice.
Add 2 level teaspoons of salt or less. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to very low. Cover the pot and simmer the rice for 25 minutes. It might be tempting, but don't stir the golden brown goodness while simmering. Then check and see if all the chicken broth has been absorbed.
Meanwhile, stir ½ cup slivered almonds with 2 tablespoons butter in a pot and cook until golden. Top rice with almonds before you serve it. (Omit this last step if desired.) Rice pilaf goes well with many main dishes.
📖 Recipe
Armenian Rice Pilaf
Ingredients
- 2 cups Uncle Ben's converted rice
- 1 stick of butter
- ¾ cup short-cut vermicelli or fideo
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons butter Optional
- ½ cup almonds slivered (Optional)
Instructions
- Melt butter in pot. Pour vermicelli into pot. Slowly stir and watch the vermicelli carefully so it will brown but not burn. Stir in rice.
- Warm chicken broth in a separate pot, then add liquid to rice.
- Add 2 level teaspoons of salt or less. Bring to boil, then turn to very low, cover and simmer for 25 minutes. Don't stir it while simmering. Then check and see if liquid has cooked out.
- If desired, make topping. Stir ½ cup slivered almonds with 2 tablespoons butter in a pot and cook until golden. Top rice with almonds before you serve it.
Allison Brown says
"We think nothing of this rice because we grew up with it, but my husband’s family went crazy over it the first time they tried it and they want it all the time. It is simple to make, but so delicious. And, I agree with the comments, you have to use Uncle Ben’s converted rice. I’ve tried everything else. Not the same!"
Robin Nelson says
"Fantastic recipe! I’ve always loved the slivered almonds variation whenever I’ve had those on hand. Turns the dish from great to even greater!!"
Megan White says
Terrific recipe! I used Orzo in place of the vermicelli pieces because that’s what I had on hand, and it seemed to be a good substitution. Definitely agree about using Uncle Ben’s rice and the full stick of butter. Thanks for sharing!
Sue Greger says
I grew up eating this and when i make it for my friends they go crazy over it. I add lemon juice to mine. I dont add the almonds. Its oh so good!