1. Mexican Tomato Rice (Spanish Rice)

A vibrant rice dish similar to jollof but with Mexican-style spices.

Ingredients you need:

• Rice

• Tomato paste

• Onion and garlic

• Green pepper

• Stock cubes

• Paprika, cumin (optional)

Why Ghanaians love it:

It’s flavorful, slightly spicy, and pairs perfectly with chicken, grilled meat or beans. It tastes like a fun twist on jollof.

2. Thai Fried Rice

A sweet, savory and slightly spicy fried rice popular worldwide.

Key ingredients:

• Oyster sauce or soy sauce

• Eggs

• Green onion

• Carrots

• Optional: shrimp or chicken

Flavour profile:

A little sweet, a little salty, and packed with umami.

Most ingredients can be found in Shoprite, MaxMart or Asian stores in Ghana.

3. Caribbean Coconut Rice

A light, creamy rice infused with coconut milk — absolutely delicious with spicy meat or fish.

Ingredients:

• Rice

• Coconut milk

• Onion

• Thyme

• Salt

Why it’s great:

Reminds Ghanaians of palm nut soup and coconut-infused dishes. Perfect for pairing with grilled tilapia or stew.

4. Italian Mushroom Risotto

A creamy Italian rice dish that feels luxurious but is simple to make.

What you need:

• Short-grain rice (or regular rice if that’s what you have)

• Stock

• Butter or margarine

• Onions

• Mushrooms (fresh or canned)

Tip:

Stir constantly for a creamy texture. This is perfect for holiday dinners.

5. Asian Egg Fried Rice

A fast, easy dish that works well with leftover rice.

Basic ingredients:

• Day-old rice

• Eggs

• Carrots and peas

• Soy sauce

• Spring onion

Why it’s popular:

Quick, tasty and perfect for weeknight dinners. Many Ghanaian restaurants already serve versions of this.

6. West African Peanut Rice

Inspired by groundnut soup, this rice dish is nutty, savoury and rich.

Ingredients:

• Rice

• Peanut butter

• Tomatoes

• Onion

• Chili

• Ginger

Why it works:

It brings Ghanaian and international flavours together — a comforting twist on local ingredients.

7. Middle Eastern Yellow Turmeric Rice

A bright yellow rice that is aromatic and beautiful on the plate.

Ingredients:

• Rice

• Turmeric

• Garlic

• Bay leaf

• Butter or oil

Serve with:

Grilled chicken, kebabs, meatballs or salad.

This is perfect for festive meals and adds colour to your Christmas menu.

Tips to Elevate Any Rice Dish

1. Use stock instead of water

Instantly boosts flavour.

2. Sauté your spices

Frying spices in oil before adding rice gives deeper flavour.

3. Add fresh herbs

Rosemary, thyme, parsley or spring onions make a huge difference.

4. Mix textures

Crispy onions, nuts, shrimp or vegetables add excitement to plain rice.

5. Play with colours

Use carrots, peas, turmeric, paprika to make your rice vibrant and festive.

Conclusion

Rice doesn’t have to be boring. With simple, accessible ingredients, you can bring in global flavours and transform your everyday meals. Whether you try Mexican rice, Thai fried rice, coconut rice or a colourful turmeric dish, these recipes will add excitement to family dinners, festive celebrations and December gatherings.

Rice is a universal ingredient — but how you season it makes all the difference. Try these dishes one by one and explore the world without leaving your kitchen.