10 Easy Rice Side Dishes for Duck

Duck is a delicious meal that can be served as a main dish or side.

If you’re looking for an interesting way to serve duck, why not pair it with some delicious rice side dishes?

Rice offers a great base for any meal, and there are plenty of recipes out there that use this versatile grain.

Here are 10 rice side dishes perfect for serving alongside your next duck feast.

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Why Serve Duck with Rice?

Duck is a popular dish in many cultures, and it pairs well with rice.

Rice is an excellent accompaniment to duck because it absorbs the fat and juices from the bird, creating a flavorful combination.

The starchiness of the rice also helps to balance out the richness of the duck meat.

Additionally, serving duck with rice allows for more creative flavor combinations as you can add herbs, spices, vegetables or other ingredients to your dish.

• For example, you could make a Chinese-style stir fry by adding soy sauce and vegetables to cooked white or brown rice before topping it off with slices of roasted duck breast.
• Or you could serve wild rice pilaf alongside pan-seared duck breasts seasoned with garlic and rosemary for an elegant dinner party entrée.

Duck and rice are both versatile ingredients that can be used in countless dishes—from simple weeknight meals to elaborate holiday feasts—so don’t be afraid to get creative!

10 Rice Side Dishes for Duck

Duck is a delicious and versatile meat that pairs particularly well with rice.

The key is finding the right type of rice to best compliment the flavors of the duck.

Here are ten types of rice side dishes that can be used in duck dishes, each offering a unique taste and texture:

1. Fried Rice

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Fried rice is a dish made with cooked rice that has been stir-fried in a wok or a frying pan and is usually mixed with other ingredients such as eggs, vegetables, seafood, or meat.

It is often seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper.

Serving Ideas

Fried rice can be served as an accompaniment to duck dishes such as Peking duck or orange glazed duck.

It can also be used to make interesting side dishes for roasted duck or grilled duck breasts.

For example, try making fried rice with diced mushrooms and spring onions for an earthy flavor; add some chopped bell peppers for color; and finish it off by stirring in some fresh herbs like chives or cilantro.

You can also serve the fried rice alongside your favorite Asian-style dipping sauces like hoisin sauce or sweet chili sauce.

2. Turmeric Coconut Rice

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Turmeric coconut rice is a fragrant, flavorful side dish made with long-grain white or brown rice cooked in a mixture of coconut milk and turmeric.

The combination of the two ingredients gives the rice an exotic flavor and vibrant yellow color.

Serving Ideas

Turmeric coconut rice is a great accompaniment to duck as well as other poultry dishes, such as roasted chicken or turkey.

It also pairs nicely with fish and seafood dishes, such as grilled salmon or shrimp curry.

The creamy texture of the coconut milk makes it a great addition to curries and stews, while the subtle sweetness of the turmeric adds depth to any dish.

Additionally, this fragrant rice can be served with vegetables for a healthy vegetarian meal option.

3. Wild Rice Pilaf

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Wild rice pilaf is a flavorful side dish made with wild rice, vegetables, and herbs.

It can be served as a side dish or as a main course.

The ingredients are cooked together in one pot, making it an easy and delicious meal.

Serving Ideas

Wild rice pilaf is the perfect accompaniment to duck dishes such as roasted duck breast with orange sauce or seared duck breasts with balsamic glaze.

It also pairs nicely with pork chops or salmon fillets.

For vegetarians, serve it with grilled portobello mushrooms and roasted vegetables for a hearty meal. This dish can also be served cold on top of salads for added crunch and flavor.

4. Saffron Rice

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Saffron rice is a type of rice dish made with saffron, which is a spice derived from the dried stigmas of the saffron crocus flower.

It has an earthy and slightly sweet flavor, and it imparts a golden yellow hue to foods.

Saffron rice can be served as a side dish or as part of an entrée.

Serving Ideas

Saffron rice pairs well with duck, lamb, beef, pork, chicken, seafood dishes such as shrimp or salmon.

It can also be added to soups and stews for extra flavor and color.

To make saffron rice at home you will need long grain white or brown rice (or any other type of grain), olive oil or butter (or both!), saffron threads (which are available in most grocery stores) and liquid such as vegetable broth or water.

Heat the oil/butter in a pot over medium heat then add your grains and stir until lightly toasted before adding your liquid and bringing it to a boil.

Once boiling reduce heat to low-medium then add your saffron threads stirring them into the mixture before covering with a lid and cooking for 20 minutes (or longer depending on what type of grain you are using).

Serve hot alongside your favorite protein!

5. Curried Rice

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Curried Rice is a flavorful side dish made with cooked rice, spices, and vegetables.

The flavor of the dish can vary depending on the type of curry powder used. It can be mild or spicy.

The traditional Indian version of curried rice will include turmeric, cumin, coriander, and chili pepper for added flavor.

Serving Ideas

Curried Rice can be served as a side dish to accompany roasted duck or any other main course. It pairs particularly well with grilled chicken or fish.

You can also serve it as part of an Indian-style meal along with naan bread, chutney, and raita (yogurt sauce).

To make it more filling you could add cooked beans such as chickpeas or lentils to the mix before serving.

If desired you could even top it off with some chopped nuts like cashews or almonds for added crunch and texture!

6. One Pot Mushroom Rice

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One Pot Mushroom Rice is a simple and delicious side dish that combines mushrooms, rice, and flavorful seasonings.

It’s an easy way to add flavor to any meal.

The best part about this recipe is that it can be made in one pot, so there’s no need for multiple dishes or pans!

Serving Ideas

One Pot Mushroom Rice pairs perfectly with duck.

For a complete meal, serve the duck with a side of steamed vegetables like broccoli or asparagus.

You could also make a salad with mixed greens and top it with a light vinaigrette dressing.

If you want something heartier, try adding some roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes to the mix.

This dish would also go well with other proteins such as pork chops or chicken breasts.

7. Garlic Butter Rice

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Garlic butter rice is a simple and flavorful side dish that combines cooked white or brown rice with garlic, butter, and other seasonings.

It’s an easy way to add flavor to plain boiled rice and can be served as an accompaniment to many dishes.

Serving Ideas

Garlic butter rice goes well with roasted chicken, pork chops, steak, fish, or duck. It also pairs nicely with grilled vegetables such as zucchini or eggplant.

To make the dish even more flavorful, you can add fresh herbs such as parsley or chives.

You can also mix in some cheese for extra richness. For a vegan version of this dish, use vegan butter instead of regular butter and omit the cheese if desired.

8. Herb Lemon Rice

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Herb Lemon Rice is a flavorful and fragrant rice dish that is easy to prepare.

It is made with long-grain white rice, herbs such as parsley, dill, mint, and oregano, lemon juice or zest, butter or oil, and salt.

The herbs give the dish an aromatic flavor while the lemon adds a bright citrus note.

Serving Ideas

Herb Lemon Rice pairs well with roasted duck or other poultry dishes. It can also be served alongside grilled fish or vegetables for a light meal.

For a heartier meal, try adding cooked chickpeas to the rice for added protein.

This dish is also delicious when topped with feta cheese or crumbled goat cheese for extra flavor and creaminess.

You can also serve it as part of an antipasti platter along with olives and cured meats for a tasty appetizer before dinner.

9. Paella

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Paella is a traditional Spanish dish made with rice, vegetables, meat or seafood, and spices.

It is usually served as a main course but can also be enjoyed as a side dish.

The ingredients used to make paella vary depending on the region in which it’s prepared.

Serving Ideas

Paella is a great accompaniment for duck because of its flavorful combination of ingredients and spices.

1. To serve with duck, start by sautéing some onions in olive oil until they are soft and golden brown.
2. Then add garlic, bell peppers, tomatoes, peas, and chorizo sausage to the pan.
3. Once everything has cooked through add chicken stock and bring to a boil before adding your choice of rice (such as Arborio).
4. Finally add some smoked paprika and saffron threads for flavor before topping with shrimp or other seafood if desired.
5. Serve alongside roasted duck for an impressive dinner presentation!

10. Parmesan Risotto

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Parmesan Risotto is a classic Italian dish made with arborio rice cooked in broth and seasoned with parmesan cheese.

It has a creamy, rich texture and flavor that makes it perfect for serving alongside a variety of proteins like duck.

Serving Ideas

Parmesan risotto can be served as a side dish or as the main course.

When serving as a side, pair it with grilled or roasted duck for an elegant meal.

For an even more special touch, top the risotto with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

If you’re looking to make Parmesan risotto the star of your meal, consider adding mushrooms, peas, shrimp, diced tomatoes, or other vegetables to make it heartier and more filling.

Conclusion

In conclusion, duck is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways.

To make your duck meal complete, there are plenty of delicious rice side dishes that will add flavor, color, and texture to your plate.

Some of the best rice side dishes for duck are fried rice, coconut rice, wild rice pilaf, saffron rice, curried rice, mushroom rice, quinoa pilaf, lemon rice, paella, and risotto.

Each of these dishes offer their own unique flavor and texture that can be the perfect accompaniment to a duck dish.