Copycat "uncle Ben's" Long Grain & Wild Rice

Submitted by BonnieZ

"Very similar to the original without all the chemicals, additives and sodium."

 

• Ready In: 25mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Yields: 3/4 cup servings
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 1 teaspoon dry chopped onion flakes
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dry parsley flakes
• 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups chicken stock (or 2 cup water plus 1 tbsp low sodium chicken boullion granules)
• 1 cup long grain rice
• 1⁄3 cup dry wild rice
• 1 tablespoon butter (optional)

directions

1. Combine all of the spices in a medium saucepan and mix thoroughly.
2. Add the both types of rice, the chicken stock and butter (if using).
3. Bring mixture to a boil and stir to combine.
4. Cover saucepan with a lid, turn down heat to a simmer and simmer gently for 10-15 minutes until all the liquid is absorbed.

Reviews

[LanceHaverkamp]

This recipe has nothing to do with "Uncle Ben's." It couldn't be further from what it's trying to copy; Uncle Ben's has no chicken, no turmeric, no cumin, and no ginger. The finished product is actually orange-colored from the turmeric. It's not bad, it's just not at all a copycat of Uncle Ben's as it claims.

 

[lovingma]

Is it 100% identical to the store bought product? No, but it is really close. I am right now making this recipe for the 4th time. The first 3 times, I enjoyed it and I'm pretty sure that I'll enjoy it this time too.

 

[Annonee M.]

It's important to keep in mind that dried spices from different manufacturers can taste quite differently. And of course fresh spices are different yet. This tip is especially important when using spices that can have strong flavors, like ginger and turmeric and others. I myself much prefer Spice Islands, but that might be because that was the only brand my mom would buy. Then again, maybe other brands didn't taste as good to her. Or maybe she bought Spice Islands merely because the plant was nearby. Who knows?! What I do know is that I've personally compared McCormick ginger to Spice Islands ginger, and imo they taste quite differently. To me, the McCormick was strong and overpowering, while the Spice Islands was milder but very flavorful. This may account for the wide variation in opinions about this recipe. Usually, recipes for particular products are kept as trade secrets. I have yet to find a "copycat" recipe of anything that I thought was very close to the original. So now I use them as a guide only. And just because I like Uncle Ben's Wild Rice seasoning, chances are I can concoct something on my own that I like even better. Cooking is as much an art as a science.

 

[Cindy D.]

Thought to share, there are a few more ingredients as in celery and others that aren't included in this copycat that I will incorporate. https://www.unclebens.com/products/original-long-grain-wild-rice

 

[B K.]

If I could give this recipe 0 Stars I would. This recipe is nothing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with Uncle Ben's White and wild Rice. There is way too much turmeric and way too much black pepper, not enough water...Just an awful recipe. I hope I will remember never to make this again. What a waste of good food! I'm a very experienced gourmet cook so you can lie on my review.