Charleston Red Rice Recipe

Introduction

Charleston Red Rice is a flavorful Southern dish that combines smoky turkey bacon, aromatic vegetables, and tangy tomato paste with tender, perfectly cooked rice. This comforting one-pan meal is easy to prepare and makes a great side or main course.

Ingredients

• 4 slices turkey bacon, chopped
• 1 small onion, diced (about 1 cup)
• 1 celery rib, chopped
• Olive oil (optional, as needed)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice, rinsed until water runs clear
• 2 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, warmed
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. In an oven-safe skillet over medium heat, cook the turkey bacon until crisp, about 7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon, leaving the drippings in the pan.
2. Step 2: Add the diced onion and chopped celery to the skillet. If there’s not enough bacon fat, add a splash of olive oil to prevent sticking. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion softens, then add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in the tomato paste, kosher salt, sugar, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to meld the flavors. Add the chopped bacon along with the rinsed rice, then pour in the warmed chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. Step 4: Cover the skillet tightly with foil and transfer to the oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Remove from the oven, let stand for 5 minutes, fluff with a fork, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian version, omit the turkey bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
• Add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for a bit of smoky heat.
• Use diced bell peppers or tomatoes along with the celery and onion for added color and flavor.
• If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the mixture to a baking dish before baking.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water to prevent drying out.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular bacon instead of turkey bacon?

Yes, regular bacon works well and will add more smoky flavor and fat. Reduce or omit additional olive oil if using regular bacon to avoid excess grease.

Is it necessary to rinse the rice before cooking?

Rinsing the rice removes excess starch that can cause the rice to become sticky. For this recipe, rinsing helps achieve fluffy, separate grains.

Charleston Red Rice Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 68 reviews

• Author: lilan
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Low Fat

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Description

Charleston Red Rice is a flavorful Southern comfort dish made with turkey bacon, aromatic vegetables, tomato paste, and long-grain white rice, slow-baked to tender perfection with chicken broth and finished with fresh parsley for a vibrant garnish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Vegetables

• 4 slices turkey bacon, chopped
• 1 small onion, diced (about 1 cup)
• 1 celery rib, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

Other Ingredients

• Olive oil (optional, as needed)
• 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice, rinsed until water runs clear
• 2 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, warmed
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Cook bacon: Preheat your oven to 350°F. In an oven-safe skillet over medium heat, cook the turkey bacon until crisp, about 7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon, leaving the drippings in the pan.
2. Sauté vegetables: Add the diced onion and chopped celery to the skillet. If there isn’t enough bacon fat, add a splash of olive oil to prevent sticking. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion softens, then add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Simmer mixture: Stir in the tomato paste, kosher salt, sugar, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to meld the flavors. Add the chopped bacon along with the rinsed rice, then pour in the warmed chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. Bake rice: Cover the skillet tightly with foil and transfer to the oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Remove from the oven, let stand for 5 minutes, fluff with a fork, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

• Rinsing the rice removes excess starch, which helps prevent the rice from becoming too sticky.
• If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the mixture to a baking dish before baking.
• The turkey bacon adds smoky flavor but keeps the dish lighter than using traditional pork bacon.
• Adjust salt to taste, especially if your chicken broth is not low-sodium.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Keywords: Charleston Red Rice, Southern rice dish, turkey bacon rice, baked rice recipe, tomato paste rice, Southern comfort food