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19 Best Banza Rice Recipes (From Fried Rice To Salads)

19 Best Banza Rice Recipes (From Fried Rice To Salads)

These best banza rice recipes are a fun change-up for your meals! Find your favorite recipes and unlock some essential tips for using this game-changing ingredient. 

When it comes to the world of kitchen staples, Banza chickpea rice has quickly become a star player. It isn’t just another type of rice–it’s a whole new way to think about your favorite meals. 

With its garbanzo bean nutrition, Banza rice adds a new flavor and texture that traditional rice just doesn’t have. Banza rice is easy to cook, too! Add your favorite spices for a quick side dish, or toss it in with some veggies for a tasty main course.

For more recipe inspiration for Banza rice dishes, we’ve got you covered! From stir-fry to soup, salads to pilafs, these dishes will surprise and delight you with their delicious flavors and versatility.

  • Cooking time. Banza rice has a unique cooking time. Follow package instructions.
  • Taste and texture. It has a nuttier taste and a firmer texture compared to regular rice.
  • No rinsing. No need to rinse before cooking as it contains less starch.
  • Liquid ratio. The water or broth needed may differ from regular rice. Follow package instructions.
  • Adjust seasonings. You might need to tweak seasonings due to their distinct flavor.
  • Versatility. It suits many dishes, but its unique flavor may not fit all recipes.
  • Storage. Store cooked Banza rice in the fridge for 3-5 days or freezer for up to a month.
  • Recipe conversion. Due to its filling nature, you may need less Banza rice in a recipe.

Best Banza Rice Recipes

This Banza rice recipe is bursting with flavor from aromatic herbs, sauteed onions, and wholesome veggies. It’s a unique twist on the classic favorite, with banza rice, a great option for rice, as its star ingredient. 

Ingredients include: Ghee, Banza rice, onion, celery, and garlic cloves.

This recipe features a classic Greek salad’s vibrant colors and fresh ingredients. The chickpea rice makes it so good, and the Greek dressing adds a Mediterranean flavor. It’s a great meal prep salad that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner. 

Ingredients include: Banza chickpea rice, Greek dressing, Kalamata olives, feta, and lemon juice.

This dish highlights the use of Banza chickpea rice, which is a high-protein alternative to traditional white or brown rice. The rice is cooked in a flavorful chipotle tomato sauce and then topped with delectable toppings. 

Ingredients include: Chicken breast, salt, black beans, corn, and tomato.

This Spanish rice dish features toasted rice. Toasting the rice before cooking gives a nutty, almost toasty flavor that’s essential to the dish. The recipe also calls for sautéing the vegetables before adding the rice, creating a more flavorful dish.

Ingredients include: Banza chickpea rice, tomatoes, onion, corn kernels, and black beans.

This guilt-free twist on the classic Asian dish is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. This recipe uses day-old rice, which gives the fried rice a light and fluffy texture. The vegetables and protein can be customized to your liking.

Ingredients include: Chicken, carrots, onion, eggs, garlic, and green onions.

This casserole includes broccoli cooked until tender and combined with banza rice, cashews, almond milk, and spices. The mixture is then baked until golden brown and bubbly and garnished with fresh basil. It’s rich and flavorful, ye light and healthy. 

Ingredients include: Cashews, onion, almond milk, olive oil, and turmeric.

This Mediterranean Banza Bowl stands out for its combination of flavors and textures. The chickpeas, quinoa, and avocado provide a hearty base, while the fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and lemon-tahini dressing add fresh notes and bright and tangy flavor to the bowl. 

Ingredients include: Lemon juice, cucumber, bell pepper, chicken, and hummus.

Summer Corn Risotto is an excellent summer meal! The corn is cooked in stock until tender, then the delicious rice is added and cooked until it’s creamy. The risotto is finished with Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients include: Butter, shallot, banza rice, white wine, and heavy cream.

This salad takes 30 minutes from start to finish. It combines tender banza rice pasta and fresh veggies, all tossed in a zesty lemon vinaigrette dressing. Just make sure to refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. 

Ingredients include: Banza rice pasta, English cucumber, grape tomatoes, goat cheese, and red onion.

This hearty Chicken & Rice Soup stands out as it’s made in a slow cooker, meaning you simply set it and forget it, and the soup will be ready after 6 hours. This makes it a great recipe for beginners or anyone who wants a fuss-free meal.

Ingredients include: Onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, and Banza rice.

Banza Chickpea Rice Tacos are not your typical tacos–they’re a healthy take on the traditional favorite! Simply cook the Banza rice according to the package directions, then add your favorite taco toppings, and you’re done. 

Ingredients include: Banza chickpea rice, black beans, cabbage, tomato, and coconut milk.

Fun fact: The name “Banza” is a reference to the sound that chickpeas make when they are cooked.

This recipe uses Banza chickpea rice in place of traditional rice. The peppers are packed with flavor thanks to the combo of ground beef, veggies, and spices. And because it’s a one-pan meal, it’s easy to cook and clean up.

Ingredients include: Bell peppers, olive oil, ground turkey, garlic, and feta.

This plant-based twist on the classic dish combines the perfect medley of colorful vegetables, savory vegan “pork,” and aromatic seasonings. It features creative chickpea rice as a base, which adds a depth of flavor to the fried rice. 

Ingredients include: Banza chickpea rice, avocado oil, onion, bell pepper, and collard greens.

This recipe for vegan risotto is made with Banza’s chickpea rice, saffron, and various herbs and spices. The saffron adds a luxurious taste, and you only need one pot to cook everything together. 

Ingredients include: Banza rice, water, serrano, walnuts, and saffron.

Made with chickpea rice, turkey, vegetables, and a creamy broth, this soup will warm you up from the inside out. The broth is made with chicken broth, but it can be easily made vegan using vegetable broth instead.

Ingredients include: Butter, onion, celery, carrots, black pepper, and cassava flour.

Laden with fresh notes, this orzo pasta salad is one of the best summer pasta salads! The Banza rice is cooked al dente, so it has a slightly chewy texture that contrasts nicely with the soft spinach and feta cheese. 

Ingredients include: Banza rice, baby spinach, feta, pine nuts, and olive oil.

This dish includes succulent scallops seared to perfection, served atop a bed of tasty Banza tropical rice, and drizzled with a sweet-spicy Guajillo mango sauce. It’s visually appealing, with the golden brown scallops and vibrant green sauce.

Ingredients include: Mango, guajillo chili peppers, cumin, scallops, and butter.

This Mushroom Rice Pilaf is light yet tasty! The key is to cook the rice and vegetables separately, then combine them at the end. This ensures that the rice is fluffy and the vegetables are tender. 

Ingredients include: Vegetable broth, sage, Banza rice, spinach, and mushrooms.

This Mushroom Bowl includes Banza plain rice, but the star of the show is the miso paste. The added ingredient provides a rich, umami flavor that makes the bowl stand out. It also calls for a few ingredients, most of which are pantry staples. 

Ingredients include: Banza plain rice, salt, mushrooms, kale, and miso paste.

How To Store Banza Rice (The Best Method)

The best storage location for Banza rice is in a cool, dry, and dark place. To ensure best quality, follow these step-by-step instructions for storing Banza rice:

  • Use an airtight container to store Banza rice.
  • Clean and dry the container before use.
  • Transfer the rice to the container if it’s open or if you prefer a new one.
  • Fill the container with Banza rice, leaving some space at the top.
  • Seal the container tightly to keep air and moisture out.
  • Label the container with the storage date, if desired.
  • Store the container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity.

The bottom line

Banza rice is a chickpea-based grain that is quickly gaining popularity among home cooks.  With its unique flavor, versatility, and ease of use, it’s no wonder people can’t get enough. 

The beloved pantry staple can be used in place of traditional rice in any recipe, or it can be used to create new and exciting dishes. For example, you can create a simple Banza Rice Greek Salad among this list of delicious recipes, or get creative and make Scallops On Banza Tropical Rice.

No matter how you choose to use it, Banza Rice may soon become a staple in your kitchen.

More About Rice

19 Best Banza Rice Recipes

19 Best Banza Rice Recipes

These best banza rice recipes are a fun change-up for your meals, featuring soups, salads, casseroles, and more!

Ingredients

  • Banza Rice Pilaf
  • Banza Rice Greek Salad
  • Banza Tomato Chipotle Rice
  • Spanish Rice
  • Fried Rice
  • Broccoli Rice Casserole
  • Mediterranean Banza Bowl
  • Summer Corn Risotto
  • Greek Orzo Salad
  • Chicken & Rice Soup
  • Banza Chickpea Rice Tacos
  • Banza Rice Stuffed Peppers
  • Pork Fried Rice
  • One Pot Garlic-Saffron ‘Risotto’
  • Turkey & Rice Soup
  • Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad
  • Scallops On Banza Tropical Rice
  • Mushroom Rice Pilaf
  • Mushroom Bowl

Instructions

  1. Take a look at our Banza Rice Recipes list!
  2. Add your own flair to make it a new dish.
  3. Woohoo! You created a home-cooked meal!
  4. Love this list? Be sure to share it on your socials!

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