25 Best Sauces For Rice: A Global Flavor Adventure

These sauces for rice showcase a range of global flavors, from umami-packed teriyaki to fresh raita! Find your favorite among our recommended choices and make one at home. 

Across the world, rice is more than just a side dish–it’s a canvas, ready to soak up flavors and aromas. 

Rice’s popularity doesn’t lie in the grain itself, but rather in its remarkable ability to absorb and enhance the flavors of the sauces and seasonings, it’s paired with. Think of it as a song that sounds nicer when different musical notes blend.

The food staple tastes best when you have the perfect sauce to go with it. If you’re here to find the yummiest sauce for your rice dish, we’ve made this epic list of sauces for rice just for you.

Top 5 Picks

No time to lose? Let’s make it quick. Here are the faves:

1. #2 Teriyaki sauce is a straightforward recipe that even a beginner cook can follow.
2. #9 Tzatziki offers a combo of creamy, tangy, and herbaceous flavors for your rice dish. 
3. #17 Tamarind Sauce takes just five minutes, ideal for a speedy and tasty condiment.
4. #23 Peri-Peri Sauce has a complex flavor that’s both sweet, tangy, and smoky. 
5. The smooth, creamy consistency of #25 Hollandaise Sauce makes it a great pair for rice.

Best Sauces For Rice

1. Buffalo Sauce

Buffalo sauce is a blend of hot sauce, butter, and vinegar. Rice is a neutral-tasting grain that can absorb flavors well, making it the perfect base for the bold flavors of buffalo sauce.

2. Teriyaki Sauce

This teriyaki sauce has a blend of sweet and savory flavors with a hint of ginger. The rich soy sauce base provides a delectable contrast to the neutral canvas of rice, while the ginger adds a touch of heat.

3. Sweet & Sour Sauce

This sauce features a sweet and sour flavor and a slightly thickened consistency. The sauce’s vibrant colors and ability to coat the rice grains enhance the visual appeal while adding a satisfying, rich note.

4. Hoisin Sauce

This Hoisin Sauce recipe is made from soy sauce, which is naturally sweet. When this special sauce is added to rice, the sweet flavor of the sauce and the rice complement each other well.

5. Bearnaise Sauce

Bearnaise sauce is an emulsion of egg yolks, butter, and vinegar. This velvety sauce’s luxurious texture coats each grain, transforming a humble staple into a decadent delight.

6. Coconut Curry Sauce

Coconut curry sauce blends with rice because both have a similar consistency. The water in the sauce dissolves the starches in the rice, which allows the flavors of the sauce to be absorbed by the grains

7. Sambal Oelek

This fiery Indonesian chili paste blends well with rice due to its bold flavors and versatile nature. The chili peppers in this sambal oelek are high in oil, which helps to bind the paste to the rice.

8. Tahini Sauce

Tahini Sauce creates a harmonious partnership with rice. Its creamy texture and nutty flavor beautifully complement the neutral taste of rice, infusing each grain with a luscious depth.

9. Tzatziki

Tzatziki is a creamy, refreshing dip made with yogurt, cucumber, and herbs. The cool, creamy texture of tzatziki complements the light, fluffy texture of rice, making them a perfect pairing.

10. Pesto

The highlight of this pesto recipe is the use of fresh basil. The sauce’s bold flavors infuse the rice with a burst of herbal and nutty notes, creating a delightful contrast and balance.

11. Chimichurri

This Brazilian-inspired chimichurri recipe is bright, herbaceous, and slightly spicy. The oil in chimichurri helps to coat the rice grains, while the herbs and spices add flavor and complexity.

12. Enchilada Sauce

The savory notes of the enchilada sauce, with its blend of spices and tangy tomato base, pair well with the mild, comforting taste of rice. The moisture from the sauce helps to keep the rice moist and fluffy.

13. Thai Peanut Sauce

This Thai peanut sauce blends with rice as they have a neutral flavor profile and a slightly grainy texture. The peanut butter helps to bind the rice together, while the rice helps to thicken the sauce.

14. Béchamel Sauce

Béchamel sauce is made by cooking a roux, which is a mixture of butter and flour. The roux is cooked until light brown, then milk is whisked in gradually until the sauce is smooth and thickened.

15. Honey BBQ Sauce

Honey BBQ Sauce is a harmony of sweet and tangy flavors, making it an ideal companion for rice. The sauce’s viscosity helps to coat the rice grains, making them more moist and palatable.

For a spicier version, consider these homemade Spicy BBQ sauce recipes.

16. Gochujang Sauce

Gochujang sauce blends with rice because the sauce’s sticky texture and umami flavor complement the rice’s light and fluffy texture. The sauce also adds a subtle heat to the rice, making it more flavorful and interesting.

17. Tamarind Sauce

Tamarind sauce’s irresistible blend of tangy and sweet flavors makes it a perfect companion for rice. The sauce also helps to bind the rice together, making it more cohesive and easier to eat.

18. Mole

Mole blends beautifully with rice due to its complex flavor profile and versatile nature. The chili peppers give the sauce its heat, while the nuts and seeds add a rich flavor.

19. Chili Garlic Sauce

Chili Garlic Sauce is a tasty combo of fiery heat and robust garlic flavor. The spicy kick makes the rice exciting, and the garlic flavor gives it a yummy and savory twist.

20. Alfredo Sauce

Mole blends beautifully with rice due to its complex flavor profile and versatile nature. The rice also helps to thicken the sauce and make it more cohesive.

21. Raita

Raita is a refreshing yogurt-based condiment often served with rice dishes. The yogurt provides a sour and cooling flavor, while the herbs add savory flavors that make the rice dish even better.

22. Garlic Butter Sauce

Garlic Butter Sauce is a delectable combination of rich, velvety butter and aromatic garlic that effortlessly complements rice. The garlic flavor also infuses the rice, giving it a rich and savory taste.

23. Peri-Peri Sauce

Peri-Peri sauce, with its bold blend of fiery spices and tangy flavors, creates a perfect harmony when paired with rice. The chili peppers add heat and complexity, while the garlic adds depth and umami.

24. Mango Chutney

This slightly chunky mango chutney is a tasty blend of mangoes, vinegar, and spices. The sweet flavor of the mango chutney helps to balance out the savory flavor and soft, fluffy texture of the rice.

25. Hollandaise Sauce

Hollandaise sauce is an emulsion of egg yolks and butter, which are both naturally fatty. The fat in the sauce helps to bind to the starch in the rice, creating a smooth and creamy consistency.

The bottom line

Here are some of the best sauces for rice that you can easily make in the comfort of your home. The sauce that suits you best depends on what you like and the dish you’re serving. Feel free to get creative and try different combinations until you discover the perfect match of rice and sauce.