• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Bread
    • Dessert
    • Dinner
    • Instant Pot & Slow Cooker
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks & Drinks
    • Soup & Chili
    • Sunday Dinners
    • Tips & Tutorials
  • About Us
  • Contact

Borrowed Bites logo

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Published: Jul 7, 2021 by Danielle · This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our privacy policy.

    Orange Rice (Citrus Rice with Cranberries)

    • Facebook
    Jump to Recipe
    Rice in serving bowl with graphic overlay.
    Orange Cranberry Rice with graphic overlay.

    This best ever Orange Rice recipe is moist, flavorful, and super easy to make in the Instant Pot or on the stove. It's a simple citrus rice with cranberries, green onions, fresh orange juice, and zest. Get ready to fall in love with your new favorite rice pilaf recipe!

    White rice made with orange juice and cranberries in white bowl.
    This Orange Rice is an easy side dish made with orange juice, cranberries, and green onions for tons of flavor!
    Skip to:
    • 🥇 Why It’s Great!
    • 🍊Ingredients
    • 🔪 How to make Orange Rice (Citrus Rice with Cranberries)
    • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For a crowd
    • 🙋 Questions and Answers
    • 📖 What to serve with orange rice
    • 👨🏼‍🍳 Tips & Tricks
    • 👋 Connect with us!
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Do me a favor. Grab your menu plan for next week and add this Orange Rice recipe to any night of the week. It’s sooooo delicious!

    We've always enjoyed flavorful rice pilaf recipes, like this Pineapple Lime Rice, Easy Cilantro Lime Rice, or a host of other Instant Pot Rice Pilaf recipes. But something about orange rice is extra special. It has easily become my favorite rice to make and serve to others.

    We have looked for the original inspiration for this recipe but just can’t find it. About 10 years ago we typed it out on a Word document and stuck it in our recipe binder. It's been called orange rice, citrus rice, and cranberry rice over the years, but no matter the name it's truly a family favorite!

    🥇 Why It’s Great!

    • It doesn't break the budget and you probably have most of the ingredients on hand already.
    • It can be made in the Instant Pot (affiliate) or on the stove for an easy weeknight side dish.
    • It can be frozen and reheated perfectly, using this guide on how to freeze cooked rice and reheat it.
    • Because it is cost-effective and can be frozen ahead of time, this rice makes an excellent crowd pleaser.
    • The flavors are subtle, yet bright. It compliments almost any fall or holiday seasonal menu, so you have a lot of serving options.

    🍊Ingredients

    Ingredients for making citrus cranberry rice on counter.
    Use fresh orange juice, orange zest, and dried cranberries to add the most flavor. You can use basmati rice, jasmine rice, or another long-grain variety.

    A full list of the ingredients for orange rice is in the recipe card below, but here are a few noteworthy tips:

    Rice: Basmati, jasmine, or another long-grain white rice work best.
    Oranges: You will need both the zest and the orange juice. Fresh juice is best, but you can also use high-quality store bought juice if needed.
    Dried Cranberries: We use dried cranberries, but make sure they aren't rock hard. You want them to be soft and chewy still.
    Green Onions: A fresh punch of flavor added at the very end. Don't skip this one, I promise it's worth it!

    🔪 How to make Orange Rice (Citrus Rice with Cranberries)

    This can be boiled down to five easy steps. I think it's easiest to make it in the Instant Pot (affiliate), but it can also be made in a pot on the stove.

    1. Saute the onion and butter in the Instant Pot or in a pot on the stove.
    2. Stir in the rice and toast for 1-2 minutes.
    3. Add the chicken broth, orange juice, orange zest, bay leaves, and salt. Cook the rice on the rice setting in the Instant Pot or on the stove for about 20 minutes.
    4. Add cranberries and allow to steam for 5 minutes. Finally, sprinkle on the green onions and fluff with a fork. Enjoy!
    Five steps showing how to make orange rice in an instant pot.
    Citrus rice is easiest to make in the Instant Pot, but can also be made on the stove.

    👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For a crowd

    Because this rice freezes and reheats so beautifully, it is a no-brainer side when you’re serving a crowd. Serve the day of making, or follow the freezing instructions in the FAQ section and reheat the day of serving. This is great for dinner parties, holiday menus, or even as a Thanksgiving rice pilaf.

    **Note: The size of your Instant Pot or pot on the stove may only hold 1-2 recipes. My 6 quart Instant Pot (affiliate) can hold a double recipe. If you need more, make separate batches.

    Overhead view of bowl of citrus rice with spoon on left side of bowl.
    This recipe would also be considered a cranberry rice pilaf and is perfect for fall, holiday season, and even Thanksgiving!

    🙋 Questions and Answers

    What kind of oranges should I use for orange juice in rice?

    Valencia oranges are very juicy, and so are navel oranges. The key is to look for oranges with a thin peel that smell fragrant (thick peels usually mean dry, bland oranges).

    What happens if you cook rice with juice?

    Using orange juice to cook rice adds extra flavor. You can't use only juice as it will become too concentrated. Instead, a mixture of broth and juice is perfect for cooking rice pilaf recipes.

    Can I make Orange Cranberry Rice ahead?

    Yes, definitely. You can make it and leave it covered on the stove for up to an hour before dinner. Or make it in a large batch and freeze ahead for a crowd. Or you can double the recipe and freeze half for the next time you need a hands-free side.

    Can I freeze cooked rice?

    This citrus rice with cranberries freezes beautifully. Once it is fully cooled, spread on a sheet pan and freeze. Then store in a zipper bag or disposable pan. For a full guide, read this post on How to Freeze Cooked Rice.

    Super close view of orange rice with cranberries and green onions mixed in.
    So moist and tender! What more could you want from rice pilaf?

    📖 What to serve with orange rice

    • If you haven’t tried this Mind-Blowing Maple Glazed Pork Tenderloin, now is your chance. It is the perfect main dish to complement citrus rice. 
    • Skillet chickens, like this Easy Apricot Chicken, go great with cranberry rice.
    • For another side, this Autumn Chopped Salad combines succulent pears, salty bacon, tart cranberries, sharp cheese, and crunchy pecans with a sweet balsamic dressing on a bed of romaine. WOW!
    • For dessert, these Apple Pie Biscuits are coated in brown sugar & cinnamon, then baked with an easy apple pie filling. Sticky, gooey, and delicious!

    👨🏼‍🍳 Tips & Tricks

    • Zest the oranges before juicing them.. because zesting a squeezed orange will make a person crazy (speaking from personal experience). My favorite tool for this is a microplane/zester (affiliate).
    • Allow the raw rice to toast in the butter for a few minutes before adding the liquids. This helps keep the granules separated - no sticky, clumpy rice here! 
    • When fluffing the rice, use a fork instead of a spoon. Spoons tend to smash the rice, but a fork will keep it fluffy.   
    • If your cranberries are old they will stay too hard in the rice. Use dried cranberries that are still moist. 
    Citrus rice with cranberries and orange slices in the background.
    Serve Orange Rice (Citrus Rice with Cranberries) with pork tenderloin, skillet chicken, or seasoned steak.

    👋 Connect with us!

    If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below to let us know how it is! We’d also love to connect with you on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. Tag @borrowedbites or hashtag #borrowedbites to show us your food! To get our new recipes straight to your email, subscribe to our newsletter.

    📋 Recipe

    Orange rice with cranberries and scallions in white bowl on top of red and gray napkins.

    Orange Rice (Citrus Rice with Cranberries)

    This best ever Orange Rice recipe is moist, flavorful, and super easy to make in the Instant Pot or on the stove. It's a simple citrus rice with cranberries, green onions, fresh orange juice, and zest. Get ready to fall in love with your new favorite rice pilaf recipe!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 278kcal
    Author: Borrowed Bites

    Ingredients

    • 3 tablespoon butter
    • ½ onion diced
    • 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice (basmati, jasmine, or other variety)
    • 1 orange zested
    • 1 ½ cups chicken broth 1 ¾ cups for stovetop method
    • ½ cup orange juice
    • 2 bay leaves
    • ¾ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup dried cranberries diced
    • 3 green onions chopped
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Instant Pot Instructions

    • Select "saute" option. Once pot is very hot, melt butter and saute onions for 3-5 minutes until onions are translucent.
    • Add rice and toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring well to coat every grain with butter.
    • Add orange juice, chicken broth, salt, bay leaves, and orange zest. Seal the Instant Pot and press "rice."
    • Once Instant Pot beeps to indicate it is finished, allow it to naturally release for 10 minutes (do NOT release the steam yet). After 10 minutes, release the steam and open the lid. Add cranberries. Cover with the lid and let sit for 5 minutes.
    • Remove lid. Add green onions and fluff with a fork. Serve warm.

    Stovetop Instructions

    • Heat a medium saucepan on medium-high heat. Once hot, melt butter and saute onions for 3-5 minutes until onions are translucent.
    • Add rice and toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring well to coat every grain with butter.
    • While rice is toasting, microwave juice and 1 ¾ cups stock until hot. Add hot liquids, salt, bay leaves, and orange zest to pot. Cover immediately and cook on low heat for 20 minutes (should simmer softly).
    • Once finished cooking add cranberries and allow to sit with lid on for 5 minutes. Remove lid. Add green onions and fluff with fork. Serve warm.

    Notes

    Tips & Tricks
    • Zest the oranges before juicing them.. because zesting a squeezed orange will make a person crazy (speaking from personal experience).
    • Allow the raw rice to toast in the butter for a few minutes before adding the liquids. This helps keep the granules separated - no sticky, clumpy rice here! 
    • When fluffing the rice, use a fork instead of a spoon. Spoons tend to smash the rice, but a fork will keep it fluffy.   
    • If your cranberries are old they will stay too hard in the rice. Use dried cranberries that are still moist.
     
    How to Freeze and Reheat
    Make rice according to directions. Fluff onto a baking sheet and allow to cool fully. Freeze in storage container or disposable pan.
    For full recipe, reheat covered at 300°F for 30 minutes straight from frozen or 20 minutes if partially thawed. Fluff again and add fresh green onions. For a dinner-sized portion, sprinkle with a teaspoon or so of water, then cover with a paper towel. Microwave on full power until hot, stirring with a fork to keep the grains separate.

    Add Your Own Notes

    Click here to add your own private notes. They will only be visible to you. If you clear your browser's cache, they will be lost.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 278kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 560mg | Potassium: 211mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 325IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg

    All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.

    Tried this recipe?Leave a rating or pin it for later!

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • Yummy Loaded Baked Potato Casserole
    • Crispy Hasselback Potatoes (w/ Yukon Gold Potatoes)
    • How To Make Cornbread (Moist!)
    • Thick & Rich Canned Baked Beans
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a comment! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Sally says

      November 25, 2022 at 7:42 am

      5 stars
      I’ve made this recipe several times for family events and it always gets rave reviews! So good!

      Reply
      • Misty says

        November 25, 2022 at 9:54 pm

        So glad you enjoy it!

        Reply
    2. Aspen says

      September 21, 2021 at 10:41 am

      5 stars
      This is such a good fall and holidays recipe. So flavorful! And surprisingly simple. Rices like this always intimidate me, but this really isn’t hard for being so pretty and tasty.

      Reply
      • Danielle says

        September 25, 2021 at 11:51 am

        Thank you! So happy to hear you enjoyed it.

        Reply
    3. Nia Joy says

      September 08, 2021 at 6:24 am

      5 stars
      instead of orange juice (too sugary) I just squeezed out mandarin juice and dropped in the rest of the mandarin slices. I also used brown rice. Its my new favorite rice.

      Reply
      • Danielle says

        September 09, 2021 at 9:09 am

        Thank you so much for taking the time to give us your feedback! Mandarin sounds delicious!

        Reply
    4. YtheWait says

      November 04, 2020 at 11:41 pm

      Love your recipe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Reply
      • Misty says

        November 05, 2020 at 8:52 am

        Thanks, we're so glad you like it! It's my all time favorite rice recipe 🙂

        Reply
    5. Patricia G. says

      November 01, 2020 at 6:51 am

      5 stars
      I made this rice last night with the stovetop cooking method. I paired with a chicken and their roasted broccoli recipe. So easy and absolutely delicious! This reminds me of the perfect kind of rice for the upcoming holidays. I will definitely be making it again.

      Reply
      • Danielle says

        November 02, 2020 at 11:07 am

        Thanks for your feedback! It is always great to hear when our recipes are loved by others!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    circle profile picture of Danielle and Misty

    Hi! We are Danielle and Misty: a mom and daughter with a serious passion for seeking out the best recipes to serve again and again to those we love. With a mix of everyday favorites and indulgent weekend fare there is something here for you and yours as you develop your own family traditions.

    More about us →

    Easy Healthy Recipes

    • Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe
    • AMAZING Lemon Quinoa Salad with Feta
    • Honey Mustard Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables
    • Roasted Tomato Soup Recipe
    • Easy Maple Chicken (with Dijon Mustard)
    • Fresh Mango Habanero Salsa (Only 6 Ingredients!)
    • Perfect Baked Sweet Potatoes with Sweet and Savory Toppings
    • Greek Quinoa Salad Bowl

    Side Dish Recipes

    • Perfect Roasted Corn (w/ frozen corn)
    • Crispy Hasselback Potatoes (w/ Yukon Gold Potatoes)
    • Easy Fruit Salad Dressing
    • How To Make Cornbread (Moist!)

    Cozy Comfort Food Recipes

    • Chicken Tortilla Soup
    • Easy Homemade Chicken Pot Pie
    • Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese (One Pot!)
    • Easy Green Enchiladas with Honey Lime Chicken
    • Jiffy Jalapeno Cornbread
    • Electric Skillet Lemon Chicken
    • EASY Carroll Shelby Chili (w/ options for a crowd)
    • Pot Roast Seasoning (2 ingredients!)

    Popular Recipes

    • Easy 4-Ingredient Potato Soup (Slow Cooker or Stovetop)
    • Honey Mustard Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables
    • What to Eat with Tzatziki (20 Ideas!)
    • 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Tri-Tip Roast
    • Crock Pot Chuck Roast (SO tender & easy!)
    • Easiest Rhodes Rolls (Frozen Dinner Rolls w/ Butter and Herbs)

    Trending on Pinterest

    • The Best Cast Iron Pan Pizza Recipe
    • Crusted Chicken Romano (Cheesecake Factory Copycat!)
    • Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes (In Muffin Tins)
    • Honey Mustard Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables
    • Italian Chopped Salad (with options for a crowd)
    • The Perfect Chocolate Bundt Cake, Every Single Time

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Social Media

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    About

    • Contact
    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy

    Copyright © Borrowed Bites 2021