South African Yellow Rice Recipe (Geel Rys)

yellow rice
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure for more information.

How To Make Delicious Yellow Rice

Yellow rice is white rice, with added spices like turmeric or saffron. (Salt, butter, sugar, and cinnamon are added for extra flavor.)

For the South African version of Yellow Rice, (also known as geel rys), raisins are also added for color and flavor.

Whether you’re doing white or yellow rice, rice is generally a good source of minerals because it includes iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus,  zinc, and sodium. As a side dish, rice will go with almost anything that you serve it with. It’s extremely versatile—there are tons of different recipe variations you can create. 

This rice recipe is also quite versatile. It goes particularly well with Bobotie – a traditional South African dish. It’s also very good with spicy foods. If you are adding raisins, the sweetness of the raisins blends really well with spicy curries for a sweet and spicy flavor.

South African Yellow Rice (Geel Rys)

Prep Time: 5mins | Cook Time: 10-15mins | Servings: 4-6 | Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients

4 cups water
2 1⁄2 cups long-grain rice
2 teaspoon turmeric
1 cinnamon stick (optional)
1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 -2 tablespoon sugar
11⁄2 salt
1 cup raisins
3 tablespoons butter
bay leaf (optional)

How to Cook
  1. Add all the ingredients, except the butter, to a pot and bring it to a boil.
  2. Reduce the heat to low, put the lid on, and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and dry. If you like your rice softer, add more water.
  3. Remove your pot from the heat and set it aside, covered, for another 5-10 minutes.
  4. If you were using a cinnamon stick, discard it.
  5. Add the butter, and fluff the rice with a fork.
  6. Serve hot.
LOVE THIS POST? SHARE IT...
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest

TAGS:

RELATED POSTS

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.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

About The Author

Hi. We’re the Chelten’s. We visit South Africa 1-2 times per year, so we want to share our experiences with you so that you may make educated decisions when you plan your next trip to the rainbow nation.

Free Recipe eBooks
Want to have your business or product featured?

We’re always looking for awesome places, products, travel accessories, or anything else that promotes the rich and colorful culture of South Africa.
Contact Us

Recipe Categories
Most Watched
South African Goodies
Caffeine Free Organic Red Rooibos Tea Bags 40 - Naturally Sweet Herbal Tea Safe for Children and Pregnant Women - Low Tannin, Premium Rooibos Tea Sustainably and Ethically Farmed in South Africa
  • ❤️ SWEET AND HEALTHY - Rooibos tea has a mildly sweet flavor but it's sugar-free and calorie-free. Perfect for those who are watching what they...
  • ❤️ PREMIUM QUALITY ORGANIC TEA - We give our assurance that Rooibos Rocks Red Rooibos Tea is high-quality. Each of our biodegradable rooibos tea...
  • ❤️ SUSTAINABLY AND ETHICALLY GROWN - Our red tea from South Africa is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, which is verified by our USDA...
  • ❤️ DELICIOUS HOT OR COLD - Whether you want your tea cold or hot, our caffeine free rooibos tea is delicious no matter what. It can be a thirst...
  • ❤️ EASY-TO-PREPARE ROOIBOS TEA - Packaged in handy tagless tea bags (2 stay-fresh foil pouches of 20). Drop one in your cup, mug or tea pot (1...
Nando's Hot Spicy Mayo PERinaise - Flavored Mayonnaise Spread & Dressing - Gluten Free - 8.6 fl oz (3 Pack)
  • HOT PERinaise - Packed with flavor and just the right amount of heat, Hot PERinaise blended with mayo turns any meal into a fiery treat
  • PERFECT CONDIMENT - The tase of fiery perfection...Create a spicy dip for chips, tortillas, and crisps, or indulge in its creamy, rich texture on...
  • THE PERi-OMETER - To help choose your heat before you eat! Hot PERinaise made for the spicy hot connoisseurs with HOT heat that's highly combustible,...
  • PERi-PERi PERinaise - Spicy and delicious alternative to plain mayonnaise, Gluten-free aioli made with cage-free eggs and no added MSG, artificial...
  • PERi-FARMS INITIATIVE - Every Nando's PERi-PERi sauce, basting or marinade contains chilies that are grown at PERi-Farms in Southern Africa promoting...
Biltong Depot - Natural Droewors (1 lb) 16oz South African Droewors Beef Sausage Sticks Keto and Paleo Certified Air-Dried Sausages - Whole 30 Approved, No Sugar, Gluten Free, No Nitrates - Healthy and Natural Snacks
  • Authentic South African Taste- Enjoy a traditional South African favorite! Our traditional Droewors is spiced with delicious flavors including...
  • Paleo and Keto Approved- You can’t go wrong with adding more protein in your diet, and what better way of getting that than with a savory indulgent...
  • All Natural- Our mouthwatering Droewors isn’t just delicious, it is also made with all natural and simple ingredients! Zero nitrates, zero MSG, zero...
  • More than just a Snack- Our Droewors gives a unique touch to traditional charcuterie boards! Pair it with your favorite wine, beer or spirit! Enjoy it...
  • Sharing is Caring- Our traditional Droewors is a total crowd pleaser! Gift our Droewors to your South African friends or convert your Slim Jim lovers!...
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @YEBOSOUTHAFRICA