Charleston Red Rice
Charleston Red Rice is a flavorful Southern dish with seasoned rice, crispy bacon, and a zesty tomato sauce, perfect for hearty family meals or gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook rice in 6 cups salted boiling water until light and fluffy, not soft and sticky.
- Fry bacon slices until brown and crisp.
- Saute chopped onions in 4 tablespoons of bacon fat until clear.
- Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce to the onions and cook slowly for 10 minutes.
- Place the cooked rice in a buttered baking dish.
- Stir all seasonings and the tomato mixture into the rice.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 325°F for 45 minutes.
- Crumble bacon over the top before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a more robust flavor, consider adding diced bell peppers or celery when sautéing the onions. You can substitute the bacon with turkey bacon for a lighter option. If you prefer a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use olive oil for sautéing and vegetable broth instead of water for cooking the rice.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Charleston Red Rice as a main dish or as a side to grilled meats, particularly pork recipes or fried chicken. It pairs beautifully with Ham Creole for a hearty meal. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or green onions for added flavor and color.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the rice in a baking dish, add a splash of water, cover with foil, and heat in a preheated oven at 350°F until warmed through. Alternatively, you can microwave individual portions.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Charleston Red Rice contains roughly 225 calories, with 6g protein, 46g carbohydrates, and 4g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (51% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (23% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and potassium. It also contributes 7g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice instead of long grain rice?
Yes, you can use brown rice, but keep in mind that it requires a longer cooking time and more water. Adjust the boiling water to about 7-8 cups and cook until tender, following the same method.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add more heat, increase the amount of red hot pepper sauce or include diced jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes in the tomato mixture. Adjust to your taste preference for heat.
Can I prepare this dish in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the rice and the tomato mixture ahead of time. Combine them and store in the fridge overnight. When ready to serve, simply bake in the oven as directed to heat through.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).