Cooking paella rice isn’t something we do every day! But when we do it, we do it right! Gathered all the ingredients like chicken, saffron, vegetables, and seafood! But wait, did you fail to find paella rice? Not a big deal because I’ve come up with some amazing paella rice substitutes.
Calasparra rice, arborio rice, short grain rice, basmati rice, sticky rice, and jasmine rice are some of the best paella rice substitutes. If you cannot have paella rice, get any of these rice. I’m sure these paella rice substitutes won’t disappoint you.
Most rice dishes are associated with Asian cuisines, but paella rice is a Spanish dish. This is a staple dish in Spain and is cooked in a frying pan over the fire. The rice used for making this dish is commonly known as Bomba rice.
Paella rice is a little hard to cook and needs a lot of time and attention. If you are not living in Spain, getting paella rice could be a little hard! If that’s the case, just try a substitute.
The rice used for cooking paella rice is short grain and absorbs a great amount of water. So it is rice with a lot of flavors. But in its absence, let’s talk about some amazing paella rice substitutes.
14 Best Paella Rice Substitutes
Getting the paella rice variant could be a little hard sometimes. However, if there is a will, there’s a way! Here is a list of paella rice substitutes that you can try.
1. Calasparra Rice
Just like paella rice, Calasparra rice is short grain and tastes similar to that paella rice. So if you cannot find paella rice, you can use Calasparra rice as a paella rice substitute.
Calasparra rice is a common rice variant in Spain and has the capacity to absorb a lot of water. So if you crave a bowl of creamy rice, go for Calasparra rice if you cannot find paella rice.
2. Arborio Rice
Arborio rice is an Italian rice variant. Just like paella rice, it has a high absorbing property and produces very creamy rice with a strong flavor. So arborio rice performs well as a paella rice substitute.
Arborio rice is also short grain rice and is named after its city of origin, Arborio. This rice variant has a high starch content and is commonly used for making risotto.
So having arborio rice serves you two purposes – using it as a paella rice alternative and cooking some risotto.
3. Short Grain Rice
Both of the above-stated paella rice substitutes might be hard to come. But short-grain rice is one of the most widely available paella rice substitutes. Commonly known as sushi rice, this short-grain rice is ideal for cooking paella rice.
However, one shortcoming of short-grain rice is its different texture. Sushi rice is more sticky than the paella rice variant.
However, sushi rice absorbs flavor similar to paella rice. So if you don’t mind the sticky rice, short-grain rice could be an ideal paella rice substitute.
4. Basmati Rice
If you are not a big fan of short rice but still want to enjoy paella rice, try Basmati rice. Basmati rice is a long-grain rice native to South Asia. It is widely available and can be cooked similarly to paella rice.
However, when compared to paella rice, basmati rice has a slight taste difference. Basmati rice is sweeter than paella rice. But it reproduces the dish’s flavor very well, making it a great paella rice substitute.
5. Sticky Rice
Have you been avoiding paella rice because you are gluten intolerant? Well, in that case, sticky rice is the ideal paella rice substitute for you. Known for its texture, this rice is popular in South Asian countries.
Sticky rice, just like basmati rice, is slightly sweet in nature. However, it very well compliments the flavor of paella rice. However, sticky rice has shooter grain similar to paella rice and can be cooked similarly.
6. Brown Rice
If you are a little health conscious, use brown rice as a paella rice substitute. Brown rice comes in both medium and long forms. Medium brown rice would be an ideal substitute.
Even though the taste will be similar, paella rice and brown rice are very different in their texture. Brown rice is on the firmer side and takes a longer time to cook. So if you are in a hurry, go for another variant like sticky rice which only needs a little time to cook!
7. Parboiled Rice
This rice is another healthy paella rice substitute. Parboiled rice is similar to that brown rice and is often used as a paella rice substitute. However, parboiled rice won’t produce the creamy texture of paella rice.
Moreover, parboiled rice has a distinct taste of its own! So even if you use the same ingredients, the dish’s overall taste will be slightly different from the original taste of the paella dish.
8. Jasmine Rice
With its very similar flavor and texture, jasmine rice is another popular paella rice substitute. Jasmine rice is a long-grain rice and is indigenous to Thailand. It is often eaten along with curries.
However, if you cook it properly, it very well reproduces the same airy texture and flavor as that of paella rice. Jasmine rice might not look like paella rice. However, if you taste it, you wouldn’t find much difference between the two!
9. Calrose Rice
Calrose rice is a California rice variant. It comes in medium size. It’s not as short as paella rice and is as long as jasmine rice. However, when cooked well, it perfectly suits as a paella rice substitute.
Calrose rose when cooked and became slightly sticky! So if you are someone who adores the sticky nature of rice, calrose rice could be a perfect fit for you. Not just in texture, calrose is slightly distinct from paella rice in its flavor.
Regardless of all of these, calrose rice, when used as a paella rice substitute, works really well in most dishes.
10. Long Grain Rice
If you cannot find any of these substitutes, go for long-grain rice. Long-grain rice has a slightly different texture from that of paella rice. However, if you cook it properly, long-grain rice can be used as a paella rice substitute.
Short-grain rice will be a much better option. However, it could be a little hard to find. So if you only have long-grain rice with you, cook it in such a way that the rice is tender yet chewy. So when you add another ingredient, it won’t turn all mushy!
11. Orzo
Amazed to see a pasta variant as a rice substitute? If you are someone who loves Italian cuisine, you might have some orzo at your house! In that case, use orzo as a paella rice substitute.
Orzo has a grain-like structure and goes very well with the flavors used for paella rice. Moreover, orzo would be slightly sticky and soft, similar to paella rice. So if you are up for an experiment, try cooking dishes that use paella rice with orzo.
12. Couscous
Prepared from wheat and semolina, this pasta variety is a staple in North American cuisines. Couscous has a high absorbing capacity and can be cooked within a minute. So if you want to have a rice variant with pasta, try couscous.
13. Black Rice
If you are not concerned about your dish’s appearance, you can try black rice as a paella rice substitute. When cooked, this rice variety will have a fluffy and sticky texture and reproduce the flavor of paella rice very well.
Irrespective of its name, black rice comes in different colors, including blue and purple. Above all, it is extremely nutritious. Commonly known as “Emperor’s rice, this substitute can be widely seen in Chinese cuisines.
So if you are ready to give a makeover to your regular bowl of paella dishes, try using black rice as a paella rice substitute.
14. Koshihikari Rice
Commonly found in Japan, this rice variant has a similar size and texture as paella rice and hence can be used as a paella rice substitute. With a touch of sweetness, koshihikari rice has a very mild flavor.
However, when cooked, it will have a similar texture as that of paella rice; hence, if you can find it, use it as a substitute!
Short Recap Of Paella Rice Substitutes
After going through the list of paella rice substitutes, I’m sure you must have chosen one for yourself. However, if you are still perplexed regarding what to choose from these, let me further break it down.
Best Easily Available Paella Rice Substitutes–
- Basmati Rice
- Sticky Rice
Most Suitable Paella Rice Substitutes–
- Calasparra Rice
- Jasmine Rice
Substitute Options To Consider Last–
- Brown Rice
How To Use Paella Rice Substitutes In A Recipe
14 Best Paella Rice Substitutes You Should Try!
Ingredients
- Calasparra Rice
- Arborio Rice
- Short Grain Rice
- Basmati Rice
- Sticky Rice
- Brown Rice
- Parboiled Rice
- Jasmine Rice
- Calrose Rice
- Long Grain Rice
- Orzo Couscous
- Black Rice
- Koshihikari Rice
Instructions
- Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
- Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
- Use the substitute in the required amount and proceed to make the dish according to the recipe.
Conclusion
Paella rice is a great grain variant to be used in different dishes. If you are someone who adores Spanish cuisine, then paella rice must be something you love. However, don’t be discouraged if you are ever out of paella rice!
Many other alternatives work well as a paella rice substitute. Consider the above description thoroughly and choose the one appropriate for your recipe! Adios…
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What rice is the same as paella rice?
Calasparra rice, arborio rice, short grain rice, basmati rice, sticky rice, and jasmine rice are some of the best paella rice substitutes.
Can I use normal rice instead of paella rice?
Yes. If you don’t have any other paella rice substitute, you can use normal rice as a paella rice substitute.
Is there a special rice for paella?
Yes. Usually, bomba rice is used for cooking paella.
Is Basmati rice OK for paella?
Yes. Basmati rice works great as a paella rice substitute
Why is paella rice so expensive?
Paella rice requires so many ingredients, making it little expensive.
