14 Rice Side Dishes for Pork Tenderloin – Easy & Delicious Pairings

If you're cooking pork tenderloin for dinner, you might be looking for some easy and delicious side dishes that will pair well. Rice is always a great side dish option. While it offers little in the way of nutrients, other than fiber, it is a versatile ingredient. Before we get to the recipes, let's look at the nutritional value of rice and the types of rice available.

Classification and Nutritional Values of Rice

Most rices fall into one of two main categories: white rice and brown — or whole grain — rice. (There's also rough rice, but it's not as common.) White rice has been stripped of most of its nutrients, but offers a longer shelf-life and a more rich flavor. Brown rice, on the other hand, is still whole — or intact — which is why it is more nutritious than its white alternative. White rice can raise blood sugar because it has a higher glycemic index, while brown rice is higher in fiber and helps you feel fuller for longer.

Long Grain vs. Short Grain

You may have heard the term long-grain rice or short-grain rice and wondered what that means. There are actually three grain lengths — long, medium and short. The grain size refers to the shape of the rice as well as the length, and the size of the rice grain impacts the texture and, by proxy, the way in which you cook it and the recipes in which you use it.

• Long-grain rice — light and fluffy, 3-4 times as long as it is wide, often used in casseroles, stir-fries and bowls
• Medium-grain rice — chewy and slightly sticky in texture, shorter and thicker than long-grain, and most often used in dishes like risotto and paella
• Short-grain rice — soft, sticky texture, shorter in length than width, and most often used in sushi and poke bowls

Types of Rice

There are three classifications of rice and three sizes, but there are many more varieties based on aroma and flavor. For example:

• Arborio
• Basmati
• Jasmine
• Black
• Bomba

Rice Side Dishes to Pair With Pork Tenderloin

Now that we have the basics of rice, let's get cooking. Here are some great recipes that pair well with your pork tenderloin and that the family will love.

Garlic Butter Rice

This garlic butter rice has a rich flavor that will pair perfectly with your pork tenderloin. Made with rice, onions, garlic, chicken broth, and seasoning, it's a simple recipe with simple ingredients. It's easy to make and only takes about 30 minutes. First, cook the onions, then add the rice and seasonings with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer and cook for 25 mins.

Healthy Fried Rice

This healthy fried rice recipe is delicious and great to make if you have a bunch of random ingredients in your kitchen. That's the great thing about fried rice, it's very moldable, and you can usually use any extra ingredients you have to make this dish. Also, the trick to making good fried rice is to have the rice cooked beforehand. This will help you get the best texture.

Cheesy Cabbage Rice Casserole

This cheesy cabbage rice casserole is a yummy comfort food. Although this recipe calls for a layer of protein, you can skip the protein since this is a side dish and keep it simple with cheese, cabbage, and rice. It's very easy to make, you just add a layer of cabbage to a baking pan, a layer of rice, and then a layer of cheese on top. It bakes in the oven for 1.5 hours and is ready to serve.

Super Easy Mexican Rice

Mexican rice needn't be relegated only to a Mexican-themed dinner. This tasty rice side is perfect for pairing with pork tenderloin. There are only a few key ingredients and some handy pointers on this one, so it's no-fail.

Wild Rice Stuffing

This wild rice stuffing is a great recipe for Fall. Most stuffing recipes keep it simple with onion and celery, but this recipe adds bacon and mushrooms, which gives it a deep and rich flavor. Once mixed together with rice, bread crumbs, and seasonings, it bakes in the oven for 35 minutes and is ready to go.

Cranberry Rice Pilaf

This cranberry rice pilaf is another sweet and tart side dish. Made with rice, orzo, almonds, onions, celery, cranberries, orange zest, and more, it's full of flavor. You'll first toast the orzo and almonds, which bring out a delicious nutty flavor. Then add all the other ingredients and cook on the stovetop for 15 minutes.

Baked Savory Rice

This baked savory rice is fluffy and tasty. It is a simple recipe, so it is mild in flavor. You can cook this recipe as is or add additional seasonings. The flavor of this rice comes from the onions, so it has a savory but slightly sweet flavor that the onions give off. Combine rice, butter, salt, and onions in an oven-safe dish, and cook for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Greek Lemon Rice

This Greek lemon rice recipe is bright and full of flavor. There's nothing boring about this side dish, and the lemon will pair well with your pork tenderloin. First, sautee onions and garlic, then add broth and lemon juice to be cooked up into the rice. To make sure you get the rice texture right, leave the rice covered for a minimum of 10 minutes once the timer is up.

Mushroom Risotto

Risotto is one of the best ways you can use rice for a side dish. Making a mushroom risotto is rich, earthy, and delicious. Mushrooms are great because they hold onto the flavor of whatever you're cooking them with. This recipe calls to cook the mushrooms in broth, and the rice is cooked in broth and wine. This recipe doesn't lack any flavor and will be loved by the whole family.

Rice Stuffed Peppers

Although this recipe has a few steps, it's fairly easy to make and is delicious. You'll cook the peppers and rice separately and then bring them together at the end. First, roast the peppers in the oven, and cook the rice while those are in the oven. The rice will be mixed with onions, garlic, tomatoes, cilantro, chili powder, and cumin. Once all that is combined, you'll stuff the peppers, top them with cheese, and finish them in the oven for 10 minutes.

Pomegranate Rice Salad

This pomegranate rice salad recipe is great to brighten up any meal. It's a very healthy and delicious side dish that will pair well with pork. It's also notable to mention that this salad is gorgeous. With so many colors, it's very eye-catching. This recipe takes little time if you already have rice pre-cooked. You just mix together all the ingredients and make a sweet and tart vinaigrette.

Recipe Cards

Here are some more tasty rice sides you can serve with your pork tenderloin.

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