Description
This Serbian Rice with Meat is a hearty one-pot comfort meal featuring tender beef or pork, fluffy rice, peppers, tomatoes, and aromatic spices simmered together in a rich paprika broth. It’s an easy family dinner that’s full of Balkan-inspired flavor.
Ingredients
- For the Meat:
- 500 g beef or pork (shoulder or round), cut into bite-sized cubes
- For the Rice:
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
- 2 onions, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 tomatoes, diced (or 1 can chopped tomatoes)
- Seasonings:
- 2 tbsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- For the Broth:
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the meat and brown on all sides for 6–8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté the onions for about 5 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and bell pepper and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Stir in the paprika, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the diced tomatoes (or canned tomatoes) and optional sugar. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Return the browned meat to the pot and pour in the broth. Add the bay leaf and simmer, covered, for 30–40 minutes until the meat becomes tender.
- Stir in the uncooked rice, cover again, and cook for 18–20 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
- Remove the bay leaf, fluff the rice with a fork, adjust seasoning, and serve hot with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Chicken thighs can be substituted for beef or pork for a lighter version.
- Add peas or carrots during the last 10 minutes for extra vegetables.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day and are perfect for meal prep.
- Serve with a fresh cucumber salad or crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot
- Cuisine: Serbian