Italian Arborio Rice, famous for its creamy texture, is a key ingredient in dishes like risottos and paellas. However, if you can’t always find it or you simply want a healthier, more budget-friendly option, there are great alternatives available.
This article will discuss the top arborio rice substitutes such as long grain rice, barley and cauliflower to suit a variety of tastes and dietary needs.
Contents
What is arborio rice?
The Italian type of superfine rice known as arborio is one of the largest among the short Italian rice varieties of the genus Oryza sativa japonica. The high amylopectin starch content of Arborio rice, which takes its name from the commune of Arborio in the Piedmont area of northwest Italy, contributes to the creamy texture of the risotto. Normally white, the oval grains are roughly a quarter of an inch long. Although unpolished brown arborio rice is also available, it is considerably more usually sold as white rice, which has a starchier texture.
Nutritional value of Arborio Rice
Although Arborio rice has a small amount of protein and fat, the majority of its calories come from carbohydrates. An uncooked 1/4 cup serving has 0.5 grams of fat, 4 grams of protein, and 38 grams of carbohydrates. Its carbohydrate content is quite comparable to that of long-grain white rice, which contains 37 grams in a serving of 1/4 cup.
Yet, at 2 grams per serving compared to 0.6 grams in long-grain rice, arborio rice is a higher source of fiber. Adding extra fiber to your diet may reduce your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. The fiber in food helps with appetite management. At 170 calories per 1/4 cup of uncooked rice, arborio rice contains about the same number of calories as other varieties of rice.
Calories in Arborio Rice
Less than 10% of your daily calorie requirements would be met by a diet of 2,000 calories. Understanding how many calories there are in arborio rice can make it simpler for you to monitor your intake and maintain better calorie control. Arborio rice without salt is a good option if you’re seeking to reduce your sodium intake. Excessive salt intake raises blood pressure as well as your risk of renal and heart problems.
Top 6 best Arborio Rice substitutes
Especially in risotto, arborio rice is a flexible component that is a mainstay in many traditional Italian meals. But, there are various alternatives available if you can’t locate Arborio rice at your neighborhood grocery shop or if you’re just looking for a replacement that’s a little more affordable. We’ll list our top 6 arborio rice substitutes. These alternatives will enable you to get a texture and flavor that is comparable to Arborio rice, within your budget, whether you’re cooking a traditional risotto or experimenting with a new recipe. So let’s examine the best alternatives to Arborio rice right away!
1. Jasmine rice
The first arborio rice substitute is jasmine rice. In the 1950s, fragrant rice, often known as jasmine rice, was invented in Thailand. It continues to be one of Thailand’s major exports and has mostly replaced other foods in consumers’ diets. Long-grain jasmine rice has a unique aroma, a sweet nutty flavor, and a delicate texture.
Both white rice and brown rice, which are top varieties of long-grain jasmine rice, have hues resembling those of the jasmine flower. White jasmine rice, whether cooked at moderate or high temperatures, has a little mushy and sticky texture after being cooked, whereas brown jasmine rice is rich in fiber and nutrients.
The Jasmine Rice
In contrast to other sticky rice varieties, jasmine rice won’t stick, but that’s because the grains are light and fluffy. Yet, compared to basmati rice, it is stickier and when cooked, has a moist and mushy texture. It will have a floral flavor and be slightly foamy when used for risotto, making it the ideal accompaniment for meats, especially fried chicken!
2. Carnaroli Rice
Another arborio rice substitute is Carnaroli rice. Many recipes that call for arborio rice can also be successfully substituted with cannoli rice. This rice is wonderful in a variety of cuisines and has a creamy texture. Due to its distinctive flavor and taste, it earned the moniker “caviar of rice.” The rest of the recipe’s instructions should be followed after cooking this rice as you would any other rice.
3. Pearled barley
Due to its high starch content, pearl barley, a form of whole grain barley, is the greatest alternative to Arborio rice. Pearl barley undergoes a technique that eliminates its fibrous outer hull before polishing, which also removes some or all of the bran layer, allowing it to cook more quickly and without the need for soaking.
Although some types of pearl barley are richer in lysine, pearl barley is well known for its high calorie, protein, vitamin, and mineral content. It is the major component of the Italian cuisine orzotto and is primarily used in soups, stews, and potages.
4. Japonica rice
One of the two most common and important types of rice in Asia is called Japonica. Between 9,500 and 6,000 years ago, when a market monopoly was widely practiced, Japonica rice was created in China.
The Japonica rice line, which is a variety of rice with many distinctive qualities, will have the following characteristics when it is produced by the prominent wholesale Japonica rice brand or a leading company trading agricultural products.
The Japonica Rice
Rice with a short, rounded, and tiny shape is called japonica. The majority of Japonica rice grains feature fine grains and a lovely, delicate white hue, which frequently help to explain why wholesale Japonica rice brands generate such strong sales. Because Japonica rice has more amylopectin than other varieties, it typically keeps its shape better than other forms of rice. Japonica rice brings many good impacts on human health.
5. Basmati rice
Hindi for “full of scent” describes basmati rice, which is grown in northern Pakistan and India in the foothills of the Himalayas. Moreover, various other kinds are raised in the United States. The Middle East was later introduced to this aromatic rice by traders. Since then, it has gained popularity in Persian and Middle Eastern cuisines as well. However, Indian basmati rice is the most famous variety of basmati rice.
The Basmati Rice
The flavorful, long, and thin basmati rice is. In addition to being dry and fluffy after cooking, basmati rice also has a nutty flavor and a pleasing scent. Since basmati rice is naturally gluten-free, risotto can be made with it. It is a fantastic healthy Arborio rice substitute because of its low glycemic index.
If you want to make basmati rice stickier and more appropriate for the dish, consider adding pumpkin broth to your risotto.
6. Brown rice
The final perfect arborio rice substitute is brown rice. Despite sharing a similar beginning with white rice, many varieties of brown rice have different milling processes. The underlying bran layer of brown rice is left intact, just the outer husk is removed, giving brown rice its brown color (ivory white).
In addition to color, brown rice variants differ from white rice in terms of their nutritional profiles, aromas, and textures. This is true even within individual types of brown rice. Brown rice is more nutritious than white rice because of the bran layer.
The Brown Rice
Because it has a thick texture, which makes it perfect for risotto, it is the greatest option for folks who want to avoid simple carbohydrates. The fact that it takes more time to cook than white rice shouldn’t really matter if you’re adding it to risotto, which is cooked slowly in any case.
In conclusion, our article has discovered the top 6 arborio rice substitutes. We hope you found our article informative and helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below, and we will be happy to provide you with further explanations free of charge.
Thank you for your article. I too have been trying to find a substitute for arborio. I live in India where arborio and carnoli rice are prohibitively expensive. So I’ve been experimenting with other rice varieties. India has over a thousand varieties of rice so something must be similar to arborio. I don’t think Basmati has the same fat profile of the arborio nor its nuttiness. I also tried a rice called idli rice – a hard nutty, rounded rice which is used along with a white lentil to make spongy soft savoury rice cakes in South India but it takes way too much longer to cook than arborio. So it was a thumbs down for that rice.
But I think the parboiled Mutta rice ( this means rice that is boiled in its husk, is then threshed and cleaned and sold), from the Southern state of Kerala, might do the trick. It is a fat round rice and will retain its shape. But it needs to be soaked for a few hours because it is a harder rice than arborio, It is a delicious every day rice that can hold its shape and yet become creamy. i will keep you posted on how I fare with it.
India has over a thousand varieties of native rice in various colours, sizes and shapes and it is only a matter of time before we find a reasonably priced substitute for arborio.
yours ever,
Shree