Barbecue hosts catering for a group
If the number of guests might change, a pack of dried rice lets you adjust how much you make for a salad or side dish. The trade-off is that you’ll need to allow time for cooking.
Who is this choice for?
Last-minute cooks
If the food is already on the barbecue, express rice can round out the meal without conventional cooking. Choose it to suit the reheating equipment you have available.
Fans of fragrant side dishes
Fragrant long-grain rice or basmati can be a good choice if you want a side with a distinctive aroma. Check the texture and cooking instructions for the product you choose, too.
What should you look for?
First decide whether your priority is to measure out the rice as needed, get a side dish ready quickly, or choose a variety to serve with a salad or barbecue food. Then compare pack sizes and cooking instructions to find the right option.
| What matters | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Flexible quantities | Compare the pack weight, stated serving size and cooking time. | If the gathering might grow, I’d rather measure out the amount to cook than rely on fixed portions. Around 40% of consumers would put this flexibility first. |
| Quick preparation | Check the reheating method, pouch weight and stated number of servings. | If the barbecue is a last-minute plan, I want to serve a side without waiting for it to cook in a pan; around 30% of consumers would put speed first. |
| For salads | Look for serving suggestions on the pack and follow its cooking and storage instructions. | For a salad served from a buffet, I’d first look for rice that’s specifically recommended for this use. This would be the priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Aroma | Compare the variety, the described texture and the preparation steps. | With barbecued food, I might prefer rice with a distinctive aroma, even if I need to plan ahead to prepare it. Nearly 10% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming express rice is the same as plain dried rice
Express rice isn’t always just rice: the product pages for the Ben’s Original pouch at Auchan and Comptoir du Grain express rice at E.Leclerc list other ingredients, too.
Before choosing a pouch for its speed, read the ingredients list and check the quantity and number of servings.
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Relying only on fixed portions when guest numbers are uncertain
The Carrefour cooking pouches mentioned come in packs of four, each weighing 125 g. If the number of guests changes, they don’t let you adjust the quantity as freely as a pack of dried rice.
If you’re not sure how many people are coming, compare the pouches with a pack that lets you measure out the amount to cook.
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Planning the menu based on just one retailer’s product page
A product listed in a catalogue or on a product page won’t necessarily be available in the shop where you plan to do your shopping.
Check that the product is available at your chosen shop or collection service, and read the pack label.
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Relying on reheating rice that hasn’t been stored properly
ANSES says that Bacillus cereus can multiply between 4 °C and 55 °C, and that its cereulide toxin is heat-resistant. Reheating therefore won’t necessarily put poor storage right.
Plan preparation and serving so that cooked rice isn’t left to cool slowly for a long time, and follow the relevant storage instructions.
Brands and retailers to consider
These examples show some of the different pack sizes and preparation methods available. The details given apply to the specific products mentioned, not necessarily to the entire range.
Ben’s Original
The range includes both dried rice and express pouches. Preparation time and ingredients vary depending on which product you choose.
- Auchan says its 220 g express long-grain rice pouch is ready in 2 minutes in the microwave or 3 minutes in a frying pan.
- The pouch also contains sunflower oil, so check the ingredients if you’re looking for plain dried rice.
Taureau Ailé
The range lets you compare classic long-grain rice with fragrant varieties for serving as a side.
- Taureau Ailé gives a cooking time of 12 to 14 minutes for its Long Grain Tradition rice, using the Creole method.
- A basmati product listed in an old Lidl catalogue isn’t a guarantee that it will be in the current catalogue.
Carrefour
The retailer offers options including long-grain rice in cooking pouches and packs you can portion to suit the meal.
- Its « Incollable 10 min » long-grain rice comes in four 125 g pouches.
- If guest numbers might change, compare this portioned format with a pack of dried rice before deciding how much to prepare.
Auchan
The retailer offers parboiled long-grain rice in a 1 kg pack, as well as cooking-pouch options.
- The 1 kg product we checked has a stated cooking time of 10 minutes.
- Auchan says that ingredients and origin may vary depending on the collection service and purchase date, so check the label on the pack you choose.
E.Leclerc
The retailer offers products including 1 kg packs of Eco+ parboiled long-grain rice and Comptoir du Grain express rice.
- The product page for the 250 g Comptoir du Grain plain express rice lists precooked rice, water, rapeseed oil and salt.
- Check which product your shop or collection service offers before relying on a particular pack size.
Lidl
The retailer may occasionally offer varieties such as Taureau Ailé basmati.
- Lidl’s product page describes Taureau Ailé basmati as long-grain, fragrant rice.
- Check the current catalogue and your local shop to see whether this product is available when you shop.
Rice in this Joybuy selection
This selection covers two ways to prepare a side dish: measure out long-grain or fragrant rice and cook it, or choose express rice for a last-minute meal. Compare the pack size and instructions on each product to suit your menu.
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Ben’s Original long-grain rice 2.5 kg
The 2.5 kg pack lets you measure out the amount of rice to cook according to the number of guests. Check the pack for the cooking time and suggested uses if you’re planning to make a salad.
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Ben’s Original Express tomato and olive oil rice 220 g
This seasoned express pouch is a quick way to round out your barbecue, rather than plain rice you can portion as needed. Check the reheating instructions, ingredients and stated number of servings.
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Red Dragon Cambodian Aroma AAA long-grain rice 10 kg
This 10 kg pack is for anyone who wants to measure out rice for several meals or a large gathering. Check the cooking instructions and the texture you’re looking for before choosing it for a salad.
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TAUREAU AILE Kamalis fragrant long-grain rice 500 g
This 500 g pack of fragrant long-grain rice could be a good choice to serve with barbecued food if you prefer this variety. Follow the preparation instructions on the pack and work out how much to cook for your gathering.
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PRESIDENT Golden Sella basmati rice 5 kg
The 5 kg pack lets you measure out this basmati rice for several meals or guests. Check the cooking and storage instructions on the pack before planning how to prepare it.
Frequently asked questions
Which store-cupboard rice should you choose for a barbecue salad?
Parboiled long-grain rice that’s recommended for salads is one option to consider: Carrefour lists this as a suggested use for its Grain de Frais rice. Follow the proportions and cooking instructions for the pack you choose, and make sure you store the cooked rice appropriately.
Can express rice replace a pack of dried rice?
Yes, if you want to round out a meal quickly, but the two formats aren’t prepared or portioned in the same way. Auchan says its 220 g Ben’s Original express pouch is ready in 2 minutes in the microwave or 3 minutes in a frying pan; check the ingredients and servings for the product you buy.
How should you store dried rice after opening?
Follow the pack instructions and seal it securely after opening. The product pages for the dried rice we checked recommend keeping it in a cool, dry place, away from heat and moisture.
Can you leave rice salad on the table throughout the barbecue?
Avoid leaving cooked rice somewhere warm for a long time. ANSES says that Bacillus cereus can multiply between 4 °C and 55 °C, and that simply reheating the rice won’t necessarily neutralise any toxins produced. Plan preparation, storage and serving accordingly.
What does the date on a pack of dried rice mean?
First check whether it’s a best-before date, known as a DDM, rather than a use-by date, or DLC. The French Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control distinguishes the DLC, a strict deadline for the foods it applies to, from the DDM. Also take the condition of the pack and the manufacturer’s storage instructions into account.