Copycat Hamburger Helper Rice Oriental Recipe - Food.com (2024)

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Copycat Hamburger Helper Rice Oriental Recipe - Food.com (1)

Submitted by Faux Chef Lael

"I have such fond memories of eating Hamburger Helper Rice Oriental as a kid, and I was devastated when General Mills discontinued this yummy product back in 2007. There's a campaign on social media to bring this flavor back, but until they do, I've created my own. If you use the exact brands and products I listed below, you'll get something that tastes nearly identical to the original. To make it healthier, I also add chow mein veggies and substitute ground turkey instead of ground beef, but that does change the flavor slightly. Enjoy!"

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Copycat Hamburger Helper Rice Oriental Recipe - Food.com (2) Copycat Hamburger Helper Rice Oriental Recipe - Food.com (3)

photo by Faux Chef Lael Copycat Hamburger Helper Rice Oriental Recipe - Food.com (4)

Ready In:
40mins

Ingredients:
11
Serves:

6-8

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ingredients

  • 1 lb extra lean ground beef (less than 7% fat)
  • 1 cup white onion, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 12 teaspoon seasoning salt (Johnny's brand is the best!)
  • 2 ounces onion soup mix (Lipton Recipe Secrets, can use Beefy Onion, or Mushroom Onion flavors)
  • 3 tablespoons beef bouillon
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons brown gravy mix (one envelope)
  • 1 12 cups white rice (Uncle Ben's Original enriched parboiled long grain white rice)
  • 3 cups water

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directions

  • Tip 1: Be sure to use extra lean ground beef (or chicken) so that there won't be any fat to drain. If you drain off any fat, you'll also drain off seasonings.
  • Tip 2: The rice you choose is very important to the authentic flavor of the original, but you can substitute brown rice or Jasmine rice. Just be sure to thoroughly rinse the rice and adjust the water and cooking time according to the rice you choose. My recipe is specifically written for Uncle Ben's Original long grain white rice. Do not use Minute Rice or instant rice, as it will be mushy.
  • Tip 3: This recipe is very high in sodium, so you can substitute low sodium ingredients, but it won't taste the same. This may not be a good recipe for a person who is on a low sodium diet.
  • In a large skillet, add ground beef, chopped onion, onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoning salt. Cook until onions are soft and meat is browned. Do not drain.
  • Add all remaining ingredients to the skillet and cook in medium-high heat until the mixture starts to boil. Turn heat down to low, cover with a tight fitting lid, and simmer for 15 minutes. No peeking! If any water remains, uncover and cook a minute or two more, and then turn off the heat. DO NOT OVERCOOK or the rice will turn mushy.
  • Let the skillet rest for 5 minutes to absorb remaining moisture. Stir and serve.
  • Tip 4: Dress it up! I like to add a can of chow mein veggies, a can of sliced water chestnuts, and a can of sliced mushrooms. These veggies are fully cooked during the canning process, and you don't want them to get mushy, so add them at the very end of the cook time, before the resting period. Stir them in and let it rest.
  • Tip 5: Top it off! Sprinkle with sliced green onions, or cashews, or slivered almonds, or sesame seeds, for a little extra crunch and flavor.

Questions & Replies

Copycat Hamburger Helper Rice Oriental Recipe - Food.com (5)

  1. Copycat Hamburger Helper Rice Oriental Recipe - Food.com (7)

    I know you said that this was very high in sodium but my batch that I made was so salty I couldn’t even eat it. What do you think I did wrong? Because it looks amazing. Do you have any suggestions on how I can get some of that salty taste out of it so I don’t have to waste my whole batch

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Reviews

  1. Copycat Hamburger Helper Rice Oriental Recipe - Food.com (8)

    I could tell the recipe called for too much onion and garlic powder so I used 2 teaspoons instead of 2 tablespoons and it cane out just perfect!!

  2. Copycat Hamburger Helper Rice Oriental Recipe - Food.com (9)

    A question really. I have beef broth, not bullion, can I use it instead of water? 40 mins to closest store..I'm going to try it.

  3. Copycat Hamburger Helper Rice Oriental Recipe - Food.com (10)

    I just made this - exactly followed the recipe. I too miss hamburger helper. crunchy rice. I love salt and it is VERY salty. I am eating a serving for lunch but no one else will eat any. Darn. but thanks for trying to copy the recipe.

  4. Copycat Hamburger Helper Rice Oriental Recipe - Food.com (11)

    When I look at the seasonings portion it seems a bit high to other recipes I've seen. Is it really 2 Tablespoon of onion powder and garlic powder?? When I want to make a large batch and multiply by 4 it comes out to 1/2 cup of each. Others of seen only call for teaspoons.

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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

I'm an artist and I work from home, so I love to have the smell of something delicious cooking in the background while I'm working. Cooking is the way that I show love to my family and friends -- I get that from my Southern grandma, who always made amazing meals for our large extended family. Since I learned to cook from her, I always end up making meals that could feed a small army. Down home, old fashioned, comfort foods that make lots of leftovers are my specialty.I love to eat any kind of ethnic food but I'm just learning to cook from different cultures. My favorite place in the world is New Orleans, so I love to make Cajun and Creole food. I call myself the Faux Chef because I don't have the talent to be a chef but I try really hard. My problem is, I never measure anything (thanks, Grandma!) which makes me TERRIBLE at baking.

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Copycat Hamburger Helper Rice Oriental Recipe  - Food.com (2024)

FAQs

When was Hamburger Helper Rice Oriental discontinued? ›

"I have such fond memories of eating Hamburger Helper Rice Oriental as a kid, and I was devastated when General Mills discontinued this yummy product back in 2007.

What makes Hamburger Helper taste better? ›

Moreover, you can also combine two kinds of cheese and use them in this dish for extra richness and cheesiness. Spices and herbs: spices and herbs are the best way to improve the flavors of any dish. Add cumin, cayenne, paprika, or Italian herbs to the hamburger helper to make it taste better.

Can you cook Hamburger Helper in a rice cooker? ›

Cook noodles with broth and tomato sauce on stream for 7 to 8 minutes (stir twice. Once when the timer starts to count down and once again a few minutes before the time goes off).

What is in the Hamburger Helper? ›

As boxed, it consists of a dried carbohydrate (often pasta or rice), with powdered seasonings contained in a packet. The consumer is meant to combine the contents of the box with browned ground beef ("hamburger"), water, and, with some varieties, milk to create a complete one-dish meal.

Why was Hamburger Helper discontinued? ›

High-end consumers are shifting toward fresher items with fewer processed ingredients while cost-conscious shoppers are buying inexpensive store brands. The makers of staples including Chef Boyardee canned pasta and Hamburger Helper meal kits failed to spot the threat and didn't innovate in time.

Can you eat old Hamburger Helper? ›

Does Hamburger Helper Expire? Hamburger Helper boxed meals have low moisture content and can keep fresh even past their expiration date. However, for best results and quality assurance, we recommend using your Hamburger Helper boxed meal by its expiration date.

What happens if you don t drain the grease for Hamburger Helper? ›

Drain the fat from the beef when making Hamburger Helper. Ground beef is high in fat and cooking it leaves a greasy residue that can spoil the dish's taste and texture. Excess fat can also make the meal unappetizing and unhealthy.

Can I use sour cream instead of milk for Hamburger Helper? ›

You can try using vegetable or chicken broth, which will add flavor and liquid to the recipe. Additionally, you could mix a small amount of sour cream or plain yogurt with water to achieve a creamy consistency without milk.

What thickens Hamburger Helper? ›

Cornstarch will help thicken the sauce for a creamier and more silky cheese sauce. What is this? 4. Add them to the ground beef and noodle mixture and give it a quick stir.

Can I use oil instead of butter in hamburger helper? ›

You can use vegetable oil, canola oil, avocado oil, or unsalted butter if you prefer. Onion and Garlic: Classic flavor pairings for ground beef that give this dish depth.

Can I put an egg in a rice cooker while cooking rice? ›

Yes, you can cook a raw egg in your rice pot while cooking the rice. The steam from the cooking rice will cook the egg. You can crack the egg directly into the rice pot, or you can place it in a ramekin or small bowl.

Can I use any rice in a rice cooker? ›

Rice cookers can be used for all types of rice, including white, brown, long-grain, short-grain, jasmine, basmati — even wild rice. They can also cook different grains, like barley and oatmeal, as well as quinoa.

What was the original flavor of Hamburger Helper? ›

The brand made its national debut in August 1971. With five flavors – Beef Noodle, Potato Stroganoff, Hash, Rice Oriental and Chili Tomato, it was an instant success.

What can I use instead of milk for Hamburger Helper? ›

Stock: If you can't consume dairy, using stock or broth can add flavor to your Hamburger Helper. Beef or vegetable stock works well [2]. Coconut Milk: Both canned and refrigerated unsweetened coconut milk can be used as a substitute for milk. It adds creaminess and a slight coconut flavor to the dish [2].

What can I use in Hamburger Helper instead of meat? ›

Instead of hamburger meat, we used a plant-based ground meat. If you're looking for plant-based protein alternatives, Lightlife ground meat is a great option! Made with pea protein, it takes less than 5 minutes to cook and you can store it in the freezer until ready to use.

What were the flavors of Hamburger Helper in the 1970s? ›

The brand made its national debut in August 1971. With five flavors – Beef Noodle, Potato Stroganoff, Hash, Rice Oriental and Chili Tomato, it was an instant success. More than one in four – 27 percent – of U.S. households purchased Hamburger Helper in its first year.

When did Hamburger Helper change? ›

Hamburger Helper Reformulates Its Box Meals

Eagle Foods took over Hamburger Helper from General Mills in 2022 and recently revamped 30 Hamburger Helper varieties to help get a delicious dinner on the table even faster.

What is the original Hamburger Helper flavor? ›

The first Hamburger Helper flavors

The first flavors sounded more palatable than the original dinner mixes, including Chili Tomato, Potato Stroganoff, Rice Oriental, Beef Noodle, and Hash. Each box was a different color, and the chili tomato was the only original one that featured macaroni pasta.

What flavors of Hamburger Helper are there? ›

Hamburger Helper is a packaged product consisting mainly of dried pasta or rice and seasonings that one cooks with ground beef to make a one-dish meal. Varieties include Beef Stroganoff, Cheeseburger Macaroni, Cheesy Fajita, Chili Macaroni, Lasagna, Philly Cheesesteak, Southwest Pasta, Tomato Basil Penne, and so on.

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