Texas Roadhouse seasoned rice is a buttery long-grain rice side cooked in seasoned broth with onion and herbs. It counts as one of your two included sides with most entrées, and runs roughly $3 to $4.50 ordered on its own.
What seasoned rice actually is
Seasoned rice is Texas Roadhouse’s pilaf-style side: long-grain white rice simmered in a savory seasoned broth rather than plain water, finished with butter and flecked with onion and green herbs. It is soft, loose-grained and mildly salty, not spicy.
People expecting Spanish rice or Cajun dirty rice are usually surprised. No tomato, no sausage, no heat. It is a steakhouse pilaf built to sit under a steak’s juices without fighting them, which is why it works better beside a sirloin than eaten alone.
| What it is | Long-grain white rice cooked in seasoned savory broth with butter, onion and herbs |
|---|---|
| Category | Sides (fresh-baked and hot sides list) |
| Typical portion | Single side bowl, roughly a cup, scooped to order |
| Price on its own | Approx. $3.00-$4.50 depending on market; confirm locally |
| Included with entrée? | Yes, counts as one of your two choice sides on most steaks and entrées |
| Calories | Not published on the printed menu at all locations; see the nutrition section |
| What’s included | Just the rice. Rolls with cinnamon butter arrive separately, free, at the table |
| Texture | Fluffy and loose when fresh; firms up noticeably once it cools |
How seasoned rice at Texas Roadhouse is cooked
Seasoned rice at Texas Roadhouse is cooked in batches in the kitchen, not portioned from a bag, then held hot on the line and scooped when your entrée plates up. The broth and seasoning go in during cooking, so flavor is absorbed rather than sprinkled on top.
Two things follow from that batch method. Timing matters: rice pulled early in a batch is fluffier, while rice scooped from the bottom late in a rush is denser and saltier. And consistency drifts more than on grilled items, because a steak has a doneness target the cook is measured against and rice does not. Two restaurants 30 miles apart can genuinely taste different.
The company does not publish the recipe for seasoned rice from Texas Roadhouse kitchens, so anyone listing exact ingredient quantities online is reverse-engineering it. What is safe to say is what you can taste and see: rice, butter, savory broth, onion, herbs, salt.
Seasoned rice price
Ordered by itself, seasoned rice generally lands in the $3.00 to $4.50 range, in line with other hot sides. Ordered with a steak, chicken or ribs entrée it is free, because nearly every entrée includes two sides at no extra charge.
| How you order it | What you typically pay |
|---|---|
| As one of your two included sides with an entrée | $0 extra |
| Extra side added to an entrée | Approx. $3.00-$4.50, charged as a full side |
| À la carte with no entrée | Approx. $3.00-$4.50 |
| On a kids’ plate | Included in the kids’ meal price where offered |
Regional swing is real: metro locations sit at the top of that band, small-market restaurants at the bottom. Prices are set by market, not nationally, so the only reliable number is the one on your restaurant’s own menu. Pull it from the official site or call ahead.
Calories and nutrition
Texas Roadhouse does not print a calorie count for seasoned rice on every location’s menu, and side counts are the most inconsistently posted numbers on the board. Check the official nutrition guide before treating any figure as verified.
What can be said honestly: this is white rice cooked with butter and salted broth, which puts it in the moderate-calorie, low-fiber bracket, below loaded mashed potatoes and above steamed vegetables. Sodium, not calories, is the number worth watching, since seasoning and broth both carry salt.
If you track closely, ask for the printed nutrition guide at the host stand. Most locations keep one, and it beats any third-party number repeated across recipe blogs.
How to order it well
Ask for the rice fresh if you are not in a rush; kitchens will usually pull from a newer batch. Pair it with something saucy or juicy, because plain rice beside a plain grilled chicken breast makes a flat plate.
- Best pairings: anything with drippings or sauce. Sirloin, ribs, grilled salmon and smothered chicken all give the rice something to soak up.
- Weakest pairing: rice plus another starch. Spend your second side on green beans, corn or a salad for contrast.
- Low-sodium note: there is no unseasoned version, since salt goes in during cooking. Steamed vegetables are the safer swap.
- Availability: rice runs out more often than potatoes late in the evening, so confirm when you are seated.
- Rolls are separate: the bread basket with cinnamon butter is free regardless of side choice, so factor it in before doubling up on starch.
Worth it? Rice vs the other sides
As a free included side, seasoned rice is worth taking when your entrée has sauce or juices to share. Paying $3-plus à la carte is harder to justify, since it is the least distinctive side on the list next to mashed potatoes or buttered corn.
| Side | How it compares | Pick it when |
|---|---|---|
| Seasoned rice | Mild, savory, soaks up steak juice, lightest-feeling starch | You want a starch that does not fill you up before the steak does |
| Mashed potatoes | Richer, heavier, more assertive on its own | You want the more satisfying standalone side |
| Buttered corn | Sweeter, brighter, better contrast against beef | Your plate already has a starch |
| Green beans | Savory, smoky in style, the lighter choice | You are balancing a heavy entrée |
The honest verdict: rice is the dependable pick, not the memorable one. Regulars choose it because it is less filling than potatoes, not because it beats them.
Takeout, leftovers and reheating
Seasoned rice travels better than most Texas Roadhouse sides. It does not go soggy like fries or separate like loaded potatoes, so it holds up on a to-go order or family meal facing a 20-minute drive.
Reheat with a splash of water or broth under a lid, in a covered pan on low or in the microwave in short bursts; dry reheating turns the grains hard. Refrigerate within two hours and eat within three to four days, the standard guidance for cooked rice.
Honest limitations
This page is an independent guide, not affiliated with or endorsed by Texas Roadhouse. The figures here are observed reference points, not official quotes.
Three things to verify yourself. Prices are set per market and change without notice, so the range above will be wrong for some locations. Calorie and sodium figures for sides are not consistently printed, and we do not publish numbers we cannot verify. And the exact recipe, including the herbs and broth base, is not disclosed; the description here reflects what is visible and tasteable on the plate. For allergens, ask your server rather than relying on any third-party page, including this one.
FAQ
What is in Texas Roadhouse seasoned rice?
Long-grain white rice cooked in a savory seasoned broth, finished with butter and mixed with onion and green herbs. It is mild and salty rather than spicy, with no tomato, sausage or chili heat. The exact recipe and seasoning blend are not published, so ask your server for allergen details.
Is seasoned rice free at Texas Roadhouse?
It is free as one of the two included sides that come with most entrées. Ordered à la carte or added as a third side, it is charged at the standard hot-side price, usually $3.00 to $4.50 depending on location.
How much does seasoned rice cost on its own?
Roughly $3.00 to $4.50 in most markets. Sides are priced regionally, so metro locations sit at the top of that band. Check your restaurant’s menu on the official site for the exact figure.
Is Texas Roadhouse seasoned rice spicy?
No. It is savory and buttery, not hot. The seasoning leans on herbs, onion and salt rather than pepper or chili, making it a safe pick for kids.
How many calories are in Texas Roadhouse seasoned rice?
The chain does not consistently print a calorie count for this side, and we will not publish a number we cannot verify. Ask for the nutrition guide at the host stand or check the official Texas Roadhouse site.
Is seasoned rice vegetarian?
Not confirmed. The rice is cooked in a seasoned broth whose base is not publicly disclosed, so it cannot be assumed meat-free. Ask the manager to check the ingredient information before ordering.
Does every Texas Roadhouse have seasoned rice?
It appears on the standard sides list at most locations, but availability varies and rice occasionally sells out late in the evening. Confirm when you are seated rather than assuming.
What goes best with seasoned rice?
Anything with juices or sauce. Sirloin, ribs, salmon and smothered chicken work well because the rice absorbs what runs off the entrée. Skip the mashed potatoes pairing and use your second side on a vegetable.
Related guides
- Browse the full Texas Roadhouse menu with current items and prices.
- Check what’s running now on the weekly specials and deals page.
- See the discounted Early Dine plates and their time windows.
- Planning a to-go order? Compare takeout prices with pictures.