20 Saffron Recipes To Elevate Your Next Meal

Try these saffron recipes when you need something tasty, fun, and gorgeous.

Its rich, vibrant color adds a layer of luxury to sweet and savory dishes alike.

Of course, saffron is expensive, and if all you want is a pretty color, you could use turmeric to get the same result at a fraction of the cost.

But turmeric can’t match saffron’s delicate, floral-like flavor. In that, saffron is in a league of its own.

So if you’re in the mood for something different – and a little bit fancy – give these saffron recipes a try. 

20 Delicious Recipes with Saffron You Need To Try

1. Saffron Milk Cake

Saffron milk cake is light, fluffy, and incredibly moist – so moist that it’s bordering on juicy. 

The saffron gives it a vibrant yellow color and a sweet, flowery taste, while the whipped cream topping makes it even sweeter. 

Eating this cake is like biting into a cloud that smells and tastes fantastic. Add more saffron, dried roses, or pistachios to the top for a bit of extra color. 

2. Persian Saffron Rice (Tachin)

With its perfectly golden crust and the bright yellow rice inside, tachin is a dish that’s stunning to behold.

The barberries add a lovely splash of red and give it a sweetly tart taste.

Like many Persian dishes, this one looks like it’ll be challenging to make, but it isn’t. In fact, it takes only 15 minutes of prep time.

The other 60-80 minutes are idle bake time.

3. Lussekatter (Swedish Saffron Buns)

Whether you call them Lussekatter or Swedish saffron buns, there’s no denying that these S-shaped treats are fun and unique. 

Usually served around Christmastime, they have a lightly sweet and milky taste and a tender, chewy texture that makes them even more enjoyable.

Like most bread, though, they aren’t something you can whip up in a few minutes, so be sure you give yourself plenty of time to make them.

4. Sholeh Zard (Persian Saffron Rice Pudding)

Since Persia exports some of the world’s finest, most fragrant saffron, it’s no surprise that several Persian dishes feature it prominently.

Sholeh Zard – saffron rice pudding – is no exception.

It has a thick, pudding-like consistency, a bold yellow color, and a delicate, sweet aroma that makes the whole thing irresistible. 

5. Saffron Rice Kheer – Kesar Chawal Ki Kheer

Saffron rice kheer is another phenomenal rice pudding dish, and it’s even prettier than the last.

It’s thick, creamy, nutty, floral, and breathtakingly beautiful.

If you’re looking for something nice and elegant to add to your brunch table, this is an excellent option. It’s also perfect for special occasions like Mother’s Day or weddings. 

6. Chicken Saffron Rice Pilaf

Check out this recipe for chicken saffron rice pilaf if you’re in the mood for something more savory.

It takes about 40 minutes to pull together, and you’ll need only ten ingredients. 

Besides the saffron, everything else is pretty standard – ghee (or olive oil), carrots, celery, basmati or jasmine rice, chicken broth, onion powder, chicken breasts, lemon, and parsley.

7. Slow Cooker Spanish Chicken Stew

Spanish chicken stew takes a traditional chicken and veggie stew and gives it a bit of a kick by adding roasted red peppers, paprika, saffron, and balsamic vinegar.

You get all the chunky, hearty freshness of a meat and veggie stew, but the flavor is like nothing you’ve ever had in a soup before. 

This one is ideal for those nights when you want something comforting with a bit of heat.

8. Saffron Pasta with Chicken, Eggplant, and Bell Pepper

Looking for a simple pasta dish that’s cheesy and full of fresh, clean flavors? Give this recipe a try!

It features bell peppers, eggplant, pine nuts, saffron, and more. Plus, the pasta makes it wonderfully filling.

The chicken is somewhat mild, but everything else makes up for that.

9. Persian Jeweled Rice

Persian jeweled rice is the ideal lunch or dinner option for anyone who wants their food to look as good as it tastes.

With the golden rice and raisins, candied apricots and oranges, and red raisins, it honestly does look like a sparkling plate of jewels.

It’s a beautiful dish, and it tastes fantastic, too!

It takes a little time and effort to get right, but it’s well worth it in the end.

10. Moroccan Saffron Chicken Tagine

The bright color of this chicken dish will have your friends thinking they’re eating the proverbial golden goose.

But color isn’t all that’s impressive about saffron chicken tagine. 

You’ll also load it with spices for an aromatic, flavorful dining experience that people will be raving about for days to come.

Plus, cooking it in the slow cooker means the chicken is so tender that it’ll practically fall apart on your fork.

11. Spanish Chicken and Rice

Spanish chicken and rice is pretty different from the stuff you get at your local Mexican restaurant.

For one thing, there’s no cheese sauce in Spanish chicken and rice. Additionally, there are more veggies and, of course, saffron. 

Still, if you like succulent chicken and fluffy rice, you’ll probably appreciate this sunny dinner.

12. Persian Saffron Milkshake

This yellow drink may look like a frothy glass of orange juice, but it’s actually a saffron milkshake.

It’s thick, sweet, and effortless to make. 

All you’ll need is vanilla ice cream, milk, saffron, cardamom, and rosewater. When blended, it becomes super creamy and tastes and smells incredible too.

It may be a bit decadent for a milkshake, but it sure is good.

13. Pasta with Zucchini And Saffron 

Though some people may not like the green hue in this dish, I actually think it looks fun and vibrant.

Plus, it’s such a unique way to cook and eat zucchini!

You’ll cook and blend it with saffron, fresh cream, and mint to make a fantastic green pasta sauce that’s all-natural and all delicious.

14. Persian No-Churn Saffron Ice Cream

No-churn saffron ice cream is a cool, refreshing dessert that you can have ready in just 20 minutes. Of course, from there, it needs around eight hours to freeze. 

Still, it uses only six ingredients and has the lightest, most flowery taste. Plus, adding the pistachios on top provides a bit of contrast in the texture, making it even better. 

15. One-Pot Meal – Beef Rice Pilaf Recipe (Uzbek Plov)

This savory, one-pot meal features juicy chunks of beef, tender onions and carrots, fluffy rice, and plenty of herbs and spices. 

After around 15 minutes of prep, just set it to simmer for an hour and 40 minutes.

Since it has such a long cook time, you’ll want to start this one early!

16. Saffron, Shrimp, and Asparagus Risotto – 30 Minutes Risotto

This herby dish is colorful and packed with umami flavor.

Saffron, shrimp, and asparagus may not be three ingredients you’d naturally combine, but the result is surprisingly good. 

Plus, the garlic adds a nice touch, as does the dried Italian seasoning.

This risotto isn’t one of the easiest to explain to someone who hasn’t had it but give it a try anyway. I think you’ll really like it.

17. Saffron Bundt Cake with Pears

This spongy bundt cake is light, sweet, and citrusy.

It’s also incredibly juicy and moist for a bundt cake, which can usually run a bit dry. 

The cake’s moistness comes primarily from the lemon juice and the whole pears. The milk, Greek yogurt, and eggs help in that respect, too. 

18. Skinny Greek Feta Fries with Roasted Garlic Saffron Aioli

These don’t look like the French fries you’re used to, and that’s because they’re even better!

With their tangy, feta-packed flavor, you’ll want to gobble these up right off the tray. And they taste so good you won’t need to smother them in ketchup either. 

Still, the roasted garlic saffron aioli is too good to pass up.

So even though you could eat them by themselves, why would you when you have something so delicious to dip them in?

19. Vegan Rigatoni with Saffron, Capers, and Tomatoes

Vegan rigatoni is a real treat, but it’s the saffron and caper tomato sauce that steals the show here.

It’s earthy, herby, bright, and tomatoey. 

The capers are especially tasty in this recipe, and once you top the dish with toasted pine nuts and fresh parsley, there won’t be a single person who doesn’t love it. 

20. Persian Cranberry Rice Pilaf

I don’t know what it is about cranberries and saffron that go so well together, but they do.

The lightly floral flavor of saffron enhances the cranberries’ tangy tartness perfectly, and they both bring some much-needed color to the mix. 

Add some pistachios, onions, and rice, and you’ll have a real hit on your hands. It’s a perfect light lunch or dinner, and it takes less than an hour to make.