Discover an easy recipe for rice with mixed vegetables, featuring fluffy white rice, sautéed carrots, onions, and green beans. A perfect quick meal or side dish!
Why You’ll Love This Rice With Mixed Vegetables
This recipe is a perfect blend of simplicity and flavor, making it a go-to option for busy weeknights or as a side dish to complement your favorite mains. The combination of fluffy white rice and vibrant mixed vegetables, like corn, green beans and carrots, delivers a satisfying texture and a wholesome taste.
It’s a versatile dish that’s easy to customize with whatever veggies you have on hand, ensuring no two meals are ever the same. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or guests, this recipe is sure to please everyone at the table.
A Nutritious Choice
Not only is this rice with mixed vegetables incredibly tasty, but it’s also a nutritious choice. Packed with fiber from the veggies and energy-boosting carbs from the rice, it’s a balanced dish that keeps you feeling full and satisfied.
It requires minimal prep and uses basic pantry ingredients, making it budget-friendly and beginner-friendly. Whether you’re serving it as a light meal or pairing it with a protein for a more substantial dinner, this dish will quickly become a staple in your recipe rotation!
This flavorful rice dish with mixed vegetables is quick to prepare and perfect as a light meal or side dish.
Ingredients:
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 carrot, shredded
- 2 cups white rice
- 3 cups hot water
- 1 cup canned corn
- Salt, to taste
- Optional: Other veggies like green peas, corn, or bell peppers
Instructions:
- Prep the Vegetables
Dice the onion and shred the carrot. Set aside. - Cook the Aromatics
Heat a large pot over medium heat and drizzle with oil. Add the onion and carrot, sautéing until golden and fragrant. - Cook the Rice
Stir in the rice, then pour in 3 cups of hot water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed. - Add the Vegetables
Stir in the canned corn and any other vegetables you like. Cover the pot and let everything steam together for 5 minutes. - Season and Serve
Add salt to taste, fluff the rice with a fork, and serve warm.
Recipe Tips
Rinse the Rice: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. This helps prevent the rice from clumping and ensures a fluffy texture.
Use Hot Water: Add hot, boiling water to the pot when cooking the rice. This reduces cooking time and ensures even cooking without making the rice mushy.
Sauté the Vegetables First: Sautéing the onion and carrot until golden adds a rich, savory flavor to the dish. You can also include garlic or spices during this step for an extra flavor boost.
Don’t Overcook the Vegetables: Add the green beans and other veggies during the last few minutes of cooking to keep them vibrant and slightly crisp, maintaining their nutritional value and texture.
Let the Rice Rest: Once the rice is cooked, turn off the heat and let it sit covered for a few minutes. This allows the grains to settle and makes it easier to fluff with a fork before serving.
Can I Make This Dish in a Rice Cooker?
Absolutely! To make this dish in a rice cooker, simply add the rinsed rice, water, and salt to the cooker as usual. For the vegetables, sauté the onion and carrot separately on the stovetop to bring out their flavor, then add them to the rice cooker along with any other veggies you’re using. Let everything cook together in the rice cooker for a hassle-free, one-pot meal. Once the rice is done, fluff it with a fork and serve!
Make it Whole Foods
This recipe can be considered a whole foods dish if you use minimal processed ingredients.
- Use Whole Grain Rice: Opt for brown rice, quinoa, or whole grain rice instead of white rice to increase the fiber content and nutritional value.
- Fresh Vegetables: Choose fresh or minimally processed vegetables like green beans, carrots, and bell peppers rather than frozen mixed vegetable blends, which may contain added preservatives or sodium.
- Limit Oil and Salt: Use minimal oil for sautéing and adjust the salt according to your taste. Using a small amount of oil and seasoning with herbs or spices can still keep the dish healthy and flavorful.
By making these swaps, the dish aligns more closely with whole foods principles.
Rice With Mixed Vegetables
Ingredients
- 1 onion diced
- 1 carrot shredded
- 2 cups white rice or brown rice
- 3 cups hot water
- 1 can whole kernel corn
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Prep the VegetablesDice the onion and shred the carrot. Set aside.
- Cook the AromaticsHeat a large pot over medium heat and drizzle with oil. Add the onion and carrot, sautéing until golden and fragrant.
- Cook the RiceStir in the rice, then pour in 3 cups of hot water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed.
- Add the VegetablesStir in the canned corn and any other vegetables you like. Cover the pot and let everything steam together for 5 minutes.
- Season and ServeAdd salt to taste, fluff the rice with a fork, and serve warm.
This rice with mixed vegetables is a simple, delicious, and wholesome dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re whipping it up for a quick weeknight dinner or serving it as a side for a special meal, its vibrant flavors and versatility are sure to impress.
Packed with nutrients and easy to customize, it’s a recipe you’ll want to make again and again. Enjoy the comforting blend of fluffy rice and sautéed veggies, and feel free to get creative with your favorite add-ins!
What vegetables would you add to make this recipe your own?