A nostalgic one-pot yellow rice with vegan hot dogs, inspired by a childhood favorite—arroz con salchichas—easy, flavorful, and ready in 30 minutes using a rice cooker.
My husband grew up eating Arroz con Salchichas all the time as a kid—made with classic hot dogs and lots of love. Last year, while visiting Barcelona, his dad surprised us by making a vegan version using plant-based hot dogs, and it turned out so good that we asked him to make it again the very next night. When we got back to the U.S., we recreated it ourselves using Lightlife or Simple Truth vegan hot dogs—and now it’s a nostalgic, comforting dish we keep in our regular rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Yellow Rice with Hot Dogs
- Nostalgic Comfort Food – A childhood classic made plant-based, full of cozy, familiar flavor.
- One-Pot Simplicity – Toss everything in the rice cooker and let it do the work—no fuss, no mess.
- Quick & Easy – Ready in about 30 minutes with minimal prep.
- Vegan-Friendly – Made with plant-based hot dogs like Lightlife or Simple Truth, but still satisfying and savory.
Ingredients
- 2 cups white rice
- 3 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp oil (olive oil or neutral oil)
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric (for color)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika (optional, for flavor depth)
- 4 vegan hot dogs, sliced
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to your rice cooker: rice, water, salt, oil, turmeric, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika (if using), and sliced hot dogs.
- Stir well to combine.
- Cook on the standard white rice setting.
- Once done, fluff with a fork and serve warm.
Recipe Tips
Slice the hot dogs thinly and evenly – This helps them warm through quickly and distribute flavor throughout the rice.
Rinse your rice before cooking – It removes excess starch and keeps the rice fluffy, not sticky.
Use turmeric for color, not flavor – A little goes a long way. Don’t overdo it or it can turn slightly bitter.
Adjust seasoning to taste – Feel free to add onion powder, a pinch of black pepper, or even a dash of soy sauce for extra umami.
Add frozen peas or diced veggies – Toss them in before cooking for a pop of color and nutrition without extra effort.
Yellow Rice with Hot Dog (Arroz Con Salchichas)
Equipment
- rice cooker
Ingredients
- 2 cups white rice
- 3 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric (for color)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp ground cumin
- smoked paprika (optional, for flavor depth)
- 4 vegan hot dogs sliced
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to your rice cooker: rice, water, salt, oil, turmeric, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika (if using), and sliced hot dogs.
- Stir well to combine.
- Cook on the standard white rice setting.
- Once done, fluff with a fork and serve warm.
I love how this simple dish brings so much warmth and nostalgia to our table. It’s amazing how a few pantry staples and some sliced vegan hot dogs can recreate something so comforting and familiar. Every time we make it, it takes us back to that cozy night in Barcelona with my father-in-law, and now it’s become one of our go-to weeknight meals. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!