Cooking rice and vegetables simultaneously can seem challenging, but with some planning and the right techniques, you can easily make a delicious meal. The key is to find rice and vegetable pairings that have similar cook times and complementary flavors. With the right tricks, you can cook rice and vegetables together in one pot or pan for a quick weeknight dinner or impressive side dish.
Reasons to Cook Rice and Vegetables Together
There are several benefits to cooking rice and vegetables at the same time:
- It saves time since you only have to use one pot or pan.
- The rice absorbs flavor from the vegetables and seasonings.
- The technique steams the vegetables, maintaining nutrients and texture.
- Fewer dishes to wash afterwards!
Cooking rice with vegetables is a great way to add color, texture, nutrients and flavor to a simple grain. It transforms plain rice into a complete, tasty meal.
Choosing the Right Rice
The type of rice you select will impact the success of cooking it with vegetables. Long grain white, brown or wild rice are best since they have a firmer texture that won’t turn mushy when cooked alongside vegetables. Good options include:
- Basmati
- Jasmine
- Long grain brown rice
- Wild rice
Short grain rice like Arborio or sticky rice varieties are too starchy and soft for mixing with vegetables. The grains will become gummy and overcooked.
Selecting Compatible Vegetables
You’ll want to choose vegetables that have a similar cook time as rice, between 15-30 minutes. Firmer, dense vegetables work best since they won’t fall apart or overcook when simmered together with rice. Great options include:
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Carrots
- Bell peppers
- Snap peas
- Zucchini or summer squash
- Kale or spinach
- Frozen peas or edamame
- Corn kernels
- Lima, black or garbanzo beans
Softer vegetables like tomatoes, eggplant and fresh herbs can be added towards the end so they don’t disintegrate.
Cooking Methods
There are a few different ways to cook rice and vegetables together.
Stovetop
One pot or saucepan:
- Sauté aromatics like garlic, ginger or shallots in oil first.
- Add chopped vegetables and sauté 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in rice and liquid (water or broth). Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat and let sit 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
Two pots:
- Cook rice according to package directions in one pot.
- In a skillet or saucepan, sauté vegetables in oil over medium-high heat until tender-crisp.
- When finished, mix rice and vegetables together and adjust seasoning as needed.
Oven Baked
Baking rice and vegetables in the oven allows everything to cook evenly without constant stirring.
- Bring rice and liquid to a boil on the stovetop.
- Transfer to a casserole or baking dish along with chopped vegetables.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until rice absorbs the liquid.
- Remove foil, fluff with a fork and bake uncovered 5 more minutes to evaporate excess moisture.
Rice Cooker
Modern rice cookers have a steaming tray insert that allows you to cook vegetables over the rice as it simmers hands-free.
- Add washed rice and liquid to rice cooker pot.
- Place chopped vegetables in steaming tray.
- Start rice cooker and let cook according to manufacturer’s directions, around 20-30 minutes.
- When rice is finished, stir vegetables into rice before serving.
Slow Cooker
Using a slow cooker allows you to just dump in the ingredients and let them cook low and slow.
- Place washed rice and chopped vegetables into slow cooker.
- Add broth or water. Use a little less liquid than package directions since the slow cooker retains moisture.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
- Stir before serving and add more broth or water if needed.
Flavor Additions
Herbs, spices, sauces and other ingredients can take your rice and veggies to the next level. Consider adding any of the following:
- Garlic, ginger, chili peppers
- Onion, carrot, celery
- Fresh herbs – cilantro, basil, parsley, dill
- Dried herbs – oregano, thyme, rosemary
- Spices – cumin, turmeric, curry powder, paprika
- Citrus – lemon/lime juice, zest
- Soy sauce, sesame oil
- Coconut milk
- Chicken or vegetable broth
- Parmesan cheese
- Nuts – almonds, cashews, peanuts
- Nut butter
Mix and match different herb and spice blends to create signature rice and vegetable dishes from various world cuisines.
Recipe Inspiration
Here are some delicious recipe ideas for cooking rice with vegetables:
Italian Rice and Veggies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Arborio rice
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 yellow squash, chopped
- 1 jar marinara sauce
- 1⁄2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 2 cups water or broth
- Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning to taste
Instructions:
- Bring rice, vegetables and liquid to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover and simmer 15 minutes.
- Stir in marinara sauce, seasonings and cheese.
- Replace cover and cook 5 more minutes until rice is tender.
Coconut Rice with Snow Peas
Ingredients:
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
- 1 shallot, minced
- 1 cup snow peas
- 1 13.5 oz can coconut milk
- 1 cup water or broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Heat oil in skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté shallot 2 minutes.
- Add rice and sauté 1 minute more.
- Stir in snow peas, coconut milk and liquid. Season.
- Bring to a boil then cover and reduce heat.
- Simmer 15-20 minutes until rice is tender.
Cajun Dirty Rice
Ingredients:
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 celery stalk, chopped
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 14oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 1⁄2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
- Hot sauce to taste
Instructions:
- Sauté vegetables and garlic 5 minutes.
- Add rice, broth, tomatoes and seasoning. Bring to a boil.
- Cover, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in hot sauce.
Lemon Basil Rice with Carrots
Ingredients:
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1 lb carrots, sliced
- 1 shallot, diced
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 3⁄4 cups vegetable broth
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1⁄4 cup chopped basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In pan, sauté shallot and garlic in oil briefly.
- Add rice, carrots and broth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low.
- Simmer 15-20 minutes until rice and carrots are tender.
- Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and basil.
Tips for Perfect Results
Follow these tips for cooking rice and vegetables together flawlessly:
- Cut vegetables to similar bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Start with hot or boiling liquid to properly cook rice.
- Use a tight fitting lid and don’t peek or stir too much.
- Reduce heat once boiling to prevent boiling over.
- For stovetop, finish covered off heat for 5 minutes.
- Check rice and vegetable doneness before serving.
- Add a touch more liquid if needed and adjust seasoning.
- Fluff with a fork just before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best rice to vegetable ratio?
Use about 1 cup uncooked rice to 2-3 cups chopped vegetables. Adjust amounts as needed to suit your preference.
Should you rinse the rice first?
It’s recommended to rinse long grain and brown rice to remove excess starch. This prevents grains from sticking together. Quick cooking white rice doesn’t need rinsing.
Do you need to pre-cook the vegetables?
Most vegetables can go in raw, right in with the uncooked rice. Denser veggies may need a head start by sautéing for 2-3 minutes first.
How much liquid is needed?
Use the regular amount of water or broth recommended on the rice package. The vegetables release extra moisture as they cook so you typically don’t need to increase liquid.
Should you stir while cooking?
Stirring too much can make the rice sticky and mushy. After bringing to a boil, only lift the lid to quickly stir once halfway through.
What if the rice is undercooked?
If the rice is still crunchy or stiff, sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons water over and cook for 5 more minutes.
What if the rice is overcooked?
Unfortunately overcooked rice turns gluey and is not reversible. To salvage, use extra broth or oil to loosen the texture. Undercook next time.
Conclusion
Cooking rice and vegetables together is an easy, healthy and delicious way to put dinner on the table quickly. With the proper rice, vegetable and flavor selections, you can make flavorful plant-based meals the whole family will love. Experiment with different taste combinations using the cooking methods outlined. In no time, you’ll become a pro at making one-pot rice masterpieces.