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Home » Recipes » Perfect Rice Pilaf with Vegetables

Last updated on December 5, 2023. Originally posted on July 8, 2022 By Maryea / 8 Comments

Perfect Rice Pilaf with Vegetables

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Rice Pilaf is an easy side dish that goes with just about anything you’re having for dinner!
Perfect Rice Pilaf with Vegetables Recipe

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Anytime I have an opportunity to add extra vegetables into a dish, I do it. It’s not easy to get all of those vegetable servings in, especially for the kids. That’s why I’ve always added extra veggies into my rice pilaf. Most of the time rice pilaf is made with diced onion, but I like to bring some red bell peppers, carrots and zucchini to the game.

Add an extra serving of vegetables to my day without even noticing? Why not?! Check out How Much in a Serving of Vegetables? if you’re curious if you’re eating the recommended amount each day.

This Rice Pilaf with Vegetables makes a perfect side dish that the whole family loves. That’s winning!

What is rice pilaf? 

Are you familiar with rice pilaf? It’s probably my favorite way to prepare rice, or maybe it’s tied with risotto. Who doesn’t love risotto? Try my Brown Rice Risotto for a healthier version!

Back to rice pilaf. Let me fill you in if you don’t know exactly what it is.

Rice is considered rice pilaf when it’s been toasted and cooked in aromatics (like the onion and carrot) and then cooked in a seasoned broth.

Toasting the rice gives the finished dish a more complex flavor and cooking the rice in a little bit less liquid gives it a fluffier texture. We also let it rest after cooking which gives it an even fluffier texture.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Rice Pilaf

It turns out you can teach an old dog new tricks. While on our recent vacation, in addition to a few books I also read a number of magazines. One of them was an issue of Fine Cooking, which had an article on cooking perfect rice pilaf. I took some of their advice and tried the tips as soon as we got home and they brought my normal rice pilaf to an even better level.

  • Use long grain rice. I prefer brown rice, but a long-grain white rice like jasmine rice or basmati are great also.
  • Rinse your rice in cold water first. Rinsing removes starch and helps create separate, not sticky, rice grains.
  • Toast your rice grains first. Toasting them adds texture as well as extra flavor. The longer you let them cook, the more complex and nutty the flavor will be.
  • Don’t stir the rice pilaf after it boils as this can make the rice sticky.
  • Allow the rice to rest for a couple of minutes before scooping to serve. Again, this prevents it from getting sticky.

Recipe Ingredients–What You Need

  • long grain rice (I prefer brown basmati rice)
  • oil or butter
  • onion
  • carrots
  • red bell pepper
  • zucchini
  • chicken broth or vegetable broth (for a vegetarian rice pilaf, just use vegetable broth)
  • salt and pepper

Substitution and Addition Ideas

  • Use your favorite vegetables: cauliflower, broccoli, eggplant, or others could be used
  • Frozen vegetables will work when fresh vegetables aren’t available.
  • Use homemade chicken stock for extra nutrition. Try my Slow Cooker Bone Broth or Instant Pot Bone Broth.
  • Add some garlic powder and Italian seasonings for extra flavor or try fresh herbs.

    How to Make Rice Pilaf with Vegetables

    Making homemade rice pilaf with vegetables is easier than you think! It just takes a few simple steps and it’s so much tastier than regular rice.

      Perfect Rice Pilaf with Vegetables Recipe easy and delicious

      1. In a large bowl, rinse rice with cold water. Stir with your hands to remove surface starch. Drain through a fine-mesh strainer and rinse again.
      2. Heat the butter or oil in a large, heavy-duty saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, red pepper, zucchini, and carrot and sauté for 3-4 minutes.
      3. Add the rice and cook, stirring, until it is lightly browned and smells nutty, about 5 minutes.
      4. Stir in the broth, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Immediately lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook on low heat until all of the liquid is absorbed, about 40-45 minutes.
      5. Remove the pan from the heat, uncover, and lay a folded kitchen towel over the pan, and cover again to hold the towel in place. Let the rice rest for about 5 minutes.
      6. Remove the lid and towel, fluff the rice with a fork, and serve.
      7. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days

      Are you ready to give rice pilaf a try? I think you’re going to love this easy and healthy side dish! It’s great as a simple side dish, but it can become a main course by adding a protein and turning it into rice bowls. A complete meal that’s so easy and so good. This easy recipe will become a dinner time favorite!

      I love rice side dishes with vegetables incorporated. I’m going to try this Pumpkin Risotto soon!

      If you try this recipe or any of my other healthy recipes, would you mind rating the recipe with stars when you leave a comment? It’s VERY helpful for me and other readers if the recipes have ratings and reviews. I appreciate you!

      If you share on Instagram and tag me, I’ll feature you! I can’t wait to see what you’re cooking.

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      Perfect Rice Pilaf with Vegetables Recipe easy and delicious

      Perfect Rice Pilaf with Vegetables


      5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

      5 from 1 review

      • Author: Maryea Flaherty | Happy Healthy Mama
      • Total Time: 1 hour
      • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
      Print Recipe
      Print Recipe

      Description

      Rice Pilaf is an easy side dish that goes with any meal and adding vegetables is an great way to get your family eating more vegetables!


      Ingredients

      Units Scale
      • 1 1/2 cups brown basmati rice
      • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter or avocado oil*
      • 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely diced
      • 1/2 medium red bell pepper, diced
      • 1 small zucchini, diced
      • 1 small carrot, diced
      • 2 3/4 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
      • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
      • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

      Instructions

      1. In a large bowl, rinse rice with cold water. Stir with your hands to remove surface starch. Drain through a fine-mesh strainer and rinse again.
      2. Heat the butter or oil in a large, heavy-duty saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, red pepper, zucchini, and carrot and sauté for 3-4 minutes.
      3. Add the rice and cook, stirring, until it is lightly browned and smells nutty, about 5 minutes.
      4. Stir in the broth, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Immediately lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook until all of the liquid is absorbed, about 40-45 minutes.
      5. Remove the pan from the heat, uncover, and lay a folded kitchen towl over the pan, and cover again to hold the towel in place. Let the rice rest for about 5 minutes.
      6. Remove the lid and towel, fluff the rice with a fork, and serve.

      Notes

      *I prefer the flavor of butter, but if you need to keep this vegan or dairy-free, avocado oil is a good substitution.

      • Prep Time: 20 minutes
      • Cook Time: 40 minutes
      • Category: recipes
      • Method: stovetop
      • Cuisine: American

      Nutrition

      • Calories: 188
      • Sugar: 2.2 grams
      • Sodium: 376 mg
      • Fat: 5.6 grams
      • Saturated Fat: 3 grams
      • Unsaturated Fat: 2.3 grams
      • Trans Fat: 0 grams
      • Carbohydrates: 31.2 grams
      • Fiber: 2.3 grams
      • Protein: 3.5 grams

      Did you make this recipe?

      Tag @happyhealthymama on Instagram and hashtag it #happyhealthymama

       

      Here are some more rice recipes I think you’ll love!

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      Roasted Vegetable Brown Rice Risotto with Bacon and Kale. This is HEALTHY comfort food at its finest!Leftover Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

      Turkey and Wild Rice Soup recipe

      Rainbow Rice and Bean Salad

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      Butternut Squash Rice Bowl

       

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      Filed Under: Anti-inflammatory Diet

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Shan says

        January 23, 2025 at 3:26 pm

        If I make it the day before, what’s the best way to re-heat it so it’ll taste as fresh as possible?

        Reply
      2. Rita Bunis says

        August 20, 2023 at 10:55 pm

        can this b made a day before serving

        Reply
        • Maryea says

          August 21, 2023 at 9:11 am

          Yes!

          Reply
      3. Cindy says

        July 18, 2023 at 8:45 pm

        This is a delicious recipe but if you cook it for 40 minutes after you add the broth you will burn everything. Once you add the broth, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 13-15 minutes

        Reply
        • Maryea says

          July 23, 2023 at 10:34 am

          I’ve made this many times and it doesn’t burn. I use brown rice as the recipe indicates and it would be raw after only 13-15 minutes. 40 minutes is needed to cook the rice.

          Reply
      4. seekyum says

        September 3, 2022 at 7:30 am

        Put some meat in the rice, I think it will be more flavored

        Reply
      5. wheredle says

        August 9, 2022 at 11:31 pm

        wow! yummy! yummy!!

        Reply
      6. Gail says

        February 25, 2020 at 5:21 pm

        I am not a good cook (normally). But I just tried this recipe, and even my 93-year-old mother couldn’t get enough of it. Such a fabulous recipe. I thank you fervently for sharing it with the rest of us.

        Reply

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