Easy Vegetable Herb Rice

Brighten up your dinner table with this vibrant and flavorful Easy Vegetable Herb Rice! This one-pot dish combines fluffy basmati rice with a colorful medley of sautéed carrots, red bell peppers, peas, and aromatic herbs like parsley, cilantro, and thyme. A touch of lemon zest adds a zippy finishing note, making this recipe a perfect balance of hearty and fresh. With a quick prep time of just 10 minutes and minimal effort, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or as an elegant side for special occasions. Serve it alongside your favorite protein or enjoy it as a light, vegetarian main course. Healthy, easy, and delicious—this vegetable herb rice is your next go-to meal! Keywords: vegetable rice, herb rice, easy dinner recipe, vegetarian side dish, healthy rice recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the rinsed rice and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Cover the pan, reduce heat to low, and let the rice simmer for 15 minutes. Once cooked, remove from heat and allow it to sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and set aside.

Step 3

While the rice cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat.

Step 4

Add the diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until softened. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Step 5

Stir in the diced carrot and red bell pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are slightly softened.

Step 6

Add the frozen peas to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, until heated through.

Step 7

Season the vegetable mixture with dried thyme, black pepper, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir well to combine.

Step 8

Add the cooked rice to the skillet and gently toss the rice with the vegetable mixture until evenly combined.

Step 9

Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the chopped parsley, cilantro, and lemon zest for a burst of fresh flavor.

Step 10

Serve the vegetable herb rice warm as a side dish or a standalone meal. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1154.1 grams (1154.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	737

Total Fat 30.10g	39%
Saturated Fat 4.80g	24%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2430mg	106%
Total Carbohydrate 99.00g	36%
Dietary Fiber 15.70g	56%
Total Sugars 20.70g
Protein 19.10g	38%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 169mg	13%
Iron 7mg	39%
Potassium 1074mg	23%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.4%

Protein: 10.3%

Carbs: 53.3%