Rice pilaf with veggies is a simple side dish, and it goes with literally anything! Your whole family will love this easy-to-make rice dish, vegetables and all. I especially like to serve this vegetable rice recipe with chicken. You can see it on the side of my oven-baked Blackened Chicken Recipe, but I also really enjoy this lightly turmeric-seasoned rice with Easy Roast Chicken, Juicy Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs, and crispy Chicken Schnitzel.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients In Vegetable Rice
Here’s what you need to make this simple and delicious rice side dish:
Rice: Regular uncooked long-grain white rice is what I’m using. You could also make this recipe with Jasmine or Basmati rice, although the cooking time may need to be adjusted. Rinse your rice well before cooking it. Veggies: I like this best with frozen mixed vegetables – the kind that is a blend of carrots, peas, corn, and sometimes green beans. Stock: Using vegetable stock makes this a vegetarian recipe, but you can use chicken stock as well if you prefer. I like to make my own homemade veggie stock – it’s super easy in the Instant Pot! Onion and Garlic: These aromatics give this dish a wonderful homestyle flavor. Turmeric: A favorite spice of mine, turmeric adds a warm flavor and a lovely yellow color to this rice recipe.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
How To Make Vegetable Rice
Recipe Tips
Rinse the rice in cold water. Rinsing removes starch from the rice and helps to create cooked rice that isn’t sticky, clumpy, or stuck to the pan. Avoid stirring the rice too much. Once the ingredients are added to the pan, let the mixture boil, then cover, turn the heat down, and leave it alone. Stirring can make the rice sticky. Leave the lid on the pot during the resting period. The rice will continue to steam during this time, and you want to keep the heat in the pot. Make it with fresh veggies. Instead of frozen vegetables, cook fresh vegetables in the pan with the onions. Try diced zucchini, sliced mushrooms, chopped broccoli, or red bell pepper. Try other seasonings. Instead of or in addition to the turmeric, try Italian seasoning or fresh herbs.
Storing Tips
Store any leftover veggie rice in an airtight container. It can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days, and easily reheated in the microwave! You can also freeze servings in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, which makes this recipe wonderful for meal prepping ahead of time.
What To Serve With Rice and Vegetables
This simple and tasty rice side dish will go perfectly with all of your favorite dinners! Here are some of my best quick and easy meals for you to try tonight:
Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks Ritz Cracker Baked Pork Chops Crusted Chicken Romano Swedish Meatballs Honey Mustard Salmon Turkey Burgers
Can I make this recipe with brown rice?
Since brown rice requires a different cooking time and amount of liquid, I don’t recommend using it in this recipe. It will work best with any long-grain white rice that you enjoy though!
How can I make rice in the instant pot?
I suggest following one of my instant pot rice recipes! Try pressure cooker mushroom rice, instant pot Basmati rice, or my turmeric rice recipe. Stir in frozen mixed veggies after the rice has been cooked, they will steam perfectly with the hot rice.
Can I skip the onion and garlic?
If you’d like a more plainly seasoned version of this recipe, feel free to leave out the garlic and onion. You can also add a bit more garlic if you would like your veggie rice to be even more flavorful. Serve this vegetable rice recipe with all of your favorite meals! It’s great with grilled or roasted meats and will be huge hit with your family all year long. © Little Sunny Kitchen
