Easy Vegetarian Brown Rice Pilaf
Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with this **Easy Vegetarian Brown Rice Pilaf**, a wholesome and flavorful dish that's as nutritious as it is satisfying. Featuring hearty brown rice simmered in savory vegetable broth, this one-pot recipe includes a medley of vibrant veggies like carrots, celery, and peas, infused with aromatic garlic and fragrant herbs like thyme and oregano. The result is a perfectly fluffy pilaf that's naturally gluten-free, high in fiber, and bursting with wholesome goodness. Ready in under an hour with minimal prep, this dish is versatile enough to be served as a comforting side or a light main course. Garnish with fresh parsley for a burst of color and extra freshness, and enjoy a hassle-free meal packed with flavor and nutrients!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown rice
- 2.5 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 1 medium celery stalk, diced
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 0.5 cup frozen peas
- 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Rinse the brown rice under cool running water in a fine mesh strainer to remove excess starch and set it aside.
Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized pot or deep skillet over medium heat.
Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery to the pot and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, taking care not to burn it.
Add the rinsed brown rice to the pot and stir to coat the grains in the oil and vegetable mixture.
Pour in the vegetable broth and stir in the dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and let the rice cook for about 35 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
Remove the lid and stir in the frozen peas. Cover again and let them steam for another 5 minutes.
Fluff the rice with a fork and taste for seasoning, adjusting salt and pepper as needed.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired, and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
212 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 8.6 g | 11% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.4 g | 7% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 619 mg | 27% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 29.4 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.2 g | 19% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.1 g | ||
| Protein | 5.8 g | 12% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 60 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 1.7 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 495 mg | 11% | |
*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.
