Best Veg Rice Recipes for Easy and Delicious Meals

Vegetable rice dishes are the ultimate comfort food — colorful, nutritious, and bursting with flavor. Whether you’re looking for a quick weekday meal or something to wow your guests, veg rice recipes offer versatility and ease.

From fragrant Indian-style pulao to vibrant stir-fried rice loaded with crisp veggies, these recipes are perfect for anyone wanting to enjoy a wholesome, plant-based meal without compromising on taste.

Plus, rice is an affordable pantry staple that pairs beautifully with almost any vegetable, making it a go-to choice for home cooks everywhere.

In this post, we’ll explore some of the best veg rice recipes that combine simple ingredients with bold spices and fresh vegetables. Each recipe is designed to be straightforward yet delicious, showing you how easy it is to transform everyday rice into a fabulous feast.

If you’re excited about elevating your rice game, let’s dive right in!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These veg rice recipes are perfect for everyone — whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out. They are:

• Highly versatile: Customize with your favorite vegetables or spices.
• Nutritious: Packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants from fresh veggies.
• Quick and easy: Most recipes can be ready in under 30 minutes.
• Budget-friendly: Affordable ingredients that stretch to multiple servings.
• Deliciously satisfying: Flavorful and fragrant, perfect for any meal.

Plus, these recipes can be made vegan or vegetarian with ease, making them ideal for health-conscious eaters or those following plant-based diets.

Ingredients

• Long-grain Basmati rice – 1 ½ cups
• Mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, bell peppers, beans) – 2 cups, chopped
• Onion – 1 medium, finely sliced
• Garlic cloves – 3, minced
• Ginger – 1-inch piece, grated
• Green chili – 1, finely chopped (optional)
• Tomato – 1 medium, chopped
• Vegetable oil or ghee – 3 tablespoons
• Cumin seeds – 1 teaspoon
• Turmeric powder – ½ teaspoon
• Garam masala – 1 teaspoon
• Salt – to taste
• Water – 3 cups
• Fresh coriander leaves – a handful, chopped
• Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon (optional)

Equipment

• Medium saucepan with lid
• Large frying pan or wok
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Fine mesh strainer (for rinsing rice)
• Knife and chopping board

Instructions

1. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak it for 20 minutes, then drain well.
2. Heat oil or ghee in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle for 30 seconds.
3. Add sliced onions and sauté until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Stir in garlic, ginger, and green chili. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Add chopped tomatoes and cook until soft, about 3-4 minutes.
6. Add mixed vegetables, turmeric, garam masala, and salt. Stir well and cook for 5 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender.
7. In a separate saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add the soaked and drained rice.
8. Cook the rice for 8-10 minutes until almost done but still firm (al dente). Drain any excess water.
9. Mix the cooked rice into the vegetable mixture gently, folding to combine without breaking the rice grains.
10. Cover the pan and cook on low heat for 5 minutes to let flavors meld together.
11. Turn off the heat and sprinkle chopped coriander leaves and lemon juice on top.
12. Fluff the rice lightly with a fork and serve hot.

Tips & Variations

For fluffier rice, avoid stirring too much after adding the cooked rice to the vegetables.

• Swap vegetables: Use corn, zucchini, or spinach as per availability and preference.
• Add nuts: Toss in roasted cashews or almonds for crunch and extra protein.
• Try different spices: Add a cinnamon stick or bay leaf while cooking the rice for an aromatic twist.
• Make it spicy: Increase green chili or add red chili powder for heat.
• Protein boost: Mix in cooked chickpeas or paneer cubes to make it more filling.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

This veg rice pairs beautifully with a variety of sides and accompaniments. For a complete meal, serve it alongside:

• Raita or yogurt dip: The coolness balances the spices perfectly.
• Pickles or chutneys: Add a tangy burst of flavor.
• Grilled or roasted vegetables: Complement the rice with smoky tastes.
• Salads: A fresh cucumber or tomato salad adds crunch and freshness.

For more rice inspiration, check out our Jerk Rice Recipe or try the vibrant Kosher Sushi Salad Recipe for a fresh twist. Want to experiment with dough-based sides?

Our Magic Dough Recipe is a fantastic companion.

Best Veg Rice Recipes Listicle

Classic Vegetable Pulao

This aromatic Indian-style rice dish is a celebration of spices and fresh vegetables. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a festive occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups basmati rice
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, beans)
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-inch ginger, grated
• 1 green chili, finely chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 3 tablespoons oil or ghee
• Salt to taste
• 3 cups water
• Fresh coriander leaves, chopped

Instructions

1. Rinse and soak rice for 20 minutes.
2. Heat oil, add cumin seeds, sauté onions till golden.
3. Add garlic, ginger, green chili, cook 2 minutes.
4. Add tomatoes and cook until soft.
5. Add veggies, turmeric, garam masala, and salt; cook 5 minutes.
6. Boil water in separate pot, cook rice till al dente, drain.
7. Mix rice into veggies, cover, cook on low heat 5 minutes.
8. Garnish with coriander and serve.

Stir-Fry Veg Rice

A quick and colorful stir-fry loaded with crunchy vegetables and simple Asian-inspired flavors. Ideal for using leftover rice.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked rice (preferably chilled)
• 1 cup bell peppers, diced
• ½ cup carrots, julienned
• ½ cup snow peas or green beans
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Heat vegetable oil in wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
3. Toss in bell peppers, carrots, snow peas; stir-fry 3-4 minutes.
4. Add cold rice, breaking any clumps gently.
5. Pour soy sauce and sesame oil, mixing well.
6. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with green onions, and serve.

Mediterranean Veggie Rice Bowl

Bright and fresh with Mediterranean flavors, this rice bowl features olives, cucumber, tomatoes, and herbs for a light yet satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups cooked brown rice
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup cucumber, diced
• ¼ cup Kalamata olives, sliced
• ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine cooked rice, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and red onion.
2. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.
3. Season with salt and pepper, toss gently to mix.
4. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top before serving.

Conclusion

Vegetable rice recipes are a fantastic way to enjoy a flavorful, healthy, and satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you prefer the spicy and aromatic Indian pulao, the quick and versatile stir-fry rice, or the fresh Mediterranean rice bowl, there’s a recipe here to suit every mood and occasion.

These dishes are not only easy to customize with whatever veggies you have on hand but also perfect for meal prep and leftovers.

Remember, the key to great veg rice is balancing flavors and textures — the softness of the rice, the crunch of fresh vegetables, and the punch of spices or herbs. Keep experimenting and feel free to check out other delicious recipes on our site like the savory Jamaican Minced Beef Recipes or the sweet and indulgent Marzipan Challah Recipe.

Happy cooking and enjoy your colorful, wholesome bowls of veg rice!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Best Veg Rice Recipe”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A flavorful and colorful vegetable rice dish packed with fresh veggies and aromatic spices. Perfect as a main or side dish for any meal.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT25M”, “totalTime”: “PT40M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 cup basmati rice”, “2 tablespoons vegetable oil”, “1 medium onion, finely chopped”, “2 cloves garlic, minced”, “1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, bell peppers)”, “1 medium tomato, chopped”, “1 teaspoon cumin seeds”, “1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder”, “1/2 teaspoon garam masala”, “2 cups water”, “Salt to taste”, “Fresh cilantro for garnish”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Rinse the rice under cold water until clear and soak for 10 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds until they splutter.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add chopped onions and saut\u00e9 until golden brown.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add garlic and chopped tomato, cook until soft.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in mixed vegetables, turmeric, garam masala, and salt.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Drain rice and add to the pan, saut\u00e9 for 2 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour in water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cook on low heat for 15 minutes or until rice is done.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Turn off heat and let it rest covered for 5 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Fluff rice with a fork and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “250 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “6 g”, “fatContent”: “5 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “45 g”}}