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Golden Vegetable Pilaf rice in a white bowl on a pink background with small bowls of pomegranate and lime wedges and some chopped mint.
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5 from 6 votes

Easy Vegetable Rice Pilaf Recipe

Simple yet flavourful, this delicious rice pilaf recipe is what dreams are made of! This easy dish is ready in only 25 minutes (including prep).
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: mains
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Servings: 5
Calories: 470kcal
Author: Mimi Harrison
Cost: £1.06

Ingredients

  • 1 white onion, finely diced (£0.09)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced (£0.23)
  • 50 g ginger, finely chopped (£0.50)
  • 400 ml (1 tin) coconut milk (£0.82)
  • 1 kg frozen veg, broccoli, cauliflower & carrot (£0.92)
  • 1 lime, juiced (£0.20)
  • 350 g jasmine rice/long grain white rice (£1.40)
  • 1 handful of fresh mint, removed from tough stems (£0.50)
  • 1 pomegranate, deseeded (£0.65)

Cupboard Essentials

  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 tbsp turmeric
  • 600 ml vegetable stock
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Optional chilli flakes
Metric - US Standard

Instructions

  • Add the coconut oil, onion and ginger into a large saucepan/deep frying pan on a medium to low heat. Season with a generous pinch of salt and pepper and gently fry until the onions are translucent, around 6 minutes.
  • Then, add the garlic to fry for a couple of minutes. If it’s starting to feel a bit dry, add a splash of water. Add the turmeric into the pan to bloom for a further minute along with the lime zest.
  • To that, add the coconut milk, frozen veggies, lime juice and stock. As the veggies will bring the temperature right down, increase the heat and wait for the pot to come back up to a low simmer before adding the rice. Season again with salt and pepper and set a timer for 12 minutes (check the packet time of your rice), stirring once half-way.
  • When the rice is fully cooked and the cooking liquid is fully absorbed, you’ll be ready to go! Serve with a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds, mint and an extra squeeze of lime. If you like a little heat, add some chilli flakes!

Notes

  • Opt for frozen veggies to save time; fresh veggies are also an option if preferred, just ensure uniform chopping.
  • Avoid excessive stirring to maintain a light texture; excess stirring can lead to starchiness similar to risotto.
  • Balance flavours with chili flakes, starting conservatively and adjusting to taste; omit if spice isn't desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 470kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 17g