Category: vegetables

Greek Orzo Salad

Greek Orzo Salad is fresh and bright, perfect for summer! Made with feta cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, olive, and plenty of herbs and lemon, this pasta salad is delicious on its own or alongside grilled chicken. INTRO WHAT IS ORZO If you’ve ever eaten orzo at a restaurant, you might think it’s a type of rice …

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Greek Orzo Salad is fresh and bright, perfect for summer! Made with feta cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, olive, and plenty of herbs and lemon, this pasta salad is delicious on its own or alongside grilled chicken.

White plate of greek orzo salad garnished with wedges of lemon

INTRO

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Lemon and Herb White Bean Hummus

Say hello to the perfect spring dip: Lemon & Herb White Bean Hummus. It’s creamy, bright, and lemony with a hint of garlic and dill, and requires just 7 wholesome ingredients and 10 minutes to make. The perfect dip or spread for sandwiches, veggies…

Lemon and Herb White Bean Hummus

Say hello to the perfect spring dip: Lemon & Herb White Bean Hummus. It’s creamy, bright, and lemony with a hint of garlic and dill, and requires just 7 wholesome ingredients and 10 minutes to make. The perfect dip or spread for sandwiches, veggies, Buddha Bowls, and more! Let us show you how it’s done.

Origins of Hummus

Like many foods, the exact origin of hummus is debated. But it’s believed that the first recipes appeared in 13th-century cookbooks (source).

Lemon and Herb White Bean Hummus from Minimalist Baker →

Vegetable Frittata

Let’s crack a couple eggs…it’s Vegetable Frittata time! I love this protein-packed breakfast. I’ve loaded this easy frittata with veggies and perfectly-melted cheese for a savory breakfast that keeps you full until lunchtime! Th…

Let’s crack a couple eggs…it’s Vegetable Frittata time! I love this protein-packed breakfast. I’ve loaded this easy frittata with veggies and perfectly-melted cheese for a savory breakfast that keeps you full until lunchtime! This is a really easy meal to make and have on hand for the rest of the week (my favorite!) or to…

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Savory Oatmeal

This savory oatmeal recipe is an ideal savory breakfast idea! It’s wholesome, delicious and easy to make, topped with an egg and veggies. Have you tried Savory Oatmeal? If not, it’s high time to start. The American breakfast is built on sugar (pancakes, waffles, even yogurt and granola). But want more savory breakfast ideas? This recipe is the place to start! This makes a pot of chewy toasted oats that are irresistibly tasty. Top the bowl with a fried egg and garlicky sauteed kale, and the yolk makes a creamy sauce that covers everything in goodness. It’s no secret that we’re oatmeal obsessed around here…and eating a veggie-filled healthy breakfast just got easier. The method for savory oatmeal: toasted and chewy! This savory oatmeal recipe uses our standard method for oatmeal: toasted and textured! It’s a method we learned a while ago and have been riffing on ever since (see this Vegan Oatmeal). Instead of gooey, creamy and gloppy, you get chewy and toasty oats. Here’s the basic method: Toast the oats in butter for a few minutes. You’ll do this first before adding the water. It brings great flavor to the grains and floods your kitchen with an incredible […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

This savory oatmeal recipe is an ideal savory breakfast idea! It’s wholesome, delicious and easy to make, topped with an egg and veggies.

Savory oatmeal

Have you tried Savory Oatmeal? If not, it’s high time to start. The American breakfast is built on sugar (pancakes, waffles, even yogurt and granola). But want more savory breakfast ideas? This recipe is the place to start! This makes a pot of chewy toasted oats that are irresistibly tasty. Top the bowl with a fried egg and garlicky sauteed kale, and the yolk makes a creamy sauce that covers everything in goodness. It’s no secret that we’re oatmeal obsessed around here…and eating a veggie-filled healthy breakfast just got easier.

The method for savory oatmeal: toasted and chewy!

This savory oatmeal recipe uses our standard method for oatmeal: toasted and textured! It’s a method we learned a while ago and have been riffing on ever since (see this Vegan Oatmeal). Instead of gooey, creamy and gloppy, you get chewy and toasty oats. Here’s the basic method:

  • Toast the oats in butter for a few minutes. You’ll do this first before adding the water. It brings great flavor to the grains and floods your kitchen with an incredible smell.
  • Add the water (less than typical oatmeal). Less liquid makes for chewier oats.
  • Turn off the heat and allow to stand. Nope, no need to stir with this method! This solidifies the chewy texture — and gives you time to prep the toppings.
Savory oatmeal recipes

Best savory oatmeal toppings

You can simply make a pot of oatmeal and stop there. In fact, the way I eat my savory oatmeal on the daily? Oatmeal and peanut butter. (That’s it: no added sugar!) But for this savory oatmeal, we wanted to make it a colorful, beautiful bowl with a few veggies. Here’s the toppings we liked best, and a few other topping ideas:

  • Fried egg: The egg is required in our minds! It makes a lovely sauce to cover the bowl, and adds protein. But want to make vegan savory oatmeal? Skip it and see below for more details.
  • Sauteed greens: Saute greens with garlic and you’ve got an incredible savory topping! Our favorite is Tuscan kale: but you can use spinach, chard or even Collard greens (but cook them a little longer than specified until tender).
  • Tomatoes: Mix them with a hint of balsamic vinegar to make them pop!
  • Green onion: Green onion adds a lovely delicate onion flavor as a garnish, but it’s optional.
  • Parmesan cheese: Another optional topping: but a few spinkles of shredded cheese takes it over the top.

More topping ideas!

Savory oatmeal is a place where you can use your creativity and utilize whatever you have on hand in your fridge and pantry! Here are some ideas that come to mind:

Savory oatmeal

How to fry an egg for savory oatmeal

One skill you’ll need for this savory oatmeal: how to fry an egg perfectly! It’s not hard, but requires a bit of finesse. We like them best over easy here, so the yolk spills out and makes a savory sauce. But you can cook the yolk too if you prefer! Here’s what to know:

  • Use medium low heat. It’s easy to over cook, so watch the heat! Butter has the best flavor; but you can sub olive oil if desired. Heat the butter over medium low heat. Then add the eggs and sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt and a few grinds black pepper. 
  • Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the whites are firm but the yolk is runny. Don’t flip them!
  • Or cook longer for a harder yolk. If you prefer over easy, medium, or hard, flip the egg and cook an additional 20 seconds, 1 minute, or 2 minutes, respectively. 
Savory breakfast

This recipe serves 2 large or 4 small

One note on serving sizes! This savory oatmeal recipe makes 4 cups of cooked oatmeal. Depending on what you’re looking for, this can be either 2 large or 4 small servings.

  • 1 cup cooked oatmeal is the standard serving size, but you may want a more filling breakfast. Typically we like a little more than 1 cup. But this recipe has toppings so it’s pretty filling.
  • For 4, just cook 4 eggs! Then divide the veg between the servings.

Vegan variation

Are you looking for vegan savory oatmeal instead? The egg is not required. Here are some ideas for adding plant-based protein to savory oatmeal:

Savory oatmeal recipes

More savory breakfast ideas

Need more savory breakfast ideas? We’ve got your back. Here are a few ideas we love:

This savory oatmeal recipe is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, see the section above.

Print
Savory oatmeal recipes

Easy Savory Oatmeal

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 2 large or 4 small servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

Savory oatmeal is an ideal savory breakfast idea! It’s wholesome, delicious and easy to make, topped with a fried egg and veggies. See vegan savory oatmeal ideas in the section above (scroll up).

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons salted butter, divided
  • 2 cups Old Fashioned rolled oats (do not use instant oats or steel cut oats)*
  • Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 bunch Tuscan kale (or 8 cups chopped spinach or chard, or baby greens)*
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup sliced cherry tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 avocado. chopped (optional)
  • 2 eggs**
  • For the garnish: Thinly sliced green onion, Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the oatmeal: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the oats and toast for about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant. Add 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Remove the pan from the heat and carefully pour in the water, adding the lid immediately since the water will spit. Give the pan a swirl. Allow to sit for 7 minutes.
  2. Saute the kale: Meanwhile, wash and dry the kale leaves, then destem and roughly chop the kale. Smash and peel the garlic clove. Add the olive oil to a large nonstick or cast iron skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the smashed garlic and kale and cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently until wilted and bright green. Remove from the heat and add 2 pinches kosher salt and several grinds of fresh ground pepper. Discard the garlic cloves and set aside.
  3. Prep the veggies: Slice the cherry tomatoes. Add 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar and 1 pinch kosher salt. If using, chop the avocado and slice the green onions. 
  4. Cook the eggs: In a large cast iron or non-stick skillet, melt the remaining 1/2 tablespoon butter over medium low heat until starting to foam. Add the eggs and sprinkle with 1 pinch of kosher salt and a few grinds black pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the whites are firm (do not flip). If you prefer over easy, medium, or hard, flip the egg and cook an additional 20 seconds, 1 minute, or 2 minutes, respectively. 
  5. Serve: Place the oatmeal in bowls. Top with the sautéed kale, eggs, tomatoes, eggs, and avocado (if using). Garnish with thinly sliced green onions and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese (optional).

Notes

*We recommend Tuscan kale, a variety of kale that is dark green with flat leaves and a mild flavor. Curly kale is spicier and more bitter. But you can use it if that’s all you can find! 

**You can stretch this recipe to feed 4 easily! Just make 4 eggs. The oatmeal quantity makes 4 cups cooked, enough for 4 small servings or 2 large.  

  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Oats

Keywords: Savory oatmeal, savory oatmeal recipes

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Roasted Vegetables

This post is sponsored by Kroger. If you follow me on Instagram and watch my stories, you know I roast vegetables just about every single week. They are my FAVORITE and I love having them in the fridge at all times to eat for easy lunches, dinners, and…

This post is sponsored by Kroger. If you follow me on Instagram and watch my stories, you know I roast vegetables just about every single week. They are my FAVORITE and I love having them in the fridge at all times to eat for easy lunches, dinners, and to jazz up meals. Every time I…

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Breakfast Vegetable Scramble

Want to eat more veggies? Make this breakfast vegetables scramble! It’s got lots of colorful veggies to start the day right…with a plant based / vegan option. Want to eat more breakfast vegetables? You’re not alone. Eating more veggies to start the day is starting to trend. Because let’s face it: the American breakfast is largely based on carbs and sugar. Pancakes, waffles, muffins…all sugary. So health-minded people have been asking: why not re-imagine breakfast? Let’s infuse veggies into the first meal of the day, too. How to eat vegetables for breakfast? Try this Breakfast Vegetable Scramble! You can make it two ways: with eggs or tofu, depending on your diet. It’s full of savory flavor…and loaded with nutrients, too. Ingredients in this breakfast vegetables scramble This scramble is unlike most breakfast recipes…it’s loaded with vegetables! There are lots of vegetables you can eat for breakfast: here are the ones we chose. But you can feel free to customize this recipe as you choose! (See below.) The main ingredients in this breakfast vegetables scramble are: Bell pepper: 1 medium red bell pepper provides a whopping 169% of your daily vitamin C! (Source) That means eating 1 serving of this scramble […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Want to eat more veggies? Make this breakfast vegetables scramble! It’s got lots of colorful veggies to start the day right…with a plant based / vegan option.

Breakfast vegetables

Want to eat more breakfast vegetables? You’re not alone. Eating more veggies to start the day is starting to trend. Because let’s face it: the American breakfast is largely based on carbs and sugar. Pancakes, waffles, muffins…all sugary. So health-minded people have been asking: why not re-imagine breakfast? Let’s infuse veggies into the first meal of the day, too. How to eat vegetables for breakfast? Try this Breakfast Vegetable Scramble! You can make it two ways: with eggs or tofu, depending on your diet. It’s full of savory flavor…and loaded with nutrients, too.

Ingredients in this breakfast vegetables scramble

This scramble is unlike most breakfast recipes…it’s loaded with vegetables! There are lots of vegetables you can eat for breakfast: here are the ones we chose. But you can feel free to customize this recipe as you choose! (See below.) The main ingredients in this breakfast vegetables scramble are:

  • Bell pepper: 1 medium red bell pepper provides a whopping 169% of your daily vitamin C! (Source) That means eating 1 serving of this scramble you’ll stock up on 85% of your vitamin C for the day.
  • Baby kale and spinach: Kale is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet; it’s packed with nutrients like Vitamin K, anti-oxidants and more (read more here).
  • Avocado: You can serve avocado on the side in this breakfast. Avocados are rich in fiber with 25% of your daily value, full of heart healthy good fats, and loaded with vitamin and nutrients (source).
  • Eggs: They’re not breakfast vegetables, but eggs are also a healthy food. One egg has 75 calories, 7 grams of protein, and lots of nutrients. Recent research has found that eggs can increase the good cholesterol the body needs.
  • Tofu: For a plant-based option, you can use tofu instead! See below for nutrition info.
Breakfast vegetables

What other breakfast vegetables can you add?

This breakfast vegetables scramble is very customizable based on the vegetables that you have on hand! You can use so many more vegetables for breakfast. Here are some vegetables that we’d recommend:

  • Broccoli*
  • Carrots*
  • Mushrooms
  • Zucchini
  • Cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • Swiss chard, chopped
  • Cabbage, shredded
  • Brussels sprouts, shredded (here’s how to shred them)

For the broccoli and carrots, make sure to cut them small. You may find you need to cook a few minutes longer than the timing specified below since they are hard vegetables. Looking for more ideas? See these Best Vegetables to Eat Today.

Tofu scramble with breakfast vegetables
This tofu scramble is a healthy vegan breakfast idea full of vegetables

Vegan variation: make a tofu scramble!

Don’t want to eat eggs with your breakfast vegetables? Use tofu instead! This Tofu Scramble is so full of savory flavor, it tastes remarkably similar to eggs! Alex and I don’t eat 100% plant-based, but we adore tofu scrambles when we want a vegan option.

Is tofu healthy? Per the Harvard TH Chan School of Nutrition, soy is a nutrient-dense source of protein that can safely be consumed several times a week. It’s likely to provide health benefits, especially when you eat it as an alternative to red meat and processed meat. 

Vegetables for breakfast

Ways to eat breakfast vegetables

Want other breakfast vegetables ideas? Here are some more ways to load vegetables onto your plate in the morning:

  1. Make toast and load it with veggies. Try Avocado Toast. Or spread toast with hummus or goat cheese and add sauteed vegetables.
  2. Add a side of sauteed greens. Try Sauteed Spinach, Sauteed Chard or Sauteed Kale.
  3. Make a vegetable frittata. Try these Veggie Mini Frittatas.
  4. Eat breakfast tacos. These 5 Minute Tacos have delicious egg “taco meat”: load them with raw and sauteed veggies.
  5. Try savory oatmeal. Make oatmeal and top it with a poached egg and sauteed veggies.
  6. Sip vegetable smoothies. Try a green smoothie like Broccoli Smoothie, Spinach Smoothie, Kale Smoothie or Celery Smoothie.
  7. Make an omelette loaded with greens. Try this Parmesan Omelette and use any greens you like: spinach, kale or chard.

Sides to serve with this vegetable scramble

Want to serve an impressive breakfast or brunch? Here are a few great sides for this breakfast vegetable scramble:

  • Hash Browns: These Hash Browns in the Oven are perfect for sliding into the oven while you make a saute. Or make traditional Homemade Hash Browns in another skillet.
  • Sweet Potato Hash Browns: Try Sweet Potato Hash Browns are baked in the oven, making them simple to prep.
  • Breakfast Potatoes: These Pan Fried Potatoes are full of big flavor and take just 15 minutes.
Breakfast vegetables

This breakfast vegetables scramble recipe is…

Vegetarian, gluten-free, plant-based, vegan, and dairy-free.

Print
Breakfast vegetables

Breakfast Vegetable Scramble

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 8 minutes
  • Cook Time: 7 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 2
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

Want to eat more veggies? Make this breakfast vegetables scramble! It’s got lots of colorful veggies to start the day right (and a vegan option).

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 red onion
  • 1 red bell pepper (or 1/2 red and 1/2 orange)
  • 4 cups baby kale or spinach
  • 1 tablespoon chopped chives or other fresh herbs
  • 4 eggs or this Tofu Scramble
  • ¼ cup shredded Colby cheese or crumbled goat cheese (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Fresh ground black pepper
  • Avocado slices, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prep the vegetables: Thinly slice the red onion. Large dice the bell pepper.
  2. Prep the eggs or tofu: In a medium bowl, crack the eggs and whisk them together until well-beaten. Stir in the shredded cheese, fresh herbs, kosher salt, and plenty of fresh ground pepper. Or, complete Step 1 of the Tofu Scramble.
  3. Cook the vegetables: Heat the olive oil over medium high heat. When hot, add the onion and peppers. Cook 3 to 4 minutes until tender and just starting to brown, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low. Add a pinch of salt and the baby greens. Cook for 30 seconds until wilted. Remove and set aside.
  4. Cook the eggs or tofu: Keep heat on low. Pour in the eggs. Cook for 20 to 30 seconds. When the eggs just start to set, use a flat spatula to scrape sections of eggs, gently stirring constantly until cooked but still soft, about 1 minute. Or, complete Step 2 of the Tofu Scramble.
  5. Add the vegetables and serve: Add the veggies back to the pan with the eggs or tofu. Stir for a few seconds until combined and warmed. Serve immediately.
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Breakfast

Keywords: Breakfast vegetables

More breakfast recipes

Here are a few more of our favorite ways to eat healthy breakfast ideas:

  • Homemade Acai Bowl or Acai Smoothie This colorful smoothie bowl is full of nutrient-dense tropical fruits and almond butter.
  • Healthy Banana Bread Muffins These muffins are made of 100% oats: no flour! They’re a great way to eat oatmeal on the go.
  • Everyday Baked Oatmeal You’ll be blown away by the flavor of this baked oatmeal! It’s so easy to make and endlessly versatile: a true go-to recipe. Vegan variation, too!

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Butternut Squash Bread

Butternut Squash Bread is full of autumnal flavors that only get more complex with time. This moist and delicious quick bread may just become your new favorite fall treat. If you happened to catch my post last week for Apple Cinnamon Muffins, you may remember me coming up empty handed in my search for canned […]

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Butternut Squash Bread is full of autumnal flavors that only get more complex with time. This moist and delicious quick bread may just become your new favorite fall treat.

Sliced loaf of butternut squash bread topped with figs and berries on a cutting board with a teapot and cup of chai in the background

If you happened to catch my post last week for Apple Cinnamon Muffins, you may remember me coming up empty handed in my search for canned pumpkin puree. Well, many of you came to my rescue and a couple of you even emailed offering to ship me cans. Thanks for having your girl’s back!

However, several of you emailed me to say that Aldi shelves were pretty stocked with pumpkin puree. I’m not a regular Aldi shopper, but my friend Erin is and she just so happened upon a pumpkin jackpot at Aldi this past weekend and graciously dropped 6 cans onto my front porch.

If you can’t find it in your area, Aldi just might be the place to go to score a few cans. In the meantime, I think you should whip up this Butternut Squash Bread. It’s light, sweet and perfect for fall!

(more…)

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Butternut Squash Puree

Did you know that it’s easy to make your own Butternut Squash Puree at home? This puree is simple and delicious, and as delicious on its own as it is mixed into other recipes!  Well, it’s still hot here in Ohio, so it doesn’t exactly feel like fall yet. But I am choosing to ignore […]

The post Butternut Squash Puree appeared first on My Baking Addiction.

Did you know that it’s easy to make your own Butternut Squash Puree at home? This puree is simple and delicious, and as delicious on its own as it is mixed into other recipes! 

Butternut squash puree in a white bowl with whole spices and a spoon in the background

Well, it’s still hot here in Ohio, so it doesn’t exactly feel like fall yet.

But I am choosing to ignore that and continue living my best fall life until it’s cool enough for boots and sweaters.

First step? Decorating my front porch. I may not be getting a ton of visitors right now, but that doesn’t mean that anyone walking through the neighborhood can’t enjoy some fall decor!

Second step? All the fall baked goods. I started with Apple Pie Bread and Apple Cinnamon Muffins, and now I’m on to butternut squash.

(more…)

The post Butternut Squash Puree appeared first on My Baking Addiction.

Fun Lunch Ideas for Kids

Healthy and fun lunch ideas that are perfect for school or home. Even the pickiest of young eaters will love these nutritious and delicious lunches! This post is sponsored by Kroger. Whether children are in school or learning at home, the lunchtime dil…

Healthy and fun lunch ideas that are perfect for school or home. Even the pickiest of young eaters will love these nutritious and delicious lunches! This post is sponsored by Kroger. Whether children are in school or learning at home, the lunchtime dilemma is the same. What should we make our kids for lunch and…

The post Fun Lunch Ideas for Kids appeared first on Two Peas & Their Pod.

Easy Rice Bowl

This easy rice bowl comes together in a flash! This fast dinner stars black beans and veggies with zingy cilantro lime ranch sauce. Every time we ask readers what they want, we get a similar answer. Fast and easy dinner recipes! Essentially, you don’t care how basic it is. You just want easy, healthy ideas to get food on the table. So here’s one to file under dinnertime basics: this Easy Rice Bowl! This 30 minute dinner features these easy black beans, a trick to make a bland can of beans taste amazing in 5 minutes. Pair it with rice and colorful veggies. The kicker? A zingy cilantro lime ranch that you’ll want to bathe in. These were so tasty and easy, we knew we had to share (we simply inhaled them). How to make rice: our favorite methods The longest lead time on a rice bowl is cooking the rice. So get that started first! You can use any variety of rice you’d like. We like cooking rice on the stovetop, but a pressure cooker also makes quick work of it. You can also make the rice in advance and reheat it before serving (instructions below). Here are our […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

This easy rice bowl comes together in a flash! This fast dinner stars black beans and veggies with zingy cilantro lime ranch sauce.

Rice bowl

Every time we ask readers what they want, we get a similar answer. Fast and easy dinner recipes! Essentially, you don’t care how basic it is. You just want easy, healthy ideas to get food on the table. So here’s one to file under dinnertime basics: this Easy Rice Bowl! This 30 minute dinner features these easy black beans, a trick to make a bland can of beans taste amazing in 5 minutes. Pair it with rice and colorful veggies. The kicker? A zingy cilantro lime ranch that you’ll want to bathe in. These were so tasty and easy, we knew we had to share (we simply inhaled them).

How to make rice: our favorite methods

The longest lead time on a rice bowl is cooking the rice. So get that started first! You can use any variety of rice you’d like. We like cooking rice on the stovetop, but a pressure cooker also makes quick work of it. You can also make the rice in advance and reheat it before serving (instructions below). Here are our favorite methods for cooking rice:

Easy rice bowl

The star: 5-minute easy black beans!

The best part of this rice bowl, similar to a burrito bowl, is the easy black beans! This is the way to bring big flavor with only a few minutes of cooking. Once you’ve got your rice started, whip up those black beans. Here’s what you need to infuse huge flavor into these beans in no time:

  • Canned black beans: You don’t even have to rinse them! The residual can liquid makes a creamy sauce.
  • Fresh garlic: Minced fresh garlic brings big savory flavor.
  • Cumin: A hint of cumin adds the final flavoring.

Pop them in a pan for just 3 minutes, and you’ll be surprised at the amount of flavor you’ll get. You can use these beans as a component in lots of different meals outside of this rice bowl.

Black beans

How to make a rice bowl

Once you’ve got your rice and your beans: it’s time to make a rice bowl! The vegetable and sauce ideas we’ve provided here are just ideas. This is a free-form concept so anything goes! Here are a few ideas for vegetables and components you can swap to make a rice bowl. This one is like to a burrito bowl, but you can use different flavors and sauces for a different vibe. The main guiding principle: maximize contrasts in color, flavor and texture!

  • Make the rice. See above.
  • Make the protein. You can of course use any type of protein you like: beans, tofu, tempeh, chicken, shrimp: you name it! This bowl would be great with Cilantro Lime Shrimp too.
  • Prepare the veggies. Use lots of colorful raw veggies. Some favorites are avocado and cherry tomatoes. We like to add corn for sweetness and red onion for a savory crunch. Other ideas: bell peppers, leafy greens like spinach or mixed greens, or roasted sweet potatoes,
  • Add the sauce. Top it all off with a healthy sauce to bring it together: ideas below!

5 different sauce variations (with vegan options!)

What makes a rice bowl? The sauce. This rice bowl is covered in a creamy, zingy cilantro lime ranch that takes it over the top! You’ll love this tasty sauce: but we’ve got lots of other options too. If you’re looking for a vegan variation, review the list below:

Cilantro lime sauce

White rice vs. brown rice

Which type of rice is best for a rice bowl? Is it better to eat brown rice? Here’s a little breakdown of the benefits of making either variety for this rice bowl:

  • White rice is quick to cook and takes about 20 minutes total. It’s great when you’re in a time crunch!
  • Brown rice has more vitamins, minerals, and fiber than white rice. 1 cup cooked white rice has 0.6 grams fiber, but 1 cup cooked brown rice has 3.2 grams of fiber, 13% of your daily need. (Source) It’s also less processed so has more nutrients. It does take longer to cook, but use our quick method above to cook it in 35 minutes.

Shortcut: make the rice in advance and reheat it!

Make this rice bowl even quicker by making the rice in advance. Refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve. You may have noticed that when you refrigerate rice, it gets very dry. Here’s a trick for how to reheat rice so that it’s perfectly moist:

  • Place the cold rice in a saucepan on the stovetop.
  • Add a small splash of water.
  • Heat the rice until it’s warmed through: the water will steam and absorb into the rice.
Rice bowl
Components in a rice bowl: rice, protein, veggies and sauce

Black beans nutrition

You can make this rice bowl with a variety of different protein options. But here’s a plug for using black beans! Here’s why black beans are such a plant-based powerhouse (source):

  • Excellent source of protein. 1 cup has 15 grams of protein, about 30% of your daily protein needs.
  • Excellent source of fiber. 1 cup also has 15 grams of fiber, about 50% of your daily intake.
  • Black beans have a lower glycemic index compared to many other high-carbohydrate foods, meaning they cause a smaller rise in blood sugar after a meal. In fact, some studies have even shown beans eaten with rice can reduce a rise in blood sugar vs when people eat rice alone.

This rice bowl recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

Print
Rice bowl

Easy Rice Bowl

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

This easy rice bowl comes together in a flash! This fast dinner stars black beans and veggies with zingy cilantro lime ranch sauce.

Ingredients

For the black beans*

  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2 15-ounce cans black beans, drained but not rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • Scant 1 teaspoon kosher salt

For the rice bowl

Instructions

  1. Cook the rice, according to How to Cook Rice.
  2. Cook the black beans: Mince the garlic. In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant but not yet browned. Add the beans (drained but not rinsed), cumin, kosher salt, and several grinds of black pepper. Cook 2 minutes until warmed through. Taste and add additional salt if desired.
  3. Make the Cilantro Lime Sauce (or Chipotle Sauce).
  4. Slice the tomatoes in half. Slice the avocado. Defrost the corn. Thinly slice the red onion.
  5. To serve, place rice in the bowl and top with black beans and vegetables. Drizzle with the sauce and top with torn cilantro.

Notes

*If you’re cooking for 1 or 2, make half this recipe and cook 1 cup dry rice.

  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Mexican inspired

Keywords: Rice Bowl, Rice Bowls

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes