Veggie Rice Bowl Cajun (Printable)
Colorful vegetables and bold Cajun spices combine with rice for a satisfying, easy meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Rice
01 - 1 cup long-grain white or brown rice
02 - 2 cups water
03 - ½ teaspoon salt
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 small red onion, diced
07 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
08 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
09 - 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
10 - 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
11 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Cajun Spice Mix
12 - 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
13 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
14 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
15 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
17 - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
18 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
19 - 1 teaspoon salt
→ Garnishes
20 - ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
21 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
22 - 1 avocado, sliced (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Bring water and ½ teaspoon salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until tender and water is absorbed (15-18 minutes for white rice, 35-40 minutes for brown rice). Fluff with a fork and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell peppers, and zucchini. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in corn and black beans, cooking for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
04 - Sprinkle the Cajun spice mix evenly over the vegetables. Stir well to coat and cook for 2 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
05 - Stir in cherry tomatoes and cook for 1-2 minutes until just softened.
06 - Divide cooked rice among four bowls. Top each with the sautéed vegetable mixture.
07 - Add cilantro, lime wedges, and avocado slices as desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Its that perfect magic trick where simple ingredients transform into something that feels restaurant special but takes about forty minutes start to finish
- The Cajun spice mix hits every single flavor note smoky from the paprika, earthy from the oregano, and just enough heat to make things interesting
- You can customize this bowl based on whatever vegetables are wilting in your fridge and it still works beautifully every single time
02 -
- Dont skip the step of rinsing your black beans unless you want gray tinged vegetables and cloudy bean juice muddying your beautiful spice blend
- The Cajun spices can scorch quickly over high heat, so keep the pan moving once you add them to the vegetables
- This bowl actually tastes better after the rice has cooled slightly, giving the spices time to meld together instead of hitting your palate all at once
03 -
- Toast your rice in a dry pan for 2 minutes before adding water, and you will get a nutty depth that makes even basic white rice taste exceptional
- Let the spice mix bloom in the hot oil for 30 seconds before adding the vegetables, and the entire dish will have a more intense, complex flavor