Veggie Rice Bowl Cajun Spices (Print Page)
A vibrant bowl of rice and seasoned vegetables infused with bold Cajun spices, ready in under 40 minutes.
# What You Need:
→ Rice Base
01 - 1 cup long-grain rice (white or brown)
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 tbsp olive oil
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
07 - 1 small red onion, chopped
08 - 1 zucchini, diced
09 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
11 - 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
→ Cajun Spice Blend
12 - 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1 tsp garlic powder
14 - 1 tsp onion powder
15 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
16 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
17 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
18 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
19 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Garnishes
20 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
21 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
22 - 1 avocado, sliced (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Rinse the rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 15–20 minutes until rice is tender and all water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
02 - While the rice cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add diced bell peppers and chopped onion. Sauté for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften and develop slight char.
03 - Add diced zucchini to the skillet. Continue sautéing for another 3–4 minutes until zucchini is just tender-crisp. Avoid overcooking to maintain texture.
04 - Stir in cherry tomatoes, black beans, and corn kernels. Sprinkle the Cajun spice blend evenly over the vegetables. Toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients. Cook for 2–3 minutes until mixture is heated through and spices become fragrant. Remove from heat.
05 - Divide the cooked rice among four serving bowls. Top each bowl with an equal portion of the sautéed vegetable and bean mixture.
06 - Finish each bowl by sprinkling with fresh chopped cilantro. Arrange lime wedges on the side and add sliced avocado if using. Serve immediately while warm, with lime squeezed over the top just before eating.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It turns ordinary vegetables into something you genuinely crave
- The spice blend works on literally everything, so you will want to put it on everything
02 -
- The spice blend makes more than you need, but save the extra because it is excellent on roasted potatoes or scrambled eggs
- Squeezing fresh lime over the top before eating transforms the dish completely, so do not skip this step
03 -
- Mix the spice blend in a small jar so you can shake it evenly over the vegetables
- Prep all your vegetables before starting to cook, the recipe moves fast once the skillet is hot