Vegetarian Dirty Rice (One-Pot Vegan Cajun Rice Recipe)

This Vegetarian Dirty Rice recipe is easy, satisfying, and perfect for busy weeknights. It makes a spicy one-pot vegan meal that the whole family will love. Learn how to make homemade Cajun rice with this fast and simple skillet recipe.

This Vegetarian Dirty Rice recipe is made with Cajun spices, fresh vegetables, red kidney beans, and rice. It is inspired by traditional Creole meat-based dirty rice. You will love this meatless version, because it is perfectly seasoned, healthy, and super satiating.

In addition, this rice dinner recipe is so easy to make. Everything gets cooked together in one pan, from scratch, in less than 30 minutes. That means minimal time and cleanup is required to prepare this Louisiana-style meal.

Another reason why this recipe is a keeper is because it is budget-friendly. So, it is perfect for anyone that is looking to cut down spending on food and groceries. It makes an inexpensive meal that is simple, filling, and will feed the family quickly. This dinner recipe is also freezer-friendly, vegan, and gluten-free.

How To Make Vegetarian Dirty Rice

Here are the basic steps to make this homemade meatless Cajun rice recipe:

1. Cook the veggies: Sauté a vegetable medley of chopped onion, celery, and bell pepper in a bit of olive oil. These three vegetables are collectively known as “the holy trinity of Cajun cuisine”, as they provide the flavor base for the dish.
2. Add the spices: Next, a blend of Cajun spices is added and lightly cooked until fragrant. Gently cooking the spices allows them to bloom and release their aromas.
3. Add the rice, beans & broth: Stir in the rice, canned red kidney beans and broth. Leave everything alone to cook, until all of the liquid has been absorbed by the rice. Garnish with cilantro (if desired) and then serve up your rice nice and warm.

That’s it! This is truly a quick and easy Creole-style rice dinner recipe that is absolutely bursting with piquant flavor.

More Vegetarian Rice Recipes

Looking for more meatless rice dinner inspiration? Here are a some of my favorite vegetarian rice recipes:

• Pineapple Fried Rice
• Vegetarian Burrito Bowl
• The Best Vegetable Fried Rice
• Wild Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash
• Thai Coconut Curry Rice

If you make this vegetarian and vegan Cajun Rice recipe, let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating ★ below, because I love hearing from you! ♡

Don’t miss out! Click here to get exclusive discounts on my favorite healthy products and resources!

Vegetarian Dirty Rice (One-Pot Vegan Cajun Rice Recipe)

Alia | Everyday Easy Eats

This One-Pot Vegetarian Dirty Rice recipe makes an easy skillet dinner. Learn how to make vegan Cajun rice on the stovetop with this quick recipe.

5 from 9 votes

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Course Main

Cuisine Cajun

Servings 4 servings

Calories 319 calories

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper
• 1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• Optional garnish: Chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

 

• In a pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, celery and bell pepper. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened.
• Add the garlic, paprika, oregano, thyme, cayenne pepper and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
• Stir in rice, broth and beans. Season liberally with salt and pepper.
• Increase heat to high and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed all of the liquid.
• Garnish with chopped cilantro, if using, and serve warm.

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to five days or in the freezer for up to three months.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Vegetarian Dirty Rice (One-Pot Vegan Cajun Rice Recipe)

Amount per Serving

Calories

319

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

4

g

6

%

Saturated Fat

 

1

g

6

%

Sodium

 

766

mg

33

%

Potassium

 

497

mg

14

%

Carbohydrates

 

60

g

20

%

Fiber

 

8

g

33

%

Sugar

 

5

g

6

%

Protein

 

10

g

20

%

Vitamin A

 

1032

IU

21

%

Vitamin C

 

28

mg

34

%

Calcium

 

68

mg

7

%

Iron

 

2

mg

11

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keyword Vegan Cajun Rice, Vegetarian Cajun Rice, Vegetarian Dirty Rice

Did you try this recipe?Let me know what you thought!

This post was originally published on December 12, 2020. It has been updated to include new information and helpful content.

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