Veggie Rice Bowl Cajun Spices (Printable)

A colorful bowl of rice and sautéed vegetables seasoned with rich Cajun spices for bold flavor.

# What You'll Need:

→ Rice Base

01 - 1 cup long-grain white or brown rice
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/2 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 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
18 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
19 - 1 teaspoon salt

→ Garnishes

20 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
21 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
22 - 1 avocado, sliced

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring water and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until tender and water is absorbed, about 15-18 minutes for white rice or 35-40 minutes for brown rice. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
02 - While rice cooks, 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 another 2-3 minutes until heated through.
04 - Sprinkle the Cajun spice mix evenly over the vegetables. Stir well to coat and cook for another 2 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
05 - Stir in the 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 -
  • The Cajun spice mix keeps in your pantry for months and wakes up everything from roasted potatoes to scrambled eggs
  • Everything cooks in one skillet while the rice simmers away, meaning minimal cleanup maximum flavor
02 -
  • Different rice brands absorb water differently, so peek under the lid halfway through and add a splash more water if needed
  • The spice mix can burn if the heat is too high, so keep it at medium-high and stay attentive during that step
03 -
  • Prep all your vegetables before starting any cooking, the process moves quickly once that skillet is hot
  • Double the spice blend now and thank yourself later when you want Cajun anything in under five minutes

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