Brown's Rainbow Rice
A colorful, plant-based rice bowl with vibrant vegetables, toasted nuts, and a zesty tahini dressing, inspired by the diversity of the 2020 Census. This plant-based fusion-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs cooked brown rice, cooked quinoa, diced red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups, cooked brown rice
- 1 cup, cooked quinoa
- 1, diced red bell pepper
- 1, diced yellow bell pepper
- 1 cup, blanched green beans
- 1 cup, steamed edamame
- 1/3 cup, slivered almonds
- 3 tbsp tahini
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine cooked brown rice, quinoa, red and yellow bell peppers, green beans, and edamame. Toss gently to mix.
- Step 2: In a separate small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Step 3: Drizzle the tahini dressing over the rice mixture, then sprinkle with slivered almonds. Toss to coat evenly.
- Step 4: Serve immediately, garnished with additional almonds and a lemon wedge if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Brown's Rainbow Rice take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Brown's Rainbow Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cooked brown rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Brown's Rainbow Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Brown's Rainbow Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Brown's Rainbow Rice vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
