Instant Pot Rustic Vegetable and Herb Rice Bowl

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty one-pot meal combining garden-fresh vegetables and fragrant herbs cooked to perfection in the Instant Pot with fluffy rice. This mediterranean-inspired rice & grains (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs rinsed basmati rice, water, medium, diced carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat 2 tbsp olive oil. Add 1 small finely chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 2-3 minutes until soft and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 medium diced carrot, 1 medium diced zucchini, and 1 medium diced yellow bell pepper. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 1/2 cups rinsed basmati rice, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix well to coat rice with oil and spices.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 2 cups water, ensuring rice is submerged. Close the Instant Pot lid and set to manual high pressure for 6 minutes.
  5. Step 5: When cooking is complete, allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.
  6. Step 6: Open lid, fluff rice and vegetables with a fork, and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and 1 tsp lemon zest before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Instant Pot Rustic Vegetable and Herb Rice Bowl take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Instant Pot Rustic Vegetable and Herb Rice Bowl?

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 rinsed basmati rice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Instant Pot Rustic Vegetable and Herb Rice Bowl?

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 Instant Pot Rustic Vegetable and Herb Rice Bowl for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Instant Pot Rustic Vegetable and Herb Rice Bowl 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.

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