Soulful Spiced Vegetable Jambalaya with Brown Rice
A hearty, soulful vegetarian jambalaya bursting with aromatic spices, colorful vegetables, and nutty brown rice. This american-inspired vegan (vegetarian) ready in about 65 minutes pairs rinsed brown rice, vegetable broth, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup, rinsed brown rice
- 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 1, diced green bell pepper
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2, sliced for garnish green onions
- 2 tbsp, chopped for garnish fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium onion, 2 diced celery stalks, and 1 diced green bell pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, and cook for 1 minute until spices bloom.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup rinsed brown rice, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices, 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth, 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir well.
- Step 4: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40-45 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaf, fluff the rice with a fork, and garnish with 2 sliced green onions and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Soulful Spiced Vegetable Jambalaya with Brown Rice take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 Soulful Spiced Vegetable Jambalaya with Brown 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 rinsed brown rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Soulful Spiced Vegetable Jambalaya with Brown 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 Soulful Spiced Vegetable Jambalaya with Brown Rice 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 Soulful Spiced Vegetable Jambalaya with Brown 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.
