Tomato-Vegetable Rice with Peanut Butter
A fragrant rice pilaf simmered with tomatoes, mixed vegetables, and a subtle peanut butter depth for a comforting meal. This west african-inspired vegetarian ready in about 35 minutes pairs rinsed basmati rice, medium, diced tomatoes, medium, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 basmati rice
- 2 medium, diced tomatoes
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 1/2, diced bell pepper
- 1/2 cup, diced carrots
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp, chopped parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add diced onion and garlic, and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add diced bell pepper and carrots, and cook for 5 minutes until slightly tender.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp peanut butter and 1/2 tsp cumin, cooking for 1 minute to combine. Add diced tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes until they break down.
- Step 3: Add rinsed rice, 2 cups vegetable broth, and 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 4: Fluff rice with a fork, stir in 2 tbsp chopped parsley, and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tomato-Vegetable Rice with Peanut Butter take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 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 Tomato-Vegetable Rice with Peanut Butter?
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 Tomato-Vegetable Rice with Peanut Butter?
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 Tomato-Vegetable Rice with Peanut Butter 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.
What goes well with Tomato-Vegetable Rice with Peanut Butter?
West African vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.