Vietnamese-Inspired Rice Bowl with Herb Pesto

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

A vibrant rice bowl combining fragrant jasmine rice, fresh vegetables. This Vietnamese-inspired rice and grain recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs jasmine rice, water, fresh cilantro for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup jasmine rice under cold water until water runs clear. Combine rinsed rice and 1 1/2 cups water in a pot, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: While rice cooks, prepare the herb pesto by combining 1 cup packed fresh cilantro, 1/2 cup packed fresh basil, 1/4 cup packed fresh mint, 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 2 garlic cloves, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes in a food processor. Pulse until a coarse pesto forms with some texture remaining.
  3. Step 3: Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and divide into four bowls. Top each bowl with 1 medium julienned carrot, 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber, 1/2 cup bean sprouts, and 2 sliced green onions.
  4. Step 4: Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of the prepared herb pesto over each bowl, and gently toss everything together just before eating to coat the rice and vegetables with vibrant flavor.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese-Inspired Rice Bowl with Herb Pesto take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Vietnamese-Inspired Rice Bowl with Herb Pesto?

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 jasmine rice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese-Inspired Rice Bowl with Herb Pesto?

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 Vietnamese-Inspired Rice Bowl with Herb Pesto 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 Vietnamese-Inspired Rice Bowl with Herb Pesto?

Vietnamese rice & grains 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.

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