Easy Brown Rice Recipe
By the QuiteRecipes team (Jamy & Kaïna) | Food Service Professional, Early Childhood Expert & Parents
A simple and nutritious vegan brown rice recipe featuring sweet corn and colorful bell peppers. Perfect for a healthy plant-based meal.
Nutty brown rice with colorful bell peppers and sweet corn — a simple, versatile vegan base that works for bowl meals, wraps, or standalone sides.
🥄 Ingredients
- 🫗 2 cups brown rice
- 🫗 2 cups corn (fresh or frozen)
- 🫗 Bell peppers, chopped (to taste)
- 🫗 Onion, diced (to taste)
- 🫗 Water (for cooking rice)
- 🫗 Salt (to taste)
Nutrition Facts*
*Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients, brands and portion sizes. Values are provided per serving.
👨🍳 Instructions
**Rinse:** Thoroughly rinse the brown rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
**Cook Rice:** In a pot, combine the rice with the appropriate amount of water (usually 2:1 ratio) and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 40–45 minutes until tender.
**Sauté:** While the rice is cooking, sauté the onions and bell peppers in a separate pan until they are soft and fragrant.
**Combine:** Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork. Gently fold in the sautéed vegetables and the corn.
**Simmer:** Cover the pan and let it sit on low heat for an additional 5 minutes so the flavors can meld together.
**Serve:** Fluff once more and serve warm.
🎥 Video Tutorial
Easy Brown Rice Recipe
Video credit: embedded from YouTube. All rights belong to the original creator, who allows sharing on other websites.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ✕
Rice Ratio: Brown rice takes longer to cook than white rice and requires more water. Do not lift the lid too early, or you will release the steam needed to cook the grains properly.
- ✕
Overcooking: Keep an eye on the corn to ensure it retains a slight crunch and doesn't become mushy.
🔄 Variations
Herb Infusion: Add fresh parsley or cilantro at the end for extra brightness.
Protein Boost: Mix in some black beans or chickpeas to turn this side dish into a complete, high-protein meal.
🧊 Storage
- 📦
This dish stores well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat with a tablespoon of water to keep the rice moist.
💡 Chef Tips
Texture: For a nuttier flavor, lightly toast the dry brown rice in a dry pan for 2–3 minutes before adding the water.
Vegetable Prep: Cut the bell peppers and onions into uniform pieces so they cook evenly.
🔗 Related Recipes
About the Authors
This recipe and guide was developed, tested, and approved in our home kitchen and daily life. Jamy is a retired Food Service District Manager and Early Childhood Program Manager who spent his career overseeing multi-site restaurant operations, large-scale culinary production, and daycare menu management. Kaïna brings the ultimate real-world test: making sure it brings ease and joy to our kids on a busy weeknight.
Read more about our professional background and philosophy →