Zesty, slightly spicy, and everything dirty rice should be without the meat! This Vegan Dirty Rice is everything you crave in the traditional dirty rice without the extra fats and calories and is a plant-based family favorite.
(Original post date January 29, 2019 / Links and post updated November 10, 2020)
How is your new year’s resolution going… you know that one about trying to eat healthier? If you are still on track, good for you! If you find yourself struggling, that’s okay. Sometimes the healthier alternative to your favorite dishes just lacks the craving factor. If you are craving dirty rice this healthy vegan dirty rice is just for you.
At the beginning of the year, I promised myself I would start eating more plant-based meals. This wasn’t because I wanted to lose weight, instead, it was because I am in my early 30’s and it is time I focus on my health.
Besides, anytime we eat meat my daughter questions what animal it was and how the animal was feeling. That kind of ruins dinner time.
What to do When You Can’t Find a Recipe
One day I was craving something Louisiana. Zesty with a little kick. I looked up dirty rice, but I really didn’t want any hamburger or ground meat. I had a really hard time finding a Vegan Dirty Rice or even a plant-based veggie-loaded spicy rice.
That did not stop me and my baby girl she really wanted a vegetarian meal too. So we got creative. Here is what I like to do when I can’t find a recipe that fits my craving.
- First, find a recipe that is almost what you want just to have a basic concept of the dish. Recipes, whether they are on the MCB or another site or even a cookbook, are just guidelines. If you don’t like an herb remove it or change it for something you like. If you want quinoa instead of rice then substitute it.
- Next, round up all the spices and or herbs you will need.
- The next step would be to gather all the other main ingredients you will need. For example in this Vegan Dirty Rice I need rice it is the main ingredient.
- Finally, determine what else you want to add to make the dish your own. In this case, it was beans and all the veggies from our fridge.
- All that is left is for you to make your craving dreams come true and get to cooking.
This process is one that works really well when you need to transform your leftovers. Find a recipe you like and make it work with what you have. This saves you money on your grocery bill and time during your busy week.
How to Make Vegan Dirty Rice
- In a deep skillet sauté onions, celery, beet green stems (not the leaves), yellow peppers, with grapeseed oil until soft. 7-10 minutes. If these are not vegetables you usually eat feel free to use what you like.
- Stir in the mashed garbanzo beans with paprika creole seasoning and allow to cook for 2 minutes. (I just put them in a bowl and use a fork to slightly mash them).
- Stir in grape tomatoes, garlic, black beans, beet green leaves, and rice. Let cook for 5 minutes then serve! I had leftover cilantro lime rice in my fridge which gave this dish a little more zing.
Sometimes I pop on to Instagram and show you how I create the recipes as I am making them up. This was one of those recipes
As a mom, one of my biggest battles is those that involve vegetables. But with dishes like this Vegan Dirty rice which has all the crave-able flavor of traditional dirty rice but with a delicious plant-based twist, I am always victorious.
FAQ and Tips
Common Questions that get asked about the recipe, and tips to save you time and money.
- Can I use the quick rice that you microwave for this recipe?
This recipe is very versatile, so yes you can. Just make sure you have enough servings. If you make it for a family of 4 you will need 2 pouches. - Can this recipe be made ahead of time?
Absolutely, it can be made up to 3 days in advance. If you are meal prepping it for lunch you can reheat it in the microwave for 2 minutes. If you make it in advance for a family of 4 reheat in a large deep skillet over medium/high heat until warmed through. - Can this dish be frozen?
It really depends on the vegetables you use. If you follow this recipe as it is written it freezes nicely. If you switch out for other vegetables such as cabbage or radishes it will not freeze well.
More Weeknight Dishes
Recipe for Vegan Dirty Rice
Vegan Dirty Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp grape seed oil
- ½ small yellow onion chopped
- 1 bunch beet greens stems chopped and separated from chopped leafs
- 3 baby orange peppers chopped
- 2 celery stocks chopped
- 1 cup garbanzo beans mashed
- 12 grape tomatoes sliced in half
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ¼ cup black beans
- 1 tbsp paprika
- ¼ tbsp creole seasoning
- 1 ½ cups cilantro lime rice
Instructions
- In a deep skillet saute onions, celery, beet green stems (not the leaves), yellow peppers, with grapeseed oil until soft. 7-10 minutes.
- Stir in the mashed garbanzo beans with paprika creole seasoning and allow to cook 2 minutes.
- Stir in grape tomatoes, garlic, black beans, beet green leaves, and cilantro lime rice. Let cook 5 minutes then serve!
Nutrition
Pin Vegan Dirty Rice for Later
Looking For More Recipes
Be sure to head over to The Messy Cutting Boards Recipe Box where you will find family-friendly meals no matter what the season.
Yum!!! This is exactly what I am craving on a cold day like today. I would have to leave the tomatoes out unfortunately because of an allergy, but I bet it will still be delicious. Thanks for sharing!!
Oh, tomato allergy. I know how that is I was allergic to them for 5+ years. Then I went and got retested it turned into a hypersensitivity so I have them in just small doses every now and then. So if you can’t put tomatoes in it I will suggest doing like a wedge of lime over the top that will give it the acidic punch the tomatoes are supposed to bring to it!
What a great way to add more veggies into my diet!
That’s what my daughter said. Her words were “Mom, you sure make eating veggies easy!” LOL
This looks like a wonderful comfort food for a cold night. I have a thing for simple, all in one dishes like this. Thanks for the recipe!
One dish wonders are the best!!
I love that you have a “jump to recipe” button. I’ve never seen that before. That is so helpful if I just want to check the ingredients quickly. This recipe looks great – love that it’s vegan!
It took me a few years to find the button, so I love to hear that it is being used!! Thanks for your kid words
Ummm, this looks DELICIOUS!!! I can’t wait to try this out!
Thank you so much!
This looks amazing! I love dirty rice but it always has bacon in it haha
I am a believer that bacon makes everything better! However the older I get the more I realize that some dishes should be tried without bacon or butter.
I will definitely be trying this recipe! And I already have all of the ingredients! Thanks for sharing!
-Madi xo | http://www.everydaywithmadirae.com
Yummy!! I love to hear fidges packed full with veggies! Enjoy and let me know what you think!
LOVE a good dirty rice recipe and the photos of this recipe are mouthwatering! Bookmarked!
Thank you so much!! It is totally addicting!
I will have to make this soon. I love rice meals it’s my go to comfort food after soups.
It is and with all this cold weather I think we are all getting stews and souped out!
This sounds like a great southern classic side dish! Perfect for all lifestyles.
It is great as a side dish or a main course that is what makes it so amazing!
Mmmm this looks wonderfully satisfying! I’ve been plant Based for almost three years. I love finding great plant based recipes. Pinning this one!
Awesome!! Way to go 3 years! Thanks for the pin!
This sounds so flavorful and delicious! You added so many fantastic spices and veggies. I can’t wait to try this recipe. Thanks!
I still can’t believe I could not find a recipe when we were trying to make it!! Well now we have one!
this sounds so yummy we love dishes that offer great flavor and nutrition whether they have meat in them or not thanks for sharing
I have learned to sneak veggies into everything since having my some! If he only had meat and potatoes on his plate every night he would be in heaven!
it sounds really good! my lil veggie monster would love it
Woopwoop for the veggie monsters in our life’s!
This looks so delicious and I can’t wait to try it! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you!
Love how you replied to all the comments. Shows you care.
I do my best, I really do care about my followers if it wasn’t for them I would not be able to do what I do! Plus they give me insight into my dishes lets me know what they like so I can make more of it and improve where they are constructive. Thank you for noticing, I hope you have a wonderful day.