One-Pan Vegan Fajita Rice (Print Version)

Smoky fajita vegetables, tender rice, and black beans come together in a quick, flavorful one-pan meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
02 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
03 - 1 green bell pepper, sliced
04 - 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 jalapeño, deseeded and sliced

→ Rice & Beans

07 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
08 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
10 - 2.25 cups vegetable broth

→ Spices

11 - 1.5 teaspoons ground cumin
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
14 - 0.5 teaspoon ground coriander
15 - 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
17 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnishes

18 - 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
19 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
20 - Sliced avocado or vegan sour cream

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil or water for oil-free cooking. Add sliced onions and bell peppers, sautéing for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and lightly caramelized.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and sliced jalapeño. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, coriander, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir to coat vegetables evenly with spices.
04 - Add rice, black beans, diced tomatoes with juices, and vegetable broth. Stir until well combined.
05 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes for white rice until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
06 - Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot garnished with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and avocado or vegan sour cream if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • One pan, zero fuss: Everything cooks together, which means less cleanup and more time to actually enjoy your meal.
  • Flavor that tastes like you spent hours cooking: The spices bloom and mingle with the rice in a way that feels restaurant-quality but takes barely thirty minutes.
  • It's genuinely satisfying: Tender rice, hearty beans, and sweet caramelized peppers make this feel indulgent without any heaviness afterward.
02 -
  • Rinsing the rice and beans isn't optional: I learned this the hard way when my first attempt turned into a starchy, gluey mess that taught me patience with a colander is worth every second.
  • Don't skip the resting period: Five minutes covered seems like nothing, but it's when the rice finishes cooking gently from residual heat and the flavors deepen in ways you'll taste immediately.
  • The liquid ratio is exact for a reason: I've experimented with shortcuts and every single time, adding less broth hoping to speed things up resulted in crunchy rice or burnt pan bottoms.
03 -
  • If you're using brown rice, add an extra half cup of broth and extend the cooking time to forty minutes: Brown rice needs more liquid and patience, but the nutty flavor and extra fiber are worth the wait.
  • A pinch of chipotle powder added with the other spices brings smoky depth: I discovered this experimenting one evening and it's become my secret weapon for making the dish feel more complex.
  • Prep your ingredients before you start cooking: Having the peppers sliced, garlic minced, and spices measured means the actual cooking flows smoothly without scrambling.
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