Heart-Healthy Green Rice (Arroz Verde)

Elevate your side dish game with Heart-Healthy Green Rice (Arroz Verde), a vibrant and nutritious twist on a classic Latin American favorite. Packed with the earthy goodness of spinach, cilantro, and parsley, this recipe swaps white rice for fiber-rich brown rice and uses low-sodium vegetable broth for a heart-smart boost. A blend of fresh green bell pepper, zesty jalapeño, and tangy lime juice gives this dish its signature color and a tantalizing depth of flavor. Toasted rice and a fragrant green puree come together effortlessly in one pot for a perfectly tender, herb-infused result. Perfect as a wholesome side dish or a base for a protein-packed meal, this gluten-free, plant-based recipe is as delicious as it is nourishing. Ready in just under an hour, it's an easy, healthy addition to your weekly meal rotation!

Nutriscore Rating: 81/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown rice
• 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 cup cilantro leaves
• 0.5 cup parsley
• 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 small jalapeño, seeded and chopped
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the brown rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain it well and set aside.

Step 2

In a blender, combine the spinach, cilantro, parsley, green bell pepper, jalapeño, and garlic. Add a splash of vegetable broth to help with blending, and blend until smooth, forming a vibrant green puree.

Step 3

In a medium-sized pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the rice and cook, stirring frequently, for about 2-3 minutes until the rice starts to lightly toast.

Step 4

Stir in the green puree and cook for another 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld with the rice.

Step 5

Add the remaining vegetable broth, lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the rice simmer for about 40-45 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Avoid lifting the lid to prevent steam from escaping.

Step 7

Once cooked, turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for an additional 5-10 minutes to allow it to steam further.

Step 8

Fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving. Serve warm as a side dish or enjoy it on its own for a light, nutritious meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1229.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	511.4

Total Fat 18.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 2.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.5g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1665.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 78.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.4g	0%
Total Sugars 10.0g
Protein 14.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 316.6mg	0%
Iron 8.9mg	0%
Potassium 2595.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.4%

Protein: 11.0%

Carbs: 58.6%