Mediterranean Diet Mexican Rice

Elevate your meal prep game with this vibrant and wholesome Mediterranean Diet Mexican Rice, a healthy twist on a beloved classic. Featuring nutrient-packed brown rice simmered with aromatic spices like cumin and smoked paprika, this dish is bursting with bold flavor and Mediterranean-inspired goodness. A medley of black beans, sweet corn, and sautéed veggies, including red bell pepper and onion, adds delightful texture and pops of color, while fresh cilantro and zesty lime juice tie it all together for a bright, tangy finish. Perfect as a standalone vegetarian entrée or a hearty side dish, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between indulgence and nutrition, all while adhering to the principles of a plant-forward Mediterranean diet. Ready in under an hour and packed with fiber-rich ingredients, it’s a surefire win for healthy weeknight dinners or meal prep staples.

Nutriscore Rating: 82/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup brown rice
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup canned diced tomatoes
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 0.5 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the brown rice to the saucepan, stirring to coat the grains with the oil and vegetables.

Step 5

Pour in the vegetable broth and canned diced tomatoes, bringing the mixture to a boil.

Step 6

Stir in the cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 7

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let simmer for 30 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and liquid is absorbed.

Step 8

Add the black beans and frozen corn to the cooked rice. Stir well to combine.

Step 9

Remove the saucepan from heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Step 10

Stir in the fresh cilantro and lime juice before serving.

Step 11

Serve the Mediterranean Diet Mexican Rice warm, garnished with additional cilantro if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1796.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1253.7

Total Fat 46.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.5g
Cholesterol 4.8mg	0%
Sodium 3846.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 185.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 42.8g	0%
Total Sugars 32.8g
Protein 41.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 383.9mg	0%
Iron 15.0mg	0%
Potassium 3172.4mg	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: 31.8%

Protein: 12.5%

Carbs: 55.8%