Sugar-Free Savory Meat and Rice Pilaf

Discover the wholesome goodness of this Sugar-Free Savory Meat and Rice Pilaf—a hearty, one-pot meal that's both nourishing and packed with flavor! Tender cubes of lean beef or chicken are gently browned and combined with fluffy long-grain rice, sweet carrots, crisp celery, and aromatic herbs like thyme and bay leaf. Simmered to perfection in low-sodium broth, this simple yet satisfying dish offers a balanced medley of textures and tastes without any added sugar. Ready in under an hour, it’s the ultimate family-friendly comfort meal that's easy to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it as a standalone entrée or pair it with a fresh side salad for a complete, nourishing dinner.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large, diced onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 500 grams lean beef or chicken breast, cubed
• 1.5 cups uncooked long-grain rice
• 1 large, peeled and diced carrot
• 2 chopped celery stalk
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken or beef broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons, chopped parsley

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Add the cubed beef or chicken to the skillet. Cook until the meat is browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the uncooked rice, allowing it to slightly toast, about 2 minutes.

Step 6

Mix in the diced carrot and chopped celery, cooking for another 3 minutes.

Step 7

Pour in the chicken or beef broth and add the bay leaf, dried thyme, black pepper, and salt.

Step 8

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the broth.

Step 9

Remove from heat and let the pilaf sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes.

Step 10

Discard the bay leaf, fluff the rice with a fork, and stir in the chopped parsley.

Step 11

Serve hot, garnished with additional parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1925.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2790.4

Total Fat 107.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 34.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 400mg	0%
Sodium 3274.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 277.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.5g	0%
Total Sugars 13.3g
Protein 159.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 341.9mg	0%
Iron 20.3mg	0%
Potassium 2901.0mg	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: 35.6%

Protein: 23.5%

Carbs: 40.9%