Garlic Herb Brown Rice Zucchini (Printable)

Aromatic brown rice with roasted zucchini, garlic, and fresh herbs for a wholesome vegetarian meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Rice Base

01 - 1 cup brown rice, rinsed thoroughly
02 - 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
03 - 2 tbsp olive oil
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
06 - 1/2 tsp salt
07 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Roasted Zucchini

08 - 2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch half-moons
09 - 1 tbsp olive oil
10 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
11 - 1/4 tsp salt
12 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Fresh Herb Finish

13 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
14 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill or basil
15 - 1 tsp lemon zest
16 - 1 tbsp lemon juice

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F for roasting the zucchini.
02 - Toss zucchini slices with 1 tbsp olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet.
03 - Roast zucchini for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden edges develop and pieces are tender.
04 - Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook 3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add rinsed brown rice to the saucepan, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes to toast the grains and coat with oil.
06 - Pour in vegetable broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer 35-40 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is fully absorbed.
07 - Fluff rice with a fork. Gently fold in roasted zucchini, parsley, dill or basil, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
08 - Transfer to a serving dish and serve warm. Garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The garlic infused brown rice tastes like it has been simmering for hours, yet it comes together in under an hour
  • Roasted zucchini adds natural sweetness and a satisfying texture contrast to nutty brown rice
  • Fresh herbs and bright lemon juice make every bite feel light and vibrant, never heavy
02 -
  • Brown rice needs that full simmering time to become tender, so do not rush this step or try to reduce the liquid too much
  • Letting the rice rest off the heat for 5 minutes before fluffing helps it become perfectly fluffy
  • The roasted zucchini can be prepared ahead of time and added just before serving
03 -
  • Rinse your brown rice until the water runs clear to remove excess starch for fluffier results
  • Let the roasted zucchini cool slightly on the baking sheet so it develops better texture

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