This rice and carrots recipe is a quick and flavorful way to turn leftover rice into a delicious side dish in just 20 minutes. Made on the stove with fresh grated carrots, aromatics, and simple seasonings, it adds color and flavor to any meal. It pairs perfectly with your favorite meats and comes together with minimal effort using pantry staples. Try it out. You’ll love it!
This arroz con zanahoria recipe is a flavorful fusion of two culinary traditions. Inspired by fried rice and my mother-in-law’s Panamanian influence, who made the first version I tasted.
This recipe has become a regular in my weekly meal rotation because it's so easy to make with leftover rice. It’s one of those dishes that’s both comforting and versatile, and I love how it helps me add more veggies to my meals without much effort. Plus, it comes together in 20 minutes, which makes it ideal for busy weeknights when you want something flavorful but quick.
As someone who often works with leftovers to save time, I’ve perfected this recipe to be both simple and satisfying. The key is using fresh grated carrots to bring out natural sweetness and texture that pair beautifully with the savory aromatics. The rice absorbs all the flavors, making it a tasty side dish or even a light main when you add eggs, chicken, or shrimp.
I also love how customizable it is, if you want to add extra vegetables or other meats, this recipe can easily adapt to whatever you have on hand. My niece loves it, and it’s a great option for getting the little ones to eat more vegetables too.
Whether you're looking for a quick, weeknight dinner or an easy side to pair with your favorite meats, this carrot rice checks all the boxes. It's a simple, flavor-packed dish that comes together in a flash, and with the right seasonings, it’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters. Feel free to use this recipe as inspiration and adjust it to your liking. Below, I’ve included some ideas on how you can make it your own.
📋 Ingredients & Substitutions
To prepare this recipe, you will need the following:
- Cooked white rice: you can use white rice or brown rice if you prefer. I recommend using leftover rice so that it has a texture similar to fried rice. But if you don't have it, you can do it with the freshly cooked one.
- Onion: You can use chives or replace them with red onions or shallots. Use what you have on hand. This recipe is very forgiving.
- Sesame oil: use the regular version or the toasted version, either will work. It provides the richer flavor to the rice.
- Carrots: I prefer freshly grated
- Celery
- Garlic
- Salt
In the recipe card below, you will have the complete measurements of each one of these ingredients.
As for utensils, we will use a large pot or a dutch oven or a wok, and a spatula or something to mix.
Now that we have all the ingredients and utensils, then let's get started.
📝 How to make the recipe? - Step by Step
Now that you’re ready to make the rice with carrots recipe, let’s go over a few quick prep steps and then jump into the easy cooking process.
Prep
- Start by grating your carrots, chopping the aromatics (onion, garlic, and any other vegetables you’re using).
- Have your leftover rice ready to go, since the cooking process is like a fried rice, you'll move quickly.
Cooking
- Heat the sesame oil in a pot or wok over medium heat.
- Add and sauté the onions, garlic, and celery for 3 minutes.
- Then, add the carrots and continue to sauté all the ingredients for an additional 3 minutes. This will ensure the carrots are soft and not raw when you add the rice.
- Add the rice and mix everything until it is incorporated and the rice begins to turn the color of the carrots, about 5 minutes.
💡Tip: If the rice is quite dry, you can add a splash of water, cover the pot and let it cook for 3 minutes.
- Once everything is mixed, turn off the heat, fluff the rice and serve immediately with your meat of choice.
🔖Recipe variations
- Add scrambled egg as if it were fried rice.
- For texture: add chopped cashews, sesame seeds or corn kernels.
- Add chives for more color, or you can sauté it all together.
- You prefer an option without rice, only vegetables, use cauliflower rice and follow the same steps. It’s delicious.
- To enhance the flavor and bring out a savory umami, season the rice with a splash of oyster sauce. Omit the salt if using this.
🫙Store & Reheat
- Storage: Once cool, you can store them in the fridge in an airtight container for 5 days.
- Reheat: You can heat it in a pan or use the microwave. If you find that the rice is a little dry, you can add a little extra water before heating it.
🍽 Serving Size and Suggestions
This recipe serves 4 and you can half the recipe if needed.
Serve it with a fried egg on top, or with a grilled chicken and salad.
It pairs well with meats in sauce, such as a stewed beef tongue, Panamanian style meatballs, or a stewed chicken.
You can try it with a green salad and maple mustard pork chops.
If you tried this rice with carrots recipe or any other recipe on Nashi Food, don't forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! We love knowing about your cooking experience.
Rice With Carrots
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- ½ onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 celery rib, chopped
- 1 carrot, medium sized, chopped
- 3 cups white rice, cooked
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Heat the sesame oil, in a pot or pan over medium heat.1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Add and sauté the onions, garlic, and celery for 3 minutes.½ onion, 2 garlic cloves, 1 celery rib
- Add the carrots and continue to sauté all the ingredients for an additional 3 minutes. Add the salt to season and enhance the flavors of the vegetables.1 carrot, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Add the rice and mix everything until it is incorporated and the rice begins to turn the orange, about 5 minutes. If the rice is quite dry, you can add a splash of water, cover the pot and let it cook for 3 minutes.3 cups white rice
- Once everything is mixed, turn off the heat and serve with your favorite meats.
Video
Notes
- Cooked rice: you can use white rice or brown rice if you prefer. I recommend using leftover rice so that it has a texture similar to fried rice. But if you don't have it, you can do it with the fresh one.
- Onion: You can use chives or replace them with use red onions or shallots. Use what you have on hand. This recipe is very forgiving.
- Sesame oil: use the regular version or the toasted version. Either will work.
- Add scrambled egg as if it were fried rice.
- Add chives for more color, or you can sauté it all together.
- You can add corn kernels to it. It adds another texture.
- Add chopped cashews and or sesame seeds for more texture.
- You prefer an option without rice and with only vegetables, use cauliflower rice and follow the same steps. It’s delicious.
- Storage: Once cool, you can store them in the fridge in an airtight container for 5 days.
- Reheat: You can heat it in a pan or use the microwave. If you find that the rice is a little dry, you can add a little extra water before heating it.
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