Okay, hear me out—peanut butter and rice? YES. This recipe is a total game-changer. It’s creamy, savory, a little tangy, and packed with flavor. It comes together with pantry staples and is super customizable depending on what you’ve got on hand. Whether I need a quick lunch, an easy side, or a comforting bowl of something cozy, this peanut butter rice hits the spot every time.
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I was initially inspired to make this based on Zimbabwe peanut butter rice. But I wanted to give it some extra flavor and add some filling options to make it a full meal. So, while this isn’t authentic, it is absolutely delicious!
Why You’ll Love It
- Quick & simple – Just cook rice, mix in the sauce, and done. No fancy equipment, no fuss.
- Budget-friendly – Made with affordable pantry staples.
- Packed with flavor – Creamy, savory, a little spicy, a little tangy—every bite is exciting.
- Customizable – Toss in whatever veggies or protein you have. Great way to use up leftovers!
- Vegan & gluten-free – As long as your soy sauce is GF, this dish is too.
Ingredient Notes
Let’s talk ingredients! You probably already have most of these:
- Long grain rice – I use brown rice for that extra nutty flavor and fiber boost, but white rice or jasmine works too. Just adjust cook time.
- Vegetable broth – Cooking rice in broth instead of water adds so much more flavor.
- Peanut butter – Go for all-natural peanut butter with no added sugar for the best results. It gives this dish that creamy, rich base.
- Soy sauce – Adds umami and saltiness. Use tamari if you need it gluten-free.
- Vinegar – Apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar both work. This balances the richness of the peanut butter.
- Hot sauce – Totally up to you how spicy you want it! I add about a teaspoon, but you can adjust to taste.
- Garlic + onion powder – Easy flavor boosters that round it all out.
Optional Mix-ins (highly recommended!):
- Peas or edamame – Add plant-based protein and color.
- Green onions – For crunch and fresh flavor.
How to Make It
It’s as easy as 1–2–3!
Step 1: Cook the rice – Follow your package instructions, but use veggie broth instead of water. For brown rice, that’s usually about 45–50 minutes. Don’t forget to rinse the rice first!
Step 2: Make it creamy – Once the rice is done, stir in the peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar, hot sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until it’s all smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Add your mix-ins – If you’re using peas, edamame, or green onions, toss them in now. Let it all warm through for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Boom—done!
Serving Suggestions
This dish is awesome on its own, but here are a few fun ways to serve it:
- As a main – Add tofu, baked or air-fried tempeh for extra protein, or sautéed mushrooms to make it more filling.
- As a side – Perfect with stir-fried veggies, crispy spring rolls, or grilled skewers.
- In a bowl – Build a Buddha bowl with this rice, steamed greens, avocado, and sesame seeds.
- Cold leftovers – Honestly? It’s kind of amazing cold too—like a peanut noodle salad, but with rice.
How to Store
This peanut butter rice stores really well, making it great for meal prep!
- Fridge – Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4–5 days.
- Freezer – Freeze portions for up to 2 months. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of water or broth to loosen it up.
FAQs
Yep! Just adjust the cook time based on your rice. White rice usually takes about 15–20 minutes.
Only if you want it to be! Add hot sauce to taste, or leave it out for a milder version.
Absolutely. Stir in spinach, broccoli, chickpeas, tofu—whatever you’ve got works here!
Yes! Just swap the peanut butter for sunflower seed butter or tahini. The flavor will be slightly different, but it’ll still be creamy and delicious. Great option for those with nut allergies!
That’s it! Hope you give this one a try—it’s cozy, easy, and unexpectedly delicious. Let me know how you make it your own!
More Easy Rice Recipes
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Peanut Butter Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown rice uncooked
- 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- ¼ cup all-natural peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce *
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or brown rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Optional Mix-ins
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup frozen edamame
- 2-3 stalks green onion sliced
Instructions
- Cook the rice according to package instructions using the the broth instead of water. A general guide is to rinse the rice under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the rice and broth and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45-50 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Once the rice is cooked, stir in the peanut butter, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, hot sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until well combined.
- Add the optional mix-ins if desired, allowing it to heat through for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
