Your rice side dish doesn’t have to be boring or plain anymore! The next time you crave a rice dish, try this carrot rice recipe inspired by Iraqi cuisine.

Traditional Iraqi carrot rice, ” Timman Jizar,” is cooked with meat. However, by cooking the rice the right way, infusing it with aromatic spices and the sweetness of carrots, you can confidently ditch the meat and enjoy this delicious plant-based rice dish. This carrot rice recipe is healthy, kid-friendly, and perfect as a side dish or a meal.

Ingredients to make carrot rice:

Basmati rice.
Carrot: Fresh chopped carrots are the star ingredient of this dish! They add a burst of color, and their natural sweetness balances the spices, adding a hint of sweetness to every bite.
White onion.
Coconut oil.
Bouillon powder or vegetable stock/broth
Freshly chopped dill that adds a pop of color and flavor to the rice.
Salt & pepper
Spices: The spice mix used to make this carrot rice enhances the taste and lends a beautiful golden hue to the final product. Dried lime (Noomi Basrah), turmeric, curry, cinnamon, and cardamom—all these spices provide a rich and aromatic boost to this humble rice dish.

How to make carrot rice:

To make a perfectly fluffy carrot rice, follow these simple steps:

First, it is essential to rinse the rice in cold water a couple of times till the water runs clear.
Soak the rice for 30 minutes before cooking it.
Next, heat the oil and saute the onion for 5 minutes.
Add the chopped carrots and saute with the onions for 10 minutes.

Add all the spices and cook on low heat for another 5 minutes. This step is crucial to toasting and awakening all of the spices.
It is time to add the soaked rice to the pan. Gently stir the rice into the carrot mixture, ensuring every grain is coated with the fragrant concoction. This helps the rice absorb the flavors of the carrots and spices, resulting in a harmonious blend of tastes with each bite.
Dissolve the bouillon powder in water, add it to the rice and carrot mixture, and stir. Cover the pot’s lid and let it cook for 5 minutes.
Add the freshly chopped dill and mix it well with the rice.

Cover the lid and let the rice cook undisturbed for 20-25 minutes.
Once cooked, fluff the rice with a fork, and it is ready to be served.

Recipe tips & ingredients swaps:

Basmati is preferred when choosing rice. However, any long-grain rice should work fine in this recipe.
To make carrot rice, chop the carrots into small-medium cubes. You can also grate the carrots; that way, they cook faster, but I prefer to chop them into cubes, which helps them maintain their shape after cooking and gives them different textures.
For oil, opt for ” healthy oils” such as olive, avocado, or coconut oil, which I have used to make this recipe. If you prefer oil-free, use water or vegetable stock to saute the carrot mixture.
Brown or red onions works in this recipe.
To have perfectly fluffy rice, follow the steps of rinsing and soaking the rice, and use the proper rice-to-water ratio mentioned in this recipe.

How to serve carrot rice:

Serve this tasty rice dish with a fresh salad, such as this simple Arabic salad, or a grain salad, like this Millet salad!

This carrot rice can be served as a healthy side to any protein main dish, whether plant-based or not. Consider serving your carrot rice alongside a refreshing tzatziki sauce, a tangy lemon mint yogurt that pairs perfectly with this rice.

Leftover:

To store any leftover carrot rice, first let the rice cool completely before storing it. Once cooled, transfer the rice to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It is recommended that you consume the rice within 3-4 days of storing it.

Recommended Recipes:

For more rice dishes inspired by Middle Eastern flavors, try this perfectly cooked vermicelli rice recipe or this famous mujadara recipe.

Other Vegan recipes you will like:

Palestinian musakhan rolls.
Protein-packed lentil and bean soup recipe.
Easy-to-make vegan vegetable soup recipe.
Middle Eastern’s favorite winter drink Sahlab.

If you make this recipe, I’d love a comment and a rating. Please make sure to tag me in re-creation on Instagram @veganbilaraby. I love to see your take on my vegan recipes 💚