One-Pan Vegan Fajita Rice (Printable)

Vibrant fajita vegetables, rice, and black beans come together in a single skillet for an easy savory meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
02 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
03 - 1 green bell pepper, sliced
04 - 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 jalapeño, deseeded and sliced (optional)

→ Rice & Beans

07 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
08 - 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with juices
10 - 2 1/4 cups vegetable broth

→ Spices

11 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
14 - 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
15 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
17 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
18 - 2 tablespoons olive oil or water for oil-free cooking

→ Optional Garnishes

19 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
20 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
21 - Sliced avocado or vegan sour cream

# Directions:

01 - Heat a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil or water for oil-free cooking. Add sliced onions and bell peppers, sautéing for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and lightly caramelized.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and jalapeño, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant. Add cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, coriander, oregano, salt, and pepper, stirring to coat vegetables evenly with spices.
03 - Add rinsed rice, drained black beans, diced tomatoes with juices, and vegetable broth to the skillet. Stir until well combined.
04 - Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes for white rice until rice is tender and liquid is completely absorbed.
05 - Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and taste for seasoning adjustments.
06 - Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and avocado or vegan sour cream if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, which means minimal cleanup and maximum time for literally anything else.
  • The spice blend creates this warm, smoky depth that feels indulgent but comes together in under an hour.
  • It's naturally vegan and gluten-free, so you're not sacrificing flavor for dietary preferences—it's just genuinely delicious.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice and beans—it removes excess starch that makes everything gummy and cloudy rather than clean-tasting and vibrant.
  • The liquid-to-rice ratio is crucial, so measure carefully; too much water and you get mush, too little and you get crunchy disappointment halfway through.
  • Taste before serving and add salt or lime if needed—the depth of your broth affects how much seasoning the final dish needs, so trust your palate over the recipe.
03 -
  • A skillet with a fitted lid is genuinely helpful here, but if you only have a regular lid or even foil, the cooking time stays the same—you just need something to trap the steam.
  • Prep your vegetables while the onions caramelize so you're not standing around waiting; this whole meal moves quickly once you start.
  • Taste the broth before you use it—if it's particularly salty, you might want to reduce the added salt since everything concentrates as the rice cooks.
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