The Smart Rice Pilaf Alternative That’s Making My Meals Healthier (& More Exciting)

These days, it seems like we’re all trying to squeeze more vegetables into our diet — and it’s for good reason seeing as a plant-based diet is both a wholesome and feel-good one. I am an avid salad eater and roast baking sheets of veggies weekly but somehow, I still often feel like I am not getting enough. I know I am not alone in this and for parents, I know this struggle can also feel too real, especially if you’ve got picky eaters at home. So whenever we’re given an assist, it’s most definitely a major win. I came across RightRice’s line of vegetable rice over the summer and immediately fell in love with how easy they made getting an added serving or two of vegetables into my diet, but now it’s their newest creation I am smitten about: RightRice Medley. Not only does this fun, modern twist on rice pilaf make it simple for me to eat healthy, it’s shaking up my dinner routine and making weeknights a whole lot easier.

The Details:

Product Name: RightRice Medley

Product Price & Sizing: Each of the three varieties (Harvest Pilaf, Fried Rice, and Cajun Spice) come in a 7-ounce zip-top pouch that serves four people (though they can also easily be sealed after opening and tossed in your pantry) at a suggested retail price of $4.99

Where to Buy it: Right now, you’ll find RightRice exclusively at Whole Foods and on Amazon. I particularly like that Amazon also sells a variety pack so you can try all three flavors.

Why RightRice Medley is a Good Find

What’s unique about RightRice Medley is that it’s not just vegetable-based rice in the bag: There are ancient grains like quinoa and sorghum inside, too. So in addition to getting all the protein and fiber that comes with their unique blend of lentil, chickpea, pea, and rice flour used to make RightRice, it’s got added nutrients from these whole grains. However, it’s still completely gluten-free and contains almost 30% lower net carbs than a bowl of white rice.

Seeing as RightRice Medley is inspired by classic rice pilaf, each variety contains a mixed assortment of spices and even dehydrated vegetables, too, which is really what I think makes it special.

• The Harvest Pilaf feels most natural next to classics like roast chicken and baked salmon. I love that it’s made colorful with sweet carrots and has a surprising crunch thanks to pumpkin seeds.
• The Fried Rice is making it easy for me to quit my takeout habit and is so full of good things like bell peppers, peas, carrots, onions, and garlic that all you need to do is top a bowl with a fried egg or some sautéed shrimp to turn it into dinner.
• It’s the Cajun Spice that could be the most fun, though. Since I don’t usually cook with cajun flavors like sassafras, which has an earthy, almost fruity flavor, I found it immediately added flair to my routine. The medley is bold, slightly smoky and can hold up to just about anything I am serving.

RightRice Medley hasn’t just become a part of my dinner routine because it’s healthy and flavorful, it’s also because it’s so quick and easy to make. Just bring a pot of water to a boil, remove it from the heat, pour in the RightRice Medley, cover it, then let it stand off the heat for 12 minutes. During that time I usually go about assembling the rest of dinner — maybe that means sautéing some chicken or fish and assembling a salad. Then I just fluff it with a fork and we’re ready to eat. It’s such a fast way to not just get more vegetables on the table, but simply to get a balanced meal on the table. So to me, it’s a no-brainer to keep at least a few bags stocked and ready to go in my pantry.