Vegan Rice Pilaf

Last Updated on July 19, 2026

This easy to make Vegan Rice Pilaf is full of flavor, gluten free, and a wonderful side or main dish!

You may be asking yourself, “Isn’t rice pilaf just a plain rice?”

Well, even though there is rice in rice pilaf, it is cooked differently than a regular rice.

The rice and pasta are toasted/sauteed with a fat (in my recipe, oil) before adding the herbs, onions and garlic.

And finished by simmering in a flavorful broth.

What variety of rice works well in a rice pilaf?

You can use any variety of rice in a pilaf.

The rice of my choice is the basmati rice, it’s fluffy and has a non-sticky texture.

What variety of pasta works the best in a rice pilaf?

Orzo or vermicelli are the pasta of choice for pilaf.

Unfortunately I was not able to find a gluten free orzo or vermicelli.

So after a little research, I found out that you can use angel hair pasta or spaghetti noodles broken into small pieces as a substitute.

I used spaghetti noodles in my recipe, and this worked out wonderfully!

What adds the flavor and texture to the rice pilaf?

Using broth instead of water adds most of the flavor.

Sauteing fresh onion and garlic will also add more flavor.

Adding fresh or dried herbs adds a lot to the flavor as well.

But toasting the pasta and rice together will also bring out a rich, nutty flavor, as well as add to the over all texture of the dish.

What dishes compliment the rice pilaf?

Here are a few of my recipes to try, Vegan Mushroom Burgers, Roasted Vegetables with Chickpeas, Sauteed Spinach and Chickpeas, or the Crispy Tofu Nuggets.

As a main dish, I like to serve rice pilaf with a bean side dish, try some of my recipes such as the Vegan Baked Beans or the Vegan Bean Hotdish.

Ingredients for the rice pilaf

• Rice – Any rice will work in the pilaf, I love to use basmati rice in my pilaf.
• Pasta – The commonly used pasta is vermicelli or orzo pasta in rice pilaf. Substitute with angel hair or spaghetti noodles broken into small pieces.
• Onion – Any onion of choice. I like to use a green onion in my pilaf.
• Garlic – Use a fresh garlic clove, minced garlic, or garlic powder.
• Broth – Use your favorite vegetable broth.
• Oil – Olive oil is my oil of choice, use your favorite oil to saute.
• Seasonings – Turmeric adds a pail yellow color to the pilaf. For more flavor add thyme, salt, and pepper.
• Parsley – Add fresh parsley as a garnish, optional.

How to make a Vegan Rice Pilaf

Rinse the rice and set aside to drain.

Clean and dice the onion and garlic clove into small pieces, set aside.

Add the oil to a large pot, heat at a medium high heat, next add the uncooked pasta, and saute for about 3 minutes.

Next add the onion and garlic clove to the skillet.

Then stir in the rinsed rice and continue to saute until slightly browned and translucent.

Continue by adding the broth, turmeric, thyme, salt, and pepper, bring to a boil.

Once everything comes to a boil, turn the heat down to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 to 18 minutes, or until the rice is done.

Then remove from the heat while leaving the cover on for another 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes, remove cover to fluff with a fork and serve.

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