Nutty and savory Peanut Butter Rice that only requires 5 minutes of actual cooking. A delicious one-pot dish that is a quick, wholesome, and healthy delight!

Disclaimer: This is traditionally an African peanut butter rice recipe that originates from Zimbabwe and called mupunga unedovi. My version is NOT the authentic version as I’ve added soy sauce into the mix. Plus, the original version is usually mushy.

From my research, you can find this dish in most homes in Zimbabwe. You can check out this YouTube video from ZimboKitchen if you’re interested.

Close-up of peanut butter rice with a spoon, served with peas and marinated tofu.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

🌱 Enjoy your healthy & guilt-free Peanut Butter Rice with this tasty vegan recipe
🍚 No chopping required for this one-pot dish!
🕒 Ready in 15 minutes!
🌈 Customizable! Add your favorite veggies or protein and make it a meal, and choose your spice level.

Ingredients

Brown Rice: A hearty and wholesome base that adds a nutty flavor.
- I use long-grain Basmati rice for this, but feel free to sub with regular brown rice. Refrain from using short-grain rice if you don’t want the rice to be sticky.
Peanut Butter: The star of the show, bringing a creamy, nutty indulgence when used as a peanut sauce.
Soy Sauce: A savory umami boost. Feel free to sub with tamari.

And three optional spices & garnish:

Garlic Powder: Feel free to substitute with 1 clove of finely minced garlic. Add the minced garlic to the pot of uncooked brown rice so you won’t have the aftertaste of raw garlic.
Cayenne Pepper: Customize the spice level to your liking.
Coriander: They pair really well with peanuts! But of course, only add this if it doesn’t taste like soap to you! 😉

Step-by-step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Rice

Cook the rice following the package instructions.

For a general guide, use 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of brown rice. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until cooked; no stirring is needed.

Taste-test after 10 minutes; add water if necessary to prevent burning. It could take anywhere between 10-30 minutes to cook brown rice, depending on the brand.

Once the rice is done and fluffy, turn off the heat. If the rice is sticky at the bottom, cover with a lid for 3-5 minutes so the rice won’t stick anymore.

Uncooked brown basmati rice in a pot. — Uncooked rice

Uncooked brown basmati rice with water in a pot. — Uncooked rice

Step 2: Mix with the Peanut Butter Sauce

While waiting, break apart any clumped peanut butter with the back of a spoon.

In a bowl, mix the peanut butter, soy sauce, and optional spices (garlic powder, cayenne pepper).

Peanut butter, soy sauce, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper in a small white bowl.

Mixed peanut butter sauce in a small white flat bowl.

Pour the peanut butter sauce/mixture into the rice pot, then mix, ensuring all grains are well coated.

A lump of peanut butter sauce on top of cooked brown basmati rice in a medium pot. — Adding the peanut butter

Mixing the peanut butter sauce with the cooked rice in the pot with a plastic spatula. — Adding the peanut butter

Garnish with coriander if using. Serve warm and enjoy your Peanut Sauce Rice!

A big white plastic spatula with savory peanut butter rice taken from above.

Top Tips

Cover / Not Cover the Pot: While some people advocate for covering your pot of rice while boiling, I don’t find this necessary.
If your rice is still hard (not fully cooked yet) after the cooking time is completed, you can just add a bit more water (around 1/4 cup of water) to your saucepan and continue cooking on low heat.
- Repeat this as many times as necessary until your rice is cooked.
If you’re tight on time and want a full meal, this recipe is delicious when served with frozen peas! Simply microwave your green peas and you’re done!
Want to amp up the presentation? Pack the rice into a small circular bowl. Then put a plate on top of it and invert it to make a neat peanut rice dome, like what I did here in my Malaysian blue jasmine rice!

Reader’s Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Was a bit skeptic with this combo but I tried it anyway to use up my peanut butter. It’s actually really good. Just served it with some grilled veggies and it was delicious.”

-Nichole

Serving Suggestions

This rice peanut butter pairs well with my Easy Marinated Tofu, like what I had done below. I’ve also added some frozen peas which I microwaved to defrost for extra veggies!

Peanut sauce rice in a white deep plate. — Peanut butter rice

Rice and peanut sauce mixed together, served with marinated tofu. — Peanut butter rice

They also pair really well with my Indonesian Sticky Tempeh recipe. Because even though this is traditionally a Zimbabwean peanut butter rice recipe, peanut sauce is a very Indonesian thing too so of course they pair well!

This rice with peanut butter sauce also goes well with my Vegan Jackfruit Rendang recipe (Indonesian curry-like dish) or with my Roasted Tandoori Vegetables.

Storage and Meal Prep Instructions

Storage: Store any leftover Peanut Butter Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 5 days.

Meal prep: Cook a larger batch, divide it into individual portions, and refrigerate for quick and easy meals throughout the week. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding splashes of water if it gets too dry.

Freezing: I do not recommend freezing this rice and peanut butter since the texture might change as rice tends to get grainy when frozen.

Two hands holding a white plate of peanut butter rice with marinated tofu, peas, and coriander.

FAQ

Yes, you can. Although note that brown rice packs much more nutrients than white rice. Check this Cleveland Clinic article for the differences in nutrition between brown and white rice.

Note that you might need to reduce the cooking time accordingly.

Yes, you can. Make sure to reheat your rice though, so the peanut butter will mix more easily.

If you have leftover rice, you can also make peanut butter fried rice instead. Similar steps as making your regular fried rice, just adding the peanut sauce at the end!

Experiment with ginger, lime, or even a dash of sesame oil for extra depth!

Absolutely, a rice cooker works well in this rice with peanut butter recipe.

Want More Recipes Like This?

Check out my Peanut Avocado Sushi for another savory peanut recipe. Or try my Avocado Bagel Sandwich!

And for more saucy (& spicy) recipes, check out my Kimchi Aioli, Gochujang Aioli, or my Tandoori Mayonnaise. All three sauces are oil-free but taste just as creamy as ever!