Vegetable Paella (Oil-Free): Bright Flavor, Beautiful Color
Paella is often associated with a great feast — a large skillet, crowded tables, and bold flavors layered together in harmony. This oil-free Vegetable Paella honors that spirit of celebration while keeping the ingredients clean, simple, and aligned perfectly with the Daniel Fast.
Nutrition Highlights
Brown rice forms the base of this paella, adding fiber, minerals, and sustained energy that supports blood sugar balance. Unlike traditional paella that relies heavily on oil-rich sofrito, this dish, an oil-free vegetable paella, relies on the natural flavors released as vegetables cook gently in broth and spices. It keeps the meal light while still feeling abundant.
A colorful variety of vegetables — peas, carrots, peppers, and any seasonal produce you love — turns this skillet into a visual celebration of plant nourishment. Each vegetable contributes its own strengths: peas bring protein and sweetness, carrots deliver carotenoids for eye and skin health, and bell peppers add a burst of vitamin C that supports the immune system and enhances iron absorption from the rice and other veggies.
Turmeric is the secret wellness star in this dish. It creates the beautiful golden hue while offering anti-inflammatory benefits. When combined with black pepper, even in small amounts, turmeric becomes more bioavailable — meaning your body can use it more effectively. You may also add paprika if you include nightshades in your diet; otherwise, turmeric alone provides plenty of color and warmth in this vegetable paella, showcasing it as an expertly crafted oil-free meal.
Oil-Free Vegetable Paella is Social
One of the most delightful parts of paella is the social atmosphere it brings. You can serve it family-style in a wide dish so everyone can enjoy the colors and aromas together. Enjoying a meal like this oil-free dish of vegetable paella is a wonderful reminder that food nourishes more than the body — it nourishes connection, community, and joy.
Every spoonful invites gratitude: for the soil that grew these vegetables, the hands that prepared them, and the healing journey you’re walking day by day. Meals like this paella support not just physical well-being, but also a mindset of celebration — honoring what is good, simple, and sustaining.
Processed Oils: Choosing Healthier Alternatives(Opens in a new browser tab)
Oil-Free Vegetable Paella Recipe for Everyone
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked brown rice rinsed
- ½ cup peas fresh or frozen
- ½ cup diced carrots
- ½ cup diced bell peppers or zucchini for nightshade-free
- ½ tsp turmeric
- 2 cups vegetable broth or water
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 bay leaf optional
Instructions
- Add rice and broth to a medium skillet or saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Stir in turmeric, garlic powder, carrots, and peppers. Add bay leaf if using.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 10 minutes.
- Quickly stir in peas and recover. Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes.
- Remove bay leaf before serving.
- Fluff gently and serve directly from the skillet.
