Qdoba Mexican Grill is a popular fast casual restaurant chain that serves Mexican-inspired cuisine. One of the side dishes offered at Qdoba is their seasoned brown rice. Brown rice is often seen as a healthier alternative to white rice, as it contains more fiber, nutrients, and antioxidants. Qdoba’s seasoned brown rice adds flavor to the naturally nutty, chewy grains. But what exactly is in this rice that gives it its taste? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients.
Brown Rice
The base of Qdoba’s seasoned brown rice is, not surprisingly, brown rice. Brown rice is whole grain rice that has not had its nutritious bran and germ removed. This gives it a light tan color, chewy texture, and more fiber and nutrients than refined white rice. Brown rice contains vitamins and minerals like manganese, selenium, magnesium, and B vitamins. It also contains lignans, which are antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation in the body. Compared to white rice, brown rice is lower on the glycemic index, meaning it does not spike blood sugar levels as quickly. This makes it a good choice for people with diabetes or who are watching their blood sugar levels.
Oil
The rice is cooked in a blend of oils – likely canola, soybean, corn, or other neutral-flavored oils commonly used in commercial kitchens. The oil helps keep the rice from drying out and becoming crunchy or sticky. It also allows for better transfer of heat for evenly cooked rice. Adding some fat in the form of oil increases the nutritive value and flavors of the dish. The oil used to cook Qdoba’s rice is probably only a minimal amount to coat the grains, without too much excess oiliness.
Seasoning
To give the brown rice flavor, Qdoba adds their special Mexican-inspired seasoning blend. The exact recipe is proprietary, but it likely contains common spices found in Mexican cooking like garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, paprika, and oregano. There may also be some cilantro, lime juice or vinegar to add a brightness. Salt is added to amplify the other flavors. The spices infuse the rice with the aromatic flavors we recognize as classic Mexican cuisine. They likely add the seasoning blend early on as the rice cooks, allowing the spices to fully permeate each rice grain.
Vegetables
In addition to the spices, Qdoba’s seasoned brown rice contains a medley of sauteed vegetables. This adds nutrition, color, and texture to the dish. Based on the rice’s appearance, it seems to contain a mix of green peas, carrots, red bell peppers, and onions. The soft, cooked vegetables pair nicely with the chewy rice. Peas add a touch of natural sweetness, while the onions and bell peppers enhance the Mexican flavor profile. The variety of colors from the veggies makes the rice look vibrant and appetizing. Each forkful contains a tasty combination of rice, seasoning, and well-cooked vegetables.
Green Peas
Green peas contain fiber, manganese, folate, copper, phosphorus, and more. They add a pop of color and a bit of sweetness. Peas’ high fiber aids digestion. Manganese supports bone health and metabolism. Folate is important for cell growth and division. Copper assists with energy production and collagen formation. Phosphorus helps filter waste from the kidneys.
Carrots
Carrots provide vitamin A (as beta-carotene), biotin, vitamin K, potassium, and antioxidants. They are great for eye health, with compounds that protect vision. Carrots also promote healthy skin and hair. Their fiber content benefits digestion while potassium aids nerve signaling and water balance in the body.
Red Bell Peppers
Red bell peppers are an excellent source of vitamin C, providing 317% DV per cup chopped. They also contain vitamin A, folate, vitamin B6, and fiber. The powerful antioxidant vitamin C supports immune function and iron absorption. Vitamin A keeps skin and eyes healthy. Folate assists in brain development during pregnancy. Vitamin B6 is involved in over 100 enzyme reactions.
Onions
Onions contain biotin, folate, vitamin C, and polyphenols which act as antioxidants. They provide antibacterial properties and promote digestive health. Onions add tons of flavor to recipes like Qdoba’s seasoned rice. Their sulfurous compounds are responsible for the pungent oniony aroma and taste.
Cooking Process
To get perfectly cooked rice with softened vegetables throughout, Qdoba likely follows a process like this:
- Rinse the brown rice until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
- In a large commercial rice cooker or steamer, add the rinsed rice and cooking oil. Stir to coat.
- Add in desired amount of water or broth, following the instructions for brown rice.
- Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook the rice partially until slightly underdone.
- Add in the chopped veggies – carrots, onions, peas, peppers. Stir to incorporate.
- Add seasoning blend and additional spices. Stir again to distribute evenly.
- Continue simmering, covered, until rice and vegetables are fully cooked.
- Fluff with a fork before serving.
This method allows maximum flavor infusion into every grain of rice. The vegetables get perfectly tender without becoming mushy, as they cook gently along with the rice.
Nutrition Information
As a blend of whole grains, vegetables, and seasoning, Qdoba’s brown rice is a flavorful and nutritious side. Here is the nutrition information for a serving of Qdoba seasoned brown rice:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 110 |
| Fat | 2g |
| Carbohydrates | 20g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugars | 2g |
| Protein | 3g |
As you can see, a serving contains 110 calories, mostly from the whole grain brown rice, with a small amount of fat from the cooking oil. It provides filling fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from the rice and mixed vegetables. The seasoned brown rice makes a tasty and nutritious complement to Qdoba’s burritos, tacos, and other Mexican dishes.
Benefits of Brown Rice
There are many benefits to choosing brown rice over less nutritious white rice:
- Higher fiber content – Brown rice contains 2.8g of fiber per cooked cup, while white has just 0.6g per cooked cup.
- More antioxidants – Brown rice contains powerful antioxidants like flavonoids and anthocyanins.
- Lower glycemic index – Brown rice does not spike blood sugar as quickly due to higher fiber.
- More manganese and selenium – Brown rice is a good source of these minerals.
- Anti-inflammatory – The phytonutrients in brown rice help reduce inflammation.
- Heart health – The fiber, magnesium, and plant compounds in brown rice support cardiovascular function.
- Cancer prevention – Brown rice contains many antioxidants that may help protect against cancers.
By using nutritious whole grain brown rice, Qdoba provides a healthy, flavorful base for their Mexican dishes. The rice offers anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects to complement a balanced diet.
Conclusion
Qdoba’s seasoned brown rice is a tasty and versatile side dish made from nutritious whole grain brown rice simmered with a medley of vegetables like peas, carrots, onions, and bell peppers. It is seasoned with a proprietary blend of spices like garlic, cumin, and chili powder to give it Mexican flair. The rice provides fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, while being lower glycemic than white rice. It makes an excellent complement to Qdoba’s burritos, tacos, salads, and bowls, adding a boost of nutrition and bright, Mexican-inspired flavor. Now that you know what gives Qdoba seasoned brown rice its signature taste and health benefits, you can enjoy your meal even more!