Spice up your rice game with our Greek Lemon Rice recipe! Bursting with fresh lemon, dill, parsley, and garlic flavors, this dish will turn your ordinary rice into a Mediterranean delight. Plus, our simple tricks ensure perfectly fluffy rice every time in under 30 minutes. It’s the ideal side for any meal, whether you’re serving steak, fish, or chicken.
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Oh So Flavorful Greek Lemon Rice
As someone who likes to eat a bit healthier at home, rice is one of my GO-TO side dishes. However, even when I switched up my methods with the Instant Pot or on the stovetop, it was still pretty boring.
A few years ago I discovered that rice is simply a canvas for a myriad of flavors and can actually taste incredible! From Mexican Rice and Coconut Rice, to this Mediterranean Yellow Rice and now this Greek Lemon Rice (which is a spin-off of my popular Cilantro Lime Rice!)… your only constraint with rice dishes is your imagination!
Now this Greek Lemon Rice recipe isn’t anything too out of the ordinary. In fact, this has been a popular Mediterranean side dish for centuries. With its zesty lemon flavor and fresh herbs, it pairs exceptionally well with heartier mains like Lamb Koftas and Greek Chicken Kebabs.
But much like every authentic dish, I always like to put my unique spin on it: making it a wee bit healthier and a tad more flavorful.
Why We Love this Easy Lemon Rice
- PACKED with flavor. And you don’t need a ton of ingredients to do it! Just common, pantry staples.
- Made in 30 minutes. You won’t spend a ton of time on this one. Plop the ingredients in a pot and go about your kitchen business!
- Completely customizable. This recipe is as flexible as it gets. Whether you’re craving extra zing from lemon juice or want to switch up the herbs, feel free to customize it according to your taste buds.
- The perfect accompaniment. It goes with almost anything — Mediterranean dishes being the best, of course!
Ingredients for Lemon Rice
- Rice. Make sure to get a long grain white rice; Basmati has even more flavor and is my favorite to use! Short grain rice is more likely to clump. Brown rice can be used, but you’ll need more liquid and a longer cook time.
- Broth. Vegetable or chicken broth are used instead of water to give the most flavor. While you can opt for water, it won’t be quite as good. Reduced sodium can be used, but the taste will be affected.
- Herbs. Both fresh parsley and fresh dill add a punch at the end of cooking. If you need to sub in dried herbs, reduce the amount by 1/2 to 2/3. (Check out How to Chop Parsley and How to Store Parsley!)
How to Make Greek Lemon Rice
Please see the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and more detailed instructions.
1. Rinse and Drain the Rice
One of the most important steps to making any kind of rice dish is to rinse it first. Pour the rice in a strainer, and hold it under running water until it runs clear (about 1-2 minutes.)
This step removes the excess starch that can make the rice clumpy or mushy and is CRUCIAL to getting those fluffy grains.
2. Sauté the Onion and Garlic
Add the oil and diced onion to a medium-sized saucepan. Cook the onion for 2 to 3 minutes over medium heat. The onion should become translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and continue cooking for another minute.
3. Boil the Rice and Simmer
Add the broth to the pot with the onion and garlic. Scrape the bottom to release any cooked on bits. Stir the rice and salt into the pot as well.
Bring the mixture to a boil. Then, cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Simmer the rice for 20 minutes. It should be tender and fluffy, and the water should be absorbed.
4. Mix in Fresh Herbs and Lemon Juice
After the rice is cooked, turn off the heat. Stir in the remaining tablespoon of oil along with the lemon juice, chopped parsley, and dill. Mix until just combined.
Serve the Greek lemon rice immediately with some extra parsley and black pepper.
How can I prevent my rice from turning out mushy or too dry?
To prevent your rice from being too mushy or too dry, rinse it under cool running water before cooking until the liquid is clear. This step removes any excess starch. Additionally, the correct liquid-to-rice ratio is key and will vary depending on the type of rice you’re cooking.
FAQs
Store leftover Greek lemon rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. Add a little bit of water when reheating to get that fluffy texture again.
Greek lemon rice freezes well, so make a big batch for an easy side. Before freezing, let it cool completely, then freeze in a freezer safe bag and store for up to 1 to 2 months.
Yes, you can use dried herbs instead of fresh herbs if that’s what you have on hand. However, dried herbs pack a bigger punch than fresh, so reduce the amount by 1/2 to 2/3 before adding.
Yes, you can substitute brown rice for white rice in this recipe. Keep in mind that brown rice typically requires a longer cooking time and may have a slightly chewier, less tender texture.
What can I serve with Greek Lemon Rice?
There are so many dishes that perfectly complement the irresistible flavors of this Greek lemon rice.
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Greek Lemon Rice Recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. oil avocado or olive, divided
- ½ sweet onion finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 1 cup basmati rice or long grain white rice
- ¾-1 tsp. salt to taste
- 1 small lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- ¼ cup chopped parsley fresh, curly leaf
- 1 Tbsp. chopped dill fresh
Instructions
- Rinse Rice: Add rice to a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cool running water for 1-2 minutes, or until the water runs clear. Let drain completely.1 cup basmati rice
- Sauté Onion: Add oil and diced onion to a medium-sized pot over medium heat and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until onion becomes translucent. Add minced garlic and continue sauteing for another minute.2 Tbsp. oil, ½ sweet onion, 3 cloves garlic
- Boil and Simmer Rice: Pour in broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any bits that are stuck, and add in the rice and salt. Give it a good stir, and bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pot with a lid and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes, or until rice is tender and fluffy.1 ½ cups vegetable broth, ¾-1 tsp. salt, 1 cup basmati rice
- Mix in Herbs and Lemon Juice: Once cooked, turn off heat and add remaining tablespoon of oil, lemon juice, and chopped parsley and dill. Mix until just combined. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of additional parsley and black pepper. Enjoy!1 small lemon, ¼ cup chopped parsley, 1 Tbsp. chopped dill
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Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
