Greek Rice Recipe

Youll love this bright, flavor-packed Greek lemon rice made with onions, garlic, fresh lemon juice and herbs! This is an easy side dish and pairs beautifully with lots of Mediterranean favorites including Souvlaki, Shrimp, and Greek baked cod and many more! Be sure to check out my tips for foolproof results, and grab all the suggestions for what other dishes to serve along! Rice cooker instructions included.

If you think rice is just a dreaded, boring side dish, this Greek lemon rice will prove you wrong. Dare I say, once you give it a try, it might just become your favorite side of all time!

This lemon rice pilaf is a fairly popular side dish, you may have sampled a version of it at your local Greek restaurant.

Easy Greek Rice

A delicious Greek rice dish, all made in one pot, fragrant with lemon and herbs.

Prep: 5min

Total: 30min

Yield: 6

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 239 kcal, Carbohydrate 43 g, Protein 4 g, Fat 5 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Sodium 550 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 3 g, Cholesterol 1 mg, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 small onion
• 1 cup long grain white rice (200 g)
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½ sp dried oregano
• 2 cups vegetable stock or broth (just under 500 ml)
• 2 lemons (1 juiced and zested, one sliced)
• salt and pepper (to taste)
• All ingredients as above except from the stock or broth, which is halved to one cup / 240 ml.

Instruction:

1. After 18 minutes, take the pan off the stove top and leave for another 5 minutes to rest. Garnish with the lemon zest and extra herbs before serving.
2. Put the lid on the pot and seal. Pressure cook on high for three minutes, leaving ‘keep warm’ switched on. After cooking, allow natural pressure release (NPR) for 18 minutes. Release any remaining pressure (there will be very little, if any) before removing the lid.
3. Fluff the rice, ganish with some fresh oregano and grated lemon zest.

Easy Greek Rice

Greek Rice is an easy, light and fresh side dish that is ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect with grilled chicken or fish, and a delicious addition to a BBQ.

Prep: 2min

Total: 32min

Yield: 4

Serving Size: 1 portion

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 portion, calories 268 kcal, Carbohydrate 46 g, Protein 8 g, Fat 5 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 4 mg, Sodium 197 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 5 g

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 4 Shallots
• 2 Garlic clove
• 200 g Long grain white rice
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper
• 6 tbsp Lemon juice
• 1 tbsp Lemon zest
• 500 ml Chicken stock
• 15 g Curly parsley (finely chopped)

Instruction:

1. Heat 1 tbsp Olive oil in a large pan and gently soften 4 Shallots and 2 Garlic clove, for about 3-4 minutes.
2. Add 200 g Long grain white rice and stir and cook for about 1 minutes more, until the rice starts to go translucent.
3. Add 500 ml Chicken stock, 1 tsp Dried oregano half of the 6 tbsp Lemon juice and 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper. Bring to the boil and cook on a gentle heat, with the lid on, for 15 minutes.
4. Turn the heat off and leave with the lid on for 10 more minutes.
5. Remove the lid and fluff up the rice with a fork and add the remaining lemon juice, 1 tbsp Lemon zest and 15 g Curly parsley and mix well.

Greek Lemon Rice Recipe

Best Greek lemon rice recipe! Loads of flavor from onions, garlic, lemon juice and fresh herbs. Be sure to check out the notes for tips and ideas for what to serve it with.

Prep: 20min

Total: 45min

Yield: 6

Nutrition Facts: servingSize None, calories 145 calories, Sugar 0.5 g, Sodium 53.1 mg, Fat 6.9 g, Saturated Fat 1.1 g, Trans Fat 0 g, Carbohydrate 18.3 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 3.3 g, Cholesterol 0 mg

Ingredients:

• 2 cups long grain rice (uncooked)
• Early Harvest Greek extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped (just over 1 cup chopped onions)
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 cup orzo pasta
• 2 lemons, juice of (PLUS zest of 1 lemon)
• 2 cups low sodium broth (chicken or vegetable broth will work)
• Pinch salt
• Large handful chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp dill weed (dry dill)

Instruction:

1. Wash rice well and then soak it for about 15 to 20 minutes in plenty of cold water (enough to cover the rice by 1 inch). You should be able to easily break a grain of rice by simply placing it between your thumb and index finger. Drain well.
2. Heat about 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large sauce pan with a lid (like this one) until oil is shimmering but not smoking. Add onions and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and orzo pasta. Toss around for a bit until the orzo has gained some color then stir in the rice. Toss to coat.
3. Now add lemon juice and broth. Bring liquid to a rolling boil (it should reduce a little), then turn heat to low. Cover and let cook for about 20 minutes or until rice is done (liquid should be fully absorbed and rice should be tender but not sticky.)
4. Remove rice from heat. For best results, leave it covered and do not disturb rice for about 10 minutes or so.
5. Uncover and stir in parsley, dill weed and lemon zest. If you like, add a few slices of lemon on top for garnish. Enjoy!

Greek Rice

Delicious Greek Rice that’s so easy to make and pairs beautifully with lots of Mediterranean favorites like my Chicken Gyros or Chicken Souvlaki! This easy side dish is flavor-packed with onions, garlic, lots of fresh herbs and lemon juice!

Prep: 10min

Total: 40min

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 serving, calories 115 kcal, Carbohydrate 15 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 5 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Sodium 220 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, unSaturated Fat 5 g

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1½ cups long grain rice (washed well)
• 2 cups chicken broth (low sodium, or more depending on rice used)
• ⅓ cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
• ¼ cup fresh parsley (chopped)
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill (chopped)

Instruction:

1. Cook onion and garlic: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan with a lid over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until translucent and soft. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until aromatic.
2. Sauté rice with onion and garlic: Add the rice and cook (without liquid) until the rice turns almost translucent.
3. Cook the rice: Add the broth, lemon juice, salt and pepper to the saucepan. Cover the pan with lid and bring to a simmer. Turn the heat to low and cook for about 20 minutes or until the rice is done, the liquid should be fully absorbed. Remove the rice from heat and leave it covered, undisturbed for 10 minutes.
4. Finish with fresh herbs: Uncover the saucepan and stir in the parsley and dill. Garnish with lemon slices and serve.

Greek Lemon Rice

FAQ

What kind of rice do they eat in Greece?

What is Greek rice made of?

What is Mediterranean rice made of?

How to add flavor to rice?