published Jul 18, 2022 Rice is one of my go-to side dishes for so many reasons. It’s so easy to prepare, can be made in a variety of different ways, and goes with so many other main dishes! I’ve already shared recipes like this Lebanese rice pilaf and this baked basmati rice pilaf, and I even have a different recipe for Greek-inspired rice up on my site: spanakorizo made with spinach. Today, I wanted to offer up an even simpler take on Greek rice. This one is filled with lemon juice as well as zest, fresh parsley, and your choice of oregano or dill. I love garnishing mine with a bit of crumbled feta cheese on top. That said, you can easily make this dish vegetarian and vegan-friendly by subbing in the vegetable broth for the chicken broth and omitting the cheese. It’s a dish that is so versatile and sure to please. No matter what you decide to serve it with, you’ll probably get asked for seconds!
INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Long Grain White Rice – I like long-grain white varieties best for my Greek Lemon rice dish. You can also sub in your grain of choice.Yellow Onion – For more added depth of flavor.Garlic – Lemon, garlic, and herbs go together wonderfully.Chicken Broth – You can also use vegetable broth or just simply water here.Olive Oil – To cook your onion and garlic in before you add the rest of the ingredients.Lemons – You need both the zest and the juice. Use slices for a garnish!Parsley – Go for fresh, flat-leaf varieties.Dill or Oregano – Chef’s choice! I personally love dill with lemon, but you can use either one! Just be sure that it is fresh, not dried.Salt & Pepper – To finish everything off!Feta – This ingredient is optional, but it is oh-so-tasty with the rest of the flavors!
HOW TO MAKE GREEK LEMON RICE
Do I Have To Soak The Rice?
Some Greek rice recipes require you to leave the grain to soak before you get started. I find that after rinsing it in water that this step is unnecessary for my recipe. That said, if you do want to soak yours, you can do so by leaving it in a bowl with water for 15-20 minutes.
How Do I Keep My Rice From Sticking?
When you follow the recipe card below closely, you shouldn’t run into any issues. Because you’ll use the same saucepan to sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil, it should prevent any and all sticking! You also want to make sure to continuously stir the rice as it cooks. This is one recipe that you really need to keep an eye on for the best results.
What Should I Serve With Greek Lemon Rice?
I already mentioned that this Greek rice makes for a wonderful side dish! So, what to serve with it? Here are some of my favorite suggestions:
Fasolakia (Greek green beans)Stuffed peppersGreek feta saladGrilled saffron chickenLamb meatballs
You can also use this recipe as a fresh base for a hearty salad! Get creative!
