This Greek Lemon Rice comes together in about 25 minutes and is made all in one pot for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! Switch up the ingredients like adding veggies or even some protein to suit your taste, or use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends! Trust me, this dish will become a staple in your home!
Ingredients Breakdown
Here’s What You’ll Need:
1 cup long-grain rice
2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 lemon (juice and zest)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
Salt and pepper to taste
Let’s Get Cooking!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Heat the Olive Oil : In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Wait for about 30 seconds until it’s shimmering. Then, toss in the minced garlic. You’ll want to sauté it until fragrant, about 1 minute, but watch it closely, you don’t want it to burn!
Add the Rice : Stir in the rice, making sure to coat it well in the yummy garlic oil. This will add a nice toasted flavor, and go ahead and let it hang out in the pan for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Pour in the Broth and Lemon : It’s time for the broth! Carefully pour in the vegetable or chicken broth, then add the lemon juice and zest. This is where the magic starts to happen, folks!
Bring to a Boil : Raise the heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once bubbling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 15–20 minutes. You want the rice tender with all the liquid absorbed, this will be pure magic when you lift that lid!
Fluff the Rice : Once the rice is done, remove it from the heat and take off that lid (careful of the steam!). Grab a fork and fluff the rice gently, mixing it up like you’re giving it a big, cozy hug!
Stir in the Parsley : Finally, add the fresh parsley, and don’t forget to season with a couple pinches of salt and pepper to taste. Give it a good stir to combine all the flavors.
Serve Warm! This dish is best served warm, either as a delightful side or a flavorful main!
Why I Love This Recipe
This Greek Lemon Rice is totally my go-to recipe when life gets a little crazy. As a single mom, I’m a real sucker for anything that’s comforting and quick to whip up, like this dish! It embodies everything I love about cooking: it’s delicious, comforting, and makes the house smell heavenly! The best part is, you can use whatever you’ve got on hand; it’s one of those versatile meals that gives you that “clean out the fridge” vibe. Seriously, my kids have even asked for seconds, that’s a win in my book!
If you loved this Greek Lemon Rice, be sure to check out my Japanese Pork Curry, my Onigiri, or my Gordon Ramsay Parmesan Risotto!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
First off, this dish comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when you’re juggling life and the kiddos! It’s a simple recipe that delivers amazing results without a ton of fuss.
One Pot Goodness
Minimal cleanup is required since it’s made all in one pot! Trust me, after a long day, you don’t want to be stuck with a sink full of dishes.
Customizable
The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility! You can easily swap out the broth, add in some leftover veggies, or even toss in some cooked chicken or chickpeas for a heartier meal. Use whatever ingredients you have on hand, and make it your own!
Comfort Food
This rice dish is loaded with tons of flavor and totally hits that comfort food spot. The lemon brightness combined with the warmth of garlic is simply irresistible!
Serving & Storage Tips
What to Serve With This
This Greek Lemon Rice pairs perfectly with a variety of main dishes. I love serving it alongside grilled chicken, lamb, or roasted vegetables! It also makes a delicious base for a Mediterranean bowl topped with anything from grilled halloumi to a handful of olives.
Keeping Leftovers Fresh
You can store this rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Just make sure it cools down before sealing it up to prevent condensation!
Reheating Instructions
When you’re ready to enjoy those leftovers, simply reheat them in the microwave. A splash of water can help to bring back the moisture you might lose during storage. Stir it up and heat in increments of 30 seconds until warmed through.
Freezer Friendly
Yes, absolutely! This Greek Lemon Rice freezes wonderfully. Just allow it to cool down completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or container. It’ll last up to 3 months in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat, just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
And there you have it, your comprehensive guide to making the most delicious, easy, and quick Greek Lemon Rice. Perfect for cleaning out the fridge, versatile enough to customize, and packed with flavor that your entire family will adore! So go ahead, whip this up, and let the good times roll!
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Greek Lemon Rice
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This zesty Greek Lemon Rice comes together in about 25 minutes and is made all in one pot for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love!
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 lemon (juice and zest)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in the rice, coating it well in the oil, and let it cook for about 2 minutes.
- Pour in the broth, then add the lemon juice and zest.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and let it simmer for 15–20 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat and fluff the rice gently with a fork.
- Add the fresh parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste, stirring to combine.
- Serve warm, either as a side or a main dish.
Notes
This dish is highly customizable; feel free to add leftover veggies or proteins to suit your taste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
