Authentic Greek Lemon Rice
Creamy and tangy, this Greek Lemon Rice is a delicious side dish that captures the essence of Mediterranean cuisine, perfect with grilled meats and roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup medium-grain rice (Carolina or Calrose)
- 2-3 tablespoons high-quality extra virgin olive oil
- 1 finely diced yellow or white onion
- 1-2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 fresh lemons (juice and zest)
- 2 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- Fresh dill or parsley for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Before you even turn on the stove, prepare your ingredients by finely dicing the onion, mincing the garlic, zesting your lemons, and juicing them. Measure out your rice and broth.
Sautéing Aromatics
- In a medium-sized heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat about 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Once shimmering, add the diced onion and sauté gently for about 5-7 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Toasting Rice
- Add the measured medium-grain rice to the pot with the sautéed aromatics. Stir well to coat each grain with olive oil and continue to cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes until the rice becomes slightly translucent around the edges.
Add Liquids and Seasoning
- Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth, then add the fresh lemon juice and most of the lemon zest. Stir everything together. Add about 1 teaspoon of sea salt and a generous pinch of freshly cracked black pepper.
Cooking
- Bring the liquid to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting, cover the pot tightly with a lid, and let the rice simmer undisturbed for about 15-18 minutes.
Resting
- After 15-18 minutes, turn off the heat but leave the pot covered. Let the rice rest for another 5-10 minutes.
Finishing Touch
- Once rested, remove the lid and gently fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in the fresh chopped dill or parsley. Taste a spoonful and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Serving
- Spoon the warm Greek Lemon Rice into serving bowls, optionally adding a final sprinkle of fresh herbs and a little extra lemon zest for presentation.
Notes
This dish can be served at room temperature and is great for potlucks or barbecues. Consider drizzling more olive oil or an extra squeeze of lemon juice before serving to elevate the dish.