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Greek Lemon Rice Pilaf

A white bowl filled with fluffy Greek Lemon Rice, topped generously with chopped parsley and bright yellow lemon zest.
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A simple recipe for authentic, fluffy Greek Lemon Rice, a bright and zesty Mediterranean side dish.

Ingredients

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  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cups long-grain white rice (such as Basmati or Carolina), rinsed
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2-3 lemons)
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the rinsed rice to the saucepan. Stir and toast the rice for 2 minutes until the edges look slightly translucent.
  3. Pour in the broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
  4. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the saucepan tightly with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it stand, covered, for an additional 10 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this resting period.
  6. Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Rinsing the rice removes excess starch, which helps achieve a fluffier texture.
  • Use low-sodium broth if you prefer to control the salt content yourself.
  • This rice pairs well with grilled chicken, fish, lamb chops, or gyros.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonswirl.com/greek-lemon-rice-a-mediterranean-side-dish/