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greek rice final result

Greek Rice Recipe

foxyrecipes
A bright, fragrant greek rice recipe made with lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs, cooked in broth for maximum flavor in every fluffy grain.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Greek
Servings 6 servings
Calories 215 kcal

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan with lid
  • Wooden spoon

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ cup finely diced yellow onion
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1½ cups long-grain white rice
  • 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley or dill chopped, for garnish

Instructions
 

Sauté the Aromatics and Toast the Rice

  • Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, then add the diced onion, cooking for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Add the rice to the pan, stirring to coat it evenly in the oil, and toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the rice smells lightly nutty and looks slightly translucent at the edges.
    greek rice Sauté the Aromatics and Toast the Rice

Simmer the Rice

  • Pour in the broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, and oregano, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes, without lifting the lid, until the rice is tender and the liquid has been fully absorbed.
    greek rice Simmer the Rice

Fluff and Finish

  • Remove the pan from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes, allowing the rice to finish steaming. Fluff the rice gently with a fork, season with salt and pepper to taste, then garnish with fresh parsley or dill before serving.
    greek rice Fluff and Finish

Notes

  • Toasting the rice briefly in the oil before adding liquid enhances its flavor and helps it cook up fluffier rather than sticky, so don't skip this quick step even though it only takes a minute or two.
  • Resisting the urge to lift the lid and stir the rice while it simmers is genuinely important, since doing so releases steam and starch, resulting in a gummier texture rather than fluffy, separate grains.
  • Letting the rice rest covered for the full 5 minutes after cooking allows any remaining moisture to distribute evenly, making the final texture noticeably better than if you fluff and serve it immediately.
  • Using fresh lemon juice and zest, rather than bottled juice, makes a real difference in the brightness of the finished flavor.
  • Leftover greek rice keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheats nicely with a small splash of water or broth to loosen it back up.
Keyword Authentic Greek lemon rice, greek food rice recipes, greek lemon rice, greek lemon rice recipe, greek rice, greek rice recipe