What is Greek lemon rice made of?

Greek lemon rice is made with rice, lemon juice, olive oil, broth, and fresh herbs like dill and parsley.

What is the difference between pilaf and regular rice?

Pilaf is cooked by sautéing rice in oil before adding liquid. This creates separate, fluffy grains instead of sticky rice.

What do you eat with lemon rice?

It goes well with grilled chicken, fish, lamb, souvlaki, or a fresh salad.

Can you freeze lemon rice?

Yes, you can freeze it. Let it cool first, store in airtight containers, and reheat with a little liquid.

How do you make rice not sticky?

Rinse the rice before cooking, use the right amount of liquid, and let it rest after cooking.

Greek Lemon Rice (Rizi me Lemoni)

Name: Greek Lemon Rice (Rizi me Lemoni) – Easy Greek Rice Pilaf Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1 cup long-grain rice (200g); 2 cups broth (480ml); 2 tbsp olive oil (30ml); 1 small onion, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 3 tbsp lemon juice (45ml); 1 tsp lemon zest; 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped; Salt and pepper to taste

Description

Greek Lemon Rice (Rizi me Lemoni) recipe is a fresh and easy side dish with bright lemon flavor and fluffy texture.

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 cup long-grain rice (200g)
2 cups broth (480ml)
2 tbsp olive oil (30ml)
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp lemon juice (45ml)
1 tsp lemon zest
2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold running water until the water becomes clear, which helps remove excess starch and ensures the grains stay separate and fluffy after cooking instead of clumping together.
Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat, allowing it to warm gently before adding ingredients so it does not burn and keeps its rich flavor intact.
Cook the chopped onion slowly for about 5–7 minutes, stirring often until it becomes soft and lightly golden, which builds a sweet and deep flavor base for the dish.
Add the garlic and stir briefly for about 30 seconds until fragrant, making sure not to burn it, as burnt garlic can taste bitter and affect the whole dish.
Stir in the rice and toast it lightly for 1–2 minutes so each grain is coated in olive oil, helping improve texture and giving a slightly nutty flavor.
Pour in the broth carefully and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, ensuring the liquid fully covers the rice evenly before reducing the heat.
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes without stirring, allowing the rice to absorb the liquid slowly and cook evenly.
Turn off the heat and let the rice rest covered for 5 minutes, which helps the grains firm up and become perfectly fluffy instead of mushy.
Add lemon juice, zest, and fresh dill after cooking so the flavors stay bright and fresh, then gently fluff the rice with a fork before serving.

Notes

Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. Adjust the amount based on your taste preference. If using brown rice, increase cooking time and liquid. Always let the rice rest before fluffing to improve texture.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Side dish
Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

Calories: 210
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 300mg
Fat: 6g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 4g