Description
This Greek Lemon Rice recipe is a vibrant and flavorful side dish combining fluffy long grain rice with zesty lemon, aromatic dill, and fresh parsley. Lightly sautéed with orzo pasta and aromatics, then simmered in broth and lemon juice, it perfectly complements Mediterranean meals or stands deliciously on its own.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice and Orzo
- 2 cups long grain rice (uncooked)
- 1/2 cup orzo pasta
Aromatics and Seasoning
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp dill weed (dry dill)
Liquids and Flavorings
- Early Harvest Greek extra virgin olive oil (for sautéing)
- 2 lemons, juice of
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 cups low sodium broth (chicken or vegetable broth)
Fresh Herbs
- Large handful chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prep the Rice: Wash the rice thoroughly under cold water and soak it for 15-20 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain the rice well to ensure it doesn’t become mushy during cooking.
- Sauté Aromatics and Orzo: Heat a generous amount of Greek extra virgin olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant and translucent. Stir in the orzo pasta and toast it slightly until it turns a light golden color. Then, add the drained rice and stir to coat every grain with the oil and aromatics.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in the fresh lemon juice and the low sodium broth. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let it simmer gently for 20 minutes until the rice and orzo are tender and have absorbed the liquid.
- Rest and Finish: Remove the saucepan from heat but keep it covered. Let it sit undisturbed for 10 minutes to allow the rice to steam and fluff up. Finally, stir in the chopped fresh parsley, dry dill weed, and lemon zest for a fresh, herbal finish. Optionally, garnish with lemon slices before serving.
Notes
- Soaking the rice helps to achieve a fluffier texture by removing surface starch.
- To make it vegan, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- If you prefer, garnish with additional fresh herbs such as mint or oregano for added aroma.
- The orzo adds a delightful texture contrast to the rice—do not skip it.
- Adjust salt level carefully since broth may contribute sodium.
