Simple Lemon Rice (Greek-Impressed) – Minimalist Baker Recipes

Hands holding the sides of a bowl of Greek lemon rice

Introducing the good aspect in your subsequent Mediterranean-inspired meal: lemon rice! Our EASY vegan tackle this savory, lemony, Greek dish is equally fluffy, flavorful, and SO versatile. It’s wonderful with falafel, hummus, grilled veggies, and past!

Simply 1 pot, 5 substances, and 25 minutes required to degree up your go-to grain. Allow us to present you ways!

White basmati rice, olive oil, garlic cloves, lemon zest, salt, turmeric, lemon, and water

In the event you’ve eaten at a Greek restaurant and puzzled what’s in that scrumptious rice accompanying your major dish, you’re not alone! This recipe is impressed by many such experiences and a want to make a do-it-yourself, plant-based model.

Our seek for the origin story of this dish got here up empty-handed, however frequent substances appear to incorporate white rice, rooster broth, lemon juice, butter, salt, and a handful of different substances relying on the recipe.

Easy methods to Make Lemon Rice

Our 1-pot vegan model begins with sautéing garlic in olive oil till simply aromatic and nonetheless mild in colour. You don’t need your garlic to get too browned because it may end up in a bitter taste.

Sautéing minced garlic in olive oil

Subsequent, we add lemon zest and sauté briefly. Then comes white rice, water, and a beneficiant quantity of FRESH lemon juice!

This isn’t the time or place for bottled lemon juice, buddies. In the event you want extra convincing, Ken’s Greek Table has some further phrases of knowledge: “For the love of Pete, do NOT use that pre-bottled lemon juice s***!”

Pouring water into a saucepan of rice

Now that you just’re on board with contemporary lemons, there are simply two extra substances earlier than we set it and neglect it: 1) sea salt for total taste and a pair of) just a little optionally available pinch of turmeric for a fairly yellow colour!

After cooking in a saucepan for about 15-20 minutes, we flip off the warmth, fluff with a fork, and let it relaxation till it turns into additional fluffy!

Using a fork to fluff rice

We hope you LOVE this lemon rice! It’s:

Fluffy
Brilliant
Savory
Comforting
Fast & simple
& SO scrumptious!

What to Serve with Lemon Rice

It’s a flexible aspect that pairs effectively with our Basic Vegan Falafel (GF), Grilled Veggie Skewers with Chimichurri Sauce, Hummus From Scratch, and rather more. It’s additionally so good with a brand new Mediterranean-inspired bowl coming quickly (keep tuned)!

Extra Mediterranean-Impressed Recipes

In the event you do that recipe, tell us! Go away a remark, charge it, and don’t neglect to tag a photograph @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, buddies!

Fork resting in a bowl of our easy Greek lemon rice recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook dinner Time 20 minutes

Complete Time 25 minutes

Servings 4 (~3/4-cup servings)

Course Aspect

Delicacies Greek-Impressed, Mediterranean-Impressed

Freezer Pleasant 1 month

Does it maintain? 4-5 Days

Stop your display from going darkish

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup dry white basmati rice*
  • 2-3 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 ¼ cups water
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 pinch floor turmeric (optionally available for colour)
  • Warmth a medium saucepan over medium warmth. As soon as sizzling, add olive oil and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute till aromatic however nonetheless mild in colour.

  • Stir in basmati rice and lemon zest. Sauté for 1 extra minute.

  • Add the water, lemon juice, salt, and optionally available turmeric. Stir effectively, flip the warmth to excessive, and convey to a boil. As soon as boiling, cowl and scale back the warmth to low. Cook dinner for 15-20 minutes till the rice is tender and the liquid is absolutely absorbed.

  • Flip off the warmth and let the rice relaxation for a minute or so earlier than fluffing with a fork and serving. If the rice is barely too toothsome, merely place the lid again on prime of the pot and let it relaxation for 5-10 extra minutes — the steam ought to absolutely prepare dinner it! It’s scrumptious served with Mediterranean-inspired dishes together with falafel, hummus, grilled veggies, and extra (new recipe coming quickly!).
  • Retailer leftover rice in a sealed container within the fridge for as much as 4-5 days or within the freezer for as much as 1 month. Reheat within the microwave or on the stovetop with just a little oil or water till heat.

*Brown rice doesn’t work effectively on this recipe. We examined and strongly most popular the fluffy texture and impartial taste of white rice. If you wish to strive brown rice, we’d suggest utilizing lengthy grain rice and including barely extra water and cooking longer.
*Vitamin data is a tough estimate calculated with out optionally available substances.
*Loosely tailored from Rattling Spicy’s Greek Lemon Rice.

Serving: 1 (~3/4-cup) serving Energy: 198 Carbohydrates: 38.3 g Protein: 3.3 g Fats: 3.9 g Saturated Fats: 0.5 g Polyunsaturated Fats: 0.4 g Monounsaturated Fats: 2.5 g Trans Fats: 0 g Ldl cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 293 mg Potassium: 30 mg Fiber: 0.3 g Sugar: 0.5 g Vitamin A: 0 IU Vitamin C: 9 mg Calcium: 9 mg Iron: 0.4 mg