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Home » Recipes » Dish Type » Side Dishes

Easy Greek Rice (with Lemon)

Published: Oct 15, 2022 by Terri Gilson · Modified: Oct 15, 2022 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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Greek rice with lemon and herb garnish in orange dish with orange lid in the background and grey oven mitt on the left side

Greek rice is actually very simple to make and with my quick and Easy Greek Rice (with lemon) recipe, it's even simpler! This easy recipe is a shortcut recipe made with instant rice, quick, microwaved onions, and fresh herbs! It's one of my go-to side dishes or rice pilaf for any meal.

Greek rice with lemon and herb garnish in orange dish

I learned to make this type of rice back when I worked in Greek restaurants many years ago. Fresh lemon and fresh herbs are key to spectacular Greek-style rice. Greek Rice is ideal for any time of the year, a great side dish, and pairs perfectly with my Greek Ribs (grilled) and Greek Chicken Souvlaki recipes!

Jump to:
  • 🥘Ingredients
  • 🔪Instructions
  • 📖Variations & Substitutions
  • 🥗 Main Dishes to serve with Greek Rice
  • 🍽Equipment
  • 🌡️Storage
  • 👪 Serving Size
  • ⭐ Reviews
  • 📋Easy Greek Rice (with lemon) Recipe
  • 📋More Greek Recipes

🥘Ingredients

For this Greek rice recipe, you only need a handful of simple ingredients:

ingredients for Greek rice, labelled in glass bowls
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 tbsp garlic minced * I use minced garlic from a jar
  • 4 cups instant rice * I use Minute Rice
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • ½ cup lemon juice (from concentrate)
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped
  • 1 ½ tbsp water

*see recipe card for further details

🔪Instructions

onion and garlic cooked in microwave

Cook onion and garlic in the microwave with water on high for 3 minutes and 30 seconds- 4 minutes until soft (depending on the wattage of your microwave)

Alternatively, you could sautée the onions and garlic in a teaspoon of olive oil, in a skillet, on the stovetop.

rice with broth, lemon juice, garlic and onion in a black pot

Add the rice, broth, lemon juice, cooked garlic, and onion to the pot.

cooked rice in black pot with herbs

On stovetop, bring rice to a boil in liquid (without a lid) stirring at regular intervals. Then cover with lid, turn down to a simmer (3-4) for 5 additional minutes.

Remove from heat, keep the lid on and let it sit for another 5 minutes. The liquid should be fully absorbed.

📖Variations & Substitutions

  • Rice - you could use instant brown rice instead of white rice or a different type of rice *(but you will have to adjust the amount of liquid you are using according to the package directions on the type of rice you are using)
  • Lemon juice - you could use fresh lemon juice instead of lemon juice from concentrate, but you'll need to double the amount and remove the same amount of water from the recipe
  • Garlic - you can use fresh garlic or minced garlic from a jar
  • Herbs -use fresh parsley and fresh dill for best results
  • Vegetarian - you could use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and make it into a vegetarian dish
  • Add-ins - feta cheese or spinach

🥗 Main Dishes to serve with Greek Rice

You could serve this Classic Greek lemon rice with many dishes, including:

  • Greek Ribs (grilled) - shown below
  • Maple Cider Grilled Chicken Kabobs (as a Greek rice pilaf)
  • Easy Cornish Hens with Rosemary Wine Sauce
  • Greek Chicken Souvlaki (as a Greek lemon rice pilaf)
eek rice with Greek ribs and salad on a black plate.


🍽Equipment

You will need a pot with a lid, a cutting board, and a knife (affiliate links) for this Greek rice dish. Or you could use a rice cooker, if you prefer.

🌡️Storage

Store leftover rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can freeze this rice for up to 3 months, but don't put the garnish on until serving.

👪 Serving Size

This recipe makes 8 servings. However, you can half, double or triple the recipe by clicking on the blue serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.

Greek rice with lemon and herb garnish in orange dish with orange lid in the background and grey oven mitt on the left side

You will be surprised at how this quick and easy recipe produces such fluffy rice. If you love Greek food and are looking for an easy side dish, you'll love this recipe!

⭐ Reviews

Did you make this Easy Greek Rice recipe? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

Greek rice with lemon and herb garnish in orange dish
Food Meandering Logo

📋Easy Greek Rice (with lemon) Recipe

This easy Greek rice (with lemon) is a shortcut recipe made with instant rice, quick microwaved onions and fresh herbs! It makes a perfect side dish or pilaf for any meal.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Keyword: greek, lemon, rice
Special Diet: Dairy-free, meatless
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 115kcal
Author: Terri Gilson
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced * I use from jar
  • 1 ½ tablespoons water
  • 4 cups instant white rice * I use Minute Rice
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • ½ cup lemon juice (from concentrate)
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped

Garnish:

  • lemon wedges or lemon zest
  • additional fresh herbs
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Cook onion and garlic in microwave with water on high for 3 minutes and 30 seconds- 4 minutes until soft (depending on the wattage of your microwave)
    onion and garlic cooked in microwave
  • Add the rice, broth, lemon juice, and cooked garlic and onion to pot.
    rice with broth, lemon juice, garlic and onion in a black pot
  • On stovetop, bring rice to a boil in liquid (without lid) stirring at regular intervals. Then cover with lid , turn down to a simmer (3-4 on control) for 5 additional minutes.
  • Remove from heat, keep the lid on, and let it sit for another 5 minutes. The liquid should be fully absorbed when it's ready.
  • Uncover the saucepan and stir in the parsley and dill.
    cooked rice in black pot with herbs

Garnish

  • Garnish with additional herbs and lemon slices (optional) and serve.
    Greek rice with lemon and herb garnish in orange dish

Notes

*See post contents for important recipe information, substitutions and tips!
Nutrition Facts
📋Easy Greek Rice (with lemon) Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 cup)
Calories 115 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 0.04g0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.04g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 2mg1%
Sodium 441mg19%
Potassium 82mg2%
Carbohydrates 24g8%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 171IU3%
Vitamin C 11mg13%
Calcium 23mg2%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 115kcal (6%) | Carbohydrates: 24g (8%) | Protein: 3g (6%) | Fat: 1g (2%) | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 2mg (1%) | Sodium: 441mg (19%) | Potassium: 82mg (2%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 1g (1%) | Vitamin A: 171IU (3%) | Vitamin C: 11mg (13%) | Calcium: 23mg (2%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!
Rate this Recipe

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I'm Terri, a passionate home cook and baker, an award-winning recipe developer and a busy working mom that is trying to eat healthy and fit everything into not enough hours in a day! My mission is to share not only my recipes, cooking hacks and tips with you, but also my secrets to successful weight maintenance.

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