Greek Rice
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This easy side dish is fragrant and delicious. Fluffy rice with fresh lemon, oregano, and parsley this simple recipe makes a great side dish for BBQ chicken, fish, or pork. A one pan recipe you can have on the table for under 30 minutes. Using only simple easy to find ingredients this recipe is full of bright, balanced flavor.
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Table of Contents
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Why You’ll Love Greek Rice
- Easy and versatile, Greek rice is ready in under 30 minutes and pairs with many different grilled proteins and roasts.
- Light, fragrant, and flavorful this rice pilaf will brighten heavier dishes and mains.
- Enjoy this rice hot or cold as a side dish for BBQs, potlucks, and picnics.
- This rice recipe is a healthy and gluten free side dish.
About this recipe
This Greek rice pilaf is made in a single pan and is ready in under 30 minutes. A long grain rice dish full of fragrant herbs like parsley and oregano, this rice is packed with citrus and lemon zest for a light, fresh-tasting side dish.
This starchy side dish is perfect for heavier meals thanks to its bright flavors. A great addition to BBQs and potlucks, this crowd-pleaser pairs well with grilled chicken, fish, pork, and steak.
Recipe Variations
This rice dish is incredibly versatile meaning you can customize to your liking by adding your favorite ingredients.
Herb it up – Adding some of your favorite summer herbs like rosemary, basil, thyme, sage, or cilantro.
Get meaty – Add cooked chicken, pork souvlaki, or lamb to make this into a meal worthy rice skillet.
Go against the grain – Try your favorite rice alternative to long-grain rice like bulgur, quinoa, orzo, or cauliflower rice as a healthy low-carb option.
Something cheesy – the salty flavor of crumbled feta compliments this light fragrant rice nicely.
Different rice – All kinds of rice from basmati, to brown rice can be used in this recipe, use whatever you have on hand or you prefer.
What to Serve with Greek Rice
Serve this greek rice as a side for BBQ like pork, chicken, fish or lamb. This can also be served as a savory side dish with roasts and kebabs like gyro, souvlaki, or kofta.
Tips
- Do not open the lid after simmering the rice, The steam will escape and your rice won’t be as soft and fluffy.
- Fluffing rice with a fork and breaking apart the clumps makes your pilaf lighter and fluffier.
- Some lemons arent very juicy and you want a lot of lemon flavour in this recipe. Use two lemons if needed to get enough flavor into the rice.
- Before simmering the rice try toasting it in the pan for a few minutes to add a rich nutty flavor.
- Shallots are like a cross between onion and garlic. These small root vegetables pack a lot of flavor, but you can also make this recipe with red or white onion.
- Served this rice as a warm side, or a cold salad.
Storing Leftovers
Let the rice cool and place it in an airtight container. Set in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat in the microwave or on the stove in a frying pan with some melted butter to keep it from drying out.
For longer-term storage place the rice in a freezer-safe container and free for up to 3 months.
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Greek Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 4 Shallots
- 2 Garlic clove
- 1 cup Long grain white rice
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper
- 6 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Lemon zest
- 2 cups Chicken stock
- ¼ cup Curly parsley – finely chopped
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Instructions
- Add olive oil to a large pan over medium heat, once hot add the sliced shallots and chopped garlic. Cook for about 4 minutes until the shallots have softened and the garlic is browned.
- Add the rice to the pan and cook for about 1 minute stirring occasionally.
- Pour in the chicken stock, and add the oregano, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cover. Cook for about 15 minutes and then turn off the heat, leaving the lid on for an additional 10 minutes to steam the rice.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and garnish with additional lemon juice, lemon zest, and chopped parsley.