Greek Lemon Rice

Greek Lemon Rice

easy and delicious

Recipe by
Reviewed by Arturs Arnicans
Prep Time: 5m
Cook Time: 32m
Total Time: 37m
Servings: 6
Difficulty: Easy
4.9 (9 Reviews)
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Ingredients

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Nutritional Information

216
Calories
4g
Fat
39.2g
Carbohydrates
4.8g
Protein
0mg
Cholesterol
361mg
Sodium
Greek Lemon Rice

Recipe Description

For a fresh variation on your go-to rice recipe, try this Greek Lemon Rice. It’s as simple as can be: Sauté the garlic and onions in a little olive oil, then stir in the rice and cook until the grains become translucent, and then cook the rice in a chicken broth. Finally, flavor the dish with lemon juice, zest, and fresh herbs. The combination of bright flavors from lemon, olive oil, and fresh herbs makes this rice incredibly delicious. I like it with fresh dill and parsley. It would also be good with soft herbs like oregano, basil, chives, or mint.

This simple side goes well with just about anything. But you might pair it with sheet-pan chicken or Greek meatballs with homemade tzatziki sauce for a rewarding dinner. Enjoy!

To make the Greek Lemon Rice, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients for Greek Lemon Rice

Steps to make

  1. 1

    Saute onions and garlic

    6 min
    Step 1 - Greek Lemon Rice

    Heat oil over medium heat In a large saucepan, heat 1 ½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil and add ½ finely diced onion and 1 minced garlic clove. Sauté for 5 minutes or until translucent.

  2. 2

    Add rice

    2 min
    Step 2 - Greek Lemon Rice

    Add 1 ½ cups uncooked long-grain white rice and stir until the rice becomes mostly translucent.

  3. 3

    Add chicken broth and water

    1 min
    Step 3 - Greek Lemon Rice

    Add 1 ¼ cups chicken broth and 1 cup water and stir.

  4. 4

    Cook

    17 min
    Step 4 - Greek Lemon Rice

    Place the lid on, bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cook for 12 minutes or until the water has evaporated.

  5. 5

    Steam

    10 min
    Step 5 - Greek Lemon Rice

    Once the rice is ready, remove the pot from the stove. Let the rice steam with the lid on for 10 minutes.

  6. 6

    Add lemon zest, juice, herbs, and salt and black pepper

    1 min
    Step 6 - Greek Lemon Rice

    Remove the lid and stir in 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest, 3-4 tablespoons lemon juice, 3 tablespoons finely chopped parsley, 3 tablespoons finely chopped dill, and salt and black pepper to taste.

  7. 7

    Serve

    Step 7 - Greek Lemon Rice

    Serve warm or at room temperature.

This Greek Lemon Rice, aka pilaf, is a delicious side dish that feels extra special. Flavored with citrus and fresh herbs, it’s a great alternative to basic stovetop rice. Try out this easy recipe and share your feedback in the comments!

About the author

Lilly Mathuse

Lilly is an enthusiastic and cheerful young mom. She knows as well as any parent that children can be really picky when it comes to food. And she’s had plenty of experience trying to cook meals that are both tasty and nutritious, and able to satisfy the tastes of a fussy kid right away! To save you some precious time, Lilly's going to share with you all the tricks she learned the hard way, so you don’t have to! She has a wealth of recipes for quick and easy meals for kids and families on a budget.

Recipe Reviews

Have you made this recipe? Share your experience and help other cooks!

★★★★★
★★★★★
4.9 out of 5 (9 reviews)
Diane
April 5, 2025
Verified

Fresh!

Dana Thompson
March 30, 2025
Verified

I was so proud to make this Greek Lemon Rice for my friends! The bright flavors of lemon and herbs made it a hit. It was super easy to prepare, and I added dill and parsley just like the recipe suggested. Everyone asked for seconds, and I felt like a superstar chef.

Ivy
February 28, 2025
Verified

So simple and refreshing, loved it

Nikki
January 23, 2025
Verified

Superb, fresh flavor.

Kate
January 9, 2025
Verified

I made this Greek Lemon Rice for a dinner with friends. They loved the zesty flavour and I found it so easy to make. It's now a staple in my kitchen.

Zoe Martinez
December 30, 2024
Verified

Superb lemony goodness!

Gabriela Torres
November 8, 2024
Verified

Esta receta de arroz con limón es simplemente espectacular. La hice para la cena familiar y todos la amaron. El sabor del limón fresco hace que sea perfecto. Seguro lo haré de nuevo pronto.

Emily
October 10, 2024
Verified

Fabulous. I tried this Greek Lemon Rice with my family last Sunday, and it was a hit! The fresh lemon and herbs blended perfectly. Even my picky eater enjoyed it. I served it alongside grilled chicken, and everyone asked for seconds. Such an easy and flavorful dish, I'll definitely make this again.

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