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Summer Fresh Greek Lemon Rice

This vibrant Greek lemon rice captures the essence of a sunny Mediterranean vacation with bright, zesty flavors that transform simple ingredients into an extraordinary side dish. Perfect for warm weather gatherings, it combines fluffy rice with fresh lemon juice, aromatic herbs, and quality olive oil for a celebration of Mediterranean flavors.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 280
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 2 cups long-grain white rice
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3-4 lemons)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Start by rinsing the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming gummy. Finely chop your onion, mince the garlic, and zest one lemon before juicing all of them.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the rinsed rice to the pan and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until the rice becomes slightly translucent around the edges. Toasting the rice helps it absorb flavors better and gives it a wonderful nutty aroma.
  4. Pour in the vegetable broth and lemon juice, then add the lemon zest, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
  5. Remove the pan from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes. Then fluff the rice with a fork and gently fold in the fresh dill and parsley. The residual heat will wilt the herbs perfectly without losing their vibrant flavor.

Notes

Use fresh lemons for best flavor, don't skip toasting the rice for better texture, and let the rice rest covered after cooking for perfect fluffiness and flavor melding.