• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube
TikTok

Jo Cooks

Simple - Easy - Comfort

  • All Recipes
    • Course
      • Breakfast
      • Appetizers
      • Lunch
      • Dinner
      • Desserts
      • Side Dishes
      • Soups
      • Salads
      • Sandwiches
      • Drinks/Cocktails
      • Sauces & Dressings
    • Method
      • Crockpot
      • Instant Pot
      • One Pot
      • Air Fryer
      • Casseroles
    • Season
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
    • Cuisine
      • Asian
      • Italian
      • Mexican
      • European
      • Indian
      • Romanian
      • Mediterranean
      • Middle Eastern
      • American
    • Ingredient
      • Chicken
      • Pork
      • Beef
      • Seafood
      • Lamb
      • Vegetarian
      • Pasta
      • Spices
    • Holiday
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Thanksgiving
      • Game Day
      • Valentine's Day
      • St. Patrick's Day
      • Cinco de Mayo
      • Mother's Day
      • Memorial Day
      • Father's Day
      • 4th Of July
      • Labor Day
      • Halloween
    • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
    • The Big Book of Jo’s Quick and Easy Meals
    • 30-Minute One-Pot Meals
  • Shop
  • About Jo
FREE recipe eBook!
Display Search Bar Search...
All Recipes
Instant Pot
30 Minute
One Pot Meals
Soups
Dips & Dressings
Baking
Pasta
Sandwiches
Sides
Rice and Grains Side Dishes One Pot Mediterranean
4.5 from 116 votes

Greek Rice

Jump to RecipePrintRate
By: Joanna Cismaru •10/13/22 14 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

pin for greek rice.

Delicious Greek Rice that’s so easy to make and pairs beautifully with lots of Mediterranean favorites like my Chicken Gyros or Chicken Souvlaki! This easy side dish is flavor-packed with onions, garlic, lots of fresh herbs and lemon juice!

greek rice in a white bowl garnished with lemon slices.

Greek Rice

I love easy sides like this tasty Greek rice that’s lemon flavored and loaded with lots of fresh herbs like parsley and fresh dill. It’s so delicious you’ll want to eat it on its own. No more boring plain rice, this rice pilaf will transform a simple side into the star of the show.

This is such a great side dish because it pairs beautifully with so many dishes like my Chicken Souvlaki, Chicken Gyros or my Greek Meatballs, just to name a few. This rice pilaf is a fairly popular side dish, that I’m sure you’ve tried at your local Greek restaurant. But now, you can make it at home because it’s simple and requires just a few ingredients.

Ingredient Notes

overhead shot of ingredients needed to make greek rice.
  • Rice – You’ll want to use a long grain rice or medium grain rice. Basmati or jasmine rice will also work. I wouldn’t really recommend a short grain rice but if that’s all you have, give it a try.
  • Onion and Garlic – Essential flavor enhancers in a side dish like a pilaf. Use as much garlic as you like.
  • Lemon Juice – This rice is very lemony, so feel free to adjust the amount of lemon juice to your taste depending on how much lemon flavor you like. I do recommend using freshly squeezed lemon juice.
  • Chicken Broth – After the rice is sautéed with the onion and garlic in some olive oil, it will be cooked in chicken broth for extra added flavor. To keep this rice completely vegetarian, use vegetable broth.
  • Fresh Herbs – Lots of fresh parsley and fresh dill finish this dish.

How To Make Greek Rice

detailed process shots showing how to make greek rice.
  1. Cook onion and garlic: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan with a lid over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until translucent and soft. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until aromatic.
  2. Sauté rice with onion and garlic: Add the rice and cook (without liquid) until the rice turns almost translucent.
  3. Cook the rice: Add the broth, lemon juice, salt and pepper to the saucepan. Cover the pan with lid and bring to a simmer. Turn the heat to low and cook for about 20 minutes or until the rice is done, the liquid should be fully absorbed. Remove the rice from heat and leave it covered, undisturbed for 10 minutes.
  4. Finish with fresh herbs: Uncover the saucepan and stir in the parsley and dill. Garnish with lemon slices and serve.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is rice pilaf?

This type of rice such as this Greek rice is called a rice pilaf. Anytime you’re cooking rice with sautéed onion, garlic and then you simmer the rice in broth, this is what is known as a rice pilaf. This is the simplest type of pilaf, many times it can include meat such as chicken or beef and many other different types of spices and herbs.

Can I make this in a rice cooker?

I wouldn’t recommend it. Because you’re sautéing the rice with onion and garlic it’s best cooked on the stovetop.

Can I use brown rice?

You can, but keep in mind it will take longer to cook, plus it may require more liquid. For specific instructions, check out the rice package instructions on what the recommended ratio of rice to liquid is.

greek rice in a pot garnished with lemon slices.

Some Tips

  1. Always rinse the rice first to clean up any excess dirt or debris. Also rinsing rice, will wash away any powdery starch that can stick to the rice grains while cooking. Rinse the rise under cool running water in a fine-mesh strainer.
  2. The amount of liquid used when cooking rice may vary depending on the rice used. The 2 cups required in the recipe is just a general guideline, but if you find that after the rice has absorbed all the liquid but the rice is still too crunchy, add more broth as required.
  3. If using brown rice, keep in mind that it takes a lot longer to cook and may require more liquid.

Leftovers

Be sure to store this Greek rice as soon as it’s cooled as rice is a breeding ground for bacteria. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 – 4 days. If freezing, store this dish in a freezer bag with the air pressed out. Thaw overnight in the fridge and fluff the rice before reheating. This dish will last up to 3 months in the freezer.

greek rice in a white bowl garnished with lemon slices.

More Delicious Recipes To Try

  • One Pot Turkey Wild Rice Soup
  • Lemon Chicken Rice Bake
  • Greek Salad
  • 3 Ingredient Mexican Rice
  • Arugula and Basil Pesto Risotto with Sauteed Mushrooms
  • Coconut Rice

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

greek rice in a white bowl garnished with lemon slices.
Print
4.51 from 116 votes

Greek Rice

Prep 10 minutes
Resting time 10 minutes
Cook 20 minutes
Total 40 minutes
Rate Recipe
Delicious Greek Rice that's so easy to make and pairs beautifully with lots of Mediterranean favorites like my Chicken Gyros or Chicken Souvlaki! This easy side dish is flavor-packed with onions, garlic, lots of fresh herbs and lemon juice!
6

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
  • 1 small onion (finely chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1½ cups long grain rice (washed well)
  • 2 cups chicken broth (low sodium, or more depending on rice used)
  • ⅓ cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley (chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill (chopped)

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Cook onion and garlic: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan with a lid over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until translucent and soft. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until aromatic.
  • Sauté rice with onion and garlic: Add the rice and cook (without liquid) until the rice turns almost translucent.
  • Cook the rice: Add the broth, lemon juice, salt and pepper to the saucepan. Cover the pan with lid and bring to a simmer. Turn the heat to low and cook for about 20 minutes or until the rice is done, the liquid should be fully absorbed. Remove the rice from heat and leave it covered, undisturbed for 10 minutes.
  • Finish with fresh herbs: Uncover the saucepan and stir in the parsley and dill. Garnish with lemon slices and serve.

Notes

  1. Always rinse the rice first to clean up any excess dirt or debris. Also rinsing rice, will wash away any powdery starch that can stick to the rice grains while cooking. Rinse the rise under cool running water in a fine-mesh strainer.
  2. The amount of liquid used when cooking rice may vary depending on the rice used. The 2 cups required in the recipe is just a general guideline, but if you find that after the rice has absorbed all the liquid but the rice is still too crunchy, add more broth as required.
  3. If using brown rice, keep in mind that it takes a lot longer to cook and may require more liquid.
  4. Be sure to store this Greek rice as soon as it’s cooled as rice is a breeding ground for bacteria. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 – 4 days. If freezing, store this dish in a freezer bag with the air pressed out. Thaw overnight in the fridge and fluff the rice before reheating. This dish will last up to 3 months in the freezer.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1servingCalories: 115kcal (6%)Carbohydrates: 15g (5%)Protein: 3g (6%)Fat: 5g (8%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 220mg (10%)Potassium: 133mg (4%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 222IU (4%)Vitamin C: 10mg (12%)Calcium: 17mg (2%)Iron: 1mg (6%)

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

greek rice in a white bowl garnished with lemon slices.

Did You Make This?

We love seeing what you made! Tag us on Instagram at @jocooks or hashtag #jocooks so we can see your creations!

Rate Recipe
Add Your Photo!
  • 663
Home Recipes
Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
iPad showing title of ebook 30 recipes from around the world
Subscribe

Get our FREE recipe eBook + weekly newsletter!

Loading

guest
Did you make this recipe? Rate it:




The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.

guest
Did you make this recipe? Rate it:




The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

14 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
doris
doris
Posted: 11 days ago

5 stars
Delicious! I made this in the instant pot using a vegan no-chicken chicken broth. Will definitely make again!

0
Reply
Susan
Susan
Posted: 17 days ago

5 stars
Absolutely delicious. I made this for a bible study group and everyone loved it.

0
Reply
Love this recipe. This is my second time making it
Love this recipe. This is my second time making it
Posted: 20 days ago

5 stars
Love this recipe. This is my second time making it.

0
Reply
Lily
Lily
Posted: 22 days ago

5 stars
This was delicious, but my rice seemed way too ‘wet’. Should I just reduce the liquids?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Lily
Posted: 22 days ago

It’s possible, it could depend on what rice you’re using.

0
Reply
Tara
Tara
Posted: 1 month ago

5 stars
Absolutely delicious! My family loves this rice pilaf. It’s an easy dish to make but elevates a weekday meal into something more gourmet. I do add extra garlic, as the recipe says I can (we’re all garlic fiends!) I also love the addition of the fresh dill and parsley, it adds brightness and extra flavor to an already very flavorful dish!

Thanks, Jo!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Tara
Posted: 1 month ago

My pleasure, so glad you like it!

0
Reply
Carol
Carol
Posted: 3 months ago

5 stars
Love this rice!. Evert my picky eaters couldn’t get enough!

0
Reply
Sarah Stein
Sarah Stein
Posted: 5 months ago

5 stars
This rice recipe was awesome! I made it to use in Greek rice bowls tonight and it was a huge hit. This would be a great side dish for lot of non-Greek dishes too.

0
Reply
Tony
Tony
Posted: 11 months ago

4 stars
But ‘low sodium broth’?……. Jesus take the wheel.

Give me STRENGTH.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Tony
Posted: 11 months ago

You can use whatever you have, it’s a preference thing. 🙂

0
Reply
Ryan
Ryan
Reply to  Tony
Posted: 2 months ago

5 stars
What’s the problem with “low sodium” rice?

0
Reply
Kaye
Kaye
Posted: 1 year ago

5 stars
This is my new favorite rice recipe! And my husband is Greek and it’s now his new favorite too.

1
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Kaye
Posted: 1 year ago

So glad you guys like it!

0
Reply

sidebar

Headshot of Joanna Cismaru

Hey there!

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
Collage of recipe ebooks
Subscribe

Get our FREE recipe eBook + weekly newsletter!

Loading

Pasta Favorites

baked mac and cheese in a black cast iron skillet.
45 mins

Baked Mac And Cheese

freshly made crack chicken penne with a wooden spoon in a skillet.
40 mins

Crack Chicken Penne

chicken pot pie pasta in a white serving bowl with a wooden serving spoon.
50 mins

Chicken Pot Pie Pasta

freshly made one pot pasta in a dutch oven.
20 mins

One Pot Pasta

tomato spinach chicken pasta in a white bowl.
30 mins

Tomato Spinach Chicken Pasta

homemade hamburger helper lasagna from scratch in a skillet.
30 mins

One Pot Hamburger Helper Lasagna

baked feta pasta in a white bowl garnished with fresh basil.
50 mins

Baked Feta Pasta (Tik Tok Pasta)

sideview shot of chicken fajita pasta in a white bowl with a fork inside
45 mins

Chicken Fajita Pasta

side close up shot of swedish meatball pasta in a beige braised garnished with parsley
30 mins

Swedish Meatball Pasta

overhead shot of a bowl of haluski
40 mins

Haluski (Cabbage and Noodles)

A stack of cookbooks
Grab a copy!

My Cookbooks

Order Now: Amazon | Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Indie Bound | Books-A-Million

Dinner Favorites

smothered pork chops in a skillet garnished with parsley.
1 hr 15 mins

Smothered Pork Chops

a wooden spoon lifting a salisbury steak out of the skillet
30 mins

Salisbury Steak

beef lo mein in a black wok.
30 mins

Beef Lo Mein

side shot of beef and broccoli in a skillet
15 mins

Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

shepherd's pie in a skillet with a serving taken out of it.
1 hr 25 mins

Skillet Shepherd’s Pie

a serving spoon inside a skillet with chicken broccoli rice casserole.
30 mins

One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

side view shot of two italian stuffed peppers in a bowl
2 hrs 30 mins

Italian Stuffed Peppers

side view shot of a bowl with a scoop of spaghetti bolognese in it
40 mins

Spaghetti Bolognese

Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube
TikTok
Visit our Other Site: Craving Home Cooked

Explore

Recipes
Cookbooks
About Jo
Contact

Legal

Privacy Policy
Accessibility
Disclaimers
© 2023 Jo Cooks
Site Credits
Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
Back to Top
wpDiscuz