This simple Greek Rice is lemony, full of herbs, and warm, delicious flavors — and it couldn't be much easier to make! The rice is toasted for a nutty flavor and then simmered with sautéed onions and garlic, broth, and dill to infuse flavor in every grain. Add in fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley for even more flavor when serving. It's the perfect side dish to pair with Greek dishes or serve as your go-to herb rice dish for any meal!

This easy lemon rice recipe tastes just like the fluffy rice you get at a good Greek restaurant, yet surprisingly quick and easy to make at home. With just a few simple ingredients, you can elevate traditional white rice with so much flavor. You'll want to serve this one-pot side dish on special occasions but it's quick enough to make on busy weeknights too. Plus, you'll have plenty of time to work on your main dish so that the whole meal can be ready at once. It's. a keeper!
Why You'll Love This Greek Rice Recipe
- Ready in just 30 minutes. The amount of flavor you can add to a pot of rice in just 30 minutes is always so surprising, especially with such simple ingredients! This Greek lemon rice pilaf is one of my go-to side dishes, and I'm sure you'll feel the same way, too!
- Loaded with flavor. This is an easy herb rice recipe, but every step adds flavor, from sauteeing the aromatics, toasting the rice, cooking the rice in chicken stock, and seasoning with lemon juice and herbs. It doesn't take a lot of effort (or ingredients) to add a ton of flavor.
- Great side dish for a range of cuisines. The lemony, herbaceous flavors in this Greek style rice pair perfectly with lots of Mediterranean favorites, like my Greek Chicken Breast or Greek Salmon. But it's also a great side for other regional cuisines, like my Middle Eastern Chicken Shawarma, Persian Lamb Chops, and more.
Ingredient Notes
To make this delicious Greek Rice, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- extra virgin olive oil - to sautee the vegetables.
- aromatics - keep it simple with freshly minced garlic and white onion.
- long grain white rice - basmati or jasmine are ideal for this recipe with their plump, tender grains.
- chicken broth - broth makes it easy to infuse extra flavor into every bite. Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian or vegan option.
- seasonings - stick with salt and dried dill.
- lemon juice - this is a key flavor in this rice dish. Fresh is best! Feel free to add some lemon zest, too.
- parsley - finely chop to sprinkle as a garnish.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, a medium pot with a lid, a cutting board, and a sharp knife.
How to Make the Best Greek Rice
- Sauté aromatics. In a medium sized pot, heat oil over medium-high heat until sizzling hot, about 1 minute. Add garlic and onion and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Toast rice. Add rice and toast until the rice turns almost translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients. Add broth, salt, and dill. Mix well and bring it to a boil.
- Simmer. Turn the heat to low and cover the lid. Simmer for 15 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed.
- Rest. Turn off the heat and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Serve. Top with lemon juice and parsley. Serve warm.
Recipe Variations
- Use brown rice. Stick with long-grain rice to get those individual grains. Add a little extra chicken stock to help the grains soften up.
- Expand the garnishes. To make this Greek rice dish even more decadent and celebratory, serve it with fresh dill and mint, a drizzle of olive oil, crumbled feta cheese, freshly sliced cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, and more.
- Add greens. Sneak in some extra veggies by adding a hearty handful of chopped spinach. Add it after you sauté the garlic and onion, and let it soften before you toast the rice.
- Use a rice cooker. Sauté your aromatics and toast the rice in a pan like normal, then transfer everything to your rice cooker. Add the broth like normal and cook until the rice is perfectly tender and plump. Squeeze fresh lemon juice on top and garnish with parsley before serving.
How to Serve
This Greek Rice is delicious served on the side of a protein-heavy entree, a Greek Salad, and some Greek Potatoes. Some of my favorite Greek main courses to pair this with are:
- Chicken Souvlaki
- Greek Meatballs
- Greek Lamb Shanks
- Souvlaki Beef Shish Kebabs
- Greek Salmon
- Greek Lamb Souvlaki Skewers
For more recipe ideas, see our 30 Best Greek Recipes.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Use the right rice. Long-grain rice has the right texture and flavor to take this Greek lemon rice recipe over the top. If you substitute a short-grain variety, you won't get the same fluffy texture.
- Toast the rice grains. This simple step gives the rice a nutty flavor that adds extra depth to this dish.
- Let it rest. That 10-minute rest is the final part of the cooking process. This will allow the rice grains to plump up and absorb all that broth. If you rush this step, your rice will not be nearly as soft and tender.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
How to Store
Allow the rice to cool then transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
How to Reheat
The best way to reheat rice is to place it in a small pot and add a splash of water. Cover and heat over medium, allowing the rice to steam slightly. You can also microwave for a few minutes.
How to Freeze
Leftovers can easily be frozen for several months. Simply thaw in the fridge and reheat like normal.
FAQ
Greek rice is a popular side dish at Greek restaurants that typically consists of a lemony rice pilaf made with plump grains of rice cooked in garlic, onion, chicken stock, and fresh herbs, then garnished with fresh lemon juice for a pop of freshness. It's hearty and comforting yet light and refreshing at the same time.
Most Greek restaurants use long-grain rice, like basmati or jasmine rice, for their famous Greek rice. These types separate into individual grains after cooking and stay dry and fluffy, unlike short-grain varieties, which can easily become sticky and clump together.
It can be, but you'll want to ask about the cooking liquid. This easy Greek rice recipe uses chicken broth to give the rice extra flavor, but you can use vegetable broth instead. If you get Greek rice at a restaurant, you'll want to double-check!
More Rice Recipes
- 30 Best Rice Recipes
- Basmati Rice with Saffron
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Steamed Rice
- Broccoli Rice
- Black Beans and Rice
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Recipe
Greek Rice
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This simple Greek Rice is lemony, full of herbs, and warm, delicious flavors — and it couldn't be much easier to make! The rice is toasted for a nutty flavor and then simmered with sautéed onions and garlic, broth, and dill to infuse flavor in every grain. Add in fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley for even more flavor when serving. It's the perfect side dish to pair with Greek dishes or serve as your go-to herb rice dish for any meal!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small white onion, diced
- 1 ½ cups long grain white rice (basmati or jasmine), rinsed and drained well
- 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- In a medium sized pot, heat oil over medium-high heat until sizzling hot, about 1 minute. Add garlic and onion and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add rice and toast until the rice turns almost translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add broth, salt, and dill. Mix well and bring it to a boil.
- Turn the heat to low and cover the lid. Simmer for 15 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed.
- Turn off the heat and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Top with lemon juice and parsley. Serve warm.
Notes
How to store: Allow the rice to cool then transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
How to reheat: The best way to reheat rice is to place it in a small pot and add a splash of water. Cover and heat over medium, allowing the rice to steam slightly. You can also microwave for a few minutes.
How to freeze: Leftovers can easily be frozen for several months. Simply thaw in the fridge and reheat like normal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Rice
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
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