Mediterranean Diet Greek Rice
Elevate your weeknight dinners with this vibrant Mediterranean Diet Greek Rice, a flavor-packed dish brimming with fresh ingredients and inspired by classic Greek cuisine. This simple yet satisfying recipe starts with a base of perfectly cooked long-grain white rice simmered in aromatic vegetable broth, infused with garlic, onion, lemon zest, and fresh herbs like dill and parsley. Juicy cherry tomatoes, briny Kalamata olives, and a burst of tangy feta cheese add vivid pops of color and Mediterranean flair to every bite. Completed with a splash of fresh lemon juice, this dish is both light and refreshing, making it ideal as a side or a stand-alone meal. Ready in under 45 minutes, it’s perfect for busy cooks seeking wholesome, flavorful options. Discover how this easy Greek rice recipe transforms simple pantry staples into a Mediterranean masterpiece!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1.5 cups long-grain white rice
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh dill
- 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoons salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 0.5 cup, sliced kalamata olives
- 0.5 cup, crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add the rice to the pan and stir well to coat the grains in the oil and onion mixture.
Pour in the vegetable broth, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the rice simmer for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
Remove the pan from the heat and let it stand for 5 minutes with the lid on to finish steaming.
Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in the fresh dill, parsley, lemon juice, cherry tomatoes, and kalamata olives.
Transfer the rice to a serving dish and sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese on top.
Serve warm as a side dish or a light main course, accompanied by more lemon wedges if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1512 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 81.7 g | 105% | |
| Saturated Fat | 19.6 g | 98% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 67 mg | 22% | |
| Sodium | 6343 mg | 276% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 163.0 g | 59% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 22.9 g | 82% | |
| Total Sugars | 20.1 g | ||
| Protein | 35.0 g | 70% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 707 mg | 54% | |
| Iron | 13.2 mg | 73% | |
| Potassium | 2119 mg | 45% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
