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5.0 from 168 votes

Greek Rice Pilaf

Learn the secret to making restaurant-style Lemon Rice Pilaf at home. It’s always perfect: tender, full of flavor, and never sticky.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 4 servings (1-cup each)
Calories: 256 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup onion minced (about 1/2 medium)
  • 1 cup white rice long-grain, jasmine, or basmati (see note 1)
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (see note 2)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice from 1 lemon
  • 1 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. 
  2. Stir in rice and cook, stirring frequently, until rice is lightly browned, about 7 to 10 minutes.  
  3. Stir in garlic and lemon zest until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add lemon juice, broth, bay leaf, and salt, and bring to boil. 
  4. Cover, reduce heat, and cook until rice is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed, about 15 to 17 minutes. Remove bay leaf and fluff with a fork.

Notes

  • Rice: Any long grain rice works. I love using a fragrant white rice, like basmati or jasmine. Stay away from short grain rice, which can get too glutinous and stick together. If you'd rather make a brown rice pilaf, just adjust your cooking time according to the cooking instructions for the variety of rice you're using. Brown rice takes considerably longer to cook.
  • Lemon juice and zest: The key to the lovely brightness in this dish. Zest your lemon first, then juice it.
  • Yield: This recipe makes 4 cups of Lemon Rice Pilaf.
  • Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Freezer: Cooked rice freezes like a dream! Cool, divide into portions, and add to freezer-safe containers. Label, date, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or defrost in the microwave.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cup Calories 256kcal (13%) Carbohydrates 42g (14%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 8g (12%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Cholesterol 19mg (6%) Sodium 510mg (21%) Potassium 159mg (5%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin C 9mg (10%) Calcium 26mg (3%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings (1-cup each)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 256

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cup
Calories 256kcal 13%
Carbohydrates 42g 14%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 8g 12%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 19mg 6%
Sodium 510mg 21%
Potassium 159mg 3%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin C 9mg 10%
Calcium 26mg 3%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.