5.0 from 33 votes
Spanakorizo
Spanakorizo is a Greek spinach and rice dish with all the great flavors of spanakopita but much easier to make! Tender rice seasoned with dill, lemon, herbs and feta cheese. Greek Spinach and Rice, spanakorizo, is a classic Greek vegetarian dish made with spinach and rice. It is also one of the healthiest traditional Greek recipes because it's packed with lots of spinach (a well known “super food”), onions, fresh herbs, and lemon.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 249 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Appetizer
Cuisine:
Greek
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup onion (chopped)
- 3 tablespoon garlic (minced)
- 4 tablespoon chives or green onion (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ pound baby spinach (coarsely chopped)
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 2 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoon fresh dill (chopped)
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup feta cheese (cubed)
Garnish
- feta cheese (crumbled)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a medium sauce pan over medium high heat. Sauté onions until translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for another minute.
- Add the cumin, 1 tablespoon of dill, lemon zest, oregano, salt, pepper, 2 tablespoons of chives/green onions and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in the rice and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Add in the vegetable broth and the spinach. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover with the lid, and cook until the rice is tender and all liquid is absorbed (about 15 to 20 minutes – follow your rice package instructions).
- Stir in the butter, lemon juice and the remaining fresh dill and remaining chives/green onions before serving. Add in cubed feta and gently stir to combine.
- Garnish with crumbled Feta cheese and enjoy!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Tips for Cooking Rice:
- Properly cooking the rice is the most important part of making Spanakorizo. The goal is rice that's perfectly cooked, not mushy or sticky. Here are a few tips to help:
- • Always rinse the rice first. Rinse the rice under cold water until it runs clear, instead of cloudy. Rinsing the rice removes the starch, which is what makes rice too sticky.
- • Don't remove the lid during cooking. Though it may be tempting, avoid lifting the lid while the rice is cooking. Lifting the lid will allow all the steam to escape and affect the cooking time.
Nutrition Information
Calories
249kcal
(12%)
Carbohydrates
31g
(10%)
Protein
5g
(10%)
Fat
12g
(18%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
21mg
(7%)
Sodium
661mg
(28%)
Potassium
316mg
(9%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
3973IU
(79%)
Vitamin C
17mg
(19%)
Calcium
101mg
(10%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 249
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 249kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 31g | 10% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 21mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 661mg | 28% |
| Potassium | 316mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 3973IU | 79% |
| Vitamin C | 17mg | 19% |
| Calcium | 101mg | 10% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.