Mediterranean Rice (Easy & Lemony!)

Why you’ll love it

If you’re a fan of risotto, you’ll probably like this simple lemony Mediterranean rice too. You could say it’s like a simple Mediterranean style risotto. Made with just a few ingredients, it’s ready in less than 30 minutes if you cook it on the stovetop. If you happen to have an electric pressure cooker or Instant Pot, it’ll be ready in even less time than this!

You absolutely could eat it by itself, perhaps with a can of chickpeas added, and squeezed with extra lemon and a sprinkle of feta cheese.

Personally, my favorite way to eat it is as a side dish – with something simple like roast chicken, steak, meatballs or fish. Or with a dinner showstopper such as Greek beef stew. It also makes pretty good lunch leftovers – either hot or cold, and maybe even with an egg on top!

About the ingredients

You’ll find a full list of ingredients with amounts in the recipe card below. But here’s a summary of what you need to know.

It’s quite possible that you have almost everything you need in the pantry already to make this delicious and very easy lemony rice.

Things you may have already:

• Olive oil, salt and pepper
• Dried oregano: For that characteristically Greek/Mediterranean flavor. If you don’t have oregano, you could substitute in a mixed Mediterranean style herb blend, basil, or thyme.
• Rice: Usually (but not always), I use a risotto rice. Or arborio rice. These types will get you a creamy result, a bit like an actual risotto. But to be honest I’ve used all kinds of rice to make this… successfully! Only got plain white rice? No problem!
• Chicken or vegetable broth: Choose veggie of course if you want to keep the dish vegetarian or even vegan.
• Onion and garlic

Things you might have to buy:

• A couple of lemons: Both the zest and the juice

Optional – but recommended – toppings:

• Fresh dill: Or use another garnish such as fresh parsley or basil. See this list of best dill substitutes for more ideas.
• Feta cheese: My favorite is an authentic Greek feta cheese, but any is fine.

How to make Mediterranean rice

You’ll only need around 10 minutes prep time and 15 minutes cook time to make this tasty Mediterranean rice side dish.

You can make it either on the stovetop, or in an electric pressure cooker (or Instant Pot) if you have one.

First, soften the onions with the garlic in two or three tablespoons of olive oil. It might seem like a lot but it’ll add to the flavor of the final dish.

Then stir in the oregano and rice. Finally, add the broth, herbs, lemon, and salt and pepper. You can add canned chickpeas at this point too, if you like, to make the dish more hearty.

Simmer for around just 15 minutes or until most of the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender.

The recipe also works well in an electric pressure cooker (Instant Pot) if you have one! Just follow the recipe until everything has been added, then pressure cook on high for 6 minutes followed by a quick release of the pressure.

Serving ideas

This tasty lemon rice could go with almost anything. Here are a few ideas:

• These air fryer skinless boneless chicken thighs or air fryer chicken legs. You can throw them in your air fryer before you start cooking your rice so that they’re ready at the same time.
• Prefer to go with a Greek theme? How about these chicken kabobs, Greek lamb chops, or Greek marinated chicken? Or any meat or fish coated in this simple gyro seasoning.
• Mediterranean rice also goes well with dishes with a sauce. It’s delicious with this Mediterranean chicken with yogurt sauce, or stifado (Greek beef stew).
• Crustless quiche or zucchini slice! Again, just make the rice while they’re in the oven.
• Greek spinach and feta filo pie. This is a good choice if you want to keep your meal vegetarian.
• A yummy protein like spinach feta stuffed chicken, easy panko chicken or Greek baked fish.
• This incredibly delicious Greek baked eggplant with tomato and feta.

However… as already mentioned I do sometimes happily eat this rice on its own. Maybe you could even add a spoonful of Greek tsatziki sauce on the side. Mmm!

Variations

• Try adding frozen or fresh spinach.
• Add some mushrooms or leeks with the onions.
• For a more filling meal, try pan-frying some chicken pieces with the onions for a few minutes before continuing with the dish as described. Alternatively, try this Greek chicken and rice bowl. The chicken and rice is cooked together on the stove, then served with a simple Greek style salad and tsatziki.

More easy Mediterranean side dishes

• These Greek potatoes are legendary. Don’t want to turn on the oven? Try Greek potato salad with lemon vinaigrette instead!
• I’ve made these 2-minute olive oil toasts more times than I can count when I need a SUPER easy side. Give them a try – you’ll be hooked!
• Make a dish of this yummy baked feta with tomatoes, peppers and olives and serve it with some roast chicken, steak or fish. Mmmm.
• This is our very favorite baked eggplant with tomatoes and feta. Make it the day before, then just reheat and serve with meatballs. Incredible.
• Many of these 15 easy Greek appetizers can be served as side dishes. Check them out!

Like main dish rice dishes, too? Check out these quick air fried Mediterranean stuffed peppers, or this delicious baked risotto with chicken and chorizo (So easy, and no constant stirring of the pot!).