Fluffy, savory, lemony, and perfect for leveling up your favorite grain: Greek-Inspired Lemon Rice! Just 1 pot, 5 ingredients, and 25 minutes required for this easy vegan side perfect with Mediterranean-inspired mains.
Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once hot, add olive oil and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but still light in color.
Stir in basmati rice and lemon zest. Sauté for 1 more minute.
Add the water, lemon juice, salt, and optional turmeric. Stir well, turn the heat to high, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is fully absorbed.
Turn off the heat and let the rice rest for a minute or so before fluffing with a fork and serving. If the rice is slightly too toothsome, simply place the lid back on top of the pot and let it rest for 5-10 more minutes — the steam should fully cook it! It’s delicious served with Mediterranean-inspired dishes including falafel, hummus, grilled veggies, bowls, and more.
Store leftover rice in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a little oil or water until warm.
Notes
*Brown rice doesn't work well in this recipe. We tested and strongly preferred the fluffy texture and neutral flavor of white rice. If you want to try brown rice, we'd recommend using long grain rice and adding slightly more water and cooking longer. *Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without optional ingredients. *Loosely adapted from Damn Spicy’s Greek Lemon Rice.