Make this incredibly flavorful dill lemon rice in just 20 minutes! This one-pot meal is perfect with a salad or as an easy side dish to accompany various mains.
Dill lemon rice is a quick and easy Greek side dish made in no time with a few simple ingredients and infused with fresh lemon, onion, and dill. This fluffy, flavorful rice pairs perfectly with fish, shrimp, chicken, beef, or pork.
It's versatile and ideal for weeknight dinners and can be made in bulk, so it's great for meal prep.ย Check out this Simple Miso Brown Rice, too.
Ingredients: 5 + oil, salt, and pepper
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
My daughter ordered shrimp with lemon dill rice during our summer holiday in Greece, and since the plate was huge, we all got to try it. I loved it so much, it was the first dish I cooked when we got back home.ย
My easy lemon dill rice recipe tasted almost the same as the restaurant version; the main difference was the amount of olive oil used, as restaurant food often has more. However, you wonโt miss anything with less oil; the rice is utterly delicious, fresh-tasting, and just perfect.
Check out more delicious Mediterranean dishes: Lamb Wraps with Tzatziki, Turkish Pasta Dish, or Easy Falafel Sandwich.
Jump to:
Recipe ingredients
The ingredient list is short and simple; you will need long-grain rice, good stock (chicken stock or vegetable broth), fresh dill, fresh lemon juice, some lemon zest, and onion.
I use plain white rice, but basmati rice or jasmine should be fine, too.
If you don't have fresh dill on hand, you can use frozen dill instead. However, donโt use dried dill; it will not work in this recipe.
See the recipe card for the full recipe and ingredient quantities.
Additions
Add cooked, sliced chicken breast pieces, cooked shrimp, chickpeas, beans, sauteed mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers, green beans, or peas.
My sonโs favorite addition: one can of drained tuna in oil.
You can top this delicious dill rice with feta just before serving. Pine nuts are also a delightful addition.
Eat more rice! Try Pork Belly Fried Rice or Spam Eggs and Rice.
How to make Greek lemon dill rice?
Step #1: Heat the oil and sautรฉ the finely chopped onion for about 2 minutes. Add the washed and drained rice and stir.
Step #2: Add the stock, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Stir and cover the pot.
Step #3: Simmer for 12-15 minutes on low heat until the rice is done to your liking.
Step #4: Stir in lemon juice, cover again, and let the lemon rice stand for about 10 minutes. Fluff with the fork and add the chopped dill.
Tips
Check the packet instructions for the riceโs cooking time. The type I used needed about 12-13 minutes, but this can vary. Be sure to follow the instructions to avoid overcooking the grains.
Storage
Make a large batch of lemon dill rice and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, or freeze it for up to 3 months.
To reheat, microwave for 1-2 minutes until warm, or heat in a skillet on the stovetop. When reheating on the stovetop, add just a little olive oil or a bit of broth and stir frequently until heated through.
If your rice is frozen, you donโt need to thaw it before reheating it.
What to serve with it?
Sign up for our Newsletter to receive new, quick, and delicious recipes in your inbox occasionally! Find me sharing daily meal-time inspiration on Pinterest and Facebook
Give my quick recipes a try for your next family meal! Feel free to reach out if you need any assistance!
๐ Recipe
Dill Lemon Rice
Equipment
- Large saucepan with lid
Ingredients
- 1ยผ cup long grain rice
- 1 small onion or ยฝ a medium one
- 2ยฝ cups chicken stock or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ยผ teaspoon fine sea salt more to taste
- ยผ teaspoon ground black pepper more to taste
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest Note 1
- 6 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed, Note 2
- small bunch of dill Note 3
Instructions
- Wash and drain the rice in a sieve.1ยผ cup long grain rice
- Cook the onion: Finely chop the onion. Heat the oil and cook the onion for about 2 minutes on medium-low heat. Stir often, and donโt let it get brown.1 small onion + 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Add the rice and toast it for about 2 minutes, often stirring.
- Simmer rice: Add stock, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Cover the pot, lower the heat, and simmer the rice for 12-15 minutes. Check the rice packetโs instructions regarding the cooking time.2ยฝ cups chicken stock + 1 teaspoon lemon zest + ยผ teaspoon fine sea salt + ยผ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Rest rice: Once the rice is cooked to your liking, turn off the heat and stir in the lemon juice. Cover again and let the rice stand for about 10 minutes.6 tablespoons lemon juice
- Add the chopped dill, fluff the rice with a fork, and adjust the taste with salt and pepper.small bunch of dill
Notes
- Using unwaxed, organic lemons is preferable, as you will also need some of their zest.
- Lemons: Freshly squeezed lemon juice from about 1 ยฝ to 2 lemons.
- Dill: You can replace fresh dill with frozen. Donโt use dried dill for this recipe; the dish will not have the same flavor.
Adina says
I just made it again on Sunday and served it with pork tenderloin. So good!