Best Ever Mediterranean Rice Recipe
This Mediterranean Rice recipe with basmati features fluffy rice and aromatic spices and has a lovely nutty flavor that will be the perfect complement to all your Mediterranean recipes.
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We eat a lot of rice in my house, and for most recipes, I plug in my rice cooker and allow it to do its thing while I work on the rest of the meal.
This recipe requires a bit more hands-on time than plain rice, but it’s totally worth the effort. We call this recipe Mediterranean Rice, but I’ve also heard it referred to as Lebanese Rice, Greek Rice, and simply Yellow Rice. The warm spices give it a lot of flavor and it makes a great side dish when you want something a little more special than regular rice.
It pairs perfectly with so many different main courses, although I usually break out the recipe when I make chicken kabobs or skewered flank steak. Because of its beautiful yellow color, it’s the perfect recipe to over a platter and pile with grilled meats and fresh produce.
What You’ll Need to Make Yellow Mediterranean Rice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1.5 cups long grain rice (Jasmine Rice or Basmati Rice)
- 2.25 cups of water
Optional Ingredients:
- pine nuts – stir in after the rice has finished cooking
- fresh herbs – stir in after the rice has finished cooking
- golden raisins or dried cranberries – add at the same time you add the water; they will become plump while the rice cooks
- Fresh lemon juice – squeeze on top of rice just before serving
- Salt and pepper – sprinkle on just before serving
How to Make Mediterranean Rice Recipe
Begin by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Next, add the onions to the pot, and saute them for about five minutes until they are soft and translucent.
Now, add the minced garlic, cumin, turmeric, and rice to the onions. Continuously stir the mixture for about a minute, slightly toasting the rice.
Add the water to the pot, stirring to combine, and allow the mixture to come to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the burner to low heat, place a cover on the pan, and let the rice simmer for about 10 minutes until the water is absorbed. (If you have a pan with a clear lid, it helps to keep an eye on the rice – you do not want it to overcook or dry out.)
Once the rice has absorbed the water, carefully remove the pan from the burner, remove the lid, and place a clean dish towel (a flour sack works best) over the pan. Place the pan lid on top of the towel and allow Mediterranean Yellow Rice to steam for about 10 minutes.
Finally, fluff the cooked rice, sprinkle on some kosher salt or black pepper (if desired) and serve.
You can store leftover rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
More Easy Recipes With a Mediterranean Flare!
- Easy Instant Pot Greek Chicken With Orzo
- Simple Side Dish: Farmer’s Market Roasted Mediterranean Cauliflower
- Za’atar Rice With Roasted Veggies
- 20-Minute Greek Chicken With Artichokes and Olives
- Homemade Mediterranean Salad Dressing with Greek Salad
- Seared Ahi Tuna Greek Chopped Salad
- Beef Kofta Bowls
Best Ever Mediterranean Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1.5 cups long grain rice Jasmine Rice or Basmati Rice
- 2.25 cups of water
Optional Ingredients:
- pine nuts – stir in after the rice has finished cooking
- fresh herbs – stir in after the rice has finished cooking
- golden raisins or dried cranberries – add at the same time you add the water; they will become plump while the rice cooks
- Fresh lemon juice – squeeze on top of rice just before serving
- Salt and pepper – sprinkle on just before serving
Instructions
- Begin by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Next, add the onions to the pot, and saute them for about five minutes until they are soft and translucent.
- Now, add the minced garlic, cumin, turmeric, and rice to the onions. Continuously stir the mixture for about a minute, slightly toasting the rice.
- Add the water to the pot, stirring to combine, and allow the mixture to come to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the burner to low heat, place a cover on the pan, and let the rice simmer for about 10 minutes until the water is absorbed. (If you have a pan with a clear lid, it helps to keep an eye on the rice – you do not want it to overcook or dry out.)
- Once the rice has absorbed the water, carefully remove the pan from the burner, remove the lid, and place a clean dish towel (a flour sack works best) over the pan. Place the pan lid on top of the towel and allow Mediterranean Yellow Rice to steam for about 10 minutes.
- Finally, fluff the cooked rice, sprinkle on some kosher salt or black pepper (if desired) and serve.
