Whip up this flavorful and nutritious brown rice with spinach and fresh herbs in under 30 minutes. A wholesome side dish or easy weeknight main packed with iron-rich greens, fragrant herbs, and parmesan-cheese goodness.
No matter the season, there’s always a good reason to cook with fresh greens and herbs. This Brown Rice with Spinach and Herbs is a flavorful, wholesome side dish that comes together easily on busy weeknights. Once you start making your own rice dishes at home (like my Jamaican Rice and Peas or Greek Spinach Rice) you’ll never go back to boxed mixes again. Most packaged rice blends are loaded with sodium and fillers, when all you really need are pantry staples like rice, olive oil, and a few fresh ingredients.
To give this recipe a nutritious boost, I add fresh spinach for extra iron and calcium. It’s a simple way to get more dark, leafy greens into your diet, and even kids love it thanks to the light, cheesy flavor. Pair it with Lemon Peppr Baked Chicken or Grilled Salmon with Lemon Garlic Sauce for a balanced meal any night of the week.
Ingredients
- Brown rice: I like to use brown rice as it’s a whole grain, but you could use wild rice or white rice as well.
- Spinach: Full of iron, potassium, and many vitamins, it cooks quickly and the flavor becomes so mild, even kids will enjoy it.
- Parmesan: Adds a nutty, salty, mildly cheesy flavor to the finished dish.
- Fresh herbs: You can use whatever you have! Parsley is an easy go-to, but basil, chives, and even mint are great choices.
- Chicken broth: Cooking your rice in broth just adds depth of flavor. You can also you vegetable broth to keep the recipe vegetarian.
How to Make Brown Rice with Spinach and Herbs
Step 1. In a large sauce pot or sauté pan, cook diced onion in olive oil and butter until tender.
Step 2. Add the rice, and toast for an additional few minutes.
Step 3. Add the chicken broth, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover and lower to a simmer for about 10 minutes until the rice is cooked.
Step 4. Add the fresh spinach and peas, and stir in with the cooked rice.
Step 5. Cook until spinach is wilted and bright green.
Step 6. Stir in the parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Garnish with fresh herbs of your choice, I had basil on hand, serve and enjoy your Brown Rice with Spinach and Herbs!
More Easy Side Dishes
- Italian Herb Roasted Broccoli
- Steamed Lemon Garlic Brussels Sprouts
- Mediterranean Chopped Salad
- Lemon Dill Green Beans
- Grilled Corn with Barbecue Sauce
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Ingredients
Video
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pot, saute onion in olive oil and butter until tender – about 5 minutes. Add brown rice and saute 2-3 additional minutes.1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil, 2 teaspoon butter, 1 medium onion, 1 cup brown rice
- Pour in broth and bring to boil then cover and simmer for 10 minutes.2 cups chicken broth
- When rice is fulling cooked, flake with fork then stir in spinach, peas and cheese. Cook until spinach is wilted – about 5 minutes.20 ounces baby spinach, 1 cup green peas, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Garnish with fresh herbs and season with salt and pepper to taste.1/4 cup fresh herbs of choice, Salt and pepper to taste
Liz’s Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Brown rice is considered healthier than white rice because it’s a whole grain. This means it’s higher in fiber, vitamins, and minerals like magnesium and B vitamins.
The “5-5-5 rule” is a simple method often used for cooking rice in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker. It means: cook the rice on high pressure for 5 minutes, let it naturally release for 5 minutes, then quick-release any remaining pressure after that. It’s a foolproof way to get perfectly fluffy rice every time.
Rice pairs beautifully with just about any vegetable. Try spinach, peas, carrots, mushrooms, or broccoli for easy add-ins. In the spring, fresh herbs and greens like parsley, basil, or kale add color and flavor. For a heartier meal, mix in roasted veggies like bell peppers or zucchini.
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