Greek Spinach Rice is a 15-minute side dish recipe made with just a few simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. Perfect for serving with roast chicken, grilled lamb, or broiled fish.
In need of a new, quick side dish? My Greek Spinach Rice recipe is a great way to add more flavor and nutrients to a side of rice, but still won’t take longer than 15 minutes of your time. And while it may be inspired by classic Greek spanakorizo, it’s great to pair with all sorts of cuisines. I love to serve it with grilled salmon with lemon garlic sauce, grilled lamb chops with tzatziki sauce, or roast chicken. But you could serve it with just about anything.
Why You’ll Love this Greek Spinach Rice
- It takes a classic side dish and amps up the flavor!
- If you’re trying to increase your vegetable intake, it’s a great way to add more veggies to your diet.
- While I usually use fresh spinach, you can use frozen and it still tastes great!
- It’s tasty! It pairs well with almost protein, and will be enjoyed by kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
- Butter: You could also use olive oil, but the butter helps to cook the onion and toast the rice.
- Onion: A white onion is mild enough to not overpower the simple dish with onion flavor, but still adds some depth of flavor.
- White rice: I like to use long-grain rice, usually enriched and par-boiled such as Uncle Ben’s. You can use any type of rice, but follow cooking instructions as cook time may vary.
- Chicken broth: I like to use chicken broth to cook the rice to up the flavor of the dish, but you could also use water or vegetable broth to keep the dish strictly vegetarian.
- Spinach: Slightly bitter and earthy in taste, spinach is full of iron, potassium, and also a source of protein!
- Dill: Slightly sweet and grassy, the dill adds bright flavor to the final dish.
Easy Swaps
- Make it vegan. To make this dish vegan, use olive oil instead of the butter, and swap the chicken broth or vegetable stock.
- Use a different grain. This same recipe would work with quinoa, orzo, or farro.
- Add some citrus. You could add some lemon zest and lemon juice and it would pair great with the flavors.
How to Make Greek Spinach Rice
Step 1. Start by chopping your onion and washing your spinach (if using fresh), and rinsing your rice.
Step 2. In a large sauce pan, melt the butter and sauté the onion until translucent.
Step 3. Add the rice to the pan with the onion and toast for a minute before adding the chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to a simmer.
Step 4. When rice is finished, stir in the spinach and cook until bright green and wilted, then add the dill and stir.
Garnish with some freshly chopped scallions, and enjoy your Greek Spinach Rice!
Frequently asked questions
The rice will take on the flavor of the spices better if you season it before cooking, but you can add spices to already cooked rice as well.
You don’t have to soak rice before cooking it, but letting your rice soak ahead of time can improve the texture of the final product.
Spinach can sometimes have a strong bitter taste when eaten raw, but cooking spinach usually helps to get rid of that bitter taste.
More Easy Sides
- Greek Roasted Vegetables
- Mediterranean Chopped Salad
- Steamed Lemon Garlic Brussels Sprouts
- Orange, Fennel, and Red Onion Salad
- Lebanese Potato Salad
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A deliciously simple side the whole family will enjoy, give my Greek Spinach Rice a try!
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Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat butter over medium heat then add onion to the pan along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Saute onion until translucent then add in rice. Toast rice for about 60 seconds until you can begin to smell it.1 tablespoon butter, 1 medium onion, salt and pepper, 1 cup long-grain enriched white rice
- Pour chicken broth into the pan along with another pinch salt and pepper. Stir once then bring to a boil. Place lid on pan then reduce heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes with lid on then stir in spinach to wilt right before serving. Check for seasoning and add more salt and pepper to taste. Stir in dill and garnish with minced scallions before serving,2 cups chicken broth, 4 cups spinach, 1/4 cup minced dill, minced scallions
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