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At our house, this easy lemon rice is a side dish staple and with just 5 ingredients, it’s a super simple way to jazz up plain old white rice any day of the week.
No matter where your set your plate, it’s likely that rice will be one of the side dishesserved on any international dinner table.
This lemon rice makes regular appearances alongside so much of my main meal cooking, like my Greek marinated chicken, or as a basic side for my Greek pork souvlaki kebabs or turkey kofta skewers, and always with myEasy Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce.
But this lemon rice doesn’t travel only in Greek or Mediterranean circles. It’s a fan of crossing all culinary borders, and it does a fine job of fitting into any dinner no matter the main dish’s international personality.
How to Make Lemon Rice
This recipe really couldn’t be any simpler. The method is the same as cooking any regular white rice, but with a zest and squeezey juiced lemon effervescence. But lemon juice isn’t the only flavor enhancer, I also add the zest of the rind that comes from the fine grating of the citrus rind, releasing the flavorful oils that will really propel the flavor infusion.
To zest the lemon, I use a microplane zester or this OXO hand held grater, rotating the lemon as I grate. And please note, a typical cheese grater won’t work for this job because the holes are far too big and not nearly sharp enough.
For the final lemon touch, adding both the lemon juice and the zest to the cooking water at the start of the cooking process makes the rice absorb the subtle flavors of the lemon.
see more:31 Quick and Healthy Veggie Side Dishes in 30 Minutes or Less
How to Add Personality to White Rice
I’m a flavor builder, so like many of my other rice side dishes, I like to add another layer of brightness with a little chopped parsley and if there’s any extra zest, I toss it on too. But adding parsley or anything else is totally up to you and your preference.
I also add butter at the beginning of the cooking process simply because I love the combination of the lemon and the butter. If you’re more of a purist, once again, leave it out if you’d like.
Keep the rice simple by adding just the lemon, or switch it up with extra ingredients to match other cuisine flavor profiles, like:
- Chopped nuts like pistachios, Marcona almonds, or pecans
- Chopped dried fruit like apricots, cranberries, raisins, or currants
- Parmesan, feta, or goat cheese
- Chopped herbs such as dill, parsley, or cilantro
- Sauté chopped onion, red bell pepper, or garlic before adding the rice and water to the pan for a more savory flavor
see more:30 Dinners to Make When There’s No Time to Cook
Main Meal Recipes to Pair with Lemon Rice
If you make this recipe, please let me know!Leave a comment below or take a photo andtag me onInstagramwith #foodiecrusheats.
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Lemon Rice Recipe
Long or medium grain rice works best for this recipe, but if you prefer using short rice, plan on it coming out a little more sticky.
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
Total Time 25 minutes minutes
Servings 3 cups rice
Ingredients
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 cup white rice
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoons minced Italian parsley
Instructions
Bring 1 ¾ cups of water to boil in a saucepan with a fitted lid. Add the add the lemon zest, lemon juice, rice, butter and salt, stir with a wooden spoon then reduce to simmer and cover. Cook for 20 minutes, then remove from the heat and fluff with a fork. Place a kitchen towel over the pot and, replace the lid, and let sit for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and season with more kosher salt to taste and stir in the minced parsley.
More Simple Side Dishes You’ll Easily Make Too
- Easy Lemon Orzo Faux Risotto
- Easy Parmesan Buttered Noodles
- The Best Buttery Parsley Potatoes
- Green Beans and Shiitake Mushrooms
- Easy 5-Minute Parmesan Zucchini
- Heavenly Funeral Potatoes Recipe
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FAQs
The citrus makes rice look brighter and is said to enhance the texture of the grain, as well. A dash of lemon juice can go a long way for a pot of rice. But if you don't have it on hand, there are other ways to stop rice from grouping together.
How long can lemon rice last in the fridge? ›
This lemon rice will keep well in the fridge for 4 days. Once cooked, let it cool completely before storing in an air tight container in the fridge. You can reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave with a coupe of tablespoons of water and cook til piping hot, about 3 minutes in the microwave.
What do you do with lemon rice? ›
Immune System Support: Lemon rice powder is rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps strengthen the immune system. Adequate vitamin C intake can enhance immune function, protect against infections, and contribute to overall wellness.
How to make white rice taste like restaurant? ›
Use Fresh Herbs and Chicken Stock
Next, add chicken stock instead of salted water and let the rice boil on high heat for two minutes. Then, lower the heat and allow the rice to steam. “The rice will smell so fragrant from the thyme and garlic, with the thyme enhancing the flavor to another level,” he says.
Can I add lemon juice to my rice water? ›
Add Just Enough Lemon Juice To Make It Fluffy
For jasmine and basmati rice, it's usually between 1.5 and 2 cups of water per cup of rice. The longer you soak the rice, the less cooking water you need, as the rice will have absorbed some moisture already.
Why is my lemon rice bitter? ›
Did your lemon rice ever turn bitter after cooking? If yes, then dear reader, you must be adding the juice before time. Always add lemon juice at the last step. When you feel the rice is ready and you have tasted the salt and sugar, switch off the flame and add the juice to it.
Does lemon rice go bad? ›
Spoiled lemon rice has a funky, sour smell that's quite noticeable. You might also notice a change in colour or appearance such as molds. If the lemon rice has turned hard or dry, it's most likely past its prime. Lastly, if you taste it and it has a sour or off-flavor, it's probably gone bad.
Can I eat week old leftover rice? ›
Don't forget to label your food with the name and the date you should use it by. According to the FoodSafety.gov FoodKeeper App, leftover rice can be stored in the refrigerator for three to four days, and in the freezer for one to two months.
Can I eat 5 days old rice in fridge? ›
Despite some misconceptions, experts recommend that all cooked grains should be refrigerated to prevent Bacillus cereus from growing. Leftover rice should be refrigerated no more than two hours after cooking, and is good for about four days in the fridge, experts said.
Is lemon rice good at night? ›
Ans:- Friends, There is no scientific evidence to suggest that eating lemons at night is bad for you. In fact, lemons are a good source of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that can help boost your immune system.
One of the easiest ways to cut the lemon taste is to balance it with sweetness. Adding a touch of sugar or sweetener can help neutralize the acidity and bring out the natural flavors of lemon. You can try adding a teaspoon of honey, agave syrup, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar to your lemon-infused dishes or drinks.
Can we use vinegar instead of lemon in lemon rice? ›
Vinegar. Apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, and rice vinegar can all be substituted at a ½:1 ratio. If your recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, then, sub 1 tablespoon vinegar and replace the rest with water if needed. Usually you won't need to add any extra liquid but it depends on the recipe.
Why does Chinese restaurant white rice taste better? ›
The answer: high heat, expert tosses, and something known as 'wok hei. ' As J. Kenji López-Alt writes for Serious Eats, expert cooking with a wok (and the gas range it requires) is one of the main reasons that fried rice from a Chinese restaurant tastes so much better than what you can make at home.
What is a good seasoning to add to rice? ›
Spices
- Cumin.
- Curry powder.
- Paprika.
- Red pepper flakes.
- Garlic powder.
- Onion powder.
- Chili powder.
- Cajun seasoning.
Stir in a tiny bit of ground cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and/or cloves — exercise restraint and be sure to taste. Add up to 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon, sausage, chorizo, or chopped ham. Add up to 1/2 cup dried shrimp or a couple of mashed anchovies. Season with any spice mixture .
What does lemon juice do in cooking? ›
In baked goods and desserts, lemons provide a light, fresh flavour. Plus, it can be used to tenderise meat, or it can be used as a substitute for vinegar in dressings. Lemon juice added to steamed vegetables will help them keep their bright colours and enhance their flavour.
Does lemon juice keep rice from sticking? ›
To prevent your rice from sticking together, add a splash of lemon juice for separation before you boil it. Squeezing the tart juice into the water before putting it on the fire will prevent the grains from adhering to each other.
What does soaking in lemon juice do? ›
Lemon juice contains citric acid, which has natural exfoliating properties and can help soften rough skin and remove dead skin cells. It may also help brighten the skin and reduce discoloration.
What does lemon juice add to a dish? ›
The upshot is that a squeeze of lemon is as good as a dash of salt in bringing out the flavor of just about any food. Besides making your mouth water, acidity cuts greasiness and heaviness and gives food a fresh, clean taste.
