Description
This Fragrant Spiced Mediterranean Lemon Rice is a vibrant and aromatic side dish featuring basmati or jasmine rice cooked with warm spices like cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and turmeric, enhanced with fresh lemon zest and juice. Perfectly fluffy and bright, it pairs beautifully with grilled meats, fish, or roasted vegetables, making it an ideal complement to any Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice & Broth
- 1 cup long-grain basmati or jasmine rice, rinsed
- 1 3/4 cups chicken or vegetable broth (or water)
Spices & Aromatics
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp turmeric (optional, for color)
Lemon & Herbs
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Garnish
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics & spices: Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and turmeric, cooking for an additional minute until the spices release their fragrance.
- Cook rice: Add the rinsed rice to the saucepan, stirring to coat each grain with the spiced oil mixture. Pour in the broth along with the lemon zest and a pinch of salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer gently for 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been fully absorbed.
- Finish: Remove the saucepan from heat. Use a fork to fluff the rice gently, separating the grains. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley or cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to preference.
- Serve: Garnish with toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds if using. Serve the rice warm as a vibrant side dish alongside grilled meats, fish, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Rinsing the rice before cooking removes excess starch, preventing clumping and ensuring fluffy rice.
- Turmeric is optional but adds a beautiful golden color and subtle earthiness.
- Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian or vegan version.
- To toast pine nuts or almonds, heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until golden and aromatic.
- Leftover rice can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently with a splash of water to maintain moisture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Sauté and Simmer
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 1.5 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Mediterranean lemon rice, spiced rice, lemon rice recipe, basmati rice side dish, lemon and herb rice
