Authentic Greek Spinach Rice (Spanakorizo)
Authentic Greek spanakorizo (spinach rice) with fresh dill and lemon. Traditional white version + easy red tomato variation. Naturally vegan & gluten-free, ready in 40 minutes.
Servings: 4 Sides | 2 Mains
Calories: 245kcal
Equipment
- 1 medium-sized deep skillet or saucepan.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium white or yellow onion finely chopped
- 2 pounds fresh spinach roughly chopped (or 1 pound frozen, thawed + squeezed)
- 1 cup medium-grain white rice
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped
- 1 ½–2 cups vegetable broth add more as needed
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 fresh lemon, juiced plus extra to serve
Instructions
- Rinse and Soak the Rice (optional) - Rinse the rice until the water runs clear and then soak it for ten minutes. This is the same process used when making Arabic rice. The result is a fluffier texture, shorter cooking time and less starchy rice.
- Prepare the Spinach - Frozen: Thaw completely and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.Fresh: Rinse, dry, and roughly chop. Remove only the thick lower stems.
- Sauté the Vegetables -Heat the olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent (4–5 minutes). Add the dry rice and stir for 1–2 minutes to coat it in the oil; this helps it cook evenly.
- Add Spinach in Batches -Add the spinach in 3–4 batches, letting each batch wilt down before adding the next (if using frozen, it will just break apart as it warms). Stir until all spinach is combined and softened.
- Season and Simmer -Add dill, salt, and pepper. Pour in 1 and ½ cups of broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 18–20 minutes, adding more broth if the pan gets dry before the rice is fully cooked.
- Finish with Lemon -Remove from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice, taste, and add more salt, pepper, or lemon as needed.
Nutrition
Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 417mg | Potassium: 1358mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 21414IU | Vitamin C: 80mg | Calcium: 242mg | Iron: 7mg