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    Home » Recipes » Mediterranean Recipes

    Mediterranean Rice

    Published: Jul 30, 2023 by Samantha Ferraro · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Fragrant and golden, this Mediterranean rice is a simple yet spectacular side dish that pairs well with a variety of Mediterranean mains, from grilled chicken skewers to lamb shawarma and everything in between! Garnish the yellow rice with toasted pine nuts and fresh herbs, adding a delightful crunch to the simple side dish.

    Turmeric Mediterranean rice with toasted pine nuts.
    Jump to:
    • About This Recipe
    • Recipe Highlights
    • 📋 Ingredients
    • 🍋 Substitutions and Variations
    • ⏲️ Instructions
    • 📍 Recipe Tips
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Mediterranean Rice Recipes
    • Mediterranean Rice

    About This Recipe

    Fragrant and golden, this simple Mediterranean Rice is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine. With just a handful of ingredients including earthy turmeric and sautéed aromatics, the simple side dish is transforms everyday rice into something spectacular that can be whipped up any night of the week!

    Garnish the basmati rice with toasted pine nuts, which I think is the best part of the whole dish and serve alongside just about anything! Some favorites are grilled beef kofta or serve the yellow basmati rice as a base for falafel bowls with a drizzle of creamy garlic tahini sauce.

    Recipe Highlights

    • Easy side dish recipe that pairs with your favorite Mediterranean main dishes.
    • Mediterranean yellow rice is gluten free, vegan and dairy free.
    • The deep yellow rice has a stunning golden color, thanks to turmeric that flavors the rice beautifully.

    📋 Ingredients

    Ingredients for yellow Mediterranean rice, including basmati rice, olive oil and pine nuts.
    • Basmati Rice: A staple in Mediterranean cuisine, basmati rice is the only rice I use when making crispy Persian rice or any other Mediterranean rice recipes. Basmati has longer grains that become light and tender. My favorite brand is India Gate Basmati Rice, which I highly recommend!
    • Vegetable Stock: Use a low sodium vegetable stock to control the amount of salt in the recipe. You can also use chicken stock or mushroom stock or plain water.
    • Onion and Garlic: Both of these are aromatics that flavor the Mediterranean rice. Instead of yellow onion, use chopped shallot for a sweeter flavor.
    • Turmeric: Also called "poor man's saffron", turmeric has a deep golden color with an earthy layer of flavor. Take the time to sauté the turmeric into the oil to open all of the flavors.
    • Toasted Pine Nuts: To toast pine nuts, add pine nuts to a heated skillet with olive oil and toast for about 5 minutes until the pine nuts just begin changing color and become fragrant.
    • Fresh Herbs: Use chopped parsley, mint or cilantro or any combination of fresh herbs to garnish the yellow rice with.

    See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

    🍋 Substitutions and Variations

    • Instead of yellow onion, substitute with diced shallot.
    • If pine nuts aren't available, substitute with toasted slivered almonds or use a combination of both.
    • Add a pinch of saffron to the oil instead of turmeric.
    • Add ¼ cup of dried currants or tart barberries.

    ⏲️ Instructions

    Saute chopped onion and garlic in olive oil until onion is softened and fragrant.

    Step 1. Over medium-high heat, add olive oil and sauté chopped onion for 3-4 minutes until fragrant, then add garlic and continue cooking for another minute.

    Saute ground turmeric with the chopped onions and olive oil.

    Step 2. Add ground turmeric to the sautéed onions and sauté for 30 seconds until color deepens slightly.

    Saute the basmati rice in the infused olive oil until all of the grains are lightly toasted.

    Step 3. Add the basmati rice and sauté for another 30 seconds so all of the grains are coated with the infused oil.

    Pour the stock into the sautéed basmati rice.

    Step 4. Pour the vegetable stock in and cover the pot with a lid, leaving a small opening and bring the liquid up to a boil, then reduce down to a simmer.

    Cook the basmati rice until liquid has absorbed.

    Step 5. Once simmering, continue cooking for 18-20 minutes until rice is cooked through and liquid has absorbed.

    Turmeric Mediterranean rice with toasted pine nuts.

    Step 6. Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and garnish with toasted pine nuts and chopped parsley and serve.

    📍 Recipe Tips

    • Rinse the basmati rice a few times until the water is almost clear, this helps create a fluffier rice.
    • Saute the turmeric into the oil for 30 seconds to open up all of the flavors.
    Yellow Mediterranean rice with toasted pine nuts.

    Serving Suggestions

    Mediterranean turmeric rice goes with just about anything! Serve with roasted salmon with herbs and kale salad with creamy tahini dressing or roast chicken with herbs and lemon.

    Recipe FAQs

    What rice is eaten in Mediterranean cuisine?

    Basmati is a popular rice used in all sorts of Mediterranean rice dishes, such as Persian crispy rice and Greek pilaf. Basmati rice has long grains that are light and fluffy when cooked.

    Can Mediterranean rice be made with brown rice?

    Yes, you can find brown basmati rice which can also be used to make Mediterranean rice, however, brown rice may take up to 10 minute more of cooking, so keep an eye on it.

    More Mediterranean Rice Recipes

    • Persian rice with dates, chopped pistachios and aromatic cardamom is steamed together with an additive and crunchy saffron crust called tahdig.
      Persian Rice with Dates and Pistachios
    • Greek rice pilaf with orzo and fresh dill.
      Greek Rice Pilaf with Orzo
    • Persian Jeweled rice with dried fruit, orange and fragrant basmati.
      Persian Jeweled Rice
    • Tahdig (Persian Rice)

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Mediterranean rice recipe with turmeric and toasted pine nuts.

    Mediterranean Rice

    Samantha Ferraro

    LittleFerraroKitchen.com

    Fragrant and golden, this Mediterranean rice is a quick and easy side dish that pairs with any Mediterranean main. Garnish with toasted pine nuts and fresh herbs for delightful crunch.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Mediterranean
    Servings 4 servings

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 3 tablespoons olive oil
    • ½ yellow onion diced
    • 2 garlic cloves grated or finely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon turmeric
    • 1 cup basmati rice
    • 2 cups vegetable stock
    • ½ cup toasted pine nuts
    • Chopped parsley for garnish
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    Instructions
     

    • Drizzle olive oil into a medium sized pot and bring up to medium-high heat.
    • Add the chopped onion and saute for 3-4 minutes until onions begin to soften and become fragrant. Add the chopped garlic and continue sautéing for another minute.
    • Add the ground turmeric and continue sautéing for another 30 seconds.
    • Add the basmati rice and saute the rice for 1-2 minutes, coating all of the grains with the infused oil.
    • Pour in the vegetable stock and cover the pot with a lid, leaving a small opening. Bring the stock up to a boil, and once boiling, reduce the heat down to a simmer.
    • Continue cooking the yellow rice for 18-20 minutes until all of the liquid has absorbed and rice is cooked through and tender.
    • Once done, gently fluff the rice with a fork and serve with toasted pine nuts and chopped parsley.

    Notes

    • Rinse the basmati rice a few times until the water is almost clear, this helps create a fluffier rice.
    • Saute the turmeric into the oil for 30 seconds to open up all of the flavors.
    Did you make this recipe?Let us know by leaving a comment and 5 star rating!

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    Comments

    1. MrnMrsindkitchen says

      August 03, 2023 at 1:04 pm

      5 stars
      We did a herb and wine Salmon recipe and made this rice to go with it and it was wonderful. Samantha has a number of Amazing rice recipes on her site and they are all fantastic.

      Reply
    2. BrightLemonyKitchen says

      August 03, 2023 at 9:28 am

      5 stars
      This Mediterranean Rice is in our top 3 favorite rice recipes. The others are the Persian Jeweled Rice and the Tahdig. This Mediterranean Rice Recipe is the easiest rice I have ever made other than plain rice in a rice cooker.

      Reply

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