Mediterranean Rice

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.

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! For another wonderful side dish try my classic green bean casserole.

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

• 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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

More Mediterranean Rice Recipes

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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.

4.41 from 5 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 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

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.
  • A printable list of Mediterranean Spices for your Pantry.

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