Description

The Best lemon rice recipe with fresh lemon juice, butter, and herbs for a bright and delicious side dish. Perfect for weeknight dinners, healthy meals, or serving with grilled chicken and seafood.

Ingredients

1 cup (185 g) long-grain white rice, uncooked and rinsed

1 cup cold water

1 small lemon, zested and juiced (about 1–2 teaspoons zest and 2 tablespoons lemon juice)

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

½ teaspoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

Combine Ingredients
In a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, add the rinsed rice, cold water, lemon zest, lemon juice, butter, and kosher salt. Stir gently to combine.

Bring to a Boil
Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil.

Simmer the Rice
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low. Cover with the lid and let the rice simmer for 20 minutes without lifting the lid.

Let Rice Steam
Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow it to sit covered for 10 minutes so the rice finishes steaming.

Fluff the Rice
Remove the lid and gently fluff the rice with a fork.

Add Parsley and Serve
Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and serve warm.

Notes

Rinsing the rice helps remove excess starch and keeps the rice fluffy.

For extra flavor, add a pinch of garlic powder or a drizzle of olive oil before serving.

This lemon rice pairs well with grilled chicken, seafood, or roasted vegetables.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Mediterranean