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    Mediterranean Rice | The Best Yellow Rice Recipe

    by Brendan Cunningham 6 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    This Mediterranean rice recipe combines savory onions and garlic with delicate spices to make a perfectly seasoned side dish. With just a couple of ingredients - and a single pan - you can have this flavorful and nutritious dish ready in under 30 minutes!

    A casserole dish filled with yellow rice in it.

    Table of Contents

    • The Best Mediterranean Rice Recipe
      • Ingredients
      • How To Make This Mediterranean Yellow Rice Recipe
        • Step 1: Cook The Onions and Garlic
        • Step 2: Add The Spices
        • Step 3: Cook The rice
        • Step 4: Serving
      • How To Store Mediterranean Yellow Rice
        • How To Reheat Rice
      • Wrapping It Up
    • More Recipes
    • Mediterranean Rice | The Best Yellow Rice Recipe
      • Ingredients
      • Instructions
      • Nutrition
      • Did you make this recipe?

    The Best Mediterranean Rice Recipe

    This delicious recipe makes the perfect Greek yellow rice. It combines aromatic spices with toasted pine nuts, onion, and garlic.

    Honestly, all that's missing from this one pot side dish is the main course!

    But I've got a couple of really tasty recommendations that go perfectly with this Mediterranean recipe - like this falafel, this air fryer mahi mahi, and this spicy hummus.

    Greek rice is so much more exciting than plain rice, and by no means do you need to serve this side dish with other Mediterranean recipes. It goes really well with practically anything like these chicken birria tacos and these blackened salmon bites.

    And this rice dish is similar to this turmeric rice, so if you like rice, you'll definitely want to check that out next!

    A bowl of yellow rice with a spoon in it.

    Ingredients

    Ok, so the ingredient list for this Mediterranean rice recipe is pretty simple, with aromatic spices playing the starring role.

    Anyway, here's everything you need to make this recipe for yellow rice:

    • 1 tbsp. Olive Oil
    • ½ cup Onion, small
    • 1 Garlic Clove, chopped
    • 1 tsp. Ground Cumin Powder
    • 1 tsp. Turmeric Powder
    • 1 ½ cups White Long Grain Rice
    • 2 ¼ cups Water
    • Salt and Pepper
    • ¼ cup Pine Nuts
    • Fresh Cilantro, chopped

    Now, I recommend using basmati rice to make this Mediterranean rice recipe. Not only is it incredibly aromatic but it's so easy to cook too. However, if you can't find basmati rice, feel free to use any white rice, brown rice, or yellow rice.

    Oh, and if this ingredient list has you wanting some more rice recipes, you have to give this cajun rice and Instant Pot sushi rice a try next!

    A bowl of pine nuts, a bowl of Jasmine rice, a bowl of long grain rice, a bowl of turmeric on a grey counter.

    How To Make This Mediterranean Yellow Rice Recipe

    The process of making this Mediterranean rice is actually really easy. And it's way more flavorful than any rice you'd get from the store.

    So, let's not waste any more time and make this Mediterranean rice!

    A wooden spoon in a pot with onions and garlic in it. The pot is on a burner.

    Step 1: Cook The Onions and Garlic

    The first thing you're going to do is heat a medium-sized pot on medium-high heat and add the olive oil to it.

    Once the oil heats up, add the onions and garlic and cook for 5 minutes. And make sure to give them a stir every minute or so.

    Yellow rice in a pot with a wooden spoon in it.

    Step 2: Add The Spices

    Next, you'll want to add the cumin and turmeric powder to the pot and cook for 5 minutes more.

    Then, add the rice and give it a mix to combine with the seasonings. Now let it toast for around 2 minutes.

    A fork in a pot filled with yellow rice on top of a burner.

    Step 3: Cook The rice

    So, when the seasonings are good to go, you can add the water and a pinch of salt and pepper to the pot.

    Then, bring the water to a boil, and once it starts boiling, turn the heat to medium-low, cover the pot and cook for around 12 minutes.

    A spoon with pine nuts on it pouring the pine nuts over yellow rice in a casserole dish.

    Step 4: Serving

    To finish up, toast the pine nuts and serve the rice with the pine nuts and fresh chopped cilantro on top.

    As for the finishing touches, I sometimes like to add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a squeeze of lemon juice on top to brighten up the flavors.

    But, this Mediterranean yellow rice is delicious just as it is, so enjoy.

    A spoon with yellow rice on it hovering over an empty bowl. Behind it is more yellow rice.

    How To Store Mediterranean Yellow Rice

    As good as this side dish is, it makes for perfect leftovers. In fact, I think it might be even better heated up the next day.

    Also, this yellow rice recipe will make about 4 servings, so if you're serving it as a side, you'll probably have some leftovers.

    And, if you do, you can store the leftover cooked rice in an airtight container after it cools completely keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3-4 days, or in the freezer for up to 8 months. 

    How To Reheat Rice

    Now, if you've ever tried reheating leftover rice before, you know it's easy to dry it out.

    That's why I recommend adding a spoonful of water (or an ice cube) to your rice before placing it in the microwave and covering it with wax paper, parchment paper, or a paper towel. Doing this will steam your rice, heating it up without drying it out. It's the secret to perfect fluffy rice leftovers.

    So, to reheat your rice in the microwave, just cook it in 30-second increments until thoroughly heated.

    However, you can also cook your leftover rice on the stovetop in a pot set over medium heat. Again, just add a splash of water and occasionally stir until thoroughly heated.

    Part of a casserole dish with Mediterranean rice in it.

    Wrapping It Up

    Well, that's how to make Mediterranean rice!

    This yellow rice recipe is filled with so many incredible flavors you'll have a hard time putting your fork down. And regardless of which delicious Mediterranean dish you pair this rice with, it will have everyone raving over it.

    Anyway, if you gave this recipe a try leave ua a comment and let me know how it went.

    Also, be sure to check out our Youtube channel and Instagram page. We post new ones on them daily.

    More Recipes

    If you liked this Mediterranean yellow rice, we have a bunch of tasty side dishes on the blog that I think you'll like too.

    Give one of these a try next:

    • Jollof rice
    • Instant Pot sushi rice
    • Jalapeno poppers
    • Uncle Roger egg fried rice
    • Air fryer okra
    • Red Lobster brussel sprouts
    Print

    Mediterranean Rice | The Best Yellow Rice Recipe

    Part of a casserole dish with Mediterranean rice in it.
    Print Recipe

    ★★★★★

    5 from 6 reviews

    This Mediterranean rice recipe combines savory onions and garlic with delicate spices to make a perfectly seasoned side dish. With just a couple of ingredients - and a single pan - you can have this flavorful and nutritious dish ready in under 30 minutes!

    • Author: Brendan Cunningham
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 20 minutes
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings 1x
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: Mediterranean

    Ingredients

    Scale

    1 tbsp. Olive Oil

    ½ cup Onion, small

    1 Garlic Clove, chopped

    1 tsp. Ground Cumin Powder

    1 tsp. Turmeric Powder

    1 ½ cups White Long Grain Rice

    2 ¼ cups Water

    Salt and Pepper

    ¼ cup Pine Nuts

    Fresh Cilantro, chopped

    Instructions

    1. Heat a pot to medium-high and add the olive oil.
    2. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 5 minutes. 
    3. Add the cumin and turmeric powder and cook for 5 minutes more.
    4. Add the rice and mix, let it toast for around 2 minutes.
    5. Add the water and season with salt and pepper.
    6. Bring to a boil, and once it starts boiling, lower the heat, cover and cook for 12 minutes.
    7. Toast the pine nuts and serve the rice with pine nuts and fresh cilantro.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 serving
    • Calories: 142
    • Fat: 7
    • Carbohydrates: 18
    • Protein: 3

    Keywords: mediterranean rice, mediterranean rice recipe, mediterranean rice easy, greek yellow rice, mediterranian rice, greek rice, mediterranean recipes, mediterranean dishes, fluffy rice, turmeric rice, the best rice recipe, yellow rice recipe, yellow rice

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag us @ImHungryForThat — we can't wait to see what you've made!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Zoe

      July 30, 2022 at 12:15 pm

      Very well done rice recipe.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Daryl

      October 06, 2022 at 11:10 pm

      One of my favorite tasting rices ever.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Alyssa

      October 23, 2022 at 7:33 pm

      Yumma delicious.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Larry

      October 24, 2022 at 9:05 pm

      Great rice.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Emilia

      October 25, 2022 at 8:41 pm

      Out of all the yellow rice recipes that I have tried (and I have made at least ten) this was me and my families favorite by far. Very well done.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Karl

      November 01, 2022 at 8:21 pm

      Now this is a homemade rice recipe. Flavorful and actually better than the boxed stuff.

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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