Herbed Rice with Currants in Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar

Elevate your side dish game with this vibrant Herbed Rice with Currants in Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar! This recipe combines fluffy long-grain white rice with a tangy-sweet dressing of extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and minced garlic. Plump currants add bursts of sweetness, while fresh parsley, dill, and thyme deliver aromatic herbal notes. A sprinkle of zesty lemon zest ties everything together for a refreshing finish. Perfect as a warm, room-temperature, or chilled accompaniment to grilled meats or roasted vegetables, this quick and easy recipe—ready in just 30 minutes—offers an elegant and flavorful twist to your meal. With its simple preparation and sophisticated flavor profile, this dish is a crowd-pleaser for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups water
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 0.5 cup currants
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, leaves
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water and 0.5 teaspoon of salt to a boil.

Step 3

Add the rinsed rice to the boiling water, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the rice is tender and all the water is absorbed.

Step 4

While the rice is cooking, in a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and minced garlic. Set aside.

Step 5

When the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork and transfer it to a large mixing bowl.

Step 6

While the rice is still warm, drizzle the olive oil and balsamic vinegar mixture over it and gently toss to combine.

Step 7

Add the currants, parsley, dill, thyme, black pepper, and lemon zest to the rice. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the ingredients.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed with additional salt or black pepper.

Step 9

Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled as desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(856.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	893.2

Total Fat 41.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1247.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 127.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.2g	0%
Total Sugars 55.0g
Protein 9.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 179.3mg	0%
Iron 5.3mg	0%
Potassium 903.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 40.6%

Protein: 4.0%

Carbs: 55.4%