Lemony Rice with Olive Oil Drizzle

Brighten up your table with this zesty and fragrant Lemony Rice with Olive Oil Drizzle, a quick and effortless dish that transforms humble grains into a vibrant centerpiece. This recipe pairs tender, fluffy long-grain white rice with the sunny tang of fresh lemon zest and juice, balanced perfectly by a silky drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Ready in just 20 minutes, it's the ideal side dish to accompany grilled fish, roasted vegetables, or a Mediterranean-inspired feast. A sprinkle of fresh parsley and a touch of black pepper add a burst of color and subtle freshness. Whether you're seeking a refreshing accompaniment or a light, citrusy main dish, this lemon-infused rice delivers a simple yet elegant boost of flavor.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional, chopped)
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper (optional, freshly ground)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and helps prevent clumping.

Step 2

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, water, and salt. Stir gently to distribute the salt evenly.

Step 3

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it begins to boil, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is fully absorbed and the rice is tender.

Step 4

While the rice is cooking, zest a lemon to yield about 1 tablespoon of zest, and juice it to get approximately 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.

Step 5

Once the rice is done, remove it from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. This allows the steam to settle and the rice to fluff up.

Step 6

Uncover the rice and fluff it with a fork. Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice gently to avoid breaking the grains.

Step 7

Transfer the rice to a serving dish. Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil evenly over the rice for a silky and flavorful finish.

Step 8

If desired, garnish with freshly chopped parsley and a pinch of freshly ground black pepper for added freshness and flavor.

Step 9

Serve immediately as a side dish or a light main course. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(752.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	515.4

Total Fat 28.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1197.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 61.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.3g	0%
Total Sugars 1.0g
Protein 5.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 73.4mg	0%
Iron 2.7mg	0%
Potassium 141.3mg	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: 49.2%

Protein: 4.3%

Carbs: 46.5%