Mediterranean Diet Portuguese Rice

Transport your taste buds to the sunny coasts of Portugal with this vibrant Mediterranean Diet Portuguese Rice. Bursting with wholesome Mediterranean-inspired ingredients like olive oil, garlic, fresh tomatoes, and parsley, this dish balances simplicity and bold flavor. Long-grain white rice soaks up a rich vegetable broth infused with sweet red bell peppers, zesty lemon, and aromatic bay leaf, creating a perfectly seasoned, fluffy side dish. Ready in just 35 minutes, this healthy, plant-based recipe is ideal for busy weeknights or as the centerpiece of a Mediterranean-inspired feast. Pair it with grilled fish, roasted vegetables, or enjoy it solo for a satisfying vegetarian main dish. Perfectly balanced and irresistibly delicious, this Portuguese-style rice is a must-try Mediterranean comfort food!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
• 2 medium, chopped tomato
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley
• 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 for zest and juice lemon

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the finely chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the diced red bell pepper and chopped tomatoes to the pan, stirring well to combine. Cook for 5 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften.

Step 5

Add the long-grain white rice to the saucepan and stir to coat in the vegetable mixture.

Step 6

Pour in the vegetable broth and add the bay leaf. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 7

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and has absorbed the broth.

Step 8

Remove the saucepan from heat and discard the bay leaf.

Step 9

Stir in the chopped fresh parsley, sea salt, black pepper, lemon zest, and lemon juice.

Step 10

Fluff the rice with a fork, adjust seasoning if necessary, and serve warm as a flavorful side dish or a light vegetarian main.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1249.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	906.0

Total Fat 33.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.3g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4648.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 134.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.5g	0%
Total Sugars 37.7g
Protein 20.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 191.2mg	0%
Iron 7.7mg	0%
Potassium 1932.2mg	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: 33.0%

Protein: 8.7%

Carbs: 58.3%