Spinach with Lemon Rice

Brighten up your table with this zesty and nutrient-packed Spinach with Lemon Rice! This vibrant dish combines fluffy long-grain white rice infused with fresh lemon juice and zest, adding a refreshing citrus burst to every bite. Sautéed garlic and tender wilted spinach bring earthy, aromatic depth, while a drizzle of olive oil ties everything together for a silky finish. Perfect as a vegetarian main course or a flavorful side dish, this recipe is quick to prepare, taking just 30 minutes from start to finish. Garnished with fresh dill for an optional herbaceous touch, it’s a wholesome, gluten-free option that’s as versatile as it is delicious. Serve it warm and watch the tangy, savory flavors steal the show!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups water
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and helps the rice cook fluffy.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of rice and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

Step 3

Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and cook the rice for 15-18 minutes until tender and all the water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes.

Step 4

While the rice is cooking, prepare the spinach. Rinse the spinach leaves thoroughly and roughly chop them.

Step 5

Mince the garlic cloves finely.

Step 6

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.

Step 7

Add the chopped spinach to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the spinach is wilted and tender.

Step 8

Add the cooked rice to the spinach mixture, stirring well to combine.

Step 9

Stir in 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of lemon zest. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the flavors.

Step 10

Season with 0.5 teaspoon of salt and 0.25 teaspoon of black pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.

Step 11

Remove from heat and garnish with fresh dill if using.

Step 12

Serve warm as a side dish or a light vegetarian main course.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(841.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	553.3

Total Fat 28.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1267.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 64.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.8g	0%
Total Sugars 0.9g
Protein 8.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 156.1mg	0%
Iron 5.8mg	0%
Potassium 149.8mg	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: 47.0%

Protein: 5.9%

Carbs: 47.1%