Mediterranean rice is an easy side dish packed with flavour.
This Mediterranean yellow rice recipe uses just a few pantry spices to turn your plain white rice into a gorgeous Mediterranean rice pilaf.
Not only does this rice dish taste amazing but it looks beautiful on the plate too with that vibrant yellow colour from the turmeric.
With about 5 minutes more cooking time involved than making plain boiled rice, the extra flavour is well worth the minimal extra effort.
Table of Contents
Why you will love this Mediterranean rice recipe
- One pot side dish.
- Fluffy rice that's packed with flavour.
- An tasty and interesting alternative to plain rice.
What you need to make this recipe
*Please see the recipe card below for exact quantities and detailed instructions
- long-grain rice
- olive oil
- brown onion
- fresh garlic
- ground cumin
- turmeric
- pine nuts
- fine salt
- fresh coriander (cilantro) - optional to serve
*Please see the recipe card below for exact quantities and detailed instructions
How to make Mediterranean rice?
- Heat oil in a large heavy-based pot and toast pine nuts over medium heat then remove to a bowl and set aside.
- Add chopped onion and fry until softened.
- Add crushed garlic, turmeric and cumin and fry for 30 seconds.
- Add water, rice, and salt.
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- Bring to a boil, give a good stir to scrape the base of the pot then place the lid on and turn the heat down to very low.
- Simmer for 15 minutes undisturbed, then remove from the heat and allow to sit (covered) for a further 10 minutes. Add back toasted pine nuts, and stir lightly to fluff and serve.
Top tips for the best result
- Scraping the bottom of the pot to dislodge any grains of rice that might be stuck just before you put the lid on to simmer will help stop the rice from sticking to the base.
Substitutions
- pine nuts - slivered almonds
- fresh coriander - fresh parsley
- brown onion - white onion
How to store Mediterranean rice
- Leftover Mediterranean rice can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 - 3 days.
- Suitable to freeze.
- Once thawed, heat leftover rice in the microwave.
Frequently asked questions
Turmeric.
Other rice recipes you may enjoy
Buttery Seasoned Rice - fluffy, buttery rice that will be your new go-to side dish. This recipe uses chicken broth or stock instead of water for simmering the rice (or substitute vegetable broth) plus butter for a rich but easy rice dish.
Cumin Rice - with fried cumin seeds and basmati rice, this Jeera Rice (cumin rice) recipe is packed with flavour and so easy!
Shawarma Rice - a one-pot chicken and rice dish using tender and succulent chicken thighs marinated in shawarma spices, and served with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a quick and easy dinner.
📖 Recipe
Mediterranean Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice rinsed and well drained
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 1 small brown onion chopped
- 1 garlic clove crushed
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- 2 cups water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup fresh coriander (cilantro) finely chopped (optional to serve)
Watch me make this recipe
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large heavy-based pot and toast pine nuts over medium-high heat then remove to a bowl and set aside.2 teaspoon olive oil2 tablespoons pine nuts
- Add chopped onion and fry until softened.1 small brown onion
- Add turmeric and cumin and fry for a minute, then add crushed garlic and continue to fry for a futher 30 seconds.1 garlic clove½ teaspoon ground cumin½ teaspoon turmeric
- Add water, salt and rice then bring to a boil.2 cups water½ teaspoon salt1 cup rice
- Once simmering, give everything a good stir to scrape the base of the pot then place the lid on and turn the heat down to very low and simmer for 15 minutes undisturbed.
- Then remove from the heat and allow to sit for a further 10 minutes (without lifting the lid).
- Add in chopped coriander (if using) and toasted pine nuts, and stir lightly to fluff and serve.¼ cup fresh coriander (cilantro)
Notes
- Scraping the bottom of the pot to dislodge any grains of rice right before you put the lid on to simmer will help stop the rice from sticking to the base of the pot.
- Chopped fresh herbs to finish - substitute parsley for the coriander (cilantro) if you aren't a fan.
- Swap slivered almonds for toasted pine nuts.
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The family really enjoyed this, a nice change to the usual white. Thanks
My pleasure, Annabelle - glad the family enjoyed it! L x