Greek spinach rice also called Spanakorizo is a simple rice dish with the goodness of spinach, dill, fresh lemon juice, and olive oil. It tastes amazing. Vegans can also enjoy this recipe simply by skipping the Feta cheese garnish.
I know it's strange but for my sister and me, spinach was one of the favorite things to eat even as toddlers. We loved every spinach dish. Simple stir-fried spinach with steamed rice was something we considered a treat. And, I still love that simple combination.
So, when I came across this Greek Spinach rice - Spanakorizo recipe a while ago, I had to try it. No surprise, it’s my favorite Greek recipe now. I already loved the spinach rice combination but adding Feta cheese, dill, extra virgin olive oil, and lemon juice takes it to another level.
Even if you have never tried the spinach and rice combination, I would highly recommend trying this simple recipe.
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Different types of Greek Spinach rice
Though every family has a slightly different version of making any recipe, there are mainly two main types of Greek Spinach rice – with tomato and without tomato.
I prefer the one with tomatoes. If you want to make it without tomato, just skip adding the tomato paste, the remaining process will be the same.
There may also be variation in the consistency of the dish. Some people like it soupy, some creamy and some completely dry. I love the creamy consistency.
Just adjust the quantity of broth/ water to get the required consistency.
What type of rice to use?
Use medium-sized rice grain for this recipe. If you use short grains the rice will turn mushy and if you use long-grain, you won’t get the required creaminess.
So, choose the type of rice carefully.
How to serve?
Greek spinach rice can be served both as a main course or a side dish. If serving as a main course, just add some Feta cheese, lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil on top and you are good to go.
Otherwise, just serve it with some Greek roasted vegetables/ Greek stuffed eggplants/ Greek yogurt dip or any other dish of your choice.
How to make Vegan Greek Spinach rice?
Since the main recipe uses only plant-based ingredients and Feta cheese is added only to garnish it, if you are a vegan just skip adding Feta cheese on top. It will still taste awesome.
More Greek Meatless recipe
- Greek potato salad (vegan)
- Greek white bean soup-Fasolada (vegan)
- Greek chickpea soup –Revithosoupa (vegan)
- Greek watermelon salad (vegetarian)
- Greek salad (vegetarian)
- Greek yogurt dip (vegetarian)
- Baked lima beans casserole (vegetarian)
Easy rice recipes
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How to make Greek Spinach rice-Spanakorizo?
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Recipe
Greek Spinach rice-Spanakorizo
Equipment
- 1 Large cooking pot
- 1 Spatula
- Knife and chopping board
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked medium-grain rice around 200 grams
- 500 grams spinach roughly chopped
- 1 medium red onion finely chopped
- 1 leek discard the dark green part and root end, chop the remaining leek.
- 4 stalks spring onion finely chopped
- ¼ cup finely chopped dill
- Juice of a medium lemon adjust to taste
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 vegetable bouillon cube
- 4 cups water or as required to get the desired consistency
- Salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper adjust to taste
- ¼ cup feta cheese for garnishing optional
Instructions
- Rinse rice well and keep them aside.
- Heat oil in a large cooking pot. Add chopped red onion and saute for around 2 minutes.
- Add chopped leek and spring onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Add tomato paste and crumbled vegetable bouillon cube. Saute for a minute.
- Add chopped dill and spinach. Mix everything and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the spinach leaves get wilted.
- Add rinsed rice, salt, and ground black pepper. Saute for a minute.
- Add water and cook until the rice grains are cooked well. You may cover the pot to fasten the rice cooking process.
- Once the rice is cooked, turn off the heat. Add fresh lemon juice and mix.
- Garnish with crumbled feta.
Notes
- Use medium-sized rice grains to make this Greek rice. Grains that are too short will make it mushy and long grains won't give the required creaminess.
- Vegans may skip feta cheese, spanakorizo tastes delicious even without the cheese.
- If you are planning to add feta, add salt carefully as feta is savory too.
- You may also add fresh chopped tomatoes to this dish.
- Adding a dollop of butter when the rice is cooked, makes this dish taste even better.
- Different people prefer different consistency of Greek spinach rice. I prefer slightly creamy spanakorizo. You make it the way you prefer and adjust the consistency by changing the amount of water you use in the recipe.
- To fasten the process of cooking rice, cover the pot.
- If you don't have vegetable bouillon cube, you may use vegetable stock to cook rice.
- You can also use baby spinach or frozen spinach in this recipe.
- More recipe tips and tricks are shared in the post above, please follow them to make this recipe.
I've had this and made it several times. One of my favorite Greek dishes. I am sure you loved it just as much!
Thank you. Yes, it's loved by everyone in my family.
I love spinach and feta so am sure would thoroughly enjoy Spanakoriza. Such a wonderful one pot meal and so flavorful. Vandana, love your selection of Greek recipes.
Thanks a lot Mayuri 🙂
Interesting recipe. I will try it out
These seems absolutely scrumptious! I love how healthy it is, and how I can make easily. Not too much prep work and it is a perfect thing to take on the go with you. I will definitely try this out!
Thank you so much. Would love to hear how it turned out for you.