This Spinach Rice is a tasty and versatile veggie side that pairs well with a variety of proteins. It’s simple to make, yet packed with flavor. I make this recipe often because it uses affordable, everyday ingredients I always have on hand. If you’re looking for a new side dish, I highly recommend giving this one a try — it’s even a hit with picky eaters!
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Fresh dill gives this spinach and rice recipe a wonderful aroma and flavor, making this dish a great way to incorporate a healthy veggie into your kids’ meals without being overpowering.
If you like easy side dish recipes, you will love Air Fryer Parmesan Potatoes and Cheesy Sweet Corn Casserole.
Why You’ll Love This Spinach Rice Recipe
- Ready in 35 minutes: It only takes 35 minutes from start to finish, making this dish perfect for busy weeknights.
- Vegan-friendly: This recipe is free from animal products, making it ideal for vegan diets.
- Easy to make: You don’t have to put a lot of effort into this recipe. In fact, most of the time it is hands-off while the rice cooks.
Ingredients
You only need 7 simple ingredients to make this recipe for rice with spinach, all of which are common and available at most grocery stores.
- Spinach: Ensure the fresh spinach is crispy and not wet or limp. You can use regular spinach or baby spinach — there’s no difference in taste!
- Olive oil: I use this to cook with the spinach to keep it from clumping and to saute the onion.
- Lemon juice: The acid from the lemon juice really brightens up the spinach. Feel free to add more lemon juice to taste!
- Onion: I chose yellow onion because it has a subtle sweetness as it cooks down, which balances the rice beautifully.
- Dill: The bright and earthy flavor of the fresh dill is infused into the rice and spinach.
- Basmati rice: Basmati rice is a long grain rice with a floral aroma and a fluffy texture. Unlike jasmine rice, which is stickier, and regular white rice, which has fewer nutrients, basmati rice works well for this dish, adding both flavor and texture.
- Salt: I only use salt to season the spinach rice because the other ingredients add great flavor.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Olive and feta: Finish the rice with chopped kalamata olives and feta cheese for a Mediterranean twist.
- Veggie: Add more veggies, like cooked zucchini and mushrooms for texture and flavor.
- More herbs: Mint and chives are great additions to this rice with spinach. They pair well with lemon and dill.
How to Make Spinach Rice
There are only a few steps needed to make this spinach and rice recipe. Once you cook the spinach and onion, add the rice and let it cook until the rice is tender. Then, it’s time to eat!
Step 1: Cook the spinach. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the spinach, half of olive oil, and lemon juice. Cook until the spinach is wilted.
Step 2: Drain. Transfer the cooked spinach to a colander and drain any excess water. Set it aside.
Step 3: Sauté the onion. In a separate medium pot, cook the onion over medium heat with the rest of the olive oil for about 6 minutes or until it’s soft.
Step 4: Combine it with spinach and dill. Add the cooked spinach, dill, and some water. Increase the heat to high and bring the water to a boil.
Step 5: Add the rice. Pour the rice and salt into the spinach mixture.
Step 6: Cook the rice. Reduce the heat and add the lid. Let the rice cook for about 20-25 minutes.
⭐ Hint: There’s no need to stir the rice as it cooks. Leaving the lid on the pot keeps the steam from escaping, ensuring the rice cooks evenly.
If you love spinach recipes like this one, you may also enjoy this Cheesy Sauteed Garlic Spinach.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. To freeze, portion the rice into smaller freezer bags. Ensure they are flat so they freeze evenly, and store in your freezer for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: You can reheat the rice in a saucepan on the stove or the microwave. Add a splash of water to keep it from drying out.
- Make Ahead: I recommend cooking the spinach and rice separately and then combining them right before serving. Store the components in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.
Serving Suggestions
- Chicken and pork both pair well with spinach rice. Try making these easy Butterfly Chicken Drumsticks or my savory Bacon Wrapped Pork Chops.
- I also love simple beef recipes like Tri-Tip Steak and Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Beef Roast as the main course.
- The flavors of the rice go great with fish like this Pesto Salmon, too.
Recipe Tips
- Rinse the rice: For fluffy rice, rinse it thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch.
- Test the rice: Taste test the rice to ensure it has enough seasoning and is fully cooked before serving.
- Let it rest: Allow the rice to rest for a few minutes in the pot with the heat off to ensure the best texture.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The flavors won’t have as much time to infuse into the rice since instant rice cooks very fast.
Sure! It takes a little longer to cook and may need a touch more seasoning due to its bitter flavor.
Yes. Be sure to fully thaw it first and remove any excess moisture. Note that it will have a slightly different texture than the fresh spinach.
Video
More Delicious Rice Dishes
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Spinach Rice
Equipment
- Large Pot or Pan
- Large Sharp Knife
- Medium Pot
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook down spinach in a large pot or pan using medium-high heat, with 1 tablespoon olive oil and lemon juice. Set aside and allow any excess water to drain through a colander.
- In a medium pot, sauté onion using the remaining olive oil on medium for about 6 minutes.
- Add spinach, dill and water and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Once boiling, add in rice and sea salt and reduce heat. Cover the pot and cook for 20-25 minutes until rice is soft.
Video
Notes
- Rinse the rice: For fluffy rice, rinse it thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch.
- Test the rice: Taste test the rice to ensure it has enough seasoning and is fully cooked before serving.
- Let it rest: Allow the rice to rest for a few minutes in the pot with the heat off to ensure the best texture.
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