Lemon Herb Rice Pilaf (Print Version)
A flavorful pilaf with lemon, fresh herbs, and peas, perfect alongside a variety of dishes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Grains
01 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup frozen green peas
→ Liquids
05 - 2 cups vegetable broth
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
07 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
→ Herbs & Seasonings
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Fats
13 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil
# How to Cook:
01 - Heat butter or olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add rinsed rice to the pan and stir continuously for 1 to 2 minutes to lightly toast the grains.
04 - Pour in vegetable broth, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
05 - Remove lid, gently fold in frozen peas. Cover again and cook for 5 more minutes until rice is tender and peas are heated.
06 - Remove from heat, fluff rice with a fork, then fold in parsley, dill, chives, salt, and black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in less time than it takes to roast a chicken, yet tastes like you've been simmering herbs all afternoon.
- The bright lemon and fresh herbs make it work alongside nearly any main dish without stealing the spotlight.
- Frozen peas mean you don't need to shop for anything fancy—this is restaurant-quality with pantry staples.
02 -
- Don't skip rinsing the rice; it's the difference between fluffy separate grains and a starchy, stuck-together mess.
- The vegetables should be added in order because they each need different amounts of time—onion needs time to soften, garlic just thirty seconds, so they finish at the same moment of perfect tenderness.
- Taste before serving and adjust the salt and lemon; every broth is different, and you might want a little more brightness depending on what you're serving it alongside.
03 -
- Toast the rice before adding liquid—this single step makes the texture more interesting and prevents mushiness.
- Fresh herbs are non-negotiable here; they're what transforms this from a side dish into something people remember, so never substitute dried.