Get ready to bring a taste of Greece to your table with spanakorizo! This dish is super versatile, it can be a satisfying main or a tasty side. With fresh spinach, herbs, and a splash of lemon, it's a simple yet flavourful Mediterranean meal that’s as nutritious as it is delicious.
If you're enjoying this as a side dish, it pairs perfectly with my slow-cooked lamb shanks or my moussaka recipe. Or, keep it as a main dish if you're trying to cut back on meat - either way, it’s delicious!
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Why You Will Love Spanakorizo
- Healthy and Nutritious: This Greek spinach and rice dish is packed with spinach, which is high in iron, vitamins, and fibre, making it a perfect healthy meal.
- Versatile and Customizable: Enjoy spanakorizo plain for a vegan meal, or enhance its flavour with a topping of crumbled feta, Greek of course! It can be served as a main course or a side dish.
- Simple Ingredients, Rich Flavours: With just a few simple ingredients like spinach, rice, fresh herbs, and lemon, this dish offers rich, authentic and traditional Greek flavours.
- Quick and Easy: With a preparation time of just under an hour, this recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a wholesome lunch, especially if you’re going for a vegetarian option.
Overview of Key Steps
- Sauté the Aromatics: Start by sautéing onions, leeks, and garlic until soft and fragrant.
- Toast the Rice: Add the rice, salt, and pepper, toasting it lightly to enhance its flavour.
- Cook with Spinach and Water: Gradually add the spinach and water, letting it simmer until the rice is tender and absorbs all the liquid.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs and Lemon: Stir in fresh dill, mint, lemon zest, and juice for a burst of fresh flavour.
Watch the Video Tutorial
Want to see how it's done? Watch my step-by-step video tutorial on making this delicious dish and see how easy it is to create.
Don't forget to like, comment, and share this video with friends who love Greek food!
Ingredients Overview
Here are the ingredients you'll need to gather to prepare this flavourful dish.
- Olive Oil: Used twice in this recipe, once for cooking and again for drizzling at the end to enhance flavour and richness.
- Red Onion and Leek: These aromatics add a sweet, mild flavor base to the dish. NOTE: Use only the white part of the leek for this recipe. If you don’t have leeks, you can substitute with spring onions (scallions).
- Garlic: Essential for adding depth and a little kick.
- Arborio or Medium-Grain Rice: My recipe uses arborio or medium-grain rice, but in Greece, Carolina rice is traditionally used to achieve a creamy, hearty texture.
- Spinach: Fresh spinach is key for its vibrant colour and high nutritional value.
- Fresh Dill and Mint: These herbs bring a fresh, aromatic quality that complements the spinach and rice.
- Lemon Juice and Zest: Adds brightness and acidity, balancing the dish's flavour's.
- Optional Feta Cheese: A tangy, salty addition that enhances the overall taste when serving the dish warm. For a vegan option, enjoy it plain without feta.
Preparation
Before starting, prepare all your ingredients and get your kitchen set up. This will streamline the cooking process and ensure everything goes smoothly.
- Chop the Aromatics: Dice the red onion, slice the leek, and mince the garlic.
- Prepare the Spinach: Wash and roughly chop the spinach if using large leaves.
- Measure Out Ingredients: Have your rice, water, lemon juice, zest, and fresh herbs ready to go.
How to make Spanakorizo step-by-step guide
Follow the instructions below to make this recipe come to life. Each step is straightforward, guiding you from sautéing the aromatics to adding the final touches for a delicious and comforting meal. Let's dive in!
- Sauté the Aromatics - Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, sliced leek, and chopped garlic. Sauté until they are soft and fragrant.
- Toast the Rice - Add the washed rice to the pot, along with salt and pepper. Stir well, toasting the rice slightly for about a minute to enhance its flavour.
- Cook the Spinach and Rice - Pour in the water and gradually add the spinach, stirring continuously until it wilts. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot.
- Simmer Until Tender - Let the mixture simmer for about 20 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and the liquid is absorbed. Check occasionally to ensure it doesn’t dry out. Add more water if needed.
- Add Fresh Herbs and Lemon - Stir in the chopped dill, mint, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix well to evenly distribute the flavours, then turn off the heat.
- Finish with Olive Oil - Drizzle with additional olive oil to taste. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Cover and let the dish rest for 10 minutes to allow the flavours to meld.
- Serve - Serve the dish warm, optionally topped with crumbled feta cheese and a wedge of lemon.
Tips for Perfect Spanakorizo
- Use Fresh Spinach: Fresh spinach adds the best flavour and texture. Frozen spinach can be used, but make sure to thaw and drain it well.
- Control the Liquid: Keep an eye on the water level while cooking the rice. Add a little more water if the mixture looks dry.
- Don’t Overcook the Rice: Arborio rice should be tender but not mushy. Check frequently as it cooks.
Variations
- Tomato twist: Different regions add little twists to their recipes. Some like adding tomato to their spanakorizo, which is beautiful also. You can mix in a bit of tomato paste while sautéing the onions for different flavour. Or, if you prefer something fresher, add in some chopped tomatoes or a splash of canned tomatoes.
- A little heat: If you are a a spice lover? Add in some chili flakes or even a chopped fresh chili while cooking the onions. It’s not the traditional way, but it definitely gives the dish a bit of a kick.
- Try Greek Lemon Rice instead: If you love the flavours of spanakorizo but want something a little different, try Greek lemon rice. It’s just as vibrant and flavourful, but personally, I find it much easier to make, and it’s an amazing side dish.
FAQs
Can I make spanakorizo ahead of time?
Yes, this dish can be made ahead and reheated. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Can I freeze it?
While it's best fresh, you can freeze this dish. Just reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water to restore its texture.
Can I use a different type of rice?
In Greece, Carolina rice is traditionally used to achieve a creamy, hearty texture. However, Arborio or medium-grain rice works well for this recipe too.
Can I use brown rice instead of white?
Yes, but you will need to adjust the cooking time and liquid as brown rice takes longer to cook.
I hope you try this delicious recipe and experience the authentic flavours of Greece in your kitchen! Don’t forget to share your experience in the comments below and tag me on social media with your re-creations!
📖 Recipe
Spanakorizo Greek Spinach And Rice
Authentic Spanakorizo a flavourful Greek spinach and rice dish with fresh herbs and lemon. Perfect for a healthy, Mediterranean meal!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil for cooking
- 1 red onion diced
- 1 leek sliced, only use white part
- 2 garlic cloves chopped
- 1 cup arborio rice Carolina or medium grain - washed
- 1.5 cups water may need up to 2.5
- 550 grams fresh spinach
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 lemon zest
- 2 lemons juiced
- 10 grams fresh dill
- 10 grams fresh mint
- ¼ cup olive oil for drizzling
Optional
- Greek Feta Cheese crumbled on top
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, sliced leek, and chopped garlic. Sauté for a few minutes until they are soft and fragrant.
- Add the washed rice to the pot along with the salt and pepper. Stir well to combine, toasting the rice slightly for about a minute to enhance its flavour.
- Pour in the water, then gradually add the spinach, stirring continuously until it wilts. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot with a lid.
- Let the spanakorizo simmer for about 20 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and the liquid is absorbed. Check occasionally to ensure it doesn’t dry out, adding more water if needed.
- Once the rice is tender, stir in the chopped dill, chopped mint, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix well to evenly distribute the flavours, then turn off the heat.
- Drizzle with additional olive oil to taste. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Cover and let the dish rest for 10 minutes to allow the flavours to meld.
- Serve with a sprinkle of crumbled Greek feta cheese on top (optional), and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Cooking Time: Keep an eye on the rice while it simmers. Depending on the rice type and stove, cooking time may vary. Check for tenderness and ensure all liquid is absorbed.
- Leek Usage: Use only the white part of the leek for this recipe to ensure a tender texture and milder flavour. If you don’t have leeks, you can substitute with spring onions (scallions).
- Storage and Reheating: Store leftovers (cooled to room temperature) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or olive oil.
- Vegan Option: For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese. The dish is still delicious and flavourful on its own!
- Serving Suggestions: Spanakorizo can be served as a main dish or a side. Pair with grilled meats, seafood, or other Greek favourites like slow-cooked lamb shanks or moussaka.
Nutrition
Calories: 844kcalCarbohydrates: 103gProtein: 16gFat: 43gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 30gSodium: 1407mgPotassium: 1856mgFiber: 11gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 27131IUVitamin C: 93mgCalcium: 351mgIron: 14mg
Tried this recipe?Post it on Instagram and tag me @nikolopaa
Poly says
Thank you
Nikolopaa says
No worries 🙂
Chelsea says
Beautiful recipe! Made this last night to have with our chicken 🙂 thank you!!
Nikolopaa says
Glad you enjoyed!!
Ruby says
This was absolutely delicious! It will become a regular meal in our home. Thank you!
Nikolopaa says
Glad you enjoyed, and happy to hear! Thanks heaps Ruby 🙂
Sonia says
Bloody beautiful indeed
Nikolopaa says
Haha you said that pretty good 😉
Angelica says
Just learning to cook some greek dishes and this was easy! Thanks!
One question though, if I have greek fresh spinach, do I have to crush
the chlorophyll out of it first?
Nikolopaa says
Hey Angelica 🙂 Im glad you found the recipe easy and that your learning new Greek dishes 🙂 You don't have to do anything special with the spinach, just make sure its clean and add it directly to the pot as it is 🙂
Gabrielle Leslie says
This recipe works perfectly and is so easy to follow. The rice is tender and full of zingy flavours. I used 250ml of water and added some smoked paprika. I will definitely be using this delicious recipe again.
Charles Lea says
Thanks for all your great recipes! I loved this dish with chicken. So did my guests. I’ll serve it with one of your lamb dishes next time. I follow you on many platforms. You need a television show! Hats off to you bud!
Nikolopaa says
Absolutely no problems Charles! Spanakorizo is such a great side and works with just about anything, which is so cool 🙂 Thank you so much for supporting me across all the platforms and for sharing my recipes with your guests. Haha I dont know about that but thank you!! 🙏
Michelle Spiros says
Everyone in my house def thinks this recipe is bloody beautiful! Stick to the recipe exactly and it was a hit all round young and old!
Nikolopaa says
Love that they said it’s bloooody beautiful haha 😉 That’s the best kind of feedback! Thanks so much Michelle for cooking so many of my recipes, I really appreciate the support!