Mediterranean Rice

I’m always excited to make this simple Mediterranean Rice! It’s packed with warm, comforting spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves, and the flavors really pop with every bite. The rice gets a gorgeous color from turmeric, and the toasty pine nuts, almonds, and sweet raisins on top make it extra special. Plus, it’s super easy to make! I love serving it with grilled meats or roasted veggies, but honestly, I could eat it all by itself!

Rice is seriously my weak point, and any meal with a heap of it is pure comfort for me. I enjoy cooking rice dishes from all over the world, like Arroz con Pollo, Jambalaya, Hashweh and Jollof Rice. Today’s Mediterranean Rice is a bit like Greek Lemon Rice, but it stands out with its bold spices and the crunchy nuts and sweet raisins on top.

I love serving it with my kebab dishes like Shish Tawook, Kofta Kebabs, Souvlaki, Tikka and Keftedes. The flavors pair perfectly, and it really makes the whole meal feel complete.

What is Mediterranean Rice

Mediterranean rice is a delicious yellow basmati rice that’s often served with a variety of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes. The rice gets its vibrant yellow color from spices like turmeric or saffron and is a popular side for grilled meats, kebabs, and fish.

You’ll often find it served in Mediterranean or Middle Eastern restaurants as part of a plate, often alongside salad or other rice varieties like rice with vermicelli. This style of rice is made not just in the Middle East but also in countries like Greece, Spain, Iran, and across North Africa. It’s also common in places like Afghanistan and India where similar rice dishes are prepared with their own unique twists.

Mediterranean rice is loved for its fragrant spices and light, fluffy texture, making it a great side for all kinds of meals.

Ingredients Needed

• Basmati rice – I love using basmati rice because of its long, fluffy grains and light texture. Make sure to rinse it well to remove excess starch, so it cooks up nice and fluffy.
• Olive oil – I always use extra virgin olive oil for that rich Mediterranean flavor, but you can use any good-quality olive oil you have on hand.
• Spices – The combination of turmeric, cumin and paprika adds warmth and color to the dish. If you want an even deeper flavor, you could use saffron instead of turmeric.
• Garlic – Freshly chopped garlic adds a subtle yet important layer of flavor to the dish.
• Chicken stock or water – I prefer using chicken stock for a richer taste, but water works just as well if you want to keep it vegetarian.
• Nuts and raisins – Toasted pine nuts, almonds, and raisins give a great contrast with their crunch and sweetness. You can swap in other nuts or dried fruits like pistachios or apricots depending on what you have.
• Fresh herbs – I like garnishing with chopped parsley in the end, but cilantro works too.

Mediterranean Rice Recipe

First, I start by rinsing the basmati rice a few times until the water runs clear. This helps remove the extra starch and keeps the rice from getting sticky. Then, I soak the rice in some water while I prep the rest of the ingredients.

I heat up a bit of extra virgin olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, I toss in some diced onion and sauté it until it’s translucent. After that, I add peppercorns, cardamom, cloves and a cinnamon stick. I let those spices sizzle for a couple of minutes so they release their aromas.

Next, I add the chopped garlic and sauté that for about a minute. Then, I mix in the turmeric, paprika, cumin, and salt, giving everything a good stir to coat the onions and spices.

Once the rice is soaked, I drain it well and add it to the pot. I gently toss and toast the rice for a few minutes, making sure to be careful not to break the grains. Then, I pour in the chicken stock and bring it all to a boil.

After a couple of minutes of boiling, I cover the pot, lower the heat to low, and let the rice cook undisturbed for about 20 minutes. Once it’s done, I turn off the heat and fluff the rice with a fork.

Finally, I like to top it off with a generous sprinkle of toasted pine nuts, raisins, and almonds, along with some freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. That’s it! It’s ready to serve. Perfect with just about anything!

Serving Suggestions

As I mentioned above, this rice dish goes great with pretty much any kebab. That’s usually my top pick.

When I’m not having chicken Shawarma or Gyro wrapped in a pita, I love serving them alongside this Mediterranean Rice. The flavors really come together, and it’s a perfect way to enjoy those seasoned meats without the wrap!

Also, if you’re looking for a little extra flavor, you can toss in some lemon zest or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice right before serving. It adds a bright, zesty contrast to the warm spices!

If I’m in the mood for something simple, this rice is also great on its own with a fresh salad or some roasted or grilled veggies. Honestly, it’s so versatile, you can’t go wrong with whatever you serve it with!

Try my version of this easy rice from Mediterranean region. It’s packed with flavor, simple to prepare, and feels like comfort food every time. It’s one of those recipes that’ll keep coming back into your kitchen!

Mediterranean Rice

Yield: 6 servings

My easy Mediterranean Rice recipe features fluffy basmati rice that's perfectly seasoned and topped with toasted nuts and almonds.

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Ingredients

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• ½ tsp black peppercorns
• 5-6 cloves
• 4-5 cardamom pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• ½ tsp turmeric
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp salt
• 4 cups chicken stock or water
• toasted pine nuts, raisins and almonds, for garnish (see note)
• chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Rinse and wash basmati rice a few times and soak it in some water while you prepare the ingredients.
2. Heat extra virgin olive oil on medium-high heat in a pot and sauté chopped onion till translucent. Add peppercorns, cardamom, cloves and cinnamon stick, and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add chopped garlic and sauté for a minute.
3. Add salt, turmeric, paprika and cumin and mix well.
4. Strain all the soaked rice from water and add the rice to the pot. Toss and toast the rice gently for a few minutes, being careful not to break up the rice grains.
5. Add the chicken broth or water to the pot and let it boil on high heat for about 2-3 minutes. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low and cook for 20 minutes undisturbed.
6. After 20 minutes, turn the heat off and open the lid. Fluff the rice gently with a fork.
7. Garnish it generously with toasted pine nuts, raisins, almonds and chopped parsley.

Notes

1. I highly recommend using toasted nuts to garnish this Mediterranean style rice. I dry roast the pine nuts till they start to brown up slightly, watching closely not to burn them. For toasting almonds, I use a tablespoon of ghee (you can use olive oil too, but personally I like the taste of toasted nuts in ghee) and toast slivered almonds till they start becoming golden brown. For raisins, I toast them in ghee as well, till they start to fluff up.
2. If you don’t have all the whole spices, that’s okay! Just use what you have on hand.
3. If you're using a different type of rice, like medium grain or long grain instead of basmati, just follow the instructions on the package. Each rice type has its own water ratio and cooking time to avoid mushy results.
4. One of the great things about this Mediterranean Rice is how you can easily make it ahead of time. It reheats really well, so if you’re prepping for a gathering or just want to save time, you can cook it in advance. Just store it in the fridge and reheat it with a splash of water or stock to bring back that moisture.

Nutrition Information

Yield 6 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 256Total Fat 13gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 10gCholesterol 5mgSodium 434mgCarbohydrates 30gFiber 2gSugar 8gProtein 7g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.