🍚 How to Make Greek Feta Cheese Rice with Lemon and Herbs

Step 1: Rinse and prep the rice

Rinse 1 cup of long grain white rice under cold water using a fine mesh strainer. Swish the rice around with your hand while rinsing until the water runs mostly clear. This helps remove excess starch and results in fluffier, non-sticky rice.

Step 2: Cook the rice

In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice with 2 cups of water (or vegetable broth for more flavor), ½ teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Stir once to combine.

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to low and cover the pot tightly with a lid.

Let the rice simmer undisturbed for 15–18 minutes, or until the liquid is fully absorbed. Do not lift the lid during cooking—steam is essential for perfect rice.

Step 3: Let it rest

Once the liquid has been absorbed, remove the saucepan from heat. Keep the lid on and let the rice rest for 5–10 minutes. This step lets the steam finish cooking the rice evenly and allows the grains to firm up.

Step 4: Fluff and flavor

Remove the lid and use a fork to gently fluff the rice. Drizzle in 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil and the juice of half a lemon.

Immediately stir in:

• • 1 minced garlic clove

• • Zest of 1 lemon

• • ½ cup crumbled feta

• • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

• • 1 tablespoon chopped dill (or mint)

• • A few cracks of black pepper

Gently fold everything together until the feta is lightly melted and evenly distributed. Taste and adjust the lemon juice, herbs, salt, or pepper if needed.

Step 5: Serve and garnish

Transfer the rice to a serving bowl. Top with optional add-ins like green onions, pine nuts, cherry tomatoes, or kalamata olives for an extra pop of texture and flavor.

Serve warm, at room temperature, or even chilled for a summer side.