Spanakorizo (Greek Spinach Rice) is an easy side dish or hearty main. Rice is cooked with fresh spinach, onion, dill, lemon and tomato to create a delicious pilaf that's a traditional recipe from Greece.
Spanakorizo (Greek Spinach Rice) is a traditional dish from Greece.
Enjoy it as a simple, rustic Mediterranean side dish or in the Greek way as a hearty main.
In Spanakorizo, rice is cooked with spinach, onion, dill and a little tomato paste.
It's an absolutely dreamy flavor combination that will invoke memories or dreams of the Greek islands.
This homemade rice dish from scratch is full of big, bold flavors that all work together beautifully, so it won't overpower as a side dish.
This spanakorizo recipe is super easy to whip up with just a few affordable ingredients and minimal prep. Plus, it comes together in just 30 minutes.
Serve Greek spinach rice with Spanakopita, Halloumi Souvlaki, or Greek potato salad.
I remember eating spinach rice while I travelled throughout Greece in my 20s. My best friend and I backpacked around the Greek Islands for four months and loved every minute of it.
Many of my memories from that time are suddenly evoked by food.
The mashed potatoes with TONNES of garlic, the cheeky glasses of Ouzo and the endless, incredibly delicious plates of Greek salad with huge slabs of feta.
Then there's the spinach rice. Absolutely dreamy.
We adored how the simple ingredients created a complex flavor bomb. I mean, we LOVED it.
We were pretty much addicted to this rustic Greek rice. And now I love cooking it at home for my family.
And I hope that you will too.
Why you'll love this recipe
Ready in less than 30 minutes.
A tasty Greek side dish or hearty main dish.
Delicious warm or cold.
Simple ingredients.
A traditional Greek rice recipe.
A great way to use up spinach.
Ingredients
Fresh spinach - this recipe has a whopping pound of fresh spinach. Popeye would be proud.
Olive oil - go for extra virgin if you can. Or, to make it oil-free just leave out the oil and cook the onions in water.
Onion - I use a yellow/brown onion, but you can use red.
Dill - I prefer fresh, but dried dill works too.
Long-grain rice - traditionally white long-grain rice, but you can use brown if you prefer.
Tomato paste - (aka tomato puree), the kind in a tube or small can.
Lemon juice - a classic Greek ingredient that makes this spinach rice really vibrant and delicious.
Step by step tutorial
Spanakorizo is really easy to make. Follow these step by step photos for perfect results, then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and method.
Heat the oil, then add the onion and cook for about 7 minutes, until soft but not browned.
Add the spinach and half the dill.
Cook until the spinach wilts.
Add the rice, water, tomato paste.
Stir it together and bring to the boil.
Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is gone.
Stir in the remaining dill and the lemon juice.
Enjoy your spanakorizo!
Greek recipes
I absolutely adore Greek food. Since the time I spent backpacking around Greece in my 20s, I've been smitten with those fresh, vibrant Mediterranean flavors.
We recently discovered a local souvlaki food truck and the whole family absolutely loves their food. They've been a lifesaver this summer for special treats during lockdown!
Try these other tasty Greek recipes, that would be perfect with your Spanikorizo - Greek Spinach Rice.
Greek Potato Salad - a delicious no-mayo potato salad with olives, lemon and herbs.
Halloumi Souvlaki - Crispy yet soft halloumi cheese with salad and tzatziki in a wrap.
Greek Salad - cucumber, tomatoes, feta... bliss.
Rice recipes
Rice can be served simply, but I love how it's a great vehicle for flavors. A few add-ins and you can turn rice from bland to WOW.
If you love this Greek rice recipe, I hope you'll also love these other rice recipes too.
Turmeric Rice
Mujadarra - Middle Eastern rice pilaf with eggplant/aubergines.
Spanish Rice
Fried Rice
Get the recipe
Greek Spinach Rice (Spanakorizo)
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onions diced
- 1 pound 450g fresh spinach, rinsed and large stems removed, roughly chopped if large leaves.
- 1 tbsp fresh dill or 1 tsp dried
- 1/2 cup uncooked white long-grain rice
- 1 cup boiling water
- 2 tsp tomato paste
- ⅛ teaspoon salt and pepper
- Juice of ½ a lemon
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium heat, add the onion and gently cook for 7 minutes or until softened but not browned.
- Add the spinach and half the dill and cook, stirring, until the spinach has wilted and any liquid has evaporated.
- Stir in the rice, water and tomato paste, then bring to the boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 20 mins or until the rice has cooked and absorbed all the water. Add more water if necessary.
- Stir in the remaining dill and lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper.
Anjali
I had actually never heard of spanakorizo before I came across this recipe but it looks absolutely delicious and kid-friendly too!! Can't wait to try it soon!
Tara
Such a flavorful meal and it comes together so easily! Sounds incredible with the spinach and fresh herbs. I especially love foods that are paired with wonderful travel memories 🙂
Angela
Great flavors in this rice dish. I love the fresh dill!