If you love simple Mediterranean food, this Greek Spinach Rice, also known as Spanakorizo, is one of those recipes you'll want to keep in your back pocket. It's humble, comforting, incredibly flavorful, and made with ingredients that are easy to keep on hand.

The technique is straightforward: sauté the aromatics, toast the rice, add your cooking liquid, and let everything simmer until the rice is tender. The spinach goes in after the rice is cooked, which keeps it vibrant and fresh rather than turning it into an overcooked, dull green stew.

A generous drizzle of olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and Mediterranean seasonings bring the entire dish together.

I love serving it as a simple vegan main with crusty bread, or alongside roasted vegetables, beans, or a big Greek-inspired salad.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4–6
Course: Main Course / Side Dish
Cuisine: Greek / Mediterranean
Difficulty: Easy

What Is Spanakorizo?

Spanakorizo translates roughly to "spinach rice" and is a classic Greek dish made with rice and spinach. It's traditionally seasoned with olive oil, lemon, herbs, and aromatics.

What makes it special is how uncomplicated it is. You don't need a long list of ingredients to create something deeply satisfying. The rice absorbs the savory cooking liquid, while the spinach, olive oil, and lemon added toward the end keep the dish fresh and vibrant.

This version is naturally vegan and works beautifully as either a side dish or a light main meal.

Why You'll Love This Greek Spinach Rice

• Naturally vegan
• One-pot friendly
• Easy pantry ingredients
• Bright and lemony
• Great for meal prep
• Ready in about 40 minutes
• Naturally dairy-free
• Excellent hot or at room temperature
• Easy to customize

Key Ingredients

Rice

Long-grain white rice, basmati, or jasmine rice all work well. The rice absorbs the seasoned cooking liquid and becomes the hearty foundation of the dish.

Spinach

Fresh spinach is stirred into the cooked rice at the end. This keeps the spinach bright, tender, and fresh tasting.

Onion

Sautéed onion creates sweetness and depth in the base of the rice.

Garlic

Fresh garlic gives the rice its savory Mediterranean character.

Olive Oil

Good-quality extra-virgin olive oil is essential here. It adds richness and ties together the spinach, rice, herbs, and lemon.

Lemon

Fresh lemon juice transforms the finished dish. Its acidity cuts through the olive oil and brings brightness to every bite.

Mediterranean Seasonings

Dried oregano, dill, black pepper, and a little red pepper flakes create a flavorful herbaceous base.

How to Make Greek Spinach Rice

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Heat olive oil in a large skillet, Dutch oven, or sauté pan over medium heat.

Add the onion and cook for 5–7 minutes until softened and lightly golden.

Add the garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds until fragrant.

Kitchen Technique: Don't rush the onions. Allowing them to soften and lightly caramelize creates a sweeter, more flavorful foundation for the rice.

Step 2: Add and Toast the Rice

Add the uncooked rice to the aromatics and stir well.

Cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently, allowing the grains to become lightly coated in the olive oil.

Add the oregano, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.

Kitchen Technique: Briefly toasting rice before adding the liquid gives the grains a nuttier flavor and helps them absorb the seasonings.

Step 3: Add the Cooking Liquid

Pour in the vegetable broth and stir once to combine.

Bring the liquid to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover.

Cook according to your rice's cooking time, generally 18–22 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.

Avoid repeatedly opening the lid while the rice cooks.

Step 4: Fold in the Spinach

Once the rice is cooked, remove the lid and fluff it gently with a fork.

Add the chopped spinach while the rice is still hot. Fold it through and cover for 2–3 minutes, allowing the residual heat to wilt the spinach.

Kitchen Technique: Adding the spinach after the rice has cooked keeps it brighter and fresher than simmering it for the entire cooking time.

Step 5: Finish with Lemon & Olive Oil

Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh dill or parsley, and a generous drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.

Gently fold everything together.

Taste and adjust with more lemon juice, salt, black pepper, or olive oil as needed.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

The Secret to Great Greek Spinach Rice

The finishing ingredients are what make this dish.

Don't think of the olive oil and lemon as optional garnishes. They are part of the flavor structure.

The rice provides warmth and starchiness, the spinach adds freshness, and the lemon cuts through the richness of the olive oil. Fresh herbs then bring everything together.

If the finished rice tastes a little flat, try lemon juice and salt before adding more spices. Those two ingredients can completely wake up the dish.

Expert Tips

Don't Overcook the Spinach

You only need the residual heat from the cooked rice to wilt fresh spinach. This keeps it vibrant and prevents a muddy flavor.

Taste the Cooking Liquid

Before adding the lid, taste the broth. It should be seasoned enough to flavor the rice. If the liquid tastes bland, the finished rice will too.

Let the Rice Rest

After cooking, let the rice sit covered for about 5 minutes before fluffing. This allows excess moisture to redistribute.

Finish Generously

A final drizzle of good olive oil and fresh lemon makes a huge difference.

Use Fresh Lemon

Bottled lemon juice won't have the same bright aroma. If you have a fresh lemon, use both the juice and a little zest.

Variations

Add Chickpeas

Stir in cooked chickpeas after the rice is finished for extra protein and a more substantial vegan meal.

Add Artichokes

Chopped marinated artichoke hearts make a fantastic Mediterranean addition.

Make It Creamy

Fold in a spoonful of vegan feta or a little cashew cream for a richer variation.

Add Fresh Herbs

Use a combination of dill, parsley, mint, and scallions for a more herb-forward version.

Make It Spicy

Add red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper with the other seasonings.

Add Green Peas

Frozen peas can be stirred in during the final few minutes for extra color and sweetness.

Ingredient Substitutions

Ingredient	Substitute
White rice	Basmati, jasmine, or brown rice
Fresh spinach	Baby kale, Swiss chard, or arugula
Vegetable broth	Water + vegetable bouillon
Fresh dill	Parsley, mint, or dried dill
Lemon	Red wine vinegar, plus lemon zest if available
Yellow onion	Shallots or leeks
Olive oil	Avocado oil, though olive oil is preferred

What to Serve with Greek Spinach Rice

This rice can easily become the centerpiece of a Mediterranean-inspired spread.

Serve it with:

• Crispy chickpeas
• Hummus
• Vegan feta
• Cucumber tomato salad
• Roasted eggplant
• Grilled zucchini
• Lemon potatoes
• White beans
• Warm pita
• Grilled sourdough
• Marinated olives

For a simple dinner, I especially like it with hummus, cucumber salad, and warm crusty bread.

Can Greek Spinach Rice Be a Main Dish?

Absolutely.

While Spanakorizo is often served as a side, this version can easily become a satisfying vegan main. Add chickpeas or white beans for more protein, then serve it with hummus and a fresh tomato salad.

It's also excellent for meal prep because the rice can be reheated without losing much of its texture.

Storage

Store leftover Greek spinach rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave with a splash of vegetable broth or water. Finish with another squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of olive oil to refresh the flavors.

You can also enjoy the leftovers at room temperature, making this a great make-ahead dish.

Other Rice Recipes

• Quick Vegan Japanese Rice
• One Pan Vegan Chorizo Rice
• Creamy Vegan Caesar Rice and Beans
• Mediterranean Tomato Rice with Lemon Cauliflower
• Caramelized Fennel & Eggplant with Turmeric Rice

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Greek spinach rice vegan?

Yes. This version is completely vegan and uses vegetable broth, olive oil, fresh spinach, herbs, and lemon.

What type of rice is best for Spanakorizo?

Long-grain white rice works particularly well. Basmati and jasmine rice are also excellent choices.

Can I use frozen spinach?

Yes. Thaw it completely and squeeze out as much excess water as possible before stirring it into the cooked rice.

Why add spinach after cooking the rice?

Adding spinach at the end keeps its color, flavor, and texture fresher. The residual heat from the rice is enough to wilt it.

Can I make Greek spinach rice ahead of time?

Yes. It keeps well refrigerated and is excellent for meal prep. Add fresh lemon juice and olive oil after reheating to bring the flavors back to life.

How do I make it more filling?

Add chickpeas, white beans, lentils, or crispy tofu. You can also serve it with hummus and warm pita.

Nutrition

Estimated per serving, based on 6 servings:

Calories: 285 kcal
Protein: 5 g
Carbohydrates: 43 g
Fat: 11 g
Fiber: 3 g
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 430 mg

Nutrition will vary depending on the rice, vegetable broth, and amount of olive oil used.

Final Thoughts

This Greek Spinach Rice (Spanakorizo) is a beautiful example of how simple ingredients can create deeply satisfying food. The rice cooks up tender and savory after being sautéed with aromatics, then fresh spinach is folded in at the very end so it stays vibrant and delicate. A generous pour of olive oil, fresh herbs, and plenty of lemon give the finished dish that unmistakable Mediterranean brightness.

Serve it as a simple vegan main with hummus and warm bread, or make it part of a larger Greek-inspired spread. Either way, this is an easy, nourishing recipe that proves you don't need complicated ingredients to make something incredibly flavorful.