Mediterranean yellow rice gets its golden color from turmeric and warm flavor from garlic and cumin. Finished with pine nuts and fresh cilantro, this easy stovetop rice recipe is ready in about 30 minutes.
One of my favorite parts of this recipe is the final steaming step. Resting the rice with a clean towel under the lid helps give it a light, fluffy texture rather than sticky grains. I use the same technique in my chickpea rice, too.
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This may be the best rice I've ever made. Never tried the towel and 10 minute steam before. It seems to wick away some of the moisture from the cooked rice so it's not so sticky. I didn't have pine nuts and substituted parsley for cilantro. Thank you.
- Phil
Ingredients
You only need a handful of pantry staples plus a few optional finishing ingredients to make this Mediterranean rice.
- Long-grain white rice: Jasmine, basmati, or another long-grain white rice works well. Rinse and drain it before cooking to help the grains stay separate.
- Cumin and turmeric: Cumin adds warm, earthy flavor while turmeric gives the rice its sunny yellow color.
- Pine nuts and cilantro: I like adding both for texture and freshness, but they can be left out. For a nut-free option, use hemp seeds instead of pine nuts. Fresh parsley can be used in place of cilantro.
Please see the recipe card for the complete ingredients, measurements, and instructions.
How to make Mediterranean yellow rice
- Saute the onion in olive oil until softened.
- Add the garlic, cumin, turmeric, seasonings, and rice.
- Stir until the rice starts to turn translucent.
- Add the water and bring it to a simmer.
- Cover and cook over low heat until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed.
- Remove from the heat and steam with a clean towel under the lid. Fluff with a fork, then fold in the pine nuts and cilantro.
Amy's tip
Don't skip the covered rest at the end. The towel absorbs condensation that would otherwise drip back onto the rice and helps keep the finished grains light and fluffy.
Serving suggestions
Mediterranean yellow rice makes an easy base for all kinds of meals. I especially like serving it with vegetable kebabs and garlic and herb vegan yogurt sauce.
It's also a great partner for vegan Greek salad when you want something fresh and crunchy alongside the warm rice.
If you enjoy flavorful rice dishes, try my baked basmati rice with pesto next.
Made this recipe or have a question? Please leave a comment below. 💙 For even more recipes, join the Veggies Save The Day community. It's less like a newsletter and more like emails between friends.
Love and Veggies,
Amy
📋 Recipe
Mediterranean Yellow Rice
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup onion, diced small
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1½ cups long-grain white rice, rinsed and drained
- 2¼ cups water
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- 2 Tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until softened and translucent.1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Add the garlic, turmeric, cumin, salt, pepper, and rice. Cook, stirring frequently, for 1 to 2 minutes, until the rice starts to look translucent.2 cloves garlic, ¼ teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, salt and pepper, 1½ cups long-grain white rice
- Stir in the water and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and gently simmer until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.2¼ cups water
- Remove the pot from the heat. Lift the lid and place a clean dish towel over the pot, then replace the lid on top of the towel. Let the rice steam for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and fold in the pine nuts and cilantro. Taste and adjust the seasonings, as needed, and serve.¼ cup pine nuts, 2 Tablespoons fresh cilantro
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Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation.
Sarah says
Barely any flavor but I'll take this as a good base, also loved the steaming trick. Color is pretty which does help with tricking the mind. Next time I'm going to use bouillon with the water and double the seasoning. But thank you for the idea and something to work off of!
Amy Katz says
Thanks for trying it. It could be that your spices weren't fresh and lost their flavor, but either way, it's a very customizable recipe.
Anne says
So easy to make and tastes wonderful!! I never steamed rice after cooking but this trick made it so light and fluffy. I used hemp seeds instead of the pine nuts as I didn't have any of those. I will definitely be making this again. Served it with falafel and garlic paste.
Amy Katz says
That sounds like the perfect meal! So glad you enjoyed the rice, Anne.
Sonia Santiago says
I love this rice from the restaurants, but this recipe is absolutely delicious. The flavor is just delicacy. The texture is so mouth watering. Definitely a must try.
Amy Katz says
Wow, thank you so much, Sonia! 🙂
Liz says
Love this rice dish, make it all the time😊
Amy Katz says
This is wonderful to hear, Liz! 🙂
Brenda Estrella says
Erin M says
I have made this recipe more than a dozen times, I did change a few things. I use basmati rice , a pinch more cumin and turmeric, I dnt use water instead I use chicken broth. I don't care for pine nuts, but I do add the cilantro at the end along with a lime wedge. I probably make this recipe 7 times out of a month lol
Thank you for sharing!
Amy Katz says
Wow, thank you so much, Erin! I am so happy you are enjoying the rice recipe!
Lisa says
Simple, quick and delicious! Will definitely be making again
Bart says
Rice had little to no flavor, had to add raisins, slivered almonds and garlic salt to revive it
Pow says
Used half water, half chicken broth. Paired it with TJs chicken shawarma and roasted tomatoes. <3 delish!
Mels says
This is the best Mediterranean rice recipe! I’ve made it several times, no substitutes or alterations, and love it every time! I’ve been making it as a side dish with grilled flank steak and homemade toum … it’s perfect!
Amy Katz says
I'm so glad you are enjoying the recipe, Mels!
Deborah says
This turned out flavorless for us. Not sure what went wrong!
Amy Katz says
That's a shame. Have you checked your spices? Maybe they aren't fresh.
Chris says
I know this is a vegetarian recipe, but would do anything differently if you were to add some leftover rotisserie chicken? How about if you were to add some other vegetables, like onions?
Amy Katz says
You can certainly add it anything you like at the end with the pine nuts. Onions are already in the recipe.