Braised Grape Leaves Stuffed with Rice and Herbs
Delicate grape leaves slow-braised and stuffed with a fragrant mixture of rice, fresh herbs, and lemon, creating a classic Greek dolmades dish. This greek-inspired vegetarian ready in about 95 minutes pairs leaves fresh grape leaves, long-grain white rice, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 30 leaves fresh grape leaves
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups vegetable broth or water for braising
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse and soak 1 cup long-grain white rice in cold water for 30 minutes. Drain well.
- Step 2: Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped medium onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Step 3: Add the drained rice to the skillet and stir to coat grains with oil. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Add 1 1/2 cups water and mix thoroughly.
- Step 5: Rinse 30 fresh grape leaves under cold water and pat dry. Place one leaf shiny side down on a flat surface, place 1 tbsp rice mixture near the stem end, fold sides over, and roll tightly into a cylinder.
- Step 6: Repeat with remaining leaves and filling. Arrange stuffed grape leaves seam-side down in a large pot in tight layers.
- Step 7: Pour 2 cups vegetable broth or water over the grape leaves. Place a heatproof plate on top to keep them submerged.
- Step 8: Cover pot and simmer gently over low heat for 45 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 9: Remove from heat and let cool slightly before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature with lemon wedges.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Braised Grape Leaves Stuffed with Rice and Herbs take to make?
Total time is about 95 minutes (45 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Braised Grape Leaves Stuffed with Rice and Herbs?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep leaves fresh grape leaves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Grape Leaves Stuffed with Rice and Herbs?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Braised Grape Leaves Stuffed with Rice and Herbs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Braised Grape Leaves Stuffed with Rice and Herbs?
Greek vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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