Dolma Stuffed Grape Leaves with Lemon Rice

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Grape leaves stuffed with a fragrant mixture of rice, pine nuts, and fresh herbs, simmered gently and served with lemon wedges for a bright finish. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian ready in about 85 minutes pairs leaves grape leaves, jarred and rinsed, long grain rice, pine nuts 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 55 min Serves 6 Mediterranean cuisine 180 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup long grain rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat and sauté 1 medium finely chopped onion and 1/4 cup pine nuts for 5 minutes until soft and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add the rinsed rice to the skillet, stirring for 2 minutes to lightly toast. Pour in 2 cups vegetable broth or water, 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is partially cooked.
  3. Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp lemon juice. Let the filling cool slightly.
  4. Step 4: Lay 1 grape leaf flat with the stem end towards you. Place about 1 tbsp of the rice mixture near the stem end, fold sides over the filling, and roll tightly into a small cigar shape. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
  5. Step 5: Arrange the stuffed grape leaves seam side down in a large pot. Drizzle with remaining 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp lemon juice. Place a heatproof plate on top to keep dolmas submerged.
  6. Step 6: Add enough water to cover dolmas halfway, cover pot, and simmer gently for 40 minutes until leaves are tender and rice is fully cooked.
  7. Step 7: Serve dolmas warm or at room temperature with lemon wedges on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Dolma Stuffed Grape Leaves with Lemon Rice take to make?

Total time is about 85 minutes (30 min prep + 55 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 Dolma Stuffed Grape Leaves with Lemon Rice?

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 long grain rice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Dolma Stuffed Grape Leaves with Lemon Rice?

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 Dolma Stuffed Grape Leaves with Lemon Rice 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 Dolma Stuffed Grape Leaves with Lemon Rice?

Mediterranean 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.

Related recipes