Herb-Filled Grape Leaves with Lemon-Dill Sauce

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

Stuffed grape leaves with mint, dill, and rice, served with a bright lemon-dill yogurt sauce. This Greek recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, pairs grape leaves, long grain rice, fresh mint for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, 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: 40 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 18 grape leaves under cold water. Cook 1/4 cup long grain rice in 1/2 cup water until tender, then cool. Finely chop 1/4 cup red onion, 2 tbsp fresh mint, and 2 tbsp fresh dill. Combine rice, red onion, mint, dill, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp olive oil in a bowl.
  2. Step 2: Place 1 grape leaf shiny side down on a cutting board. Spoon 1 teaspoon rice mixture into the center, fold sides inward, then roll tightly into a cylinder. Repeat for remaining leaves.
  3. Step 3: Arrange stuffed grape leaves seam-side down in a single layer in a pot. Squeeze juice from 1 lemon over the top, then pour 1/2 cup water into the pot. Cover and simmer over low heat for 25 minutes until rice is fully cooked.
  4. Step 4: While leaves cook, whisk 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 1 tbsp fresh dill, and the juice from 1/2 lemon. Season with a pinch of salt.
  5. Step 5: Serve stuffed grape leaves with lemon-dill sauce drizzled on top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Herb-Filled Grape Leaves with Lemon-Dill Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (40 min prep + 25 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 Herb-Filled Grape Leaves with Lemon-Dill Sauce?

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 grape leaves from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Filled Grape Leaves with Lemon-Dill Sauce?

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 Herb-Filled Grape Leaves with Lemon-Dill Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Herb-Filled Grape Leaves with Lemon-Dill Sauce?

Mediterranean greek 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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