Lemon-Rice Pilaf with Pine Nuts and Fresh Herbs

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

A fragrant Greek-inspired rice pilaf cooked with aromatic lemon, toasted pine nuts, and fresh herbs for a bright, flavorful side dish. This greek-inspired mediterranean ready in about 35 minutes pairs long-grain white rice, olive oil, pine nuts 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: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Greek cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast 1/4 cup pine nuts, stirring frequently, for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 small finely chopped onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until translucent and soft.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice to the pan and stir to coat the grains with oil. Cook for 2 minutes until the rice is slightly toasted and shiny.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 3 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
  5. Step 5: Remove saucepan from heat and let rice sit covered for 5 minutes. Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, and the toasted pine nuts. Fluff with a fork and serve warm.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Lemon-Rice Pilaf with Pine Nuts and Fresh Herbs take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 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 Lemon-Rice Pilaf with Pine Nuts and Fresh 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 long-grain white rice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Rice Pilaf with Pine Nuts and Fresh 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 Lemon-Rice Pilaf with Pine Nuts and Fresh Herbs 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 Lemon-Rice Pilaf with Pine Nuts and Fresh Herbs?

Greek mediterranean 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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