Olive Rice

Elevate your side dish game with this vibrant and flavorful Olive Rice recipe, a Mediterranean-inspired delight that brings together fluffy long-grain rice, briny green and black olives, and aromatic garlic. Enhanced with fresh parsley, optional dill, and a zesty hint of lemon, this dish is finished with a drizzle of olive oil for a velvety touch. Perfect as a stand-alone vegetarian side or paired with grilled chicken, fish, or roasted vegetables, Olive Rice is quick to prepare in just 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for weeknight dinners or elegant feasts. Packed with bold flavors and simple ingredients, this versatile dish is sure to become a family favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 2 cups water
• 0.5 cup pitted green olives
• 0.5 cup pitted black olives
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons parsley
• 1 tablespoon dill (optional)
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch for fluffy rice.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the rice, a pinch of salt, and reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and all the water is absorbed.

Step 3

While the rice cooks, chop the pitted green and black olives into small pieces. Mince the garlic and finely chop the parsley and dill (if using).

Step 4

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the chopped olives to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork and add it to the skillet with the olive mixture. Gently stir to combine.

Step 7

Add the chopped parsley, dill (if using), lemon zest, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to evenly distribute the flavors.

Step 8

Cook the olive rice on low heat for an additional 2-3 minutes to warm through and meld the flavors.

Step 9

Serve the olive rice warm as a side dish or pair it with grilled chicken, fish, or roasted vegetables.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	864.1 grams (864.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	742

Total Fat 49.30g	63%
Saturated Fat 8.60g	43%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2866mg	125%
Total Carbohydrate 66.10g	24%
Dietary Fiber 6.20g	22%
Total Sugars 0.40g
Protein 6.20g	12%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 84mg	6%
Iron 30mg	168%
Potassium 172mg	4%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 60.5%

Protein: 3.4%

Carbs: 36.1%