Greek Spinach Rice With Feta (Spanakorizo)

This post may contain affiliate links which wonā€™t change your price but will share some commission.

This Greek Spinach Rice also known as ‘Spanakorizo,’ is perhaps one of the most popular, healthy, traditional and authentic of Greek dishes. It has a soft and creamy texture with an abundance of nutrients from the cooked spinach, fresh herbs, lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil.

It can be served as a main dish or as a side dish to any of your favorite meats or fish. Also, you can go vegan with it, if you nix the feta, or vegetarian with its delicious salty feta cheese.Ā 

Greek Spinach Rice (Spanakorizo) with Feta cheese in a white bowl with lemon and olive oil on a side to serve it with.

Spanakorizo Recipe, Straight from Greece

This is a great Greek recipe is absolutely one of my favorites! I originally gotĀ from my close friend Marta, who had it passed down from her Greek Family (thanks, Marta). So as you can see, this spinach and rice recipe comes straight from Greece and is simply delicious. Ever since I recreated it for the first time, it seems to find its way to our menu at least once a week. It really is that good!!!

Even my husband, who isn’t much of a spinach fan, likes this dish. Not to mention, my 2 little kiddos even shovel it down by the pound.Ā  It’s a fantastic way to add some green veggies into your loved ones’ diet. You’ll need to add a pretty significant amount of spinach to it, but because it wilts, you cannot really say that there are too many greens in this rice.

Traditionally this Greek rice pilaf is served during winter months, but don’t constrain yourself – anytime you have an abundance of Spinach you can make it and enjoy it year-round.

How to make Spinach Rice the Greek Way

As my friend Marta would tell you, you shouldn’t rush it. It’s not one of those dishes that you just throw in a pot and forget about. Rather, you’ll need to nurtureĀ it along the way; but it is totally worth it. It should take about 45 minutes to prepare it, from beginning to the end, and it will require some stirring along the way, like with a risotto.

Here are the easy steps to follow to make this Greek Spanakorizo (printable recipe can be found below):

  • In a deep frying pan, heat up some olive oil;
  • Add onions and cook for 5 minutes;
  • Then add leeks and dried thyme and cook for another 2 minutes;
  • Add 1/2 cup of water or broth and then add all of your spinach (let it wilt);
  • Add rice and let it cook for an additional 2 minutes, to get covered with all the liquids;
  • Keep adding 1/2 cup of water or broth until rice absorbs it;
  • It will take about 20-25 minutes until the rice is done;
  • Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper;
  • Turn off the heat, add chopped dill, lemon juice & olive oil;
  • Cover with lid & let sit for about 10 minutes;
  • Serve with some additional lemon juice, olive oil and Feta Cheese on top.

Greek Spinach Rice with Feta

Greek Spinach Rice with Feta

Greek Spinach Rice with Feta

What rice works best for this Greek Rice recipe

The concept of this Greek rice is actually very similar to Italian risotto. Traditionally Italians use Arborio rice, whereas the Greeks would use medium or long-grain rice for their rice pilaf. However, frankly, I think that you can use any rice you have. I usually have Thai Jasmin rice in my house, but recently I bought Organic Indian Basmati from Trader’s Joe and it works well for this recipe too.

Now, I assume it doesn’t come as a surprise that the Chinese eat the most rice in the world – over 4 pounds of uncooked rice per person each week. Obviously, it’s a staple in other Asian countries as well. However, it may come as a surprise that it is pretty popular in Mediterranean countries too.

In Greece, the most popular type is long grain rice. It’s used in different kinds of pilafs, like this one with Greek Spinach Rice. What is interesting is that brown rice was never dominant in either Asian or Mediterranean cuisines. Meanwhile, we’ve been led to believe thatĀ brown riceĀ hasĀ superior nutritional values over white rice.

In light of recent discoveries of the traces of arsenic in rice, however, especially in the outer layer that white rice has stripped off, it seems like the Asians and Mediterraneans may have been onto something with the white rice…go figure. How long it will take us to discover it and trust those who’ve been eating rice for centuries?

Long story short, my advise for thisĀ Greek rice recipe is to use white rice, as the Greeks do.

But if you’re a brown rice enthusiast, wondering if it’d work for this recipe…I’d say, yes (it’s personal preference). However, bear in mind that brown rice cooks much longer than white rice and you may end up having really overcooked spinach.

How to serve this Spanakorizo Greek Rice

There is a number of ways you could serve this spinach rice.

  • As a vegetarian main dish, topped either with feta cheese (as in this recipe) or with a fried egg (also a very popular option in Greece);
  • As a vegan main dish.Ā  Just as is, without any additions. Or if you’re feeling like you need some protein, you could top it with some fried tofu (not necessarily Greek, but it’ll definitely work);
  • As a side dish to any of your meat or fish dishes. If you’re looking for suggestions, these Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs or Pan Fried Haddock Mediterranean Style would work perfectly.
  • I normally serve it hot, but it is very common in Greece to serve it cold as well;
  • If you’re looking for total emersion, then after dinner you can serve this Greek Frappe Coffee with your dessert. It’s so good!

How to Alter this Greek Rice Recipe

  • I usually add leeks to this recipe (they just add this soft sweet flavor) but this isn’t necessary;
  • Some recipes call for the addition of garlic. I’ve never added garlic to my Spinach Rice, but you can experiment and see which version you prefer;
  • This version is considered the “white Spanakorizo,” but there’s also a “red Spanakorizo” version which would have chopped tomatoes added.

Greek Rice with Spinach served in a bowl with Feta Cheese

How to use Leftovers of this Spinach Rice

I usually make a double batch of this spinach and rice because everyoneĀ in my family loves it (including my picky eaters)! So I always end up with leftovers. Here are my suggestions on how to use them:

  • It reheats perfectly (either in a microwave, with a splash of water, or on the stove, with a bit of liquid as well), so you can easily use it the next day for lunch or dinner.
  • But, the perfect way to use up these spinach rice leftovers is to stuff it with either peppers or tomatoes and bake in the oven until the veggies are cooked through.

Is Greek Spinach Rice Healthy?

The very short answer to this question is: absolutely! Spinach Rice is very healthy, and here’s why:

  • Spinach is full of antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients like calcium and iron;
  • Cooking spinach actually increases it’s health benefits (cooked spinach outweighs raw spinach big time!);
  • Lemon juice and the fat from extra virgin olive oil, help with the absorption of both iron and calcium from spinach;
  • Extra virgin olive oils are full of heart-healthy, monounsaturated fats;
  • Rice is a good source of carbohydrates.

And because of the above, I make it a point to serve it to my family at least once a week. Believe it or not my pickiest eater, my 5-year-old actually requests it! Try this awesome recipe and let me know how your loved once reacted (I’m very curious).

Greek Rice with Spinach served in a bowl with Feta Cheese

Greek Spinach Rice With Feta

This Greek Spinach Rice also known as Spanakorizo is one of the most popular and healthy traditional and authentic Greek dishes. It has soft and creamy texture with abundance of nutrients coming from cooked spinach, fresh herbs, lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil. It can be served as main dish or side dish to any of your favorite meats or fish. It can be vegan without feta or vegetarian with delicious salty feta cheese. 
4.75 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Dish, Side Dish, Vegetarian
Cuisine: Greek
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Resting time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 263kcal
Author: Edyta

Ingredients

  • 1 Onion mild, yellow; medium, finely chopped;
  • 2 Leeks small or one big (only white parts)
  • 1 tablespoon Thyme fresh
  • 6 oz Bag of Baby Spinach
  • 1 cup Jasmin or Basmati rice
  • 2 cups Water or Vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh dill chopped
  • 1/2 cup Feta Cheese
  • 1/2 Lemon juiced to sprinkle over rice
  • 4 tablespoon Olive Oil 2 for cooking and more for drizzle on top
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a deep pan heat up 1 tablespoon of olive oil;
  • Add onion and simmer for about 10 minutes on low heat;
  • Add thyme and leaks and simmer for another 5 minutes;
  • Add half a cup of water and broth base, then simmer for another 5 minutes;
  • Add spinach and cook until wilted;
  • Add rice and let it cook for about 2 minutes;
  • Add half a cup of water and stir;
  • Keep adding half a cup of water at the time once the rice absorbs it;
  • It can take about 20 -25 minutes until rice is fully cooked;
  • Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  • At the end add dill and mix well;
  • Take off the burner and cover it up; Add lemon juice and olive oil;
  • Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes to have all the liquid absorbed;
  • When serving, sprinkle more lemon juice, olive oil and top it with Feta Cheese. Enjoy!

Notes

*You can also serve feta on a side instead of the top of the rice. I know some people prefer it this way.
** Instead of water you can use chicken broth or vegetable broth. They have a differnet level of saltiness so make sure to adjust seasoning accordingly.Ā 

Nutrition

Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 170mg | Potassium: 301mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 3270IU | Vitamin C: 19.6mg | Calcium: 127mg | Iron: 2.1mg
Tried this recipe?Show me @eatingeuropean or tag #eatingeuropean!

If you are looking for more Greek Recipes here are a couple of my absolute favorites:

Read about the author Edyta here or follow Eating European on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

[mc4wp_form id=”6774″]

Similar Posts

18 Comments

  1. Hi Edyta,
    I ‘m always looking for ways to feed my husband spinach . For him to eat it it has to be hidden and this recipe does that. A great post and great pictures.

  2. Just made this and got a, “Wow, this is great!” from my husband who finished off what I thought would be the leftovers. Followed by a, “You are going to make this again, right?” comment. I may have to make this again in a few days. I made it with Jasmine rice and a mixture of baby spinach, baby kale & baby bok choy that I pickeded up accident thinking it was all baby spinach. Still AWESOME! Thank you for sharing this. Looking forward to next recipe!

  3. 5 stars
    I made this dish on Sunday and it was a show stopper! The best part was my 4 year old and 1 year old loved it!

  4. 5 stars
    Hi Edyta,
    This look so yammii. If we are kind of having this as a main. How many people would this serve please?
    Thank you
    Hana

    1. Hi Hana, this recipe calls for one cup of uncooked rice which would make approximately 3 cups of cooked rice. If you’re serving it as a main dish with one cup of rice per person, that would make 3 servings. If you need more, just add more rice and you will be fine.

  5. I made this tonight after finding it on Google and it was delicious! Iā€™m Australian living in Indonesia and always looking for meals to remind me of home (Melbourne has a huge Greek community). Definitely will make again. Thanks for sharing xx

  6. 5 stars
    Simple and delicious. I’m an Australian and made this for lunch with a couple of friends of Greek background. They’re sure it’s authentic and we all loved it. Looking forward to trying more of your recipes. Thanks.

  7. 4 stars
    Thank you so much for the recipe. Iā€™m pregnant and cannot manage meat at the moment. This dish hit my cravings (spinach and feta) and relatively guilt free as well. Iā€™m definitely going to check out the rest of your site.

Leave a Reply to Edyta Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating