Spanakoryzo (Greek Spinach and Rice)

[Updated 26/02/2025]

Spanakoryzo is a simple yet nutritious Greek dish made with spinach, rice, and olive oil, gently simmered with aromatic dill and lemon juice. 

This humble one-pot meal is a staple of Greek home cooking, offering a delicious balance of greens and grains. Traditionally served with feta cheese and crusty bread, it’s a comforting vegetarian dish packed with flavor. 

It's easy to make it and so tasty :) Here is how...

Ingredients

• 500g (1 lb) fresh spinach, washed and chopped (frozen can work too, my case today ;)
• 3 fresh onions, finely chopped
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 cup medium-grain rice (or Arborio)
• 2 cups water or vegetable broth
• ½ cup fresh dill, chopped
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté the fresh onions until soft.
2. Add the spinach in batches, stirring until it wilts down.
3. Pour in the water or broth, then add salt, pepper, dill, and crushed tomatoes. Stir well.
4. When the mixture starts boiling, stir in the rice. Cover and simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender.
5. Remove from heat and mix in the lemon juice. Let it sit for a few minutes before serving.

Serving Tips & Variations

Serve Spanakoryzo warm or at room temperature, topped with crumbled feta and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Enjoy it with crusty bread and a side of Greek yogurt for a heartier meal. For added protein, serve it with fried eggs or canned tuna on the side.

(Old version follows...)

Put in a low casserole the olive oil to cover the bottom. Mince the onions and fry them for 2 min. 

Once the onions are soft, add the spinach (the frozen as is, the fresh washed and cut in big pieces).

Continue by adding enough warm water to cover it, the tomato sauce, the dill, the salt and the pepper. Mix well and leave it cooking for about 15 min. Then, make holes in the spinach with a spoon and add portions of the rice.

Cover and leave it for about 20 min to cook the rice. When is done, take it out of the fire and put under the cover some absorbing paper and leave it for about 15min. Food is done!

Pour some lemon juice on top that will give extra taste and add some vitamin C :)))