Mediterranean Rice Bowl (Printable)
Fluffy rice meets crisp vegetables, creamy hummus, and tangy lemon-tahini dressing in this vibrant Mediterranean-inspired bowl.
# What You'll Need:
→ Rice Base
01 - 1 cup long-grain white or brown rice
02 - 2 cups water
03 - ½ teaspoon salt
→ Fresh Vegetables
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
06 - 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
07 - ½ cup red onion, finely sliced
08 - 1 cup baby spinach or mixed greens
→ Protein & Toppings
09 - 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
10 - ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
11 - ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
12 - ½ cup hummus
→ Lemon-Tahini Dressing
13 - 3 tablespoons tahini
14 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
15 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
16 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
17 - 2 tablespoons water, plus more as needed
18 - ¼ teaspoon salt
19 - ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Garnish
20 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
21 - Lemon wedges
# Directions:
01 - Combine rice, water, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 15–20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Let stand covered for 5 minutes before serving.
02 - Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, water, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. If dressing is too thick, add additional water 1 teaspoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. Set aside.
03 - Divide the cooked rice evenly among four serving bowls. Arrange cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and spinach in sections around the rice for visual appeal.
04 - Top each bowl with chickpeas, Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and a generous dollop of hummus. Distribute toppings evenly among servings.
05 - Drizzle the lemon-tahini dressing over each bowl. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, but tastes like you spent all day cooking
- The combination of creamy, crunchy, fresh, and zesty means every bite is interesting
02 -
- The dressing thickens as it sits, so add another splash of water right before serving if needed
- Room temperature rice works better than hotit doesnt wilt the fresh vegetables as quickly
03 -
- Toast a handful of pine nuts and sprinkle them on top for restaurant-quality crunch
- Add diced avocado for extra creaminess that plays beautifully with the tangy dressing