Dill Rice Recipe – Delicious, bold Persian rice dish that’s made with just a few ingredients. A simple rice recipe that stands alone as part of the main course or sits nicely in the background to be served as a side.
Rice is a staple in many households and many people cook plain white rice or brown rice at home, particularly for dinner.
In most cases, people add cumin seeds to the rice, but dill rice is one of the most delicious ways of consuming rice. Adding dill to the white rice can help transform the regular pot of rice.
Dill rice utilizes a mixture of dried dill or fresh dill.
The dried dill is added to enhance the fragrance and flavor of the rice and helps draw out humidity from the dill, which means the rice won’t become mushy when the rice is steamed.
What Is Dill Rice?
Dill rice is prepared by leveraging a Persian technique where the rice is boiled for several minutes at high heat and wrap the pot’s lid in the kitchen towel – it’s a great way of catching the condensation and the rice is steamed at low heat.
Many people think that boiling and steaming make the rice overcooked but it’s not correct as it actually makes the rice fluffier.
The dill rice can be served with salmon or other seafood and chicken. Dill rice is a Persian recipe with bold and delicious flavor and can be prepared from a few ingredients only.
As the name suggests, dill is used to flavor rice, which is one of the most versatile herbs. Dill is an annual herb and works with various recipes.
It’s a great source of carbohydrates, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron, protein, and sodium. In simpler words, the rice will be loaded with nutrients.
It goes well with poultry and fish and takes less than half an hour to be prepared. Dill rice is a perfect choice for people who want to make rice or an entire dinner ahead.
Making Dill Rice At Home
To prepare the dill rice, you can use basmati rice as they are fluffier and have a light texture, or you can use Jasmine rice.
If you should use Basmati rice, note that basmati rice is not sticky, even if you wash them. In addition, the recipe is pretty simple and straight forward. It is also a great option for people who want something quick.
You can use dried or fresh dill to prepare the rice, but it’s recommended that you use a dried drill because it has a more concentrated flavor and lasts longer.
Ingredients
- One bunch of fresh dill but trim and chop it or dried dill.
- White rice but make sure you rinse them out until the water runs clear.
- Olive oil and water for cooking
- Chopped Garlic
- Sweet Peas
- Kosher salt and ground pepper
To make this dish you’ll need rice; I used Basmati rice as I find it to be lighter and fluffier, and not as sticky as most rice even after washing it.
Garlic cloves, dill, water, sweet peas (frozen or canned); I used the frozen because of its bright green color and I find it to be sweeter than the canned peas. Olive oil, salt
Instructions
These ingredients are readily available, and if you use the same measurements, you will have dill rice enough for six people. Now, let’s check out the step-by-step instructions;
- In medium size pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute or until fragrant.
- Add the dry dill and cook for about 45 second; stirring frequently.
- Add the rice, stir and cook for an additional 45 seconds; stirring constant to avoid burning.
- Add the rice, stir well to combine.
- Add the water and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook for 14 minutes. Adjust the heat as needed.
- Reduce the heat after 14 minutes, add the peas. Fluff with fork, cover and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy!
Additional Tips To Prepare Dill Rice
It’s better that prepare the dill ahead (preferably one day ahead) and store it in a lined container.
Wash the rice before you cook them to remove starch, which not only delivers a fresh flavor but prevents clumping as well.
Make sure you wrap the pot’s lid with a kitchen towel to make sure the condensation doesn’t make the rice mushy (wrapping the lid is actually a Persian technique).
Dill rice is one of the most delicious varieties of rice and it’s suitable for people following the vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free lifestyle.
In addition, the rice is incredibly easy to digest and actually improves digestive health. You can use brown rice as well – brown rice might take longer to cook (over forty-five minutes).
Chef’s Notes
- Wash the rice before cooking it to remove the starch. Washing rice helps to prevent clumps and provides a fresh taste.
- The rice will expand in size. Be sure to use a pot that’s big enough to accommodate the size.
- If using frozen peas as it is already cooked, thaw the peas in cool or Luke-warm water. Add the peas at the end once the rice is cooked and the water has evaporated. Stir and serve immediately. Adding the peas at the end help keep the peas to look green longer.
- Persian rice recipes require you to use a kitchen towel to wrap the lid. You can also use a Dutch oven to make this rice and find the result to be the same and the lid is pretty tight. However, if you feel it is necessary to use the wrapped lid method, please do so. The choice is completely yours as the results are the same!
What To Serve With Dill Rice?
This rice serves well with this easy baked lamb, this air fryer duck, this air fryer lamb chops, this scallop provencal, this air fried porgy fish, and this bouillabaisse.
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Dill Rice Recipe
Equipment
- Medium Cooking Pot
Ingredients
- 2 cups Basmati Rice; Or Jasmine Rice. Rinsed until water runs clear.
- 1 cup dried dill
- 2 garlic cloves; chopped
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup sweet peas frozen or canned
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt; Or to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper; or to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil on medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute or until fragrant. Add the dill and cook for about 45 seconds; stirring constantly to avoid burning. Add the rice, stir and cook for 2 minutes. Stir often.
- Add the water, season with salt and pepper. Cover with the lid and cook for 14 minutes. Adjust the heat as needed.After 14 minutes, reduce the heat to low and remove the lid, and add the peas. Stir; this will also fluff the rice. Cover with the lid and cook for 2 minutes and serve warm. Enjoy!
Notes
- Wash the rice before cooking it to removes the starch. Washing rice helps to prevent clumps and provides a fresh taste.
- The rice will double in size. Before sure to use a pot that’s big enough to accommodate the size.
- If using frozen peas as it is already cooked, thaw the peas in warm water. Add the peas at the end once the rice is cooked and the water has evaporated. Stir and serve immediately. Adding the peas at the end helps keep the peas to look green longer.
- Persian rice recipes require you to use a kitchen towel to wrap the lid. The choice is yours to follow this method. I used a Dutch oven to make this rice and find the result to be the same and the lid is pretty tight. However, if you feel it necessary to use the wrapped lid method, please do so. The choice is completely yours as the results are the same!
Natalie
Rice is my kids favorite side dish. I have never prepared it this way, and I loved it. Thanks!
Anjali
The dill and garlic made this rice so flavorful! It was the perfect side dish for our family dinner tonight!
Mahy
OH wow, this rice is fantastic! I could make it with so many other dishes. Just love it!
kushigalu
What a flavorful rice recipe. I love the flavor of dill, and I am making this tonight.
MacKenzie
Love this recipe. My kids even liked it! The combination of dill and rice is perfect.
Greatfon
I m making this tonight, but all I have is basmati rice. Will that work? Do I still rinse and soak it?
Mirlene
Yes, you can use basmati rice. No, you do not need to soak the rice, but I would recommend rinsing it first.
Veronica
Hi! How much fresh dill would you use?
Thank you!
Mirlene
Hi Veronica,
I would use one large bunch of fresh dill. No more than 2 bunches as the taste of fresh dill is a lot more vivid once cooked.
Kari Heron
I LOVE the new look of your site and the photo of this dill rice is so beautiful! I used to love going to Persian restaurants when I lived in the Middle East for 7 years. Last year, I found a nice Persian spot in Plano Texas on an extended trip and it took me back to living in Dubai. This looks like a great recipe.
Mirlene
Thank you, Kari! 🙂
Maman de sara
I like this Persian dill rice recipe. I will make it and call it green rice so that my kids will eat it. Thanks for sharing.
Mirlene
hahaha, Green rice! Love it.Whatever works to get the kiddos to eat. 🙂
Lathiya
I love such easy rice recipes for quick lunch or kids lunch box. This dill rice looks so delicious and rice is perfectly cooked
April
I would enjoy this dill rice like noone else! I love having rice on the side and I enjoy it as a stand-along, too. And that dill must be giving the dish so much special flavor – with just a few ingredients involved – amazing!
Mirlene
Thank you!
Jori
I love rice in all its forms, but my husband only likes it when it has stuff on it. This looks so flavourful and interesting, I’m sure my family will love it.
Mirlene
Thank you!
Anne Lawton
mmm! I love the taste of dill and this rice sounds delicious! Can fresh dill be used in this recipe?
Mirlene
Yes, it can. it will actually enhance the flavor even more.
Jacqueline Debono
This dill rice looks really good. I love dill with salmon so I think this rice would be a perfect side dish for a nice grilled salmon!
Mirlene
Thank you 🙂
Hope
This looks like a tasty and different way to enjoy white rice – love how simple it is too!
Chihyu
That looks so delicious! Totally love it!
Celeste
I love the flavor of basmati rice and this recipe takes it to a whole new level. I will be trying this recipe very soon. My family is going to love it.
Mirlene
Glad to hear!
Megan Stevens
This recipe is wonderful and surprising to me. I had no idea you could put this much dill in a recipe. It sounds and looks amazing. Thank you!
Mirlene
Yes; the flavor is bold. The dill has a strong presence in the rice.
Kacie Morgan
I bet this dill rice would be the perfect companion for some freshly steamed fish. I would opt for cod myself
Mirlene
YAAASSSS! I agree with you 100 percent!!!!!
Geetanjali Tung
A simple and flavorful dish. I love dil. The addition of garlic must have added a beautiful aroma to it. Love it. I will definitely going to try this. Thanks for sharing!
Mirlene
Thank you!