This Spanakorizo is an easy rice and spinach dish flavored with mint and dill. A healthy way to add flavor to your rice side dish.
History and meaning of spanakorizo:
Spanakorizo (Σπανακόρυζο) is a classic Greek dish of spinach and rice cooked together with olive oil, onions, herbs, and often tomato or lemon for brightness. The name literally means “spinach-rice,” and the dish belongs to Greece’s tradition of ladera—vegetable-and-olive-oil stews that date back centuries. Ladera were especially common as fasting foods during Orthodox Christian lenten periods. While no single origin story exists, spanakorizo evolved from the broader Mediterranean practice of combining grains with leafy greens. Eventually becoming a staple in home kitchens because it was inexpensive, nourishing. Spanakorizo is suited to the seasonal abundance of wild and cultivated spinach in Greece. Over time it has been adapted regionally—some versions add tomato sauce and dill, others emphasize lemon and feta. Spanakorizo remains a symbol of simple, vegetable-forward Greek cooking that balances health, flavor, and tradition.
If you are cooking with leeks remember they have less water than onions. They will cook faster and brown quicker, to avoid this you can use a lower temperature and a slightly longer cooking time. I have a photo of softened cooked leeks.
If you are looking for a great chicken dish to accompany this rice dish, look here!
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cut up the onions/leeks and set aside.
- Cut up and measure out dill, and mint and set aside.
- Measure and rinse the rice three times and set aside
- Now that everything is ready, heat up a 12” skillet with deep walls or a Dutch oven with a lid on medium heat. Add Olive oil.
- Sauté the Onions or leeks for 5-7 minutes. Note: If you are cooking leeks cook at a lower temperature until softened without browning and remove and set aside.Before Sauteing’ the onions/Leeks have one cup of water ready right next to the skillet.
- Return the skillet/Dutch oven to the heat and add spinach, Mint, Dill, Garlic, Water, Rice, Onions, Salt, Pepper and leeks. Cover and bring to a simmer. Simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Check the Rice dish if it starts to loose too much water and start to sizzle use some of the water you set aside if you need it.
- After 18-20 minutes, total simmer time, remove from heat and let it rest for another 7-10 minutes. Enjoy!
