No Lemons? No Problem! Greek Lemon Rice with Pantry Substitutes

If you’ve ever planned dinner around what you thought was in your fridge… only to discover your last lemon got weird and moldy in the back of the crisper drawer, you’re in good company.

I was halfway into prepping this Greek lemon rice the other day when I realized (yet again) that I had no fresh lemons. Not even one sad-looking half. This has happened more than once before, so now I keep a stash of True Lemon crystals in my spice cupboard. They’re a total lifesaver.

Greek lemon rice is one of those easy rice recipes that just hits the spot every time. It’s fresh, bright, and makes a plain old pot of rice feel like something you actually planned.

It’s a staple at a lot of Mediterranean restaurants, and if you’ve ever wondered how they get it that perfect golden color and lemony zing, you’re not alone. This version gets you all that goodness—zesty, fluffy rice with just the right amount of citrus—even if you don’t have a single lemon in the house.

Why this Greek Lemon Rice is different (and better for real life)

Here’s the deal: most traditional recipes call for fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. And yeah, if you have lemons, go for it. But if you’re like me, those lemons disappear right when you need them most.

That’s where the pantry hacks come in. You can totally get the same effect with bottled lemon juice and a little True Lemon. No one at your table will know the difference (unless you tell them… or unless they’re lemon snobs, in which case, maybe just smile and serve it anyway).

Plus, we’re not just tossing lemon on plain rice and calling it a day. This recipe starts by sautéing onion and garlic in olive oil to build a base of flavor. Then you toast the rice a bit before adding broth and your lemony mix-ins.

You can even toss in a bit of turmeric if you want that bright yellow restaurant look. The result is a dish that feels way fancier than it is, and it goes with almost anything—grilled chicken, fish, roasted veggies, or even just a fried egg on top. Though personally, I like it best with my Greek ground turkey meatballs with tzatziki sauce – delish!

What to serve with Greek Lemon Rice

Honestly, this stuff goes with everything. It’s great next to grilled chicken thighs, souvlaki, shrimp, or even roasted chickpeas. It’s also one of my go-to “forgot-to-plan-dinner” side dishes because rice is cheap and I always have some lemony backup in the pantry.

My Recipe for Easy Greek Lemon Rice

Ingredients

• 1 cup long grain white rice (like Basmati), rinsed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• Juice of 1 large lemon (about 2–3 tablespoons)
• Zest of 1 lemon
• ¾ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill (optional, but recommended)
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric (optional, for color)
• Lemon wedges for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Sauté aromatics:
   Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, 3–5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
2. Add rice:
   Add the rinsed rice to the pan and stir to coat with oil, letting it toast lightly for 1–2 minutes.
3. Add liquids and seasonings:
   Stir in the broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
4. Simmer:
   Reduce heat to low, cover tightly with a lid, and simmer for 18–20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
5. Rest and fluff:
   Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork.
6. Add herbs and serve:
   Stir in parsley and dill. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve warm, with lemon wedges on the side if desired.

💡 Substituting Fresh Lemon with Lemon Juice and True Lemon Crystals

If you don’t have a fresh lemon, here’s how to adapt the recipe:

• Lemon Juice (bottled):
  Use 2 tablespoons of bottled lemon juice in place of the juice of 1 lemon. Choose one without preservatives if possible, for the freshest flavor.
• True Lemon Crystals:
  Use ½ teaspoon of True Lemon crystals to mimic the brightness of lemon zest. Stir them into the broth along with the lemon juice.

Tips for Best Flavor

• Combining bottled lemon juice with True Lemon crystals creates a more “whole lemon” flavor—juice + zest effect.
• Add the True Lemon directly to the pot while cooking, not at the end, so it has time to dissolve and mellow into the dish.
• If you find the flavor too sharp, stir in a teaspoon of butter at the end to soften the acidity.
• If you don’t have fresh dill, you can use 1/2 tsp dried dill. Add it to the liquids before cooking so that it has a chance to really it’s full flavor.

Real life wins

This Greek lemon rice recipe checks a lot of boxes: it’s cheap, it uses ingredients you probably already have, and it makes you look like you know what you’re doing in the kitchen (even if you kinda don’t). That’s a win in my books.

I love a good easy rice recipe that can stretch a meal without stretching your patience. This one is a keeper—fresh lemon or not.

And hey, if you’re reading this and realizing you don’t have a lemon either? Check the back of your cupboard. If you’ve got a bottle of True Lemon stashed somewhere, you’re golden. Literally.