Spring Pea Mint Rice Pilaf (Printable)

Light, flavorful rice pilaf featuring fresh peas and mint with aromatic herbs and lemon zest.

# What You'll Need:

→ Rice & Broth

01 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, such as basmati or jasmine
02 - 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

03 - 1 cup fresh or frozen spring peas
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Herbs & Seasonings

07 - 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
09 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

12 - Lemon wedges for serving

# Directions:

01 - Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then drain well.
02 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened and translucent.
03 - Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add the rinsed rice and stir to coat the grains thoroughly with butter and aromatics.
05 - Pour in the vegetable broth, add salt and pepper, and bring to a boil.
06 - Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer for 15 minutes.
07 - Stir in the peas, adding them directly from the freezer if frozen or raw if fresh. Cover again and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
08 - Remove from heat. Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
09 - Fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in the mint, parsley, and lemon zest.
10 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm, garnished with lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 35 minutes from start to finish
  • Naturally vegetarian and can be made gluten-free
  • Bright, fresh flavors from mint, lemon, and sweet peas
  • Simple pantry ingredients with minimal prep work
  • Versatile enough to pair with almost any main course
  • Beautiful presentation with vibrant green peas throughout
02 -
  • Use basmati rice for the most aromatic and fluffy results
  • Don't stir the rice while it's simmering—this can break the grains and create a mushy texture
  • Add the fresh herbs at the very end to preserve their bright color and fresh flavor
  • For deeper flavor, toast the rice for 2-3 minutes before adding liquid
  • Keep leftover pilaf refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat gently with a splash of broth or water
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