Lemon Pesto Rice Recipe

This Easy Lemon Pesto Rice Recipe is made with basil leaves, sunflower seeds, garlic, olive oil, parmesan cheese, Success Boil-in-Bag Brown Rice and lemon juice.

This is such a simple, easy dish that everyone will love. If you use store bought pesto, all you need are three ingredients: pesto, rice, and lemon. I prefer making the pesto from scratch, because the flavor is so much better with freshly chopped basil. To make the pesto, all you need is a food processor or a blender. To cut down on time, I used Success Rice Boil-in-Bag Brown Rice, which is a fool proof way of making rice, since it boils in a bag!

This is such an easy and tasty alternative and a perfect side dish. You could even top this rice with chicken or steak. Pesto is an Italian sauce that can be topped on pasta, chicken or rice. It is made with fresh basil, garlic, parmesan cheese, pine nuts and olive oil.

If you love this rice, feel free to try my Canned Pumpkin Coconut Rice or my Instant Pot Pearl Cousous.

Jump to:

• What can I eat with pesto instead of pasta?
• Why you will love Lemon Pesto Rice
• Lemon Pesto Rice Ingredients
• How to make Lemon Pesto Rice Recipe
• What thickens Pesto?
• What turns pesto black?
• Substitutions
• Lemon Pesto Rice Recipe Variations
• Equipment
• How to store Lemon Pesto Rice
• Lemon Pesto Rice Recipe Top tips
• Lemon Pesto Rice Recipe
• Food safety

What can I eat with pesto instead of pasta?

• Pesto Rice: Toss cooked rice with pesto for a quick and tasty side dish. Consider using basmati or jasmine rice for a fragrant combination.
• Pesto Quinoa: Mix pesto into cooked quinoa for a protein-packed and nutritious alternative. The nuttiness of quinoa pairs well with the herbal notes of pesto.
• Pesto Vegetables: Roast or sauté your favorite vegetables, such as cherry tomatoes, zucchini, or bell peppers, and drizzle them with pesto for a vibrant and flavorful side.
• Pesto Chicken or Shrimp: Marinate grilled chicken or shrimp in pesto for a delicious main course. The combination adds a burst of herbal freshness to the protein.

Why you will love Lemon Pesto Rice

Pesto rice is a delicious and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed as a side dish or a main dish. Here are some reasons why you might want to make pesto rice:

• Easy to make: Pesto rice is a quick and easy dish to make. It requires only a few ingredients and can be made in under 10 minutes.
• Versatile: Pesto rice can be served as a side dish or a main dish. It can also be served hot or cold, making it a great option for meal prep or leftovers.
• Flavorful: Pesto rice is packed with flavor from the basil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese in the pesto sauce. It's a great way to add some excitement and flavor to plain rice.
• Nutritious: Pesto rice can be made with brown rice or other whole grain varieties, making it a nutritious option. It can also be paired with vegetables, chicken, or fish for a complete and balanced meal.
• Crowd-pleaser: Pesto rice is a dish that is sure to please everyone at the table. It's a classic and beloved flavor combination that is hard to resist.

Lemon Pesto Rice Ingredients

• Basil
• Sunflower seeds
• Garlic
• Parmesan cheese
• Extra-Virgin Olive oil
• Success Boil-in-Bag Brown Rice
• Lemon Juice
• Feta

See recipe card for Easy Lemon Pesto Rice quantities.

How to make Lemon Pesto Rice Recipe

What thickens Pesto?

Pesto achieves its delightful thickness through the harmonious blend of key ingredients. The inclusion of nuts, such as pine nuts, almonds, or walnuts, along with Parmesan or Pecorino cheese, imparts both body and richness to the sauce. Olive oil, a quintessential component, not only contributes to the sauce's silkiness but also serves as a binding agent that brings all the elements together. The fresh basil leaves, when finely blended, release their natural oils, adding both a vibrant flavor and contributing to the overall thickness of the pesto.

What turns pesto black?

The phenomenon of pesto turning black is primarily attributed to the oxidation of basil leaves, a natural reaction when exposed to air. To counteract this process and maintain the vibrant green hue of the sauce, some recipes suggest blanching the basil briefly in boiling water and promptly cooling it in an ice bath. Employing fresh, high-quality ingredients, especially basil and nuts, is essential for optimal color retention. When storing pesto, creating a protective barrier by pressing plastic wrap directly onto the surface or adding a thin layer of olive oil can help limit its exposure to air.

Substitutions

Basil: You will need a lot of fresh basil for this pesto. I have seen many different variations of pesto like using spinach, parsley cilantro and mint.

Pine nuts: Pine nuts are traditionally used for pesto, but I have seen many variations using walnuts, pistachios, almonds and even sunflower seeds.

Lemons: For best taste, use real lemons and not store bought lemon juice.

Garlic: I used fresh garlic although you could use garlic from a can and top with the prepared minced garlic.

Olive oil: I used olive oil for this recipe, but you can try canola, vegetable or sunflower oil as well.Cheese: Traditionally, pesto is made with Parmesan cheese. You could always use Asiago, Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano. If you would like for this to be vegan, you could use nutritional yeast in place of the cheese.

Lemon Pesto Rice Recipe Variations

There are many delicious variations to a basic pesto rice recipe. Here are a few ideas:

• Roasted Vegetable Pesto Rice: Toss chopped vegetables, such as bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant, with olive oil and roast them in the oven until tender. Mix the roasted veggies with cooked rice and pesto for a flavorful and nutritious meal.
• Shrimp Pesto Rice: Cook shrimp in a pan with garlic and olive oil until pink and cooked through. Mix cooked rice with pesto, then stir in the cooked shrimp. Serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
• Chicken Pesto Rice: Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and cook in a pan with olive oil until browned and cooked through. Mix cooked rice with pesto, then stir in the cooked chicken. Top with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil.
• Pesto Rice Salad: Mix cooked rice with pesto, then add diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese. Drizzle with a balsamic vinaigrette for a fresh and satisfying salad.
• Mushroom Pesto Rice: Cook sliced mushrooms in a pan with garlic and olive oil until tender. Mix cooked rice with pesto, then stir in the cooked mushrooms. Top with chopped walnuts and a sprinkle of black pepper.
• Pesto Risotto: Cook arborio rice in a pot with chicken broth, white wine, and diced onion until the rice is creamy and tender. Stir in pesto and grated Parmesan cheese for a decadent and flavorful risotto.

Check out this Pesto Rosso that incorporates sun-dried tomatoes.

Equipment

To make pesto rice, you will need the following equipment:

• Cutting board and knife to chop any vegetables or herbs you may be using.
• A pot with a lid to cook the rice. I love using my Caraway pots for best quality. Get yourself a discount by clicking here.
• A spoon or spatula to stir the rice while it cooks.
• A blender or food processor to make the pesto.
• A bowl to mix the pesto with the cooked rice.

How to store Lemon Pesto Rice

To store pesto rice, first, allow it to cool to room temperature. Then, transfer the rice to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Pesto rice can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days.

When reheating pesto rice, add a splash of water or broth to the rice and cover it with a lid or microwave-safe cover. Heat it in the microwave or on the stovetop until the rice is heated through, stirring occasionally. It is important to reheat the rice thoroughly to ensure that it is safe to eat.

If you have leftover pesto rice and want to freeze it for later use, transfer it to a freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer for up to three months. To thaw and reheat frozen pesto rice, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then follow the same reheating instructions as above.

Lemon Pesto Rice Recipe Top tips

Here are some top tips for making delicious pesto rice:

• Use high-quality ingredients: The flavor of the pesto rice depends on the quality of the ingredients used. Use fresh herbs, good quality olive oil, and Parmesan cheese to ensure the best flavor.
• Cook the rice correctly: Cook the rice according to package instructions.
• Mix pesto with rice when it's still warm: Mix the pesto with the cooked rice when the rice is still warm. This will help the flavors to blend well and the pesto to coat the rice evenly.
• Customize your pesto: Experiment with different herbs, nuts, and cheeses to make your own unique pesto recipe.
• Add extra ingredients: Add vegetables, meats, or seafood to the pesto rice to make it a complete meal. Just make sure to cook them separately before mixing them with the pesto rice.
• Garnish with fresh herbs: Before serving, garnish the pesto rice with fresh herbs like basil or parsley. This adds a pop of color and extra flavor to the dish.

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Food safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.