Legume Free Lemon Turmeric Rice with Fresh Herbs
Golden from turmeric and bright with citrus, this herb-flecked rice is the kind of side dish that quietly steals the show at the table. Long-grain brown rice is simmered low and slow until perfectly tender, then tossed with olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and a generous handful of parsley, dill, and mint — the combination is fragrant, vibrant, and genuinely hard to stop eating. For anyone navigating a legume-free lifestyle, grains like this are a reliable foundation, and this recipe keeps things beautifully clean with no beans, lentils, or pea-derived ingredients anywhere in sight. The optional toasted pine nuts add a buttery crunch on top that takes the whole bowl up a notch. It pairs effortlessly with roasted vegetables, grilled proteins, or honestly just a fried egg on a weeknight. The technique is straightforward — rinse, simmer, steam, and fold — but the result tastes like something you'd order at a restaurant and immediately try to recreate at home.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 ½ cups long-grain brown rice
- 2 ¾ cups water
- ¾ tsp ground turmeric
- ¾ tsp fine sea salt
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh mint, roughly chopped
- ¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
For serving
- 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts (optional)
Can be omittedpine nuts
Instructions
- 1
Rinse the brown rice in a fine-mesh strainer under cold running water until the water runs mostly clear, about 30 seconds. Drain well.
- 2
Combine the rinsed rice, water, turmeric, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover tightly, and cook until the water is fully absorbed and the rice is tender, 40–45 minutes. Do not lift the lid during cooking.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!