Lemon-Infused Rice with Caramelized Cabbage Recipe
This Lemon-Infused Rice with Caramelized Cabbage recipe offers a bright, flavorful twist on a simple rice dish. Tender long-grain white rice is infused with fresh lemon zest and juice, then combined with sweet, golden caramelized cabbage and fragrant garlic. This easy-to-make, 30-minute meal brings together zesty citrus notes and comforting caramelized vegetables, making it perfect as a light main course or a vibrant side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Rice
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups water or broth
Cabbage & Flavorings
- 1 pound cabbage, shredded
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional, for balancing flavors)
Instructions
- Rinse and drain rice: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then drain well to remove excess starch.
- Cook the rice: Combine the rinsed rice and water or broth in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes until the rice is tender and fluffy. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes to finish steaming.
- Prepare cabbage and garlic: While the rice cooks, slice the cabbage thinly and finely chop the garlic to prepare for caramelizing.
- Caramelize the cabbage: Heat olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Add the shredded cabbage and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage softens and edges turn golden brown, approximately 8 minutes.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add lemon and sweetener: Squeeze in the lemon juice and add the lemon zest to the cabbage mixture. Stir to combine. Optionally, add honey or maple syrup to balance the flavors with a touch of sweetness.
- Combine rice and cabbage: Fluff the cooked rice with a fork, then transfer it into the skillet with the cabbage mixture. Stir thoroughly to evenly mix the lemon-infused rice with the caramelized cabbage and heat for another 2 minutes.
- Season and serve: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and serve the dish warm, garnished with additional lemon zest if desired.
Notes
- Use broth instead of water for more depth of flavor in the rice.
- Adjust the amount of lemon juice and zest according to your preference for tanginess.
- Honey or maple syrup is optional; it helps balance the acidity of the lemon but can be omitted for a purely savory dish.
- For a stronger caramelization, cook the cabbage a bit longer, but avoid burning.
- This dish pairs well with grilled or roasted proteins for a complete meal.
Keywords: lemon rice recipe, caramelized cabbage, easy side dish, vegetarian rice, lemon infused rice, healthy rice recipes
