Spring Pea Mint Rice Pilaf (Printable format)

Fluffy rice with spring peas, fresh mint, and lemon zest brings bright, fresh flavors in every bite.

# List of ingredients:

→ 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, or to taste
11 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

12 - Lemon wedges for serving

# How to make it:

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 evenly 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, and simmer for 15 minutes.
07 - Stir in the peas, adding them straight 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 Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something that feels special without the stress.
  • The mint and lemon zest wake up your whole mouth in a way that makes people ask for the recipe before they've even finished eating.
  • It's genuinely forgiving—frozen peas work just as well as fresh, and it reheats beautifully if you need to get ahead.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice—it's the single biggest factor in whether you get fluffy individual grains or a starchy clump.
  • The mint must go in at the very end after the pan is off the heat, or it'll turn dark and lose that bright, fresh quality that makes this dish worth making.
03 -
  • Don't be timid with the lemon zest—that thin burst of citrus is what makes people pause and ask what the secret is.
  • If your rice turns out a bit firm, a splash of warm broth and 2 more minutes covered will finish it without turning it to mush.
Return