Spring Pea Mint Rice Pilaf (Printable Version)

Fragrant pilaf combining sweet spring peas and fresh mint for a bright, light side dish.

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

→ Garnish

12 - Lemon wedges for serving

# How-To Steps:

01 - Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well in a fine mesh strainer.
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 minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add the rinsed rice and stir continuously to coat all grains evenly with the butter and aromatic mixture.
05 - Pour in the vegetable broth, add salt and pepper, and bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
06 - Reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the cover.
07 - Stir in the peas 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 all liquid is absorbed.
08 - Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes to allow the rice to fully set.
09 - Fluff the rice with a fork, breaking up any clumps. Stir in the mint, parsley, and lemon zest. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
10 - Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with lemon wedges. Serve warm.

# Tips for Success:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, which means you can have a restaurant-quality side dish without the stress.
  • The mint stays fresh and vibrant instead of getting cooked into submission, giving each bite a little jolt of flavor.
  • It's naturally vegetarian and works beautifully alongside almost any protein, from ham to chicken to roasted fish.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice unless you enjoy mushy, gluey results that feel more like porridge than pilaf.
  • Adding the mint after cooking is non-negotiable if you want that fresh, almost sweet mint flavor that makes this dish special.
  • Frozen peas work just as well as fresh ones and they defrost in the residual heat, so don't feel like you need to hunt down fresh.
03 -
  • If your kitchen tends to run cold, warm your broth before adding it to the rice so the cooking time stays consistent.
  • Fresh herbs lose their brightness when cooked, so always add the mint at the very end right before serving for maximum impact.
  • Taste the rice a minute before the timer goes off to catch it at that perfect tender-but-not-mushy moment.
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