Instant Pot Spanakorizo (Greek Spinach and Rice)
Spanakorizo is a classic Greek dish that turns simple ingredients into something deeply comforting and full of flavor. In this red version, spinach and rice are cooked with tomato paste and olive oil until soft and slightly saucy, then finished with fresh lemon and herbs for brightness. It’s a humble, nourishing meal that tastes even better the next day.
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More About Instant Pot Spanakorizo
How Much Spinach Should I Use?
Spanakorizo is very flexible when it comes to spinach. This recipe uses 1 lb for a balanced ratio of rice to greens, but many versions use closer to 2 lbs for a more spinach-forward dish. Both work well. It simply depends on whether you prefer more rice or a greener, softer result.
Should Spanakorizo Be Dry or Saucy?
Spanakorizo should be soft and slightly saucy, not dry like plain rice. The olive oil and tomato paste create a light, cohesive texture that continues to thicken as it sits.
Can I Make This Ahead of Time?
Spanakorizo actually tastes even better after it rests. As it sits, the rice absorbs more flavor from the tomato paste, herbs, and olive oil, making leftovers especially delicious.
What Should I Serve with It?
Spanakorizo fits beautifully into a Mediterranean-style spread alongside other vegetable-forward dishes. Pair it with options like fasolakia, briam, or a simple salad to create a balanced and flavorful table. It also pairs well with feta, crusty bread, olives, or simple grilled proteins.
Why Did I Get a Burn Notice?
A burn notice usually happens when rice or starch sticks to the bottom of the pot. Make sure you stir well after adding the water or broth, scraping up anything stuck to the bottom before sealing. The olive oil helps reduce sticking, but it’s still important to avoid letting dry rice sit directly on the bottom without enough liquid evenly distributed.
How to Make Spanakorizo on the Stovetop
To make spanakorizo on the stovetop, start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and green onions and cook until softened, then stir in the garlic and tomato paste, cooking for another minute to deepen the flavor.
Add the spinach and cook until wilted, then stir in the rice, water or broth (increase by ½ cup), salt, and pepper. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 20–25 minutes, until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Finish by stirring in fresh herbs and lemon juice, and top with lemon zest. Then let the dish sit for a few minutes before serving so it can thicken slightly.
Instant Pot Spanakorizo (Greek Spinach and Rice)
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 6 green onions diced, dark green parts separated
- 6 large cloves of garlic minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 lb baby spinach *See Note 1
- 1 cup medium grain rice rinsed
- 1½ cups water or broth *See Note 2
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
- ¼ cup fresh dill chopped
- ½ tsp lemon zest
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to Saute and add the oil.⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Once the oil is hot, add the onion and white and light green parts of the green onion. Saute until they begin to soften.1 medium onion, 6 green onions
- Stir in the garlic and saute for 1 minute.6 large cloves of garlic
- Stir in the tomato paste and saute for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until it starts to darken. Note: This step takes the acidity out of the tomato paste.2 tbsp tomato paste
- Add the spinach and dark green part of the green onions and stir to combine. Saute until the spinach just starts to wilt.1 lb baby spinach
- Stir in the rice, water or broth, salt, and pepper. Scrape any browned bits from the bottom to avoid getting a BURN notification. Turn off Saute mode.1 cup medium grain rice, 1½ cups water or broth, 1 tsp sea salt, ½ tsp black pepper
- Using the Pressure Cook setting, cook on High Pressure for 3 minutes. When the cooking time is complete, allow the Instant Pot to do a 10-minute Natural Release then release any remaining pressure with a Quick Release according to the manufacturer's directions
- Stir in the lemon juice and fresh herbs, then top with lemon zest. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, ½ tsp lemon zest, ¼ cup fresh parsley, ¼ cup fresh dill
