Scallion Rice (Green Onion Rice) is a light, fragrant white rice dish made by toasting long-grain rice in olive oil, simmering it in savory vegetable broth, and finishing it with fresh green onions and a bright touch of lemon zest. Serve with Balsamic Tofu or Vegan Teriyaki Meatballs.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I like this dish because the flavors are fresh and bright. Green onions and lemon zest are simple ingredients that work well together, and their mild flavors pair beautifully with everything from Asian and Indian dishes to Mexican and American favorites. The versatility and simple ingredients make this a great any-night-of-the-week side dish.
Ingredients for Scallion Rice
Here’s what you will need. Exact amounts are listed in the recipe card below.
- Olive Oil – For lightly toasting the rice.
- Rice – Long-grain white rice, Basmati, or Jasmine rice all work well for this recipe.
- Vegetable Broth – For a slightly savory depth.
- Kosher Salt – If substituting table salt, use slightly less.
- Scallions – Also known as green onions.
- Fresh Lemon – You’ll be using the zest, so a microplane works great here.
How to Make Scallion Rice
STEP ONE: Toast the rice. Warm the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the rice and stir frequently for 1 minute.
STEP TWO: Add Broth and Salt. Pour in the vegetable broth and kosher salt and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
STEP THREE: Simmer. Cover and cook for 17 minutes, until the rice is cooked through and the liquid is fully absorbed. Let the rice stand, covered, for 10 minutes.
STEP FOUR: Finish and Serve. Fluff the rice with a fork, gently stir in the scallions and lemon zest, and serve hot.
Tips for Making the Best Rice
- Don’t skip toasting – That one minute of toasting builds a subtle nuttiness and helps the grains stay fluffy.
- Resist lifting the lid – Steam is doing the work during those 17 minutes. Lifting the lid releases steam and can result in unevenly cooked rice.
- Add scallions off the heat – Stirring them in after cooking preserves their fresh color and crisp bite.
Storage and Reheating
- Leftover scallion rice keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- To reheat, warm on the stovetop or in the microwave with a small splash of vegetable broth or water to bring the moisture back. If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator first.
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Scallion Rice (Green Onion Rice) Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup scallions white and green parts, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Warm the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the rice and stir frequently for 1 minute.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and kosher salt and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
- Cover and cook for 17 minutes, until the rice is cooked through and the liquid is fully absorbed. Let the rice stand, covered, for 10 minutes.
- Fluff the rice with a fork, gently stir in the scallions and lemon zest, and serve hot.
Nutrition
This post was updated on February 20, 2026.
Jacqui
This is perfect for my meal prep!
Bonnie
Easy to make all loved it. I will definitely make this again.
thiswifecooks
Glad to hear it! Thanks so much, Bonnie.