Herbed Rice Dolmas

These tender grape leaves are filled with a fragrant mixture of rice, onion, fresh herbs, lemon, and olive oil, then gently simmered until soft and flavorful. They are excellent served warm or chilled as part of a mezze spread.

This recipe is greek style, snack, scaled for 8 servings, with 30 min prep and 45 min cook.

Prep: 30 min · Cook: 45 min · Total: 75 min · Serves: 8

Quick cooking notes

• Core ingredients include grape leaves, short-grain rice, olive oil, onion.
• Follow all 9 steps in order for the intended texture and doneness.
• Ingredient quantities listed below are for 8 servings.

Ingredients

• 350 g grape leaves (rinsed and drained)
• 1 cup short-grain rice (rinsed)
• 0.5 cup olive oil (divided)
• 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
• 0.5 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
• 0.25 cup fresh dill (chopped)
• 2 tbsp fresh mint (chopped)
• 0.5 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 2 cups water or vegetable stock
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. If using jarred grape leaves, rinse them thoroughly under cold water to remove excess brine, then drain well.
2. Heat half of the olive oil in a pan over medium heat and cook the onion until soft and translucent.
3. Add the rice, parsley, dill, mint, salt, and black pepper, and stir for 1 to 2 minutes until the rice is well coated.
4. Remove the pan from the heat and let the filling cool slightly before rolling.
5. Place one grape leaf shiny side down, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of filling near the stem end, fold in the sides, and roll tightly into a small cylinder.
6. Arrange the stuffed grape leaves seam-side down in a snug single layer or stacked layers in a pot.
7. Drizzle the remaining olive oil and the lemon juice over the dolmas, then pour in the water or stock.
8. Place a heatproof plate directly over the dolmas to keep them from unrolling, then cover the pot and simmer gently for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
9. Let the dolmas cool slightly before serving warm, or chill them and serve cold with extra lemon wedges.

Nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: 229
• Protein: 3 g
• Fat: 14 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 428 mg

Nutrition values are estimates based on stored ingredient totals and serving size.

Related recipes by cuisine or ingredients

• Greek Couscous Salad
• Creamy Green Goddess Salad Dressing
• Grilled Halloumi Appetizer Salad
• Ground Lamb Loaf With Tzatziki Sauce
• Feta and Mint Rice Salad
• Briam (Greek Baked Vegetables)
• Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Skillet
• Oven-roasted Greek Potatoes
• Chilled Artichoke and Herb Soup
• Fluffy Rice Pilaf
• Greek Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives
• Greek Style Lamb Wrapped in Parchment