Greek Rice Bowls are a build-your-own situation loaded with fresh, Greek salad-inspired ingredients, including the most wonderful whipped feta. Prep all of the components ahead of time for quick and easy meals on demand.
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This post was originally published in January 2020 and has been updated.
Feta cheese is a favorite of mine, and I love finding ways to incorporate it into recipes like this refreshing watermelon and feta salad.
These veggie rice bowls are an easy, build-your-own solution to mealtime. Feta is the star here - it's whipped into an addictive spread that is wonderfully tangy and creamy.
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Why you will love this
- Completely customizable. Swap in ingredients that you love or have on hand.
- Versatile and ideal for meal prep. These bowls are portable, too. Pack it as a picnic lunch or bring it to the office.
- Use leftover rice for a no-cook dish.
- Filled with fresh flavors inspired by a Greek salad.
- The most wonderful whipped feta spread might just be the best part of these bowls. It's glorious - tangy and creamy with a punch of bright lemon.
Ingredient Notes
- Rice - Use your favorite brown or white rice. This is a great way to use up leftover rice. I love using frozen brown rice. It cooks in the microwave in just minutes, making it ideal for quick prep meals like this.
- Greek salad-inspired fixings - Cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and Kalamata olives.
- Pita chips add a wonderful crunch and can be used to scoop up the delicious feta spread. Whole grain, plain, and garlic varieties are all great options.
- Feta cheese - I love Greek sheep and goat's milk feta such as Mt. Vikos. I prefer using block feta. It has more moisture and stays fresher than pre-crumbled cheese.
- Whipped cream cheese is soft and blends easily. It gives the whipped feta a creamy consistency. If using block cream cheese, bring it to room temperature first.
- Lemon juice - Freshly squeezed is always best.
- Seasonings - Oregano, thyme, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Substitutions
- Rice - Try farro, quinoa, or cauliflower rice.
- Feta cheese - Goat cheese works well here and has a milder flavor for those who don't love the salty tang of feta cheese.
- Veggies - Try bell peppers, radishes, shredded carrots, or any other veggies you love.
- Pita chips - Bagel chips and crostini are great options.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Please see the recipe card for complete instructions and ingredient amounts.
- Whip the feta: Add the feta, cream cheese, lemon juice, and seasonings to the bowl of a mini food processor. Process for about 2 minutes, scraping the bowl as needed until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Build the bowls: Layer rice, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and olives in a bowl. Add a spoonful - or two - of feta spread. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper. Serve with pita chips.
Expert Tips
- Make the whipped feta ahead of time. It will keep for several days in the fridge.
- This recipe makes about 2 cups of feta spread, which is more than is needed for the rice bowls. I guarantee you will want extra whipped feta in your life! Use as a dip with pita chips, spread on burgers, or add to a veggie wrap. It's addictive!
- Add protein such as roasted chicken, salmon, or shrimp for a heartier meal.
- Layer the ingredients in a mason jar for a fun, portable presentation.
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📖 Recipe Card
Greek Rice Bowls with Whipped Feta
These rice bowls are loaded with fresh veggies and a delicious whipped feta spread. Use leftover rice for a no-cook, build-your-own meal.
Save this recipe!
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
I will also send you other recipes I know you'll love. Unsubscribe at any time.
EQUIPMENT
Ingredients
Feta Spread
- 14 ounces block feta cheese (I prefer Greek sheep's milk feta)
- 4 ounces whipped cream cheese (or block cream cheese, softened to room temperature)
- 1 lemon (juiced)
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Rice Bowls
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 1 cup sliced cucumbers
- 1 cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes
- ½ cup sliced red onions
- ½ cup kalamata olives
- pita chips (for serving)
Garnishes
- olive oil
- flaky sea salt and black pepper
- basil, parsley, or cilantro
Instructions
Feta Spread
- Add the feta cheese to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times until the cheese resembles crumbs. Add the cream cheese, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, and lemon juice. Process until the mixture is creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes, scraping the bowl down as needed. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash of cream and blend until smooth.
- Transfer to a bowl. Refrigerate extra spread.
Greek Rice Bowls
- To assemble, divide the rice between two bowls. Top with cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, and olives. Add a generous spoonful of whipped feta. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with basil, parsley, or cilantro. Serve with pita chips.
Notes
- This recipe yields 2 cups of whipped feta. Save the extra for snacking, spreading on burgers, or adding to veggie wraps.
- The feta spread can be made several days in advance.
- Add roasted chicken, salmon, or shrimp for added protein.
- The rice can be substituted with farro or quinoa. Goat cheese can be used in place of the feta. See additional substitution notes in the blog post.
Nutrition
Calories: 398kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 834mg | Potassium: 531mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1012IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 202mg | Iron: 2mg
Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact amounts and specific ingredients used.
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