Greek Tomato Rice

This classic Greek tomato rice, (also known as Ntomatorizo), inspired by tomato rice from one of our favorite Greek restaurants is packed with flavor. The rice is simmered in pureed tomatoes and vegetable stock.

This gives it a fantastic flavor and a creamy consistency. It tastes great with a blob of tzatziki or with almost any main dish.

Ntomatorizo is a classic side dish, which is mostly consumed in Greece and its islands. This Greek style tomato rice is so good and easy to make.

Made with uncooked long-grain white rice, tomatoes, vegetable stock and seasoned with oregano, cinnamon, paprika, cumin, salt, pepper and sugar.  Makes a great side dish or vegan friendly filling dinner.

I have made this recipe plenty of times and it’s always a hit. The first time I made it for my parents in law my mum in law said that it tasted like the tomato rice from the Greek restaurant.

I always serve tomato rice with tzatziki and bifteki. This takes me a total of 1 hour to make a fabulous dinner for my family.

What you’ll need to make Greek style tomato rice:

• 250 g (8.8 oz/ 1 1/4 cups) white long-grain rice
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 onion
• 600 ml (20.3 fl oz/ 2 ½ cups) vegetable stock
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 400 g (14.1 oz) pureed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon ground paprika
• ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 knife tip cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

You’ll also need:

– 2 tablespoons of olive oil
– large pot
– cutting board & knife

How to make Greek style tomato rice

Peel and mince garlic and onion. Heat about 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat and cook onion and garlic for about 4 minutes.

In the meantime, clean the rice. Simply put rice in a bowl and add cold running water. Stir the rice around with your hands and drain. Repeat the process for two to three times.

Next add tomato paste, oregano, pepper, paprika, cumin, cinnamon and sugar and cook for another minute.

Add pureed tomatoes followed by drained rice. Give everything a good stir. Then stir in vegetable stock.

Once the liquid starts to boil, cover, then reduce the heat to medium low and let cook for 20 minutes. After remove the pot from the heat and let sit for 10 minutes, without lifting up the lid. Use a fork and fluff the rice!

What to serve with tomato rice

• Tzatziki
• Bifteki
• Oven baked BBQ chicken legs
• Jerk chicken
• Baked skinless sausages

Did you make this Greek style tomato rice recipe? I’d love to hear from you! Simply write a review and add rating to it.