Moroccan Rice Bowl with Herbs
Why this recipe works
- Bright, balanced dressing: Lemon juice and zest lift the olive oil and cumin, keeping the rice fresh rather than heavy.
- Good texture contrast: Fluffy rice, tender chickpeas, crisp cucumber and juicy tomatoes give the bowl variety in every forkful.
- Useful for make-ahead meals: The rice and chickpeas hold well in the fridge, while the herbs can be added just before serving for the freshest finish.
Get the most out of this recipe
Timing notes
- Rest the rice before fluffing: Leaving the covered rice off the heat helps the grains finish steaming evenly and stay separate.
- Best served cool, not fridge-cold: If chilled, let the bowl sit briefly at room temperature before serving so the lemon, cumin and herbs taste more rounded.
Ingredient notes
- Use fresh herbs here: Fresh parsley and coriander are central to the bowl’s flavour and texture; dried herbs will not give the same lift.
- Taste the dressing first: Lemons vary in sharpness, so adjust with a little extra juice or salt before adding the rice and vegetables.
Make-ahead tips
- Keep herbs separate if preparing ahead: For the freshest colour and flavour, store the dressed rice, chickpeas and vegetables separately from the chopped herbs, then fold them through before serving.
- Good for lunch boxes: The bowl keeps well in an airtight container and can be eaten chilled or allowed to lose its fridge chill before eating.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Rinse the rice in a colander under cold water until the water runs mostly clear. Tip into a saucepan with 300 ml water and 0.75 tsp of the fine sea salt, bring to the boil, then cover and cook on the lowest heat for 10 minutes. Take off the heat and leave, covered, for 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork and spread on a plate to cool.
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas, then leave to drain well. Dice the cucumber and halve the cherry tomatoes. Finely chop the fresh parsley and fresh coriander.
- Finely grate the lemon zest into a large bowl, then squeeze in the juice. Whisk in the olive oil, ground cumin, and the remaining 0.5 tsp fine sea salt until combined.
- Add the cooled rice, chickpeas, cucumber and cherry tomatoes to the bowl and toss gently to coat. Fold through the fresh parsley and fresh coriander. Serve at room temperature, or chill for 10 minutes for a cooler bowl.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Cooling the rice on a wide plate helps it stay fluffy and stops the bowl turning claggy.
- For the best flavour, taste the dressing before mixing and adjust with a little more lemon juice or a pinch more fine sea salt if needed.
- If serving chilled, cover and chill briefly so the herbs stay bright and fresh rather than bruised.
Substitutions
- Replace ground cumin with ras el hanout for a warmer, more complex spice note.
- Replace fresh coriander with extra fresh parsley if you prefer a milder herb finish.
- Replace lemon with lime for a sharper, more aromatic dressing.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge. For the freshest texture, add the herbs just before serving if making ahead; otherwise, stir through and eat within 24 hours. Serve chilled or let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before eating.
Ratings & reviews
Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.
Tried this recipe?
Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.
Stay inspired
Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.
Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 servings
- Total time: 35min (20min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Moroccan
Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.
Add to meal plannerEquipment you'll need
Got ingredients left?
Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.
Find recipes with these ingredients →Make this recipe easier next time
AdvertisementThese tools help you get better results with less effort.
KitchenAid Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- Non-slip base
- Stainless steel
- Not microwave safe
T-fal Specialty Nonstick Handy Pot with Glass Lid 3 Quart
- Easy food release
- Dishwasher safe
- Not induction compatible
OXO Good Grips Stainless Mixing Bowl Set
- Non-slip base
- Comfort grip
- Higher price
WMF Mini Saucepan 16 cm with Lid
- High-quality stainless steel
- Even heat distribution
- Higher price point
Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?
Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.
Add JustRecipes to GoogleEvery recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.

























