Edamame Dill Rice (Persian Rice)

Edamame Dill Rice is my spin on a popular Persian rice recipe that's traditionally made with lima beans and dill. Buttery rice, permeating with the flavor of fresh dill and edamame. This tasty rice is served alongside chicken and meat shish kabobs. However, it's also a perfect vegetarian dish as well! Serve as is, or with some grilled vegetables. All this, and ready in under 30 minutes!

Why This Recipe Works

I've always loved dill rice, and I make it a point to order it whenever I eat at a Middle Eastern or Persian restaurant.

I also enjoy preparing it at home. Especially since it's so easy, quick, and most importantly, delicious!

I came up with the idea of adding edamame instead of lima beans one day when I didn't have lima beans on hand but had plenty of edamame in the freezer.

To my surprise, it tasted even better! And when I found out that edamame is lower in carbs and higher in protein, I decided I'd never make it with lima beans again!

What Goes Into This Recipe

How to Make This Recipe

1. Add butter and oil in a medium-sized Dutch oven. Saute the dill and edamame for a few minutes

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2. Rinse and drain the rice to remove excess starch. Add rice to the same pot. Cook, while stirring for a few additional minutes

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3. Add the water and salt and stir to combine.

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4. Bring to a boil, then cover the pot with the lid and simmer for twenty to 25 minutes. Stir at least once while cooking.

5. Fluff with a fork before serving. Squeeze with fresh lemon, if desired.

Edamame vs. Lima Beans

Edamame and soybeans are in fact, the same.

The difference is that edamame are harvested when they are young, while soybeans are picked when they mature. At that point, the nuts are seasoned and roasted.

Edamame and lima beans look similar but are not the same. If we compare one cup of each nutritionally, we find the following:

• Edamame are lower in carbs than lima beans (15 grams vs. 31.47 grams).
• Edamame are even higher in protein (17 grams vs. 10.67 grams).
• However, edamame are slightly higher in calories (189 vs. 176).
• Finally, lima beans are lower in fat (1.34 grams vs. 8 grams).

so if you're looking to up your protein and lower your carb intake, edamame are the obvious choice.

Visual Differences Between Edamame and Lima Beans

Visually, shelled edamame and lima beans resemble one another.

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Notice that lima beans are larger and slightly flatter. Both are buttery and delicious. Feel free to use either one in this recipe.

Edamame Dill Rice Serving Suggestions

Whether you decide to make this rice the traditional way (with lima beans) or my version (with edamame) the following serving suggestions still apply.

If you are a vegetarian, this is a wonderful recipe because it contains an ample amount of plant-based protein. It would definitely be satisfying on its own.

Otherwise, I recommend serving it with sumac chicken, Masgouf, or Goat Kofta kabobs. Grilled vegetables or a green salad will round off the meal nicely.

Expert Tips

• For the perfect rice, use 1 to 1-¼ cups of water for each cup of rice.
• If you prefer stickier rice, add more water.
• Be sure to use Jasmine rice, instead of Basmati for stickier rice.
• If you love dill, you can use as much as one cup of fresh dill in this recipe.
• Dill weed should not be used to replace the fresh dill in this recipe. It won't do the recipe justice.
• If you're not worried about calories. Add an additional tablespoon of butter.

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