Rizogalo (Greek Rice Pudding) | The Mediterranean Dish (2024)

Rizogalo, pronounced "ri-ZOH-ga-loh" is a Greek rice pudding, from rizo meaning rice and gála meaning milk. Delicately flavored with orange and cinnamon, rizogalo is luxuriously creamy, delightfully fragrant, and refreshingly light. It's a naturally gluten-free dessert (or breakfast) recipe everyone will enjoy!

It seems most every culture has their version of rice pudding, from Middle Eastern-style rice pudding that’s sometimes flavored with rose water, to Indian kheer scented with cardamom and saffron, to Sicilian Strawberry Pudding, to French riz au lait that’s often finished with heavy whipping cream.

Food Stories: A Bowl of Nostalgia and Comfort!

Every Greek person has a memory of enjoying rizogalo as a child. The distinct smell of milk simmering over the stove, together with the citrus, vanilla, and cinnamon, would fill our kitchen with the most delightful aroma.

To this day, every time I see rizogalo, or when I make it in my home, it evokes a warm, cozy, and comforting feeling like a hug of a mother to her child. It was a delight for my mum to stand whisking the pot joyfully, knowing her children enjoyed the dish so much. So much so I was always eager to scrape and eat what remained in the pot before Mum would wash it.

As I reflect and write this, I am concluding my last few days in Greece, where I have spent five weeks road tripping around photographing and eating through this beautiful country. I have tried many old and new foods, but the one dish that was offered everywhere I went was rizogalo.

Whether I was starting my day in hotel breakfast rooms or at a local bakery, I always found small earthenware pots of rizogalo front and center. I didn’t need to guess what type of rice pudding it was or whether the recipe had changed from that of my mother. The cinnamon sprinkled over the top and the honey pot on the side told me what I already knew: this is Greek rizogalo.

The warmth and comfort those earthenware pots brought me every morning was no surprise. We all crave nostalgia and comfort at any age.

Rizogalo (Greek Rice Pudding) Ingredients

Rizogalo is made with very few ingredients that you most probably have in your pantry and fridge. You’ll need:

• Milk: Rizogalo is traditionally made using whole milk. This milk ensures you get a creamy, full-bodied rice pudding. Other light or nut milk can be used, but they will have different taste and texture (see “Let’s Talk Rice and Milk” below).
• Rice: I use uncooked risotto or arborio, a short-grain rice. Due to the high starch content (amylopectin) in this variety of rice, the pudding remains creamy. Do not rinse the uncooked rice; it removes much of the starch necessary to achieve the pudding's distinct texture.
• Vanilla: I like to use the seeds of a vanilla bean for its intense flavor and for the visually appealing black specks that permeate the pudding. However, one teaspoon of vanilla paste or extract can be substituted.
• Lemon and orange: Flavoring the rice pudding with citrus is optional, though I highly recommend it. Adding the lemon and orange gives a lovely freshness and slight sweetness that works wonderfully with the milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. I added the citrus in two ways: a piece of lemon peel, which I remove once the pudding is cooked, and the zest of one-quarter of an orange.
• Cornstarch: A gluten-free product made from pure ground corn kernels. It is neutral in flavor and is added as a thickener in this recipe.
• Sugar: I like a small amount of superfine sugar, but you can use standard cane sugar as long as you stir well while the mixture is still warm. If you like it sweeter, add one more tablespoon. Also, a drizzle of honey can be served over the top, adding sweetness.
• Cinnamon: Rizogalo would not be a Greek recipe if it were not for the cinnamon. This is by far the Greek finale to a Greek pudding. Both a whole cinnamon stick and ground cinnamon are used in this recipe, adding unique warmness and spice to the pudding.

How to Make Rizogalo Greek Rice Pudding

This Greek rice pudding recipe is simple to make and always gluten-free. The goal is fluffy pudding, and the secret is your kitchen whisk. Whisk the milk often to incorporate air, which will not only prevent sticking but also make a deliciously light rice pudding.

• Season the milk. In a medium saucepan, add 4 ¼ cups milk, ½ cup Arborio rice, 1 cinnamon stick, a 2-inch strip of lemon rind, and the zest from ¼ orange. Use a small knife to split the vanilla pod in half lengthwise, then scrape the seeds into the pan and discard the pod (wait until later if you’re using vanilla extract).
• Bring to a simmer. Bring the mixture to a simmer over low to medium heat, whisking continuously for the first 3 minutes so that the milk and rice do not stick to the bottom of the pot.
• Cook rice. Continue to cook rice, whisking vigorously every six or so minutes and until the rice is very tender and the mixture has started to thicken. This should take about 35-40 minutes. To check if the rice is cooked, taste a rice grain. It should be very soft. The consistency of the milk should be thick like heavy cream.
• Thicken. Dilute 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with ¼ cup of water in a small bowl. Pour into the rice mixture over low heat, whisking until combined and the pudding has thickened yet is slightly pourable in consistency. This will happen quickly, so keep an eye on it. Remove from heat. It will continue to thicken slightly while it cools, so do not make it too thick.
• Finish. Remove and discard the lemon rind and cinnamon stick. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and sweeten to taste (I like about 2 tablespoons of sugar to start).
• Serve. Pour the pudding into 5 serving bowls and liberally sprinkle with cinnamon powder.

Let’s Talk Rice and Milk

At the heart of Greek rice pudding–or any rice pudding for that matter–is the rice and the milk. The correct ratio of milk and rice is very important. Not paying attention can result in a far too thick pudding reminiscent of risotto. Too little rice can become more like a rice soup. Neither is pleasant when expecting a delicious light and fluffy rice pudding.

What Milk Makes the Best Pudding?

Can a non-dairy product substitute milk? Can low-fat (half and half), lactose-free, skinny, almond, soy, oat, and coconut milk work?

• Low-fat, half-and-half, lactose-free milk or non-dairy varieties will not taste as creamy or full-bodied as whole milk.
• Nut or coconut milk will taste distinctly of that milk variety.
• Condensed and evaporated milk is far richer and sweeter and not the ideal milk to use to cook the rice.

Using whole milk also means you do not need to add eggs, butter, or cream. You don’t need to worry about tempering eggs or be worried about the extra fat component from these ingredients. When cooking with whole milk make sure it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot. Whisking regularly helps avoid this.

What is the Best Rice for Rice Pudding?

Do not rinse the uncooked rice, as it removes much of the starch necessary to achieve the thick consistency that makes this pudding distinct. Please note this is not a sticky rice pudding. This is more like a fluffy custard pudding, with rice which is light and flavorful.

There are many varieties of rice but not all are interchangeable. You can use cooked rice, but you won't achieve the same result and brown rice is not ideal as it absorbs far too much liquid.

Should I Whisk or Stir Rice Pudding?

Whisking rather than stirring throughout the cooking process creates a light, airy, and fluffy rizogalo because it aerates the milk. Trust me on this one, no one enjoys the heavy, thick, and stodgy pudding! Use any whisk you have on hand.

What to Serve with Rizogalo

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