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Jeera Rice recipe- This recipe for Indian Cumin Riceis by far the BEST and the only one you will need. Make it on your stovetop or Instant Pot – Perfect, Fluffy, every rice grain separated and full-on flavors!
Serve thisBEST Cumin Rice Pilau as a side dish with your favoriteIndian Curry and Cucumber Raita!
{Step by Step instructions included for Stove Top & Instant Pot Pressure Cooker at the end of the post }
EASY JEERA RICE RECIPE
Why make plain basmati rice, when you can make this Indian seasoned rice for the same cooking time?
Recipes like thiseasy Jeera Rice are super simple, quick, and easy! Do you see how fluffy, separated, and nonsticky this rice is?
I love to make this rice on the Stove Top and Instant Pot too, depending upon the time at hand – both the methods are super easy and convenient.
Did I tell you – My mom always added cumin seeds to her vegetable pulao, curry, or dal too. This is something I thought was quite a norm.
Only after moving to the UK, I realised adding cumin seeds to rice was not widely popular. It is restricted to Indian Cuisine only. This cumin rice dish is something you would most likely find on the menu of your favorite Indian restaurants.
WHAT IS JEERA RICE?
Jeera rice is fragrant seasoned rice made with basmati rice tempered with cumin seeds and whole spices in ghee. Jeera translated to Cumin in English and Chawal translates to rice.
First, the whole spices and jeera ( cumin seeds ) are tempered in ghee. When the cumin seeds splutter, they release the aromatic flavor. And then add the rice, toss in the aromatics, and cooked to perfection.
Did you know, you can make a batch of Ground cumin at home in less than 10 minutes?
Jeera Rice Ingredients
To make this easy Indian Cumin Rice Pilau, you will need a handful of ingredients
Basmati Rice –Good Quality Long grain Rice is necessary. I prefer to use Grand Extra-long Tilda Basmati Ricefor my rice dishes like Vegetable Biryani, Pulao rice, etc. Do not use Jasmine rice or another type of short variety.
Water – Rice to Water Ratiois extremely important again. I prefer to usea 1: 2 Ratio. For every cup of rice, I use 2 cups of water. This measurement works really well for cooking on the stovetop.
However, ifyou are makingINSTANT POT JEERA RICE– I prefera 1: 1 ratio for rice and water.
Ghee / Butter / Oil–enhances the flavor of this side dish. However for making VEGAN JEERA RICE, simply use Oil or vegan butter.
Cumin Seeds add immense flavor to the rice dish and it continues to infuse as you steam the rice.
Whole Spices– I like to add Bayleaf, Cinnamon Stick, and Cardamom. You may also add cloves and mace for added flavor if you fancy.
Cilantro / Coriander leavesadd depth to the rice. Add them just before serving and stir.
Green Chili like Serano or Jalapeno adds some heat to the rice. It’s optional!
Did you know Jira Rice is the most searched term on Google for Jeera Rice? It’s also called Zeera Rice, Jeera Pulao & Cumin Rice!
TIPS TO MAKE PERFECT FLUFFY RICE EVERY SINGLE TIME
To make this perfect Jeera rice every single time, there are basic tips to keep in mind.
- MOST IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL STEP is to wash the rice atleast 5-6 times until the starch and debris clears.
- SOAK THE RICE in fresh water for atleast 20 minutes.
- USE THE CORRECT RICE – WATER RATIO. Do not add water approximately.
- DO NOT OVER COOK.
- USE A PAN WITH A TIGHT FITTED LID if you are cooking on stove top.
With a little extra water or overcooking, our perfect fluffy cumin rice can turn into mushy sticky rice in no time. Hence I always like to be accurate with my rice to water ratio and cooking time for rice.
HOW TO MAKE INDIAN JEERA RICE RECIPE?
I like to makeJeera Rice in a One-Pot Method. All you need is a Non-Stick Pan with a tightly fitted lid or an Instant Pot Pressure cooker. Basmati rice is tempered with whole cumin seeds & other whole spices!
The MOST IMPORTANT step in this cumin rice recipe is to wash the rice a couple of times until the starch clears. Soak the rice in enough water for 30 minutes and then drain it completely.
Heat Ghee or Oil in a Pan with a tightly fitted lid. Add Whole spices – Bay Leaf, Cinnamon Stick, Cardamom & Cumin Seeds. Allow the Cumin Seeds to splutter.At this stage add a sliced green chili if you fancy a mild heat in your rice dish. This is completely optional.
Add the rice and roast them along with the whole spices for a brief period. Roasting the rice helps in making sure the rice grains are separated.
Add the water, salt and allow the cumin rice to a rolling boil.
Once the water is nearly evaporated, cover with a lid and cook for another 5 minutes in the lowest setting. Switch off the flame and do not disturb the rice for another 5-7 minutes. This step is quite crucial for obtaining separated fluffed rice.
Just fluff it with a fork, garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.
HEALTHY BENEFITS OF JEERA ( Cumin Seeds )
Cumin Seeds promote digestion. This is one of the primary reasons, my mom always adds Cumin to her rice dishes, curries, and evenRasam too.
My FIL always drinksCumin infused water every day, ever since I have known. Simply add 2-3 tsp of cumin seeds to a pot of boiling water and allow it to cool down. This cumin-infused water is great to cure for indigestion and IBS too.
Cumin Seeds are a great source of IRON too.
Adding cumin seedsto your diet also aids fat loss. This was one interesting fact I read in a recent newspaper.
Isn’t that fantastic! I really hope by now, I have pushed you to try out our 10 minutes JEERA RICE RECIPE.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Serve Cumin rice with simple Tarka Dhal, cucumber raita & pickled red onions.
As a quick and easy side dish with your favorite curries like Rajma Curry, Paneer Butter masala, Tofu Korma, or Vegetable Korma
Jeera Rice { Indian Cumin Rice } – Stove Top & Instant Pot
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Soaking time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 3 People
Calories: 247kcal
Author: Sandhya Hariharan
Make this Perfect Jeera Rice! Quick & Easy Indian rice dish flavoured with cumin seeds and aromatics. Serve as a delicious side along with dal and curries Instant Pot & Stove Top method included.
Equipment
Non Stick Pan with a tightly fitted lid
Instant Pot Poressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Basmati Rice
- 1 – 2 Cup Water
- 2 Tbsp Oil/ Ghee/ Butter
- 2 Tsp Cumin Seeds
- 2 Bay Leaf
- 1 Inch Cinnamon Stick
- 3 Cardamom
- 2 Tbsp Coriander leaves
- 3/4 Tsp Salt
- 1 Green Chilli Optional
Instructions
Stove Top Method
RINSE & DRAIN-Wash the rice a couple of times until the starch clears. Soak the washed rice in enough water for 30 minutes and set it aside. Drain the rice in the colander.
SAUTE – Heat Ghee in a Deep Pan with a tightly fitted lid. Add Bay Leaf, Cinnamon Stick , Cardamom & Cumin Seeds. Allow the Cumin Seeds to splutter. ( Approximately in 30 seconds )
ADD RICE – Add the drained rice and roast along with the whole spices for 1 minute.
ADD WATER – Add 2 cup water, salt and allow the cumin rice to a rolling boil for 4 minutes.
COVER & COOK – Once the water is nearly evaporated, cover with a lid and cook for another 5 minutes in the low heat. Switch off the flame and do not disturb the rice for another 5-7 minutes. This step is quite crucial for obtaining separated fluffed rice.
FLUFF– Fluff it with a fork, garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.
Instant Pot Method
RINSE & DRAIN– Wash the rice a couple of times until the starch clears. Soak the washed rice in enough water for 20 minutes and set it aside. Drain the rice in the colander.
SAUTE–Press sauté button on Instant Pot. Add GHEE, add the whole spices and saute for 1 minute.
ADD RICE – Turn off the SAUTE MODE. Add the rinsed rice and saute briefly FOR 1 MINUTE.
ADD WATER– Add 1 cup water, salt and stir. Turn off the Sauté Mode.
PRESSURE COOK –Secure the lid. Turn the valve to sealing position. Select PRESSURE COOK LOW for 4 minutes. Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes and then Quick Release any remaining pressure.
FLUFF RICE– Remove the lid after the valve drops. Fluff the rice with fork.
Notes
You can add 2-3 drops of lemon juice if you like at the time of adding water to the recipe. Lemon Juice also aids to achieve separated non sticky rice.
For spicy Rice, add Sliced Green Chilli as the time of adding Cumin Seeds.
For fancier garnish, add roasted cashews along with coriander leaves.
Nutrition
Calories: 247kcal | Carbohydrates: 51.3g | Protein: 4.9g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.9g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 592mg | Potassium: 124mg | Fiber: 1.5g | Sugar: 0.1g | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 2mg
Course: Rice Dish, Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: cumin rice, indian rice, pilau rice, rice pilau
Tried this recipe?Mention @Sandhyaskitchen and Hashtag #sandhyaskitchen!
How to make Stove Top Method Jeera rice step by step?
- Wash the Rice until clear. Soak the rice in water for at-least 20 -30 minutes. Heat Ghee or Oil in a Deep Pan with a tightly fitted lid. Add Bay Leaf, Cinnamon Stick , Cardamom & Cumin Seeds.
2. Allow the Cumin Seeds to sizzle.At this stage add a sliced green chili if you fancy a mild heat in your rice dish. This is completely optional.
3. Add the rice and roast them along with the whole spices for a brief period.
4. Roasting the rice helps in achieving nonsticky rice.
5. Add the water, salt and bring to a boil
6. Once the water is nearly evaporated, cover with a lid and cook for another 5 minutes in the lowest setting.
7. Switch off the flame andkeep it covered. do not disturb the rice for another 5-7 minutes. This step is quite crucial for obtaining separated fluffed rice.
8. Fluff it with a fork, garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.
How to make Instant Pot Jeera rice step by step?
It’s really simple to make Indian cumin rice in the Instant Pot with the detailed instructions below.
RINSE & DRAIN– Wash the rice a couple of times until the starch clears. Soak the washed rice in enough water for 20 minutes and set it aside. Drain the rice in the colander.
SAUTE–Press the sauté button on Instant Pot and then Add GHEE, add the whole spices and saute for 1 minute.
RICE– Turn off the SAUTE MODE. Add the rinsed rice and saute briefly FOR 1 MINUTE.
ADD WATER– Add the water, salt and stir.
PRESSURE COOK –Secure the lid. Turn the valve to sealing position. Select PRESSURE COOK LOW for 4 minutes. Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes and then Quick Release any remaining pressure.
FLUFF RICE– Remove the lid after the valve drops. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve hot!
