Learn how to cook PERFECT Indian Basmati Rice Recipe in under 30 minutes! This easy basmati rice uses fragrant spices to create authentic tasting Indian rice. Pair it with roasted vegetables to make a healthy, vegan meal for dinner!
Basmati Rice Recipe
I love Indian food. The problem is that I don’t have much experience with Indian cooking or traditional Indian spices, so I was always a little scared to try making it at home. Instead, I’d order Indian takeout and dream about being able to cook my own flavorful dishes in my kitchen.
Finally, I decided to learn how to make my own Indian Basmati Rice — the perfect side dish for Chickpea Curry , Butter Chicken (my fav), or any of your favorite Indian recipes. And I’m so glad I did!
How authentic is this basmati rice recipe? It tastes just like the fluffy, aromatic rice from our favorite Indian restaurant — Matthew even thought I bought it from there! The best part is how easy it is to make Indian restaurant-style basmati rice at home. You don’t need to be an expert in Indian cooking — even beginners can make this light, fluffy, and perfectly seasoned Indian rice recipe every single time.
How to Cook Basmati Rice
Let’s start with the first step — cooking the rice! To get that perfect basmati rice texture, you’ll want to soak the rice for about 20 minutes before cooking. Simply place the rice in a bowl and cover it with water. This step helps the grains cook up fluffy and separate (and even makes them a little longer once cooked). Trust me on this — soaking your rice makes all the difference, so don’t skip it!
Can you see that just from soaking it for 20 minutes has already made the rice noticeably more fluffy?
How to Make Indian Rice
Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium high heat. Add cinnamon, cumin, cloves and cardamom to oil and stir until all combined.
Add rice to saucepan and stir until completely coated with spices, about 2 minutes.
Add salt and water to saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover with lid and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes.
Remove rice from stove, fluff with a fork and serve.
Your kitchen is going to smell like a food lovers dream! Indian food in some of the most fragrant food and this Indian basmati rice is going to smell great!
I hope you love this recipe as much as I do! Enjoy!
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Ingredients
- ▢ 1 1/2 cup basmati rice
- ▢ 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ▢ 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ▢ 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- ▢ 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- ▢ 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
- ▢ 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- ▢ 2 1/2 cups water
Instructions
- Place basmati rice in a medium sized bowl, covering it completely with water. Let it sit for 20 minutes, and then drain the rice. Doing this is going to provide the rice a great texture – please don’t skip this step.
- Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium high heat. Add cinnamon, cumin, cloves and cardamom to oil and stir until all combined.
- Add rice to saucepan and stir until completely coated with spices, about 2 minutes.
- Add salt and water to saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover with lid and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes.
- Remove rice from stove, fluff with a fork and serve.
Video:
Nutrition Information:
Easy Indian Basmati Rice
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup basmati rice
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/2 cups water
Instructions
- Place basmati rice in a medium sized bowl, covering it completely with water. Let it sit for 20 minutes, and then drain the rice. Doing this is going to provide the rice a great texture - please don’t skip this step.
- Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium high heat. Add cinnamon, cumin, cloves and cardamom to oil and stir until all combined.
- Add rice to saucepan and stir until completely coated with spices, about 2 minutes.
- Add salt and water to saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover with lid and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes.
- Remove rice from stove, fluff with a fork and serve.
Video
Nutrition
Recipe Created by Pamela Reed for brooklynfarmgirl.com
