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Capsicum rice recipe | Capsicum pulao | Bell pepper rice

By swasthi , on May 21, 2020, 45 Comments, Jump to Recipe

Capsicum rice recipe or bell pepper rice with stovetop & instant pot instructions – A spicy capsicum pulao that can be made just under 30 minutes. It goes good in lunch box or for a quick dinner and is kids’ friendly. Capsicum rice tastes very flavorful and delicious so does not need any side. But to make a complete meal, it can be served with plain curd or yogurt or with a simple raita and papad.

capsicum rice recipe

To make this easy dish, I precook the rice in a cooker or Instant pot. While the rice cooks, I make the capsicum masala in a pan. Once the rice is done, I cool it slightly and then mix it with the prepared capsicum masala. A dash of lemon juice enhances the taste.

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I have updated this recipe with the Instant pot instructions. The same method can be followed to make it in the traditional Indian cooker or pot.

You can always skip the whole spices in the recipe if you do not prefer them. Capsicum rice still tastes great even without the whole spices.

I have used green peas, you can substitute with potato and can be garnished with cashew nuts.

If making for kids reduce the amount of masala and red chilli powder. I usually set aside a small quantity of cooked white rice. Then towards the end add it to the kids’ portion of rice to make it less spicy, add a bit more of salt if needed.

If making capsicum rice in less quantity than what is mentioned below, reduce the amount of spices proportionately.

Preparation

1. Wash and soak rice for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and cook to grainy but cooked completely. Soaking helps to keep the rice soft for long hours.

cooking rice in cooker for capsicum rice recipe

How to make

2. While the rice cooks, add oil to a pan. Saute jeera and then the curry leaves or bay leaf until crisp. If using optional dry spices then add 4 cardamom, 4 cloves, 2 inch cinnamon, 1 star anise and 1 strand mace. Saute till they sizzle.

fry dry pulav spices in oil for capsicum rice recipe

3. Transfer onions, chili and fry until the onions turn transparent. For kids skip green chilli.

fry onions in oil

4. Add ginger garlic paste.

frying ginger garlic paste

5. Fry until the raw smell is gone.

frying mixture to remove raw smell in capsicum rice recipe
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6. Add capsicum, peas or potato. If using potatoes, chop them small else they don’t cook quickly. Fry for about 3 minutes.

addition of green peas in capsicum rice recipe

7. Sprinkle salt, turmeric, chili powder, masala powder, chopped pudina and coriander.

addition of salt chilli powder in capsicum rice recipe

8. Stir and fry for about 2 minutes.

frying masala to make capsicum pulao
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9. Sprinkle 2 tbsp. Water and cook on a low flame for the aroma of capsicum and masala to come out. Evaporate the water completely but do not dry up otherwise the pulao will be very dry. The mixture must be moist. If using potatoes you may need to add more water to cook.

addition of water to cook veggies for capsicum pulao

10. Add rice and sprinkle salt. Do not add very hot rice, if it is slightly hot its fine.

addition of cooked rice to pan to make capsicum pulao

11. Mix well and add lemon juice.

addition of fresh lemon juice for capsicum pulao recipe

After 45 minutes to 1 hour, the rice gets a deeper color due to the spice powders, lemon juice and red pepper. Serve capsicum rice with papad or curd.

You may like to check this collection of capsicum recipes
capsicum masala curry
Simple capsicum fry
capsicum chutney

For more Rice recipes, check
Veg tehri
Kuska rice
Veg pulao
Ghee rice

Easy capsicum rice recipe

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capsicum rice

Capsicum rice

Simple capsicum rice made by tempering rice with spices, green peas and capsicum. Instructions included for stovetop and Instant pot. Serve this with raita or yogurt.
Pin Recipe Print Recipe

For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Servings4
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )

  • 2 cups rice uncooked
  • 2 tablespoons oil or as needed
  • 1 medium onion thinly sliced
  • 1 green chili slit (optional)
  • ¾ to 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste (or chopped)
  • ½ cup green peas (optional)
  • 1½ to 2 cups capsicums or bell pepper chopped
  • 2 tablespoons coriander leaves chopped
  • ¼ cup mint leaves (pudina) chopped
  • 1½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice or as needed (optional)

Spices for capsicum rice

  • 1 sprig curry leaves or biryani leaf or bay leaf
  • ½ teaspoon cumin or jeera or shahi jeera
  • 1½ teaspoons garam masala or bisi bele bath or biryani masala (adjust as needed)
  • ½ to ¾ teaspoon red chili powder (skip if included in masala)
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric or haldi
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Instructions

  • Wash rice and cook to slightly grainy. Do not make the rice mushy.
  • I cooked 2 cups basmati rice with 3½ cups water in a pressure cooker for 1 whistle on a medium high flame.
  • Released the pressure manually using a spoon. Fluff up with a fork and cool completely. While the rice cooks, make the capsicum masala ready.
  • Heat oil in a pan. Fry cumin & bay leaf or curry leaves till it turns aromatic.
  • Add onions and chili fry until the onions turn slightly pink.
  • Then add ginger garlic paste and saute till the raw smell goes away. Transfer capsicum and green peas. Fry for 3 minutes.
  • Add mint, coriander, chilli powder, garam masala and salt. Fry for about 2 minutes till the mixture turns aromatic.
  • Add the 2 tbsp water and cook on a low flame till the water evaporates.
  • Then add cooled rice to the capsicum mixture along with lemon and salt. Mix well. Serve capsicum rice warm with a raita.

Instant pot capsicum rice

  • Press SAUTE button on the Instant pot and pour oil to the inner steel insert.
  • Add cumin. When the seeds splutter, add curry leaves, green chilli and onions. Saute until the onions turn golden.
  • Next add ginger garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Then add in the capsicum and peas.
  • Saute for 2 to 3 mins until the capsicum is done to your liking. Then add salt, turmeric, red chilli powder, garam masala and mint leaves.
  • Give a good stir and pour 2 tbsps of water. Press CANCEL button.
  • Deglaze the pot and mix everything well. The heat in the pot will cook the masala and evaporate the water completely.
  • Remove this to a plate and set aside.
  • Add soaked rice and pour water. For 2 cups basmati rice, you will need 2.5 cups water. For 2 cups sona masuri rice, you will need 4 cups water.
  • Give a good stir to ensure there are no food particles stuck at the bottom. Secure the Instant pot with the lid and position the steam release handle to sealing.
  • Press PRESSURE COOK button and set the timer to 5 mins for basmati rice or 10 mins for sona masuri rice.
  • For basmati rice, release the pressure manually after 5 mins. Remove the pot and cool the rice a bit.
  • Then add the coriander leaves, capsicum masala and lemon juice to the pot. Give a good mix. Adjust salt if needed.Serve capsicum rice with yogurt or curd.
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Notes

You can also add 1 star anise, 4 cardamoms, 4 cloves, 1 strand mace and 2 inches piece of cinnamon to the tempering. This makes the rice more flavorful rice.

Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.

For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Capsicum rice
Amount Per Serving
Calories 444 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Sodium 56mg2%
Potassium 213mg6%
Carbohydrates 82g27%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 240IU5%
Vitamin C 11.1mg13%
Calcium 44mg4%
Iron 1.7mg9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!

© Swasthi’s Recipes

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capsicum rice
Capsicum rice recipe | Capsicum pulao | Bell pepper rice
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About swasthi

I’m Swasthi shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthis recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills.
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Comments

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  2. Hetal says

    May 30, 2020

    5 stars
    Whenever I prepared this beautiful n delicious rice it turned out simply tasty.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      May 31, 2020

      Thanks Hetal
      Glad to know

      Reply
  3. Lakshmi says

    January 23, 2020

    5 stars
    Hi Swasthi,
    This recipe turned out very yummy – it had the right amounts of tanginess, spice and crunch of the veggies. My hubby loved it too !!!!
    Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      January 28, 2020

      Hi Lakshmi,
      You are welcome. Glad it turned out good! Thank you!

      Reply
  4. Kavita says

    August 25, 2019

    5 stars
    How are you Swasthi? I made your capsicum rice today with tri color peppers and guess what? It came out yummy like always.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      August 26, 2019

      Hey Kavitha,
      I am doing good. Hope the same from you too!. Thank you. Glad you liked the capsicum rice.
      🙂

      Reply
  5. Shanthi Sankaran says

    July 8, 2019

    Can we add tomatoes to the capsicum rice?

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      July 8, 2019

      Hi Shanti,
      Yes a small to medium sized tomato should be fine. Just add the tomatoes after frying the onions and ginger garlic paste. Sprinkle salt and fry the tomatoes very well until it turns soft and mushy. The raw smell of tomatoes should go away. If you add tomato it will add up another 8 mins to the cook time of the recipe. So I simply sprinkle some lemon juice towards the end. Hope this helps.

      Reply
  6. Shanthi Sankaran says

    July 8, 2019

    5 stars
    Good recipe explained step by step with photos. Thank you Swasthi.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      July 8, 2019

      Welcome Shanthi. Thanks for rating the recipe

      Reply
  7. Seema says

    February 3, 2019

    Super recipe thank you 😊

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      July 8, 2019

      Welcome Seema

      Reply
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  9. Lakshmi Babu Rao says

    May 29, 2018

    5 stars
    mam ur recipes are soooo sooo ammazzzzinggghh nd i m just loving it…… nd i am beginner nd m finding easy nd interesting aftr going recipes.. aftr going through ur recipes i got my confidence dat i can cook…. thank you so much ma’m

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      May 30, 2018

      Hi Lakshmi
      You are welcome.
      Thanks a lot for reading the recipes. Do try more recipes and enjoy the food.
      🙂

      Reply
  10. Himani says

    July 11, 2017

    5 stars
    This recipe sounds good n looks delicious 🙂 but i have one doubt you said use masala powder so it means garam masala powder?? If it is garam masala powder so which garam masala you recommended me to use..or can i use maggy garam masala ??please suggest me

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      July 11, 2017

      Hi Himani
      I use this garam masala powder. You can use any garam masala you have. I do not know what maggy garam masala is. Any good garam masala is fine

      Reply
      • Himani says

        July 11, 2017

        Maggy massa is a Maggi masala- a-magic..

        Reply
        • swasthi says

          July 11, 2017

          Haha!
          Himani! maggi masala is very unhealthy. Instead use homemade garam masala. This is turn out very good.

          Reply
      • Lakshmi Babu Rao says

        May 29, 2018

        mam ur recipes are soooo sooo ammazzzzinggghh nd i m just loving it…… nd i am beginner nd m finding easy nd interesting aftr going recipes.. aftr going through ur recipes i got my confidence dat i can cook…. thank you so much ma’m

        Reply
  11. SUBAL BISWAS says

    May 30, 2017

    5 stars
    this recipe is so so so so so so delicious.
    my daughter cooked this so well .
    .But some credit goes to u too
    .. thanks for this

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      May 30, 2017

      Welcome Subal
      Thanks for trying and the comment

      Reply
  12. Padma says

    May 23, 2017

    5 stars
    Thank you for the recipe.
    The rice came out very well .

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      May 24, 2017

      Welcome Padma

      Reply
  13. Sheetal Sarang says

    March 31, 2017

    5 stars
    This recipe is super fantastic…. There is so much scope for manipulation.
    Next time I would definitely add some fried potatoes.. I am sure it will enhance the biryani. This is my first time at making biryani and boy I am so excited!!!!
    Thank you so much..

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      March 31, 2017

      Welcome Sheetal
      Glad to know you liked the recipe
      🙂

      Reply
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  15. Hetal says

    October 7, 2016

    5 stars
    Swasthi
    Once again I am here to thank you.
    It’ turned out very delicious,,
    I am from Gujarat and so I want to praise you in Gujarati language…”Aa to super hit chhe.”?

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      October 13, 2016

      Hi Hetal
      You are welcome
      Thanks a lot for trying and sharing with me. So glad to know it came out well.
      🙂

      Reply
  16. Rajeshwari says

    June 16, 2016

    Is it necessary to use green peas and potato or can be kept optional?

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      June 16, 2016

      I have mentioned peas and potato in the recipe card as optional.

      Reply
  17. PriyaGowtham says

    April 6, 2016

    5 stars
    Thnq so much….
    Really I loved ur site….its comes awesome recipes…really my hubby likes my cook on ur way…
    Thank you….

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      April 9, 2016

      Hi Priya
      Welcome and thanks for the comment. Happy to know the recipes turn out good

      Reply
  18. Balaji says

    December 28, 2015

    5 stars
    Excellent!! Thanks for the wonderful website you have created, tried the capsicum rice and came out well.
    Waiting for the missus to pass the judgement??

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      January 4, 2016

      Welcome Balaji,
      Glad to know capsicum rice turned out well. Hope your wife liked it. Thanks for the feedback and the lovely comment

      Reply
  19. supriya reddy says

    October 21, 2015

    5 stars
    I tried the recipe it it was so yummy .I just loved it .one change instead of peas I added double beans it came well .tx for the tasty recipe.
    looking forward for more recipes ……

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      October 22, 2015

      Welcome Supriya
      Happy to know it turned out good. Double bean is a good addition. Will try it. Thank you

      Reply
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  21. Nivedita says

    August 19, 2015

    5 stars
    Thanks for all the wonderful recipes. Kids too loved this I reduced chilli powder. Perfect for school box. Yummy

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      August 19, 2015

      Welcome Nivedita,
      I am so glad your kids loved it. Thanks for the feedback

      Reply
  22. sudha says

    July 26, 2015

    Hi ur recipes is good pls post first ingredient’s and also next methods

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      July 27, 2015

      Hi Sudha,
      Thanks for the feed back. Will surely try the way you mentioned.

      Reply
  23. nitu says

    June 29, 2015

    it is looking so yum I will definitely try this

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      June 29, 2015

      Thanks Nitu

      Reply
  24. Sandy says

    June 24, 2015

    That looks amazing – just what I need for this weekend’s family get-together dinner! Thank you! 🙂

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      June 24, 2015

      Welcome Sandy,
      I Would love to hear how it turned out. Thank you

      Reply
  25. ramya says

    June 24, 2015

    yummy yummy rice and this is my quick fix when i craving for biryani

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      June 24, 2015

      Thanks Ramya

      Reply

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