Jeera rice recipe | How to make jeera rice (Jeera pulao recipe)

Jeera rice recipe in 2 methods – one home style Jeera rice & the other in restaurant style. Super simple & quick recipes to make fluffy, non-sticky & flavorful jeera rice every time. Jeera rice is a flavored Indian rice dish made by cooking basmati rice with ghee, cumin & other fragrant spices. Making jeera rice is one of the simplest & only needs a handful of ingredients that are mostly pantry staples.

I make jeera rice every other day since it is easy to deal with my fussy kids. They love this with almost any curry, dal & even with a raita. Sometimes they also carry it to school with some veggies.

One dish I never fail to make when I have people at home for dinner is this Jeera rice. Most times I am jammed with lack of ideas over a dinner menu as I opt for simple dishes that taste delicious and hearty.

So this jeera rice is always my choice to go with
chana masala
Paneer makhani
Aloo gobi
rajma masala
Punjabi Chole

Sometimes I also fry the spices in ghee ahead of time and keep the pot ready so that I can just saute the rice and pour water when I need the hot rice.

More about Jeera rice

Jeera refers to cumin in Indian language. As jeera is used predominantly to make this rice dish it is known as jeera rice. It is commonly known as cumin rice by the non-natives.

There a lot of spices used to make our everyday Indian food. Cumin plays a key role not only to flavor & add texture to the foods but also to enhance the nutritional values. These tiny seeds are a good source or iron, zinc, copper & many other nutrients.

Cumin or jeera has natural medicinal values & work great on the digestive system. So jeera rice is great to include in your meal as it helps in digestion, especially when you plan for a heavy meal.

Jeera rice is one of the most ordered rice dishes in Indian restaurants. It is pretty much eaten with every other popular dish like dal makhani, butter chicken, paneer butter masala, dum aloo, egg curry etc.

It just goes so well with any sides like curries, dal or even with stew.

2 ways to make jeera rice recipe

Basically jeera rice is made in 2 ways. I have shared both the recipes here on this post. Here is how they are made:

1.One pot jeera rice recipe: This is good for a home preparation as it is quick to make even by newbies & bachelors. In this method, the spices along with cumin are tempered in ghee or oil on a low heat until aromatic. Then the basmati rice is fried along with the spices and then cooked with water.

This way of making jeera rice is as simple as cooking plain rice but you just makeover with some spices added to it. You will have some fragrant, fluffy & nonsticky rice to serve with your everyday sides.

This one pot dish can be made in a regular pot, traditional pressure cooker or Instant pot. I have instructions for all of them in the recipe card below.

2.Restaurant style jeera rice recipe: This is great to make when you have some precooked rice and you want to use up by flavoring it. Often this method is followed in the Indian restaurants as it is convenient for them to cook plain basmati rice in large quantity.

Then temper the rice as needed to make different dishes like jeera rice, pulao, fried rice, lemon rice etc.

I have shown this method of making restaurant style jeera rice in the step by step photos – method 2

Tips to make the best jeera rice

Perfectly cooked jeera rice should be fluffy, non-sticky & aromatic. To make it the best do follow the tips given below:

1.Choosing rice: Always use the best quality aged basmati rice as it is the key to making fragrant jeera rice. Aged rice grains are less starchy so do not mush up after cooking. If you do not have basmati rice, you can use any other kind of rice that is less starchy.

2.Preparing rice: Rinse the rice well a few times in lot of water. I rinse it thrice. This helps to get rid of the excess starch from the rice grains & makes the rice non sticky. Avoid using the grains without thorough rinse even if they are organically grown.

3.Soaking rice: Soak the rice for at least 20 mins. Refer the package for soaking instructions & time. Well soaked basmati rice grains expand & cook up well to long fluffy grains.

4.Frying Jeera: Saute the Jeera well in ghee or butter along with other spices, on a low flame for 2 to 3 mins to bring out the aroma. This is another key step to make flavorful jeera rice.Frying the spices elevates the flavor & aroma of the entire dish.

5.Frying rice: To make jeera rice always fry the drained rice along with spices on a medium to high flame. While frying do not stir up much as the rice grains may break. This makes the cooked up jeera rice fragrant.

6.Onions: It is totally optional to use onion in the recipe. Yes they do add some flavor but can be skipped as this reduces the preparation & cooking time.

7.Spices: Jeera or cumin is the key in this recipe, but spices like cardamoms, bay leaf, cloves, cinnamon & mace do elevate the flavor of jeera rice to a considerable amount. So I always add these. If you do not have them you may avoid them and make.

Variations of jeera rice

I experiment a lot in my kitchen with various dishes as my little boys get bored eating the same dishes repeatedly. Though the following variations of jeera rice are very uncommon, they have always been a quick way to whip up dinner in no time.

These variations are more nutritious than a regular jeera rice plus they cut down the need to cook another side dish when you have no time. These ideas are my own and are not a part of jeera rice recipe.

If you are experimental like me in the kitchen then do try these variations:

1.You can follow the one pot method and make vegetable jeera rice. Add some mix veggies to the pot after frying the spices. This will be similar to a veg pulao but with milder aroma as there is no ginger garlic & mint used here. Plus the taste & flavor is totally different.

2. The second restaurant style jeera rice can be easily transformed to a roasted egg jeera rice. The same can be made with fish & prawns. To make this just fry eggs or marinated prawns or fish until golden. Set aside.

Then saute the spices until fragrant. Then add the rice and mix gently. I made this several times with all 3 of them & was surprised at how good this turns out.

Serve jeera rice with

Paneer butter masala
Paneer tikka masala
Palak paneer
Dal makhani
Butter chicken

Jeera rice recipe

Jeera rice recipe (Stovetop & Instant pot)

Make the perfect jeera rice that’s non sticky, fluffy & aromatic. Instructions included to make jeera rice in a regular pot, traditional pressure cooker & Instant pot.

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time15 minutes

Total Time25 minutes

Servings3

AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )

• 1½ cups basmati rice
• 2 tbsp ghee or oil or butter
• 1 green chili slit and deseeded (optional)
• 2½ cups water for pressure cooker or (1¾ cups for instant pot) or (3 cups for regular pot)

spices

• 2 tsps Jeera or cumin
• 1 bay leaf or tej patta
• 4 green cardamoms or elaichi
• 2 inch cinnamon piece or dalchini
• 4 cloves or laung
• 1 strand mace or javitri (optional)
• Salt as needed

How to make the recipe

Preparation

• Wash rice a few times until water runs clear.
• Then soak it in lot of water for at least 30 mins. Drain it completely. 

How to make jeera rice

• Heat ghee or oil in a pressure cooker or a pot.
• Saute bay leaf, cloves, cinnamon, cardamoms and mace until they begin to sizzle.
• Fry jeera on a low flame until a nice aroma comes out. Add green chilli.
• Transfer drained rice to the cooker and roast for 2 to 3 mins.
• This helps to bring out the aroma of the rice.
• Pour water and add salt. Stir well and taste the water.
• It must be slightly salty. Bring water to a boil on a high flame.
• Making Jeera rice in pot – Cover and cook on a low to medium heat until water is absorbed & rice is done. 
• Making Jeera rice in pressure cooker – Cover the pressure cooker with a lid. Cook on a high heat for 1 whistle. For al dente rice, I release the pressure carefully after 2 mins with the help of a wooden spatula.
• When the pressure goes off.
• Open the lid and fluff up jeera rice with a fork. Serve with any curry.

Making jeera rice in Instant pot

• Press saute button and heat ghee in the inner pot of instant pot.
• Add all the spices & saute for 1 min until they turn fragrant.
• Add the drained rice and chilli. Saute for 2 mins. 
• Pour 1¾ cups water and add salt. Stir and taste the water. If needed add more salt.
• Secure the lid & position the steam release handle to sealing.
• Press the pressure cook button, set to high pressure. Set the timer for 5 mins.
• When done the instant pot beeps, press cancel.
• Allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 5 mins.
• Manually release the rest of the pressure with the help of a wooden spoon.
• For aldente rice, release the pressure immediately.
• Fluff up the Jeera rice with a fork & add some coriander leaves.

Video

NUTRITION (estimation only)

Calories: 450kcal | Carbohydrates: 78g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 458mg | Potassium: 160mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 2.4mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 2mg

Notes

Instant pot Notes: This recipe has been tested in a 6 Qt Instant Pot.

Notes for jeera rice recipe
You can also make this dish just by sauteing the spices in butter and then mixing with the cooked salted rice.

For more details please check method 2 in step by step photos.

If you are a beginner or new to Indian cooking, I highly suggest you to check the supporting step by step photos for best results. Step by step photos with description available below after the recipe card.

Method 1

Preparation for jeera rice recipe or jeera pulao

1. Wash basmati rice a few times until the water runs clear. Then soak it for at least 20 mins. You can also follow the instructions on the pack. Drain and set aside.

2. Heat ghee or oil in a pan. Add bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, mace and jeera. You can also skip all the spices and just use jeera.

3. Saute them on a medium to low flame until jeera begins to smell good.

4. Optional – You can also add thinly sliced onions and deseeded green chilies. Earlier I would use onions, In the recent times I have begun to skip them as my kids don’t prefer onions in jeera rice.

Some people also use red chilli. If you like you can deseed and use them now. If using onions then saute them until golden. I fry a little more than you see in the picture. Caramelized onions add flavor.

How to make jeera rice recipe

5. Add drained basmati rice.

6. Fry for 2 to 3 mins on a high flame. Do not stir vigorously the rice grains will break.

7. Measure & pour water. Then add in salt and stir. Taste the water and adjust salt as needed.

8. Cover and pressure cook on a high flame for 1 whistle. Or cook on a medium flame until the water is almost absorbed. When there is very little water left, cover and cook for just 5 mins on a low flame.

Switch off before it whistles if making in cooker. You can follow the same method to make it in pot.

9. When the pressure goes off, open the lid.

10. Fluff up the jeera rice gently . you can also add a bit more of ghee if desired. Serve it with your favorite curry or dal. If packing in lunch box, do cool completely and pack.

Method 2 – Jeera rice recipe

This method is more flavorful with the aroma of butter and cumin. This is good to make for occasions or when you have guests home since a good amount of butter goes into this.

For this recipe, you can cook the rice in whatever way you like. The rice grains have to be fluffy and not mushy. In the instructions below I have shared how to cook rice perfectly in a pot.

You can also cook in a pressure cooker or instant pot.

Ingredients for jeera rice

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 2 to 3 tbsp ghee or oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 star anise
• 4 green cardamoms
• 2 tsps jeera or cumin
• 1 to 2 green chilies slit
• 4 cloves
• 1 strand of mace or javithri
• 3 to 4 tbsps fresh fine chopped coriander leaves

Preparing for jeera rice – restaurant style

1. Wash rice very well a few times. Drain and soak it for 20 mins. Drain the rice to a colander. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil.

2. Then add some salt. When the water comes to a rolling boil, add the drained rice and cook on a medium high heat until the rice is just done.

3. The rice has to be al dente meaning just cooked and not mushy. Then drain off the rice to a colander and keep it covered.

4. After 2 to 3 mins, fluff up the rice with a fork. You will have al dente cok soft yet fluffy rice. Cool this completely.

2. Add 1 tbsp butter to a hot pan.

3. Next add star anise, mace, cloves, cinnamon, cardamon, bay leaf and green chili. Saute for 1 to 2 mins.

4. Lower the heat, add jeera.

5. Saute until you begin to smell them good. It takes around 2 to 3 mins. Switch off the stove. If using butter it will froth up, you can just ignore it.

How to make jeera rice recipe

6. Add 1 tbsp more of butter along with finely chopped coriander leaves. If your rice isn’t got enough salt you can add a bit more to the pan.

7. Then add it to the rice. Mix gently all the spices & herbs. Make sure the rice is cooled completely before mixing it otherwise it will clump up and turn mushy.

Serve jeera rice with any gravy, curry or dal.