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

By swasthi , on July 4, 2020, 120 Comments, Jump to 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.

jeera rice

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.

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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

Serve jeera rice with

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

Method 1

Preparation – one pot jeera rice

1. Rinse 1½ cups 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 2 tablespoons ghee or oil in a pot or cooker. Add the following whole spices:

  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 inch cinnamon piece
  • 4 cloves
  • 4 green cardamom
  • 2 teaspoons jeera (cumin seeds).
  • 1 strand of mace (javitri) (optional). You can also skip all the whole spices and just use jeera but you will miss on the other flavors.
adding whole spices to cooker to make jeera rice

3. Saute them on a medium to low flame until jeera gets roasted well and begins to smell good. This is the key step that brings out the flavor from jeera.

sauteing spices in ghee to make jeera rice

4. Optional – You can also add 1 thinly sliced onion and 1 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 saute them until golden and get caramelized.

How to make jeera rice recipe

5. Add drained basmati rice.

adding basmati rice to make jeera rice

6. Fry for 2 to 3 mins on a high flame. Do not stir vigorously the rice grains will break. This step will help keep the jeera rice fluffy and will prevent from turning mushy.

frying rice for 2 to 3 mins

7. Measure & pour water. If making in pressure cooker, pour 2½ cups. If cooking in pot, pour 3 cups. Then add ½ to ¾ teaspoon salt and stir. Taste the water and adjust salt as needed.

pouring water and adding salt to make jeera rice
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8. Cover and pressure cook on a high flame for 1 whistle.

If cooking in a pot, Cover and cook on a low heat until all of the water is absorbed and the jeera rice is fully cooked. Turn off the stove and keep the pot covered for at least 15 mins for the rice to be done well.

pressure cooking

9. When the pressure releases naturally, open the lid. Fluff up the jeera rice gently with a fork. You can also add a bit more of ghee if desired.

after pressure releases fluffing up jeera rice

10. Serve it with your favorite curry or dal.

jeera rice
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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

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.

Jeera Rice Recipe – method 1

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

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Servings3
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )

  • 1½ cups basmati rice
  • 2 tablespoon ghee or oil or butter
  • 1 green chili slit and deseeded (optional)
  • 2½ cups water for pressure cooker or (1¾ cups + 2 tbsps for instant pot) or (3 cups for regular pot)
  • ½ to ¾ teaspoon salt as needed

whole spices

  • 2 teaspoons cumin seeds (jeera)
  • 1 bay leaf (tej patta)
  • 4 green cardamoms (elaichi)
  • 2 inch cinnamon piece (dalchini)
  • 4 cloves (laung)
  • 1 strand mace (javitri) (optional)
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Instructions

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 pot or cooker and fry for 2 to 3 mins. Do not stir vigorously as the rice grains will break.
  • This frying step 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. Once done, turn off the heat and let the rice rest in the pot for 15 mins. This helps the grains to expand and become fluffy.
  • 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 releases completely, open the lid and fluff up jeera rice with a fork. Serve with any curry.

Instant pot Jeera rice

  • Press saute button and pour ghee to 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 stirring occasionally. Do not stir a lot, rice grains will break.
  • Pour 1¾ cups plus 2 tbsps 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.
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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 below.

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.

Video

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Jeera rice recipe (Stovetop & Instant pot)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 450 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 6g38%
Cholesterol 25mg8%
Sodium 458mg20%
Potassium 160mg5%
Carbohydrates 78g26%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 15IU0%
Vitamin C 2.4mg3%
Calcium 49mg5%
Iron 2mg11%
* 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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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

  • 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 cooked soft yet fluffy rice. Cool this completely.

pressure cooked rice cooling to make jeera rice

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.

adding spices to butter

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.

sauteing spices on low heat

How to make

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.

adding coriander leaves

7. Then add the tempering 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.

transferring roasted spices to rice
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Serve jeera rice with any gravy, curry or dal.

jeera rice recipe

Jeera rice recipe | How to make jeera rice (Jeera pulao recipe)Jeera rice recipe | How to make jeera rice (Jeera pulao recipe)
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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. Sally says

    December 30, 2020

    We tried you Palak Paneer recipe and it was liked by all in the family. We have decided to try some more of your dishes.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      December 30, 2020

      Glad to know Sally!
      Thank you!

      Reply
  3. Sandy says

    November 22, 2020

    Hello Swasthi, if I use brown basmati for this dish, would you recommend any adjustments to the method or ingredients.

    As always, much appreciated, Sandy.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      November 22, 2020

      Hello Sandy,
      The method and ingredients remain the same. I usually soak the brown basmati rice for 1 hour. Use the same amount of water as you would use to cook the brown basmati rice. Hope this helps

      Reply
  4. smruti says

    November 17, 2020

    For 20 people serving jeera rice with dal,roti, dum aloo. How much quantity required

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      November 17, 2020

      6 cups should be enough

      Reply
  5. Githa Vijo says

    October 26, 2020

    Thank you for your recipes. For all my cooking, I have referred your recipes.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      October 30, 2020

      Welcome Githa
      Glad to know!

      Reply
  6. sangeetha jayaraman says

    September 17, 2020

    Hi Swasthi. I did not get how you add fried egg fish or prawns with this jeera rice especially fish.CAn you please explain a bit?

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      September 21, 2020

      Hi Sangeetha,
      I have mentioned it in the post, just above the recipe card. You will fry the boiled eggs or marinated fish first. Then make the jeera rice (method 2). You can check this fish rice which is similar.

      Reply
  7. Mohith says

    August 8, 2020

    Can we make this using ordinary rice instead of basmati rice

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      August 8, 2020

      Yes you can. Use the same amount of water as would use to cook it normally.

      Reply
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  9. Ramamurthy says

    July 23, 2020

    Extraordinary explanation s.Thank u a lot

    Reply
  10. Divya says

    July 21, 2020

    5 stars
    I tried the Jeera rice in pot and it came out really well. I have a small baby and I look for recipes that are quick to make. Your recipes are quick, easy and definitely tasty. Thank you so much for sharing these..

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      July 21, 2020

      Welcome Divya
      Glad to know!
      Thanks for leaving a comment.

      Reply
  11. Radha says

    July 12, 2020

    5 stars
    Made it today.. Turned out great,thanks.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      July 12, 2020

      Glad to know Radha

      Reply
  12. Missy says

    July 10, 2020

    5 stars
    Thank you. I made it in my electric cooker. Served it along with your dal makhani. Both came out very good.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      July 10, 2020

      Welcome Missy
      Glad to know! Thank you

      Reply
  13. Sandy says

    July 5, 2020

    Hi Swasthi, Thank you for this inspiring site. If I want to cook for 6 servings, when press the 2X button, the amount of water for regular port does not change. It stays at 3 cups. Could that be right?

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      July 5, 2020

      Welcome Sandy,
      Yes the plugin does not change as they are alternative quantities. It will be 6 cups if you 2x the recipe. It’s already mentioned in the notes below. Hope this helps

      Reply
      • Sandy says

        July 12, 2020

        Thank you Swasthi. I cooked the 1X version last night – great success (matched it with your vege kurma). I loved the addition of the mace in the rice spice mix. I have made a variety of less that successful attempts with other recipes. Yours had a great flavour.

        One thing I did pickup from your invaluable tips which I think was where I had been creating problems was when frying the rice – my stirring was too vigorous :). Invaluable tip and great recipe – recipe and method now becomes my go to. I will try the 2X for a dinner party. I also used a 250ml cup size and I don’t think the extra diluted the flavours. Regards, Sandy

        Reply
        • swasthi says

          July 12, 2020

          Welcome Sandy
          So glad to know! Yes there isn’t much difference using 240 or 250 ml cup.
          Thanks for leaving a comment

          Reply
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  15. Shravani says

    July 5, 2020

    5 stars
    Thanks for the delicious receipe. My kids liked it a lot. I added all the spices and that added a great flavour.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      July 5, 2020

      Glad to know Shravani

      Reply
  16. TJ says

    July 3, 2020

    5 stars
    I made this rice using the stovetop method. I followed the recipe exactly and the rice was delicious! Thanks for a great recipe!!!

    Reply
  17. Sophie Shoults says

    June 15, 2020

    5 stars
    So good! I’ve been wanting to try jeera rice for years as one of my favourite restaurant dishes but imagined it would be complicated. I can’t believe how easy it is. Even without soaking the rice (oops! didn’t have time) and using just jeera and green chilli, it’s delicious and perfectly cooked.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      June 16, 2020

      Glad to know!

      Reply
  18. Lyn says

    April 25, 2020

    For 1 cup of water and if the rice has been soaking would you add 13/4 of water or 1 1/2 cups of water it is not mentioned Thanks Lyn

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      April 26, 2020

      For 1 cup rice that been soaking,
      If making in pot – 2 cups water
      If making in Instant pot – 1¼ cups water
      If making in Indian pressure cooker – 1¾ cups

      Reply
  19. Kasia says

    April 20, 2020

    5 stars
    We really loved it.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      April 21, 2020

      Thank you

      Reply
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  21. Lakshmi says

    April 12, 2020

    5 stars
    I tried your recipe today and loved it I made it in the instant pot and the texture of the rice was perfect . The only thing is that one layer rice was stuck to the bottom of the pot. Any tips to avoid that in future ?

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      April 12, 2020

      Hello Lakshmi
      Thank you. You can try adding 2 tbsps more water. Hope this helps.

      Reply
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