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Tomato rice recipe (Stovetop & Instant pot)

By swasthi , on December 20, 2020, 88 Comments, Jump to Recipe

Tomato rice is a simple, spicy, flavorful & delicious one pot dish made with rice, tomatoes, spices & herbs. This tomato rice can be made in a pressure cooker or a pot. If you are looking to use up left over or precooked white rice, then you can make tomato rice just under 20 mins following this Thakkali sadam recipe.

tomato rice recipe

Tomato rice can be served with out any sides as it is very flavorful & tasty on its own. However some vegetable salad, curd, raita or papad will complement your meal. To make it kids’ friendly, you can puree the tomatoes and use.

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Table of contents

  • What is tomato rice?
  • Preparation for tomato rice
  • Pro Tips
  • Tomato rice with precooked rice
  • Faqs

If you are new to Indian cuisine, read on to know

What is tomato rice?

Tomato rice is a simple south Indian rice dish made with lots of tomatoes & spices. It is not a traditional dish so each home or region has their own way of making it.

As the name indicates this tomato rice is made using tomatoes alone and no vegetables are used except onion. But you can use any veggies like peas, potatoes etc and even soya chunks or boiled egg goes well.

Methods to make

This south Indian tomato rice can be made in a pressure cooker, in a regular pot or in instant pot. I have shared all the methods here.

I have shown making tomato rice in pressure cooker in the step by step method. In the video I have shown making it in a pot. I have also included instructions for instant pot method in the recipe card.

Preparation for tomato rice

1. Wash 1½ cups rice very well a few times until the water runs clear. Soak the rice if you wish until the preparation is done. Later drain the rice completely and set aside.

2. Wash and slice 1 medium onion thinly or chop them. Also slit 1 green chili (optional). Rinse & chop or puree 2 to 3 medium tomatoes. I use about 1 cup chopped tomatoes (200 grams). You can also deseed them before chopping.

3. Grate or crush half inch ginger & 2 garlic cloves to make 1 tablespoon paste. Set aside. Optional– Split 12 cashew nuts and set aside.

Tempering spices

4. Add 2 tablespoons ghee or oil to a hot pressure cooker or a pot. Add cashews and fry them until golden and crisp. Remove to a plate. Regulate the flame to low. Add 1 inch cinnamon, 3 cloves, 1 bay leaf, 3 cardamoms and ¾ teaspoon cumin. If you do not have bay leaf you can use curry leaves. If you do not have all of these whole spices, just skip them.

saute spices to make tomato rice

5. Add 1 medium chopped or sliced onions and green chilies. Begin to saute them. Skip green chilli if you have kids home.

adding onions

6. When the onions turn golden, saute 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste just for few seconds.

adding ginger garlic paste

How to make tomato rice

7. Add 1 cup chopped tomatoes, ¼ teaspoon turmeric and ½ teaspoon salt. Saute for 2 to 3 mins.

adding tomatoes turmeric salt

8. Next cover and cook until the tomatoes turn mushy. Add ½ to 1 teaspoon red chili powder and ¾ to 1 teaspoon garam masala. I used this garam masala along with half tsp of fennel powder. If you have kids home cut down the chilli powder to half teaspoon.

adding spice powders to make tomato rice
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9. Saute until the tomato masala turns soft and mushy. There should be no raw smell of tomatoes by now and the masala leaves the sides of the pan.

cooked masala

10. Pour 2½ cups water if making in pressure cooker and Stir it well. Check and add more salt if needed. Bring it to a rolling boil. If cooking in a pot pour 3 cups.

bringing water to a rolling boil

11. Add drained rice.

adding rice
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12. Mix well. Cover with a lid. Cook on a medium heat & allow to whistle once. If cooking in a pot, cook on a low heat until all the water is absorbed & the rice is done.

making tomato rice in pressure cooker

13. When the pressure releases naturally, open the lid and fluff up the tomato rice. If you like the rice to be al dente, do not allow the pressure to come down on its own. When the cooker is still with pressure, release it by lifting the whistle with a wooden spatula. Allow to rest for 5 mins.

fluff up the rice

Fluff up the tomato rice with a fork. When the temperature comes down a bit, can squeeze in some lemon juice and add coriander leaves. Garnish with fried cashew nuts.

Serve tomato rice with onion slices or veg salad or raita.

tomato rice recipe

For more Rice recipes, you can check
Corn pulao
Puliyogare
Kerala ghee rice
Curd rice

Pro Tips

Rice: Rinse rice well a few times to get rid of the starch. Soak it well for at least 30 mins. These 2 steps will prevent the tomato rice from turning mushy & sticky. You can use any kind of rice you have in hand.

South Indian tomato rice is actually made with short grain rice but I have used basmati.

Water: Rice to water ratio is very important to cook up the rice to fluffy & nonsticky. Here are the ratios for basmati rice.

For 1½ cups basmati rice
2 ½ cups water for pressure cooker
3 cups for regular pot
2 cups for instant pot

Spices: I have used some whole spices like bay leaf, cinnamon, cumin, jeera and cardamoms. You can just skip what ever you do not have.

For more Tomato recipes, you may like to check
Karnataka tomato bath
Tomato upma
Simple tomato biryani
Tomato curry
Spicy tomato chutney

Tomato rice with precooked rice

If you prefer to use up precooked rice, here are the brief instructions. For detailed steps do check this thakkali sadam recipe

Follow the steps from 2 to 9 in the recipe card. Set aside some of this masala. Then just add cooled cooked rice to it. Mix well and if needed add more masala.

Faqs

How to make tomato rice in rice cooker?

Finish the tempering and sautéing of tomatoes in a pan and transfer it to the rice cooker with drained rice and water. Cook the same way as you would cook your regular rice.

Can I skip the whole spices in the recipe?

Yes. Skip them but use a good garam masala to make the dish. Mush of the flavor comes from the ground spices in this recipe. So ensure you use a good aromatic powder

What to eat with tomato rice?

Raita or plain yogurt goes well with this tomato rice.

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Recipe card

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tomato rice recipe

Tomato rice recipe

One pot easy Indian tomato rice made with basmati rice, fresh ripe tomatoes, spices and herbs. This easy delicious tomato rice tastes great with raita or plain yogurt. Instructions included for stovetop & Instant pot
Pin Recipe Print Recipe

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

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Servings2
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )

  • 1 ½ cups basmati rice
  • 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
  • 1 medium onion (chopped or sliced)
  • 1 green chili (slit, optional)
  • 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste or crushed
  • 1 cup tomatoes (2 to 3 medium sized) (chopped or pureed)
  • ¾ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • ¾ to 1 teaspoon garam masala powder or curry powder
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon red chili powder or paprika (reduce for less spicy)
  • ¼ teaspoon Turmeric (haldi)
  • 2 ½ cups water for cooker (3 cups for pot & 1¾ cups + 2 tbsp for Instapot)
  • 3 tablespoon coriander leaves (cilantro) finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
  • 12 whole cashewnuts (split & use) (optional)

whole spices (skip if you don't have)

  • 1 small bay leaf or curry leaves
  • ¾ teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
  • 1 inch cinnamon piece (dalchini)
  • 3 green cardamoms (elaichi)
  • 3 cloves (laung)
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Instructions

  • Add 1½ cup rice to a bowl and rinse it well a few times until the water runs clear. Pour fresh water and soak the rice for 30 mins. Then drain to a colander & set aside.
  • Heat a pressure cooker or a pot with 2 tbsps ghee or oil.
  • Add cashews and fry until golden. Remove to a plate & set aside.
  • Saute 3 cloves, 1 inch cinnamon piece, ¾ tsp cumin, 3 green cardamoms and 1 small bay leaf.
  • When they begin to crackle, add 1 finely chopped onion and 1 slit green chili.
  • Saute until the onions turn golden. Next saute 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste until a nice aroma comes out for 30 seconds. 
  • Next add in 1 cup tomatoes, salt as needed and ¼ tsp turmeric.
  • Saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Cover & cook until the tomatoes break down & turn mushy.
  • Add ½ to 1 tsp red chili powder and ¾ to 1 tsp garam masala powder. 
  • Mix and cook until the tomato masala turns completely soft and mushy.
  • At this stage the masala leaves the sides of the pan. Pour water & stir well. Taste the water and add more salt if needed.
  • Bring the water to a rolling boil. Add the drained rice.

Making tomato rice in a pot

  • Cook until the water has almost absorbed. When the rice is still soggy, lower the flame completely and cover with a lid until the tomato rice is cooked completely.
  • Sprinkle chopped coriander leaves and squeeze in some lemon juice. Tomato rice is ready to serve hot or warm with a raita. Garnish with cashews.

Making tomato rice in a pressure cooker

  • Stir and cover with the lid. Cook on a medium high heat. Allow to whistle once. When the pressure goes down, open the lid. Fluff up the tomato rice.

Instant pot tomato rice

  • Soak rice for 30 mins. Press SAUTE button & pour oil to the inner pot of the instant pot. Then fry cashews until golden and remove them. Stir in the whole spices and then add onions.
  • Saute them until transparent. Add the ginger garlic paste & saute for 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and salt. Saute them until the tomatoes break down and turn mushy.
  • Add chilli powder, garam masala & turmeric. Saute for just 1 to 2 mins until
    the moisture from tomatoes almost dries up.
  • Next pour 1¾ cups + 2 tbsp water. Press CANCEL button. Scrape off any bits of spices stuck at the bottom. This prevents from getting a burn notice.
  • Stir & check the salt. Add more if needed. Then add the rice. Then secure the lid. Set the steam release handle/ value to sealing. Press PRESSURE COOK button (highpressure) for 5 mins.
  • When the tomato rice is done, Instant pot beeps. Wait for 2 mins & release the pressure manually with the help of a spoon by moving the steam release handle to venting from sealing. If you like softer rice then let the pressure release naturally for 7 to 8 mins. Then release the rest manually.
  • Sprinkle coriander leaves & fluff up the tomato rice with a fork. Garnish with cashews.
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Notes

If using curry powder or bisi bele bath or vangi bath masala, then you may need to skip the red chili powder or reduce it.
For basmati rice, I usually use 2.5 cups water for 1.5 cups rice.
For normal rice, you will need more.
Use water as needed depending on the kind of rice used.

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
Tomato rice recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 461 Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 6g38%
Cholesterol 25mg8%
Sodium 60mg3%
Potassium 277mg8%
Carbohydrates 81g27%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 435IU9%
Vitamin C 11.3mg14%
Calcium 43mg4%
Iron 1.3mg7%
* 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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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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Reader Interactions

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Comments

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  2. Lavanya Naidu says

    November 30, 2019

    5 stars
    You really help me cook well, I keep checking your recipes and they are awesome… Kudos to you and pls keep up this work…

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      November 30, 2019

      Hi Lavanya,
      Thank you so much! So happy to know the recipes work out for you. Hope you enjoy more recipes from here.
      🙂

      Reply
  3. Porkodi says

    November 26, 2019

    5 stars
    Hi sis calories in the recipe for one serve or three serve

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      November 29, 2019

      Sorry! Forgot to reply. It is for 1 serving.

      Reply
  4. Venkata says

    October 1, 2019

    12 cashews split means 6 whole cashews or 12 whole cashews?
    How many tomatoes make 1 cup?

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      October 1, 2019

      Hi Venkata,
      It is 12 whole cashewnuts. Split and use them. 2 to 3 medium tomatoes will come up to 1 cup.

      Reply
  5. Tara says

    September 1, 2019

    5 stars
    Thanks for the recipe. Tomato rice turned out to be awesome. We served with cucumber raita.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      September 3, 2019

      Hi Tara,
      You are welcome. Glad your tomato rice turned out good. Thank you!

      Reply
  6. Prasanna says

    July 9, 2019

    5 stars
    Thank u so much for all ur recipes it is helping me a lot … my family is enjoying with all my dishes just bcz of u thnk u so much….

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      July 10, 2019

      Welcome Prasanna,
      Thanks for the comment. So happy to know your family enjoys your food.
      🙂

      Reply
      • Tamanna joyce says

        August 9, 2019

        5 stars
        You make life easier with your easy recipes. Thank you for this delicious recipe

        Reply
  7. Emma says

    July 1, 2019

    5 stars
    Awesome tomato rice. Made it tonight with cucumber raita

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      July 2, 2019

      Thanks Emma

      Reply
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  9. Susan says

    June 7, 2019

    5 stars
    Hi Swasthi, thanks for the recipe. Tomato rice was awesome. Hey, when is the right time to add those roasted cashews. Sorry if I may have overlooked but I didn’t find it mentioned after we fried and kept them aside.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      June 7, 2019

      Hi Susan,
      You are welcome. Glad your tomato rice turned out awesome. If you like crunchy cashews just sprinkle them on top of the rice before serving. I usually add them once the rice is done and stir well. Resting them in the rice for a while softens them but they turn flavorful. Thank you so much for rating the recipe.
      🙂

      Reply
  10. Jane says

    June 7, 2019

    4 stars
    Hi Swasthi,
    I tried your tomato rice a few times in a pot and came out delicious. Last night I made following the instant pot instructions and ended up with a mushy rice. We managed to eat it. Something is wrong. Is it the cook time or the quantity of water? I am keen to make this again as my girl loves it. Thank you.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      June 7, 2019

      Hi Jane,
      Thanks for trying. No there is nothing wrong with the cook time and the quantity of water either. It may be pressure release that made the tomato rice mushy.If you like the al dente rice then please release the pressure immediately and rest the rice in the instant pot itself for a minute or two. If you like softer rice, release the pressure after 2 mins. I will update the details. Hope this helps.

      Reply
      • Arpita says

        June 27, 2019

        Hi swasthi,
        I like ur all recipes.. today I tried tomato rice in a pot. It turns out mushy. I’ve used brown rice.. usually my brown rice takes long time to cook than normal rice… I soaked the rice for 40 to 45 minutes. The rice is eatable its taste good loaded of flavors… but I wanted it loosened like urs.. plzz suggest me something that how can i do it with brown rice… thank you so much.

        Reply
        • swasthi says

          June 28, 2019

          Hi Arpita,
          You are welcome. Please let me know the brand of brown rice you used and where you live so I can suggest you a better brand of rice if needed.

          Reply
  11. Pooja says

    May 10, 2019

    5 stars
    Thanks, Swasthi, for the delicious recipe: my family relished every bite! I look forward to trying more recipes on your blog.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      May 11, 2019

      Hi Pooja,
      You are welcome. Glad you all liked the tomato rice.

      Reply
  12. Juan says

    April 26, 2019

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! I made this with lots of frozen peas as mentioned by you and it tasted fab. My girls loved it pretty much and want to carry it to work. I recently found your blog. Have been loving your recipes. I & my Wife made your butter chicken last week. Turned out fantastic! Thank you for the recipes.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      April 26, 2019

      Hi Juan,
      You are welcome. Very glad to know you all loved the tomato rice & butter chicken. Thanks for the comment.

      Reply
  13. Padma latha says

    March 18, 2019

    5 stars
    Hi swasthi
    Thank you so much for all the delicious recipes you share. I made your tomato rice last night for a trial before I could make it for my guests. How can I go ahead with the recipe to make 12 servings. Will it work if I multiply the entire recipe by 4. Also I want to make an egg curry along with this. Do you think they go well? Suggestions please

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      March 19, 2019

      Hi Padma
      You are welcome. I assume you are making it in a pot. Yes you can multiply the recipe by 4 times but reduce the water by half cup. If your rice is still under cooked, just bring that half cup water to a rolling boil in a separate pot and pour it over the rice. Cover and simmer until fully done. I don’t think egg curry goes well with this. I guess roasted boiled eggs & cucumber raita goes well. Hope this helps.

      Reply
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  15. Rajendra says

    March 17, 2019

    Thank Ma’am for the step by step receipe

    Reply
  16. Priya says

    February 8, 2019

    5 stars
    Hi…
    I made this today and it was awesome…
    I did add beetroot for extra flavor and color.
    Thank you so so much

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      February 9, 2019

      Welcome Priya
      Thanks for trying. Happy to know tomato rice turned out good. Beetroot is a good addition.
      🙂

      Reply
  17. pavani says

    October 7, 2018

    5 stars
    Delicious recipe with ur twist

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      October 7, 2018

      Hi Pavani,
      Thanks for trying

      Reply
  18. Bel says

    October 2, 2018

    5 stars
    I made this rice yesterday for my daughter. She loves Indian food and ate a similar dish at a local Indian restaurant. She loved this so much I had to find a comparable recipe. This rice tastes and is way more flavorful than what she ordered! Very fragrant and everyone loved this dish. So great and thank you for posting the recipe.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      October 3, 2018

      Welcome Bel
      Glad to know the tomato rice turned out good. Thanks a lot for trying and rating the recipe.

      Reply
  19. Suja says

    July 5, 2018

    4 stars
    Yummy I make this often with green peas added. Absolutely a winner anytime. Thanks for the recipes. Just awesome!!

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      July 20, 2018

      Welcome Suja
      Thanks for trying. Glad to know you like the tomato rice. Love the idea of green peas!!
      🙂

      Reply
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  21. Gail says

    June 1, 2017

    5 stars
    HI ! I used tinned cherry tomatoes and it was wayyyy too acidic…I will try again with fresh tomatoes….
    Thanks for this recipe ! Any advice for coutervailing the acidity ?? I do not want to add sugar…..

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      June 1, 2017

      Welcome Gail.
      Yes unfortunately tinned tomatoes dont work here. You can try with this alternate to cut down the sourness. The amount of onions i have mentioned in the recipe have to be sauteed in oil first until golden, cooled and then pureed along with little tomato puree. Follow the rest of the recipe by skipping onions in the tempering (step 3 in recipe card). After adding the puree, just cook until the mixture begins to leave oil or the sides of the pan – meaning it is completely cooked.
      I am sure this works.

      Reply
      • Gail says

        June 1, 2017

        5 stars
        Thank you so much for your answer, I will try again soon 🙂

        Reply
  22. Sneha says

    March 19, 2017

    5 stars
    Made Tomato Rice yesterday, by following your recipe. Turned out well. It was super tangy,spicy and tasty. Everyone liked it. Thank you so much for the recipe. Will try out other recipes too very soon

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      March 23, 2017

      Welcome Sneha
      Happy to know tomato rice turned out good.
      Yes do try the other recipes.
      Thanks for the comment

      Reply
    • Pri says

      June 22, 2017

      Is that ok for kids or it’s too spicy?

      Reply
      • swasthi says

        June 22, 2017

        Skip chilli and reduce red chili powder if making for kids

        Reply
  23. Chitra Ramesh says

    February 9, 2017

    5 stars
    Hi Swasthi! This recipe is excellent with temple style curd rice. I cooked both of them for my parents and they were very happy. Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      February 9, 2017

      Welcome Chitra
      Thanks for trying and sharing the outcome. Happy to know you all liked them.

      Reply
  24. Sukanya says

    January 23, 2017

    5 stars
    We can also use sambar powder .
    I use it every time.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      January 25, 2017

      Thanks for sharing sukanya. Will try

      Reply
  25. vidya says

    January 19, 2017

    5 stars
    Thanks for sharing this recipe. Will try it soon.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      January 25, 2017

      Welcome Vidya
      Do try it

      Reply
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