Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice)

Fragrant Jeera rice is one of the simplest flavored rice recipes! Basmati rice is flavored with ghee, cumin seeds, and other aromatic spices to create a lovely side dish that compliments curries, dhal, or any Indian dish.

This is a side that is cooked in all Indian homes and can be found on most Indian restaurants’ menus.

Stovetop and Instant Pot directions included.

What is Jeera Rice?

Jeera rice or cumin rice is flavored rice made with basmati rice, flavored with tempered cumin seeds in ghee, butter, or oil. The tempering technique is called ‘tadka’ in Hindu, and it’s an essential step in this recipe for the spices to release their flavors.

Cumin rice is everyday rice popular in the North of India and Pakistan, it’s often served as a side dish with curries and dhal.

How to Make Jeera Rice

The method is very similar to cooking Turmeric rice, mushroom rice, and Vermicelli rice. All you have to do is temper the spices, and cook the rice.

The Ingredients

Here’s what goes in Jeera rice:

• Basmati rice – I don’t recommend using jasmine rice or other varieties as what’s so special about this rice is the separated grains and zero stickiness and basmati rice will help you achieve that.
• Ghee – You can substitute ghee with clarified butter, salted or unsalted butter, or vegetable oil in this recipe.
• The spices – Whole cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, green cardamom pods, bay leaves, and fresh green chili. You can substitute the green cardamom with black cardamom or omit it. The green chili can be substituted with dried chili.
• Fresh cilantro for garnish, salt, and water.

The Directions

It is VERY important to always wash your rice very well. You need to get rid of the debris, and any excess starches, and this is the secret to perfectly fluffy and separated grains of rice.

• Soak the rice in room temperature water for at least 15 minutes. Then rinse it under running water until the water runs clear.
• In a medium-sized pot, heat the ghee and add the cumin seeds, chili, bay leaves, and cinnamon stick. Cook for 15 seconds, when the cumin seeds start spluttering, add the diced green chili and the rinsed rice. Saute for a minute.
• Add water, and salt and give the rice a quick stir. Bring to a boil, then cover with a lid and reduce the heat to the lowest setting possible. Let it cook covered for 10 minutes then remove from heat. Allow to rest for 10 minutes then fluff with a fork, gently stir in the chopped cilantro and serve.

Recipe Variations

Aromatics – For extra flavor you can saute an onion after tempering the spices. You can also add garlic and ginger if you like.

Spices – Add garam masala, coriander seeds, and dried chilies if you like. Make sure that the main ingredient is cumin seeds so that the other spices are not overpowering.

Vegetables – You can add frozen peas and carrots to make the rice extra flavorful and filling, this is not authentic but definitely a great way to add extra veg!

How to Cook Jeera Rice in the Instant Pot

• Wash the rice with water very well, until the water runs clear. This is the secret to separated grains (you don’t want mushy rice!).
• On the Instant Pot, press on the SAUTE-normal setting, add butter or ghee, and once it melts add the cumin seeds, diced green chili, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves and saute for 20-30 seconds.
• Add the washed and drained rice (2 cups), water (about 1 and 1/4 cups), and salt. Give everything a quick mix and cover with the lid.
• Secure the lid and set the vent to SEALING. Select the PRESSURE COOK/MANUAL setting and set the cooking time for 4 minutes at high pressure. The Instant Pot will take around 6-7 minutes to come to pressure and start cooking. When the cooking program ends, allow it to naturally release the steam for 15 minutes. If there’s any pressure left after 15 minutes, then quickly release it.
• Carefully remove the lid, remove the whole spices, fluff with a fork, and gently stir in chopped cilantro before serving.

For the Instant Pot lovers, serve this delicious jeera rice with Instant Pot butter chicken or Instant Pot chicken tikka masala! Best combination EVER!

What to Serve With

• Serve with your favorite curries such as kidney bean curry, butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, and creamy vegetable korma.
• As a side with any meal, it goes so well with lamb keema, tandoori salmon, and sheet pan chicken thighs.