Jeera Rice Recipe - Indian Cumin Rice Recipe

Jeera rice or Jeera Pulav is also known as Indian Cumin Fried Rice. One of the popular Indian main course dishes - Jeera rice or Jeera Pulao Recipe is so easy and so popular. Did you try this easy Fried Rice recipe?

When we think of easy Indian dinner or lunch recipes, one thing that comes to mind is what to serve this with? Well, you can serve almost all Indian Main course dishes with Jeera Rice.

You can have it with Chicken, or Fish, or Paneer and almost everything. Generally, Jeera Rice has a subtle taste which means there is very little use of any spices.

Generally in other Fried Rice recipes, such as this Hibachi Fried Rice, there were a lot of spices that went into making this.

But, in Jeera Rice the quantity of Ingredients is limited. People Love Jeera Rice for its simplicity. It's a no fancy and no-fuss recipe.

Just basic fried rice recipe with Jeera and dalchini.

Recipe for Jeera Rice

Fragrant short-grain basmati rice cooked in ghee with Jeera and Dalchini is the basic recipe for Jeera Rice or Jeera Pulav.

The best part about the recipe for Jeera Rice is the ease of making it. This recipe takes hardly 10-minutes and the results are absolutely lip-smacking.

Jeera Rice is loved by Indians no matter where they live. The earthy taste of cumin, when roasted in ghee, is something that we love.

And, if you are making Jeera Rice for the first time, then this is definitely something that you should look out for.

Whole spices when sauteed in ghee oozes amazing flavors and fragrances. In this recipe, I like using 2-3 whole spices. In this recipe, I have used Cinnamon sticks (Dalchini) and Star Anise (Chakrafool).

How to Make Jeera Rice | How to Make Jeera Pulao

After having had Jeera rice for so many years, I am pretty well versed with the recipe for Restaurant Style Jeera Rice. You know, my Mom loves Jeera Rice. She is a person who is always looking for plain and simple recipes. And, Authentic Homemade Jeera Rice is something that she has always loved.

Whenever she is upset or has a sullen face, I like to make Jeera Rice for her. She doesn't like Chicken that much. So her favorite way to have jeera rice is with some dal makhani.

Fragrant, flavorful Jeera Rice is something that the entire family enjoys. My Mom says that - " I love that beautiful fragrance of roasted Jeera (cumin)." she often says that - "When you make Jeera rice, you actually do not need anything else to go with it". What she means is that the rice is so flavorful that you actually can have it on its own.

And, I cannot agree more. Just open the pot of Jeera rice and the blissful smell will entice your olfactory receptors.

How to Prepare Jeera rice

The recipe for Jeera Rice or Jeera Pulav is pretty easy and straightforward. Here is how to Prepare Jeera rice at home with step-by-step images.

I stop at every step and click photos so that I make it easier for you to make this recipe.

STEP 1: Wash and Soak Rice

First of all wash rice and soak it in water for not more than 10-minutes. If you soak it for a longer duration your rice will become soggy. Soak it for 10-minutes and then drain the water.

STEP 2: Saute Whole Spices and Cumin

Take a large pot, (if you are making Jeera Rice in a pot) or Take your Pressure Cooker (if you want to make Jeera Rice in a Pressure Cooker).

Add Ghee. Yes, no butter. No Oil. Just Pure Desi Ghee is what we'll be using to roast cumin and whole spices.

Allow the ghee to melt. Once it melts and coats the bottom of the pressure cooker/pot, add Dalchini and Jeera.

You must add Dalchini and Jeera. Everything else is optional. You can add Chakrafool, or Jaifal, or Javitri as well.

But, generally, no one adds cloves or laung to Jeera Rice. Laung is generally added to Biryani or any other Fried Rice recipes. Laung or Cloves is the one thing that adds spice to the recipe. But, in the recipe for Jeera rice, we avoid Laung since it has a subtle taste.

Allow the Jeera and Dalchini to get roasted completely. This takes about 2-3 minutes on medium-low heat. Once you start getting a sweet fragrance of roasted Jeera, just add your washed, soaked, and drained rice into the pot/pressure cooker.

STEP 3: Fry the Rice

Now fry your rice or just toss it over low heat for 2-3 minutes. This makes the grains stronger and removes the sticky and starchy texture from the rice. Rice has a mushy and starchy touch because it cooked in water. But, when you fry it the moisture gets evaporated and the rice becomes firm and strong.

STEP 4: Add Hot Water and Cook Rice

Adding Hot water is important to cook it faster. You cannot add normal room temperature water while making Fried Rice. Hot water makes the grains stronger.

One of the biggest mistakes while making Jeera rice or any other Fried rice is overcooking the rice. To avoid that, you must make sure that you add hot water.

Now add salt as per taste and then Cover Cook your rice for 5-6 minutes or until the water gets soaked. You can also pressure cook it until it is just about to whistle. Allow the steam to escape on its own. Do not open it right away.

STEP 5: Garnish and Serve

Finally, Garnish with chopped coriander and serve right away with any curry or dal.

Things to Keep in Mind while making this recipe

• Measure the Amount of Rice you are using. Because that is the exact amount of water you are going to add later on in step 4. My ratio for rice and water is 1:2. Meaning 1 cup of rice needs 2 cups of HOT WATER.
• Do not soak rice for a longer Duration. Soak it for just 10-minutes and then drain the water. When you soak rice in water for a longer duration the rice becomes soggy. And you certainly DO NOT want that to happen at any cost.
• Choose long grain rice. I have used Long-grain Basmati Rice to make this. But, basically do not stress about it. You can use any variety of rice you have at home.
• Fluff the rice once it is cooked. Use a fork to fluff the rice once it is cooked. This will make them look fresh and appetizing.

Other alternatives to the recipe

Depending on your taste you can add these ingredients to your Jeera rice recipe.

Green chilies: If you love your fried rice to have a little heat, then add slit green chilies when you are roasting Jeera in ghee.

Cardamom: Elaichi has a sweet and aromatic flavor that can also be added to your Jeera rice recipe. Add cardamom just after you've added green chilies.

Peppercorns: To make it a bit spicier add some Peppercorns right after you've added the cardamom.

Who Invented Jeera Rice?

Well not really sure about it, but, I think it came to India with the Mughals. You see the Mughals loved rice, and that is the sole explanation of how Jeera rice came into India.

What Kind of Rice is best Suited for Jeera Rice?

If you want to know which rice is best suited for Jeera rice then let me tell you that you must use Basmati rice. You can use Long grain basmati rice or Short grain basmati rice to make Jeera rice at home.

Can you Store Jeera Rice?

Well, yes. Of course, you can. Allow it to cool down completely and then keep it in a bowl covered with a lid. Place it in your refrigerator. It will stay fine for 2-3 days, but not beyond that.

When want to serve, make sure you reheat it. You can reheat your Jeera rice in the microwave or you can warm it in a pan.

How to Make Non-sticky Jeera rice?

The rice gets sticky because it is cooked in water. But, when you fry rice in Ghee you actually help the moisture evaporate from the rice. This is how you make Non-sticky Jeera Rice.

Another common reason for Jeera rice to get sticky is soaking it in water for a long time and not draining the water. Soaking rice in water is important. But you cannot soak it for more than 10-minutes. Drain the water and spread it out on a paper towel or a newspaper and allow it dry under the fan.

Common Mistakes People Make while Making Jeera Rice

• Oversoaking the rice - Soak for just 5-10 minutes, then drain the rice. Allow it to dry. You can even spread it on a newspaper or a paper towel and allow it to dry completely. If you do not dry the rice you won't be able to fry it.
• Do not Burn the Jeera - The trick with Jeera is the moment you get that fragrance, just add rice right away.
• While frying the Rice do not toss it a lot or else you might break the rice - Tossing the rice for a long time might break the soft basmati rice. And, you do not want that.
• Do not add onions or other spices: Onions can be added but you cannot add any spices while making Jeera rice.
• Add Hot water to Cook rice - If you add cold water or room temperature water, the rice will get mushy and will take a longer time to cook. But, if you add hot water the grains will be firm and the rice won't take a long time to cook.
• Do not add too much water: Maintain the ratio between water and rice. Adding too much water is a recipe for disaster.

Other Fried Rice Recipes you might like:

• Shrimp Fried Rice
• Thai Lemongrass Coconut Fried Rice With Zucchini
• Easy Pineapple Fried Rice in Pineapple Shell
• Healthy Quinoa Fried with Crispy Tofu 

If you are making this recipe, then leave a rating below. Also, take a snap and share it on Instagram with #recipemagik. Tag me @recipemagik so that I can see how it turned out.