This recipe makes the perfect jeera rice and is the only one you'll need when you want fluffy, perfectly cooked rice which is full of flavor, but super simple to make. You won't believe it but this takes under 10 minutes to cook!
This jeera rice might look simple, but it's really one of those recipes you need to have in your back pocket. It's quick, it's easy, and it pairs so well with any Indian side dish. If you see the picture above, you'll notice that every grain of rice is separate and it's not overly greasy or undercooked or gluggy. I have come up with the perfect jeera rice recipe, that is steamed and takes about 10 minutes to make. Yes, only 10 minutes! And that's exactly what I am going to share with you today!
Quick Walk Through: Jeera Rice
What do you need for Jeera Rice?
Jeera rice only needs a few simple ingredients. It only needs six ingredients, which you probably already have in your pantry. So making this is actually easier than you thought!
- Ghee or Butter
- Whole spices - bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves
- Jeera (or cumin seeds)
- Green chillies
- Basmati rice
- Freshly chopped coriander.
Pro tip: Don't forget to keep an eye on the jeera while sautรฉing it - it tends to burn exactly when you look away ๐๐ But on a serious note, jeera goes from toasted just right to burnt in a jiffy. Making sure this doesn't happen is the only hassle you'll face!
Rice to Water Ratio for Jeera Rice
The perfect rice to water ratio for jeera rice is 1:2. Which means for every cup of rice, you need two cups of water. The rice is steamed in the liquid in a pan which is covered so that the steam does not escape. This rice to water ratio ensures that the rice is cooked just right - where every grain is fluffy and separate from each other.
However, if you are cooking this in a traditional pressure cooker, decrease the rice to water ratio to 1:1.5. In the Instant Pot, use a ratio of 1: 1.25. The method to cook it remains the same, the only change occurs in the water ratio and time! Refer to the recipe notes below for clear instructions.
Because the number of ingredients in this recipe are so few, I recommend using really good quality basmati rice. I used Daawat's extra long Basmati Rice which is aged for two years, and smells amazing!
Top Tips To Make The Best Jeera Rice
- Always wash the rice thoroughly by rubbing it in between in your fingers 2-3 times before cooking it. Not only does this help to get rid of dirt and impurities, but also excess starch which prevents the rice from getting clumpy.
- Soaking the rice is not necessary, but recommended. Soaking the rice for 20 minutes helps it cook faster as well as makes it easier to digest.
- Saute the jeera in ghee and whole spices until everything's aromatic and slightly changes color. This helps to really bring out the flavors and aroma that makes the resulting dish even more delicious.
- My secret to tip to have really separate, non-clumpy, restaurant-style jeera rice is to gently roast the grains in ghee and spices before adding water.
Pair this recipe with
Are you seriously tempted? Did I manage to push you over the edge? Are you running to the grocery store to pick up some basmati rice?
Watch the Video
Perfect Jeera Rice (Indian Cumin Rice)
Ingredients
- 1 cup Long grain Basmati Rice
- 2 cups Water + extra for soaking, refer to Note 1
- 1 tablespoon Ghee
- 1 Bayleaf
- 1 inch Cinnamon Stick
- 4-5 Cloves
- 1 teaspoon Jeera Cumin Seeds
- 1 Green Chilli or Serrano Pepper, chopped finely
- ยฝ - ยพ teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoons Coriander chopped for topping
Instructions
- Wash the basmati rice a few times, and then soak it in enough water so that the rice is completely soaked and has an inch of extra water on top. Soak the rice for 30 minutes.
- When you are ready to cook, drain all the water from the rice and set the rice aside.
- Heat ghee in a pot and add the whole spices and cumin seeds to it. Once the cumin seeds start spluttering, add the chopped green chilli and drained rice to it.
- Toast the rice in the pan for two minutes on a medium flame. This helps add more flavour to the rice, and prevents it from sticking and becoming gluggy
- Add two cups water and salt to the rice and mix well. Bring the rice to a quick boil, and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for approximately six minutes, till all the water has evaporated and the rice is cooked through.
- Turn off the flame and let the rice rest for 5 more minutes. Top with chopped coriander and serve hot.
Video
Notes
- Rice to Water Ratio
- Stovetop - 1:2::Rice:Water - 1 cup of rice requires 2 cups of water
- Pressure Cookerย - 1:1.5::Rice:Water - 1 cup of rice requires 1.5 cups of water
- Instant Potย - 1:1.25::Rice:Water - 1 cup of rice requires 1.25 cups of water
- Cooking method
- Pressure Cooker - Proceed with the same instructions as mentioned in the recipe if using a traditional pressure cooker. Note that the water amount changes to 1.5 cups instead.ย Once you add the water and salt, close the lid of the pressure cooker. Cook on medium high heat for two whistles. Turn off the gas once you hear two whistles and let the pressure release naturally. Basmati is ready to be served!
- Instant Pot -ย Turn on the Saute mode and follow the instructions mentioned in the recipe. Note that the water amount changes to 1.25 cups instead.ย Once you add the water and salt, close the lid of the Instant Pot. Cook the rice by selecting Manual and set the timer for 4 minutes. Once the 4 minutes are up, and the the beeper goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 8 minutes. After 8 minutes,ย vent to release pressure manually. Rice is ready for serving.
- Wash the rice at least 3 times. This washes away all the extra starch which would otherwise make the rice gluggy.
- ย Do not forget to soak the rice. The time measurements given in the recipe are for soaked basmati rice. If you make Jeera Rice without soaking, the time taken will be longer and the rice will not be as fluffy.
- Saute the whole spices and cumin seeds until fragrant. Cumin seeds burn very quickly so be sure to keep an eye on it.
- Toast the rice before adding water and salt. Toasting the rice adds aroma and also prevents the rice from sticking and becoming gluggy
- ย Do not forget to salt the water and rice before cooking.ย
Kaamilah says
I added too much jeera how do I fix it? ๐
Richa says
Umm hard to fix it really. You can add more rice to it
Varshitha says
So simple so delicious. Thanks a ton!
Richa says
Thank you so much for leaving a comment Varshitha! So happy you enjoyed it!
Dave says
Hi there Ashiyana do you cook rice covered or uncovered, and would I change anything for brown basmati? Thank you much.
Subbu Narayanan says
Best jeera rice Iโve ever cooked. Thanks for this brilliant simple recipe, was perfect!
Richa says
I'm glad this was a winner Subbu!
Prashali says
Amazingly simple and delicious. Thank you so much.
Richa says
Glad you liked it Prashali
Noel says
Nice recipe. Should I double the quantity of ingredients if I cook two cups of Basmati rice? Thank you.
Richa says
Yes, that'll work!
Noel says
I want to prepare the jeera rice with 2 cups of basmati rice. Should I double the other ingredients? For example: jeera 2 teaspoons, green chili 2.
Richa says
Hey Noel, yes, you can double the jeera, but adjust the green chilli to your taste
Kalpana Gopinath says
I tried it was nice simple recipe
Richa says
Thanks Kalpana!
Jas says
This might be a stupid question but is it better to soak the rice in cold or warm water? x
Richa says
Just regular tap water works
Ashiyana Parween says
Made this jeera rice and I was surprised. Soaking brought the rice to a whole new level. Simple and yummy. We had it with some rajma. Perfect in every way. Finger licking and satisfying. Well done you!
Richa says
Thanks Ashiyana! So glad you liked it
jojo vito says
Perfect, I have basmati rice on stock, I will surely try this recipe.
Richa says
I hope you like it!
Yach says
Absolutely delicious and so simple to make. A really nice touch to any meal!
Richa says
Thank you!
Chris says
Trying to make this in my insta pot. How long should I cook the rice for?
Richa says
3 minutes should be enough to cook basmati rice in the instant pot
Vandana Thakur says
Turned out tummy thanks for the lovely dish
Richa says
Thanks Vandana
Libby Hanna says
Amazing! I have been trying to get this right for years and this recipe showed the way! Soaking the rice made all the difference. I will be making this all the time now. Thank you so much.
Richa says
Thanks so much Libby! Really glad you liked it