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
Pete Alexandrou says
Awesome recipe but the 6 minute simmering time makes no sense to me. Usually takes at least 15-18 mins on low.
Richa says
It does, but when the rice is pre soaked, the cooking time reduces. This timing works.
Indrayani rice says
nice recipe
Indrayani Brown rice says
nice recipe
Patti says
Are the green chilies typically hot? Is there a particular variety you recommend?
Richa says
They do have some heat. You can use Serrano peppers if you can find them
Alana says
I love the jeers rice but would like to know the brand name of the rice please. Thank you
Richa says
Hey Alana, I use a brand called India Gate. Daawat is another good brand that sells beautiful basmati
Carol Voce says
Just made your Jeera rice! Simple, quick and absolutely delicious. Thank you ๐
Richa Gupta says
Thanks Carol! Try the Jeera rice with this simple yet Authentic Dhaba Style Dal Fry!
Lisa says
this recipe is fabulous. I made it in the Instant Pot and I think there is typo in your instructions above the recipe. It should be 1cup to 1.25. I google it and 100% of the websites said to reduce water when pressure cooking, not increase. That said I did the rest of the recipe EXACTLY as written and it really stepped up my rice game. I served it beside homemade chana masala and it was an unbelievable pair. Yum! and thank you!!!
Richa says
Thanks for pointing that out Lisa. Its a typo and I'll change it. Really glad you liked both the recipes!
Michelle says
Perfect jeera rice indeed! I tried this recipe and the results were outstanding! The aroma, texture & taste all truly beautiful, better than the Indian restaurants. This is a keeper for when I have to bring out the BIG GUNS ๐.
Richa says
So happy you liked the recipe Michelle. Thanks for leaving a comment!
Caroline says
Trying this recipe for the first time. So simple and so delicious. I have seen other recipes too from this blog. Awesome! They are so easy to follow.
Thanks a ton Richa. ๐
Richa says
Thank you so much for leaving a comment Caroline! Glad you liked the recipe
Karen says
Your rice looks amazing but I have what might be a silly question. Should I use a bay leaf like those found in the supermarket or should I seek out tej patta? Which is more authentic?
Thanks for sharing!
Richa says
Hey Karen, tej patta is what bayleaf is called in hindi. You can go ahead and use bay leaf.
Vinodshreni says
Will certainly try this receipe. Looks easy and fantastic .
Richa Gupta says
Oh it's the best, Vinod. There's something so soothing and homely about Jeera rice!
Kalani says
I was wondering..I'm Vegan so ghee isn't possible. How about vegan butter or coconut oil? It would be great if the taste was the same! Thanks ๐
Richa says
You can do this with coconut oil or vegan butter. It'll taste a little different of course but it works
Lyra says
Your instructions say to cook the rice five to six minutes. Is this a typo, or does the 30 min soak cut the cook time that much?
Richa says
The soaking time cuts the cooking time down. It especially works for this quantity but won't work as well if the quantity is doubled or tripled
Jonathan Bryans says
Thank you for letting us now about this secret....very useful indeed....mine turned out just as you said.....perfect!!
Richa Gupta says
Most welcome, Jonathan!
Ashley says
This turned out beautifully. I made basmati rice in the pressure cooker for the first time last night using your regular basmati recipe, and it came out perfectly. Today I decided to try this jeera recipe with the pressure cooker, but I followed the rice to water ratio from the regular basmati recipe (I did 1/2 cup rice to 3/4 cup water) ๐ thank you!
Richa says
Thanks for leaving a comment! Soooo glad it worked Ashley!!
Melwyn Pereira says
It's become perfect as the receipe says and I m loving the taste of it, it's easy and best
Richa says
Soooo happy you liked the recipe Melwyn! Thank you for leaving a comment
Everett Perry says
I am just trying out the Jeera Rice recipe. I can't wait to enjoy it. I only hope I did it right.
Take care.
Everett Perry
Richa says
I hope you like it Everett
Sree says
It's really osm...โค๐
Thank you .....๐...
I'm happy ...thanks alot...