Jeera Rice
Jeera rice recipe in 2 ways. Restaurant style & homestyle - both yield delicious, grainy & flavorful cumin rice.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Active time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 3, 3 to 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
Ingredients and Constraints
Ingredients
- Optional
- Optional
Ingredient watchpoints2 watchpoints
Short requirements and tradeoffs to check while gathering ingredients; detailed source notes stay expandable.
Green Chilies
1 green chili (slit and deseeded (optional))
The source row includes a form, size, temperature, preparation, or handling detail.
Details and source
Source: Jeera Rice Recipe (Cumin Rice)
Strand Mace
1 strand mace ((javitri) (optional))
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Details and source
Source: Jeera Rice Recipe (Cumin Rice)
Additional ingredient notes
Notes
Optionally you may add ¼ cup sliced onions after tempering the spices and saute for 5 to 6 mins, until golden.
Jeera rice is made with aged basmati rice (premium quality only). To use newly harvested or other kinds of delicate rice, stovetop cooking in a pot is best (not pressure cooker). You may start with 1½ cups water and add more hot water as you cook or simply follow the instructions on the package. Avoid soaking if you are not using aged basmati rice. You can also make this dish by sautéing the spices in butter and then mixing with the precooked salted rice. For more details please check recipe 2 in step by step photos in the post. Instant pot Notes: This recipe has been tested in a 6 Qt & 3 Qt Instant Pot. You can only cook up to 4 cups rice in a 6qts IP.
Before You Cook
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Decisions before cookingDetails2
Reviewed comparisons and tradeoffs that affect the path before the first active step.
My Recipes (homestyle & restaurant)
As I said there are 2 ways you can make Jeera rice – Homestyle method and restaurant method.
I follow the first method more often as it cooks in one pot & is convenient to make for the school & office boxes in the early mornings. I reserve the second one for occasions especially when I have guests or making a special restaurant style curry. One pot Jeera Rice : This is good for a home preparation as it is quick to make even by newbies. In this method, the spices along with cumin are tempered in ghee or oil on a low heat until aromatic. Then basmati rice is fried/ sautéed along with the spices and later cooked with water. This way of making jeera rice is as simple as cooking plain rice but you just makeover with some spices added to it. You will have some fragrant, fluffy & non-sticky rice to serve with your everyday sides. This one pot dish can be made in a regular pot, traditional pressure cooker or Instant pot. I have instructions for all of them in the recipe card below.
Variations
I experiment a lot in my kitchen with various dishes as my little boys get bored eating the same dishes repeatedly.
Though the following variations of jeera rice are very uncommon, they have always been a quick way to whip up dinner in no time. These variations are more nutritious than a regular jeera rice plus they cut down the need to cook another side dish when you have no time. These ideas are my own and are not a part of jeera rice recipe. If you are experimental like me in the kitchen then do try these variations: 1.You can follow the one pot method and make vegetable jeera rice. Add some mix veggies to the pot after frying the spices. This will be similar to a veg pulao but with milder aroma as there is no ginger garlic & mint used here. Plus the taste & flavor is totally different. The second restaurant style jeera rice can be easily transformed to a roasted egg jeera rice. The same can be made with fish & prawns.
Method Overview
Structured method notes that are separate from the step timeline.
Pour water
Caution: If you are not using aged basmati rice, please cut down the water as required depending on the kind.
Start with 1½ cups only and add more as you cook. Add ½ to ¾ teaspoon salt. Pour hot water as follows depending on the cooking method you follow. Instant pot – 1¾ cups or Stovetop pressure cooker – 2½ cups or Regular pot – 3 cups Mix well and taste test to adjust salt. The water should taste slightly salty.
Cook Cumin Rice
Cook according to your method Stovetop pressure cooker: Cover and pressure cook on a high flame for 1 whistle.
Let the pressure release/drop naturally. Instant pot : Press cancel, secure the lid and position the steam valve to sealing. Pressure cook for 5 mins and release the pressure immediately. Cooking in a regular pot, bring the water to a rolling boil on a high heat, turn down the heat to low. Cover and cook until the water is absorbed and the jeera rice is fully cooked through.
Source video
Source video
Method Timeline
Prep
ActivePrep
10 min
Prep time from the source recipe card.
Cook
ActiveCook
15 min
Cook time from the source recipe card.
Total
PassiveTotal
25 min
Total time from the source recipe card.
Step 1
Rinse rice thrice and soak it in 3 cups water for 20 mins. Later drain to a colander.
Step 2
On a medium flame, heat ghee in a pot or pressure cooker. Add all the whole spices and let them sizzle for 2 mins, until aromatic.
Image detailsadding whole spices to cooker to make jeera riceSwasthis Recipes · Jeera Rice Recipe (Cumin Rice)Dev reference 
Image detailssauteing spices in ghee to make jeera riceSwasthis Recipes · Jeera Rice Recipe (Cumin Rice)Dev reference Visual cue
until aromatic.
Checks2
Visual cueInfoVisualuntil aromatic.
Expected state: until aromatic.
TimingInfoTimingfor 2 mins
Target: 2 minute
Expected state: Add all the whole spices and let them sizzle for 2 mins, until aromatic.
Inputs and tools1
Uses
- 2 tablespoon ghee ( or oil or butter)
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
- Source: Jeera Rice Recipe (Cumin Rice)
Step 3
Stir in the green chili and rice. Fry on a high heat for 2 to 3 mins, without stirring vigorously.
high heat
Image detailsadding basmati rice to make jeera riceSwasthis Recipes · Jeera Rice Recipe (Cumin Rice)Dev reference 
Image detailsfrying rice for 2 to 3 minsSwasthis Recipes · Jeera Rice Recipe (Cumin Rice)Dev reference Checks1
TimingInfoTimingfor 2 to 3 mins
Target: 2-3 minute
Expected state: Fry on a high heat for 2 to 3 mins, without stirring vigorously.
Inputs and tools1
Uses
- 1 green chili (slit and deseeded (optional))
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
- Source: Jeera Rice Recipe (Cumin Rice)
Step 4
Pour water and add salt. Mix well and taste test the water to adjust salt. Bring to a rolling boil on a high heat.
high heat
Image detailspouring water and adding salt to make jeera riceSwasthis Recipes · Jeera Rice Recipe (Cumin Rice)Dev reference Inputs and tools1
Uses
- ½ to ¾ teaspoon salt ( as needed)
Step 5
Option 1 - Jeera rice in a pot – Reduce the heat to low and cook covered until water is absorbed & the rice is cooked through. (takes me about 15 to 17 mins) Turn off and rest for 10 mins.
Step 6
Option 2 - Jeera rice in stovetop pressure cooker – Cover the pressure cooker with a lid. Cook on a high heat until you hear 1 whistle. For al dente rice, release the pressure carefully after 2 mins with the help of a wooden spatula. When the pressure drops completely, open the lid.
high heat
Image detailspressure cookingSwasthis Recipes · Jeera Rice Recipe (Cumin Rice)Dev reference Visual cue
until you hear 1 whistle.
Checks2
Visual cueInfoVisualuntil you hear 1 whistle.
Expected state: until you hear 1 whistle.
TimingInfoTiming2 mins
Target: 2 minute
Expected state: For al dente rice, release the pressure carefully after 2 mins with the help of a wooden spatula.
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
- Source: Jeera Rice Recipe (Cumin Rice)
Step 7
Fluff up jeera rice with a fork before serving with curry or dal.
Image detailsafter pressure releases fluffing up jeera riceSwasthis Recipes · Jeera Rice Recipe (Cumin Rice)Dev reference Checks1
ServiceMain recipeSource service instruction
Fluff up jeera rice with a fork before serving with curry or dal.
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
- Source: Jeera Rice Recipe (Cumin Rice)
Step 8
Press saute button and pour ghee to the inner pot of instant pot.
Step 9
Add all the spices & saute for 1 min until they turn fragrant. Add the drained rice and chilli. Saute for 2 mins stirring occasionally.
Step 10
Pour 1¾ cups plus 2 tbsps water and add salt. Stir and taste the water, to adjust salt.
Step 11
Secure the lid & position the steam release handle to sealing. Press the pressure cook button, set to high pressure. Set the timer for 5 mins.
Step 12
When done the instant pot beeps. Let the pressure release naturally for a min and release the rest manually with the help of a long spoon (moving the vent from sealing to venting).
Step 13
Fluff up the Jeera rice with a fork & add some coriander leaves if you want. Serve with dal or your favorite curry.
Handling and Storage
Reviewed hold, storage, make-ahead, and service-timing guidance.
Expert Tips
Perfectly cooked jeera rice should be fluffy, non-sticky & aromatic.
To make it the best do follow the tips given below: 1. Rice to Water Ratio: Here are my time-tested rice to water ratios. These ratios are for aged basmati rice. However if you are unsure of what kind of basmati you have, simply use the same amount you use to cook it plain. Also you may refer the package. 1:2 (Rice:water) ratio for cooking aged basmati rice in a pot. 1: 1½ cups + 2 tablespoons for cooking aged basmati rice (soaked) in a pressure cooker. 1: 1¾ cups for cooking aged basmati rice (unsoaked) in a pressure cooker. Choosing rice: Always use the best quality aged basmati rice as it is the key to making fragrant jeera rice.
Learn More
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Testing notes
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Source: Jeera Rice Recipe (Cumin Rice)
Recipe structure
Components and intermediate outputs created by the method.
Main recipe
Recipe card ingredients and steps.
3, 3 to 4
Extra useful notes
Short source-backed recommendations and facts that do not need a step.
Optionally you may add ¼ cup sliced onions after tempering the spices and saute for 5 to 6 mins, until golden.
Optionally you may add ¼ cup sliced onions after tempering the spices and saute for 5 to 6 mins, until golden.
Jeera rice is made with aged basmati rice (premium quality only).
Jeera rice is made with aged basmati rice (premium quality only). To use newly harvested or other kinds of delicate rice, stovetop cooking in a pot is best (not pressure cooker). You may start with 1½ cups water and add more hot water as you cook or simply follow the instructions on the package.
Avoid soaking if you are not using aged basmati rice.
Avoid soaking if you are not using aged basmati rice.
You can also make this dish by sautéing the spices in butter and then mixing with the precooked salted rice.
You can also make this dish by sautéing the spices in butter and then mixing with the precooked salted rice. For more details please check recipe 2 in step by step photos in the post.
Instant pot Notes: This recipe has been tested in a 6 Qt & 3 Qt Instant Pot.
Instant pot Notes: This recipe has been tested in a 6 Qt & 3 Qt Instant Pot. You can only cook up to 4 cups rice in a 6qts IP. To double the recipe, I use the same cook time but increase the other ingredients proportionality including water. If you make a large batch (up to 4 cups), release the pressure immediately even if you want softer rice and transfer to a large tray. Wear mittens to handle this and you will also need help to hold the tray so it doesn’t move away.
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Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!
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Nutrition
Calories 450kcal Carbohydrates 78g Protein 7g Fat 11g Saturated Fat 6g Cholesterol 25mg Sodium 458mg Potassium 160mg Fiber 2g Sugar 1g Vitamin A 15IU Vitamin C 2.4mg Calcium 49mg Iron 2mg.
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Jeera Rice Recipe (Cumin Rice)
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