Jeera Rice Recipe (Restaurant-Style Cumin Rice)

Jeera Rice is a simple and flavorful Indian recipe made with basmati rice and cumin seeds. It is a light, aromatic, and vegetarian dish and goes well with curries, dals, and dry sabzis, making it a healthy Indian meal. This rice recipe requires simple ingredients can be prepared in just 20 minutes, making it a easy to cook dish for beginners. Jeera Rice is often served in Indian restaurants and is a popular side dish with paneer butter masala, tikka masala, lentil soup (dal) or pair Jeera Rice with Lemon rice for a flavorful combo. Follow the step-by-step instructions to make restaurant-style Jeera rice at home.

Ingredients List

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon ghee or oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
• 1 small bay leaf (optional)
• 1 small cinnamon stick (optional)
• 2 cloves (optional)
• 1 green chili (optional, for spice)
• ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 2 cups water
• Fresh cilantro (coriander) leaves for garnish (optional)

Jeera Rice Recipe Step-by-Step Instructions

Wash and Soak the Rice

1. Boil water in a deep pan over medium heat. Meanwhile, rinse 1 cup of basmati rice under running water several times until the water runs clear to remove excess starch and prevent stickiness.

2. Now, soak the rice in water for 15 minutes, this allows the rice to absorb some moisture in advance, helping it cook more evenly and the rice turn out soft and fluffy.

3. Add the soaked basmati rice to the boiling water and cook until 90% done, about 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Cook the Rice

4. Heat 1 tablespoon of ghee or oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the following ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds – let them crackle until aromatic and lightly browned
• 1 bay leaf
• 1-inch cinnamon stick
• 2 cloves
• 1 slit green chili

Stir for a few seconds to release their fragrance.

5. Add the soaked and drained rice to the pan, then add ½ teaspoon salt Gently stir to coat the rice with the spices Cook on low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally

6. Turn off the heat and cover the pan. Let the rice sit for 5 minutes to allow it to fluff up. Then, gently fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains without breaking them. Transfer to a serving bowl or plate.

Garnish and Serve Jeera Rice

7. Garnish Jeera Rice with fresh cilantro (coriander) leaves for added freshness.

For an extra touch of richness, drizzle a little melted ghee on top. Enjoy the delicious and aromatic restaurant-style Jeera Rice as a perfect side dish.

Serving Suggestions for Jeera Rice

• Serve Jeera Rice with Kadhi Pakora, raita (yogurt-based side dish) for a comforting and flavorful Indian meal. Use basmati rice for the best texture and aroma.
• Jeera Rice also pairs well with Indian restaurant favorites like butter chicken, paneer tikka masala, or chana masala.
• For a richer taste, use ghee instead of oil.
• You can also cook Jeera Rice in a pressure cooker or rice cooker. Do not stir too much after adding water, as it can break the rice grains. Jeera Rice served with cucumber raita and mint raita adds great flavor to any meal.

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