Jeera Rice/ Cumin Rice is a popular dish to order in Indian Restaurants and it will be in the Buffet. This recipe is so easy to make in your kitchen. Let’s learn how to make restaurant-style, Vegan, Gluten-free, Jeera rice in under 15 minutes.
Jeera Rice
Jeera Rice is a simple Cumin roasted rice cooked with a few whole spices. It is usually paired with any dal or spicy curry as the rice itself is mild in taste. We need only a few pantry recipes to make this flavorful rice. I have used long grain Basmati Rice. It is so aromatic, long, and gets perfectly cooked each time.
One thing to keep in mind is to rinse the rice three to four times and soak it for at least 30 minutes. This helps the rice to cook separately and not mushy. I have used Cinnamon, cumin seeds, and bay leaf as whole spices in this recipe. You can also use cardamom, and cloves.
How to make Jeera Rice
Ingredients used
Stove top method
Soak basmati rice for 30 minutes. Wash a few times and drain the water. Keep it aside. Take a heavy-bottomed deep pot. Add oil. When the oil is hot, add the whole spices and cumin seeds. Let the cumin seeds crackle and you will get a nice aroma. Then add the drained rice and saute for a minute. Add water and the required salt. Cover and cook in medium flame till the rice is cooked and the water is evaporated. Switch off and remove the pot from the heat. Fluff the rice with a fork gently. Serve warm with any spicy curry.
A short video
Instant pot method
Soak the rice for 30 minutes. Switch on the Instant Pot and press the saute button. Add the oil. When the oil is hot, add the bay leaf and cinnamon stick. Then add the cumin seeds. Let the cumin seeds crackle and a nice aroma arises. Then add the rinsed and drained rice. Saute for a minute. Then add the water and required salt. Close the lid and press cancel, then the rice button. Once the rice is cooked let the pressure release naturally. Open the lid and serve the jeera rice warm with any Aloo gobi curry.
Other rice recipes
Recipe for Jeera Rice with step-wise instructions
Ingredients
Basmati Rice – 2 Cups
Cumin Seeds/ Jeera Seeds – 1 Tsp
Bay Leaf – 1
Cinnamon Stick – 1 Inch
Water – 4 Cups
Salt – as required
Coconut oil – 1 Tsp
Method
Stovetop Method
- Soak basmati rice for 30 minutes.
- Wash a few times and drain the water. Keep it aside.
- Take a heavy-bottomed deep pot. Add oil.
- When the oil is hot, add the whole spices and cumin seeds.
- Let the cumin seeds crackle and you will get a nice aroma.
- Then add the drained rice and saute for a minute. Add water and the required salt.
- Cover and cook in medium flame till the rice is cooked and the water is evaporated.
- Switch off and remove the pot from the heat.
- Serve warm with any spicy curry.
Instant pot Method
- Switch on the Instant Pot and press the saute button. Add the oil.
- When the oil is hot, add the bay leaf and cinnamon stick.
- Then add the cumin seeds. Let the cumin seeds crackle and a nice aroma arise.
- Then add the rinsed and drained rice. Saute for a minute.
- Then add the water and required salt.
- Close the lid and press cancel, then the rice button.
- Once the rice is cooked let the pressure release naturally.
- Open the lid and serve the jeera rice warm with any curry.
Notes
- Wash the rice 3 to 4 times. This prevents the rice from sticking after cooking.
- Soaking the rice for 30 minutes helps it cook perfectly.
- You can add one or two slit green chili to add the spice level.
Jeera Rice – Instant pot and Stovetop
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Cup Basmati Rice
- 1 Tsp Cumin Seeds/ Jeera Seeds
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 1 inch Cinnamon Stick
- 4 Cups Water
- Salt as required
- 1 Tsp Coconut oil
Instructions
Stovetop Method
- Soak basmati rice for 30 minutes.
- Wash a few times and drain the water. Keep it aside.
- Take a heavy-bottomed deep pot. Add oil.
- When the oil is hot, add the whole spices and cumin seeds.
- Let the cumin seeds crackle and you will get a nice aroma.
- Then add the drained rice and saute for a minute. Add water and required salt.
- Cover and cook in medium flame till the rice is cooked the water is evaporated.
- Switch off and remove the pot from the heat.
- Serve warm with any spicy curry.
Instant pot Method
- Switch on the Instant pot and press the saute button. Add the oil.
- When the oil is hot, add the bay leaf and cinnamon stick.
- Then add the cumin seeds. Let the cumin seeds crackle and nice aroma arise.
- Then add the rinsed and drained rice. Saute for a minute.
- Then add the water and required salt.
- Close the lid and press cancel, then the rice button.
- Once the rice is cooked let the pressure release naturally.
- Open the lid and serve the jeera rice warm with any curry.
Video
Notes
- Wash the rice 3 to 4 times. This prevents the rice from sticking after cooking.
- Soaking the rice for 30 minutes helps it in cooking perfectly.
- You can add one or two slit green chili to add the spice level.
Nutrition
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My cumin loving friends adored this rice! It came out so fluffy and aromatic and went incredibly well with curry.
Thank you
I love a good rice recipe especially fragrant aromatic ones like this! Saving this to try later! The tip to soak the rice for 30 minutes is great. I do the same thing, but when I’m in a rush I’ll soak for maybe 15 or 20 minutes.
Yes, I agree. When in a hurry, I too soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Glad you liked this recipe.
This rice looks perfect! The perfect flavors and textures in this jeera rice. I love the addition of cinnamon and cumin.
Thank you
I never knew this was called jeera rice but now I know! I love that you provided different ways for making this! I’ll have to take my instant pot out and try this recipe for myself. 🙂
Thankyou. I hope you enjoy this recipe.
I just love how this rice looks, such a long gracious grain cooked to perfection. I never cooked my rice like this especially adding salt to it, but this is definitely something I’m looking forward to trying. I’m pretty sure it is so much tastier.
Thank you. Please do give a try. It tastes great with some spicy curry.
This rice is delicious! I love the flavor provided from the cumin, cinnamon and coconut! A great side!
Thank you
Rice is my favorite side dish and I love the aromatic spices you used for this! So versatile as a side for many viands!
Thank you
I love this kind of rice, thanks for sharing the recipe! I can’t wait to try it out!
Thank you
It was perfect the first time. I learn so much from you as well! Keep it up great post.
Thank you
I have had this so many times, but never knew what it was called. I need to make this! I love cumin in dishes, and now I know I do not have to go to a restaurant to get it!
Yes, now you know what goes into your dish. I’m so glad you love this recipe. Hope you try for yourself. Thank you.
Your idea is very light and digestible, to eat every holy day. Take care and have a good day.
Thank you
My family and I loves having rice in every meal and we do love having flavored rice a lot. I love this recipe, it’s simple and the procedure is so easy to follow so thank you for sharing this with us.
Thank you so much. Hope you try this recipe.
I absolutely LOVE jeera rice, it’s so mild, fragrant and perfect with spicy dishes. Yours look fantastic.
Thank you
Such interesting flavors in this jeer rice! I can’t wait to try! I’m sure it will be a great side dish for almost all proteins!
Thank you
I really love the addition of cumin and cinnamon! I’ve never had rice flavored this way before, so it’s exciting.
Thank you. Hope you try this.