Tomato rice is an easy, simple lunch recipe you can make on busy days. This is a spicy, flavorful rice recipe that is perfect for lunch boxes too. The main ingredients are tomato and a few spice powders. This is also Thakkali Sadam in Tamil. This is an easy recipe with pantry staples.
| Need more recipes with pantry staples? Check out Easy Pantry Recipes. |
Tomato Rice
This is a staple lunch in Tamil Nadu, South India which is usually served with raita or fryums. This is so easy and versatile. In school days, my mom used to pack this in our lunch box. Actually, tomato rice is prepared in two ways.
- The rice is cooked along with tomato and spices.
- The tomato masala and rice are cooked separately and mixed together. This method is the perfect way to use up leftover rice.
A short video
How to make Tomato Rice in a Stovetop?
If using basmati rice, soak it for 30 minutes. Wash and drain it. Take a deep heavy-bottomed pan. Add oil and once it is hot, add the whole spices. Then add the onion and green chili. Saute till the onions are golden brown then add tomato and spice powders. Once the raw smell goes add 2 cups of rice. Then add 3 cups of water and the required salt and cilantro. Let it cook till the water is completely absorbed and the rice is cooked. Switch off. Serve with Onion raita or any side.
Tomato rice in Instant pot
Switch on the Instant Pot. Press the saute button. Add oil and repeat the same steps as a stovetop. Once you added water and salt. Close the pressure cooker lid. Check the valve and press the manual button. Set the timer for 6 minutes high pressure. Let the pressure release naturally. Once the pressure is released, open the lid and serve.
| Pro tip – While using the instant pot, add 2 ¾ cups of water for 2 cups of Basmati rice. If using Ponni rice, use 3 ½ cups of water for 2 cups of rice. |
What Rice to use?
You can use Basmati rice, Ponni boiled or parboiled rice, Sona Masoori.
Ingredients Used
Other Instant Pot rice recipes for you
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Stepwise recipe to make Tomato Rice
Ingredients
Rice – 2 cups
Tomato – 2 medium-sized chopped
Onions – ½ Cup sliced thinly
Green chili – 1 sliced
Cinnamon – 1- inch stick
Bay leaf – 1
Cardamom – 1
Cloves – 2
Turmeric powder – ½ Tsp
Red chili powder – 1 Tsp
Garam masala – ½ Tsp
Water – 2 ¾ Cups
Salt – as required
Cilantro – few
Oil – 2 Tsp
Method
- Soak rice for 30 minutes. Wash and drain it. Keep it aside.
- Switch on the Instant Pot. Press the saute button.
- Add oil and when it is hot add the whole spices.
- Once it is sauteed, add sliced onions and green chili.
- Saute until the onions are golden.
- Then add the tomato and spice powders.
- Mix until the raw smell of the spice powders is gone.
- Then add the rice and water.
- Add the required water and cilantro.
- Close the pressure cooker lid. Press the cancel button and then the manual button. Set the timer for 6 minutes high pressure.
- Once the rice is cooked, let the pressure release naturally.
- Once the pressure is released, open the lid and serve with raita or any favorite sides.
Notes
- Adjust the spice powders as per your spice preference.
- If you don’t have garam masala, you can also add roasted cumin powder for flavor.
Tomato Rice – Instant pot and stovetop
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Basmati Rice
- 2 Tomato medium sizes chopped
- 1/2 Cup Onions sliced thinly
- 1 Green chili sliced
- 1 Cinnamon inch stick
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1 Cardamom
- 2 Cloves
- 1/2 Tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 Tsp Red chili powder
- 1/2 Tsp Garam masala
- 2 3/4 Cups Water
- Salt as required
- Cilantro few
- 2 Tsp Oil
Instructions
- Soak rice for 30 minutes. Wash and drain it. Keep it aside.
- Switch on the Instant pot. Press the saute button.
- Add oil and when it is hot add the whole spices.
- Once it is sauteed, add sliced onions and green chili.
- Saute until the onions are golden.
- Then add the tomato and spice powders.
- Mix until the raw smell of the spice powders is gone.
- Then add the rice and water.
- Add required water and cilantro.
- Close the pressure cooker lid. Press the cancel button and then the manual button. Set the timer for 6 minutes high pressure.
- Once the rice is cooked, let the pressure release naturally.
- Once the pressure is released, open the lid and serve with raita or any favorite sides.
Video
Notes
- Adjust the spice powders as per your spice preference.
- If you don’t have garam masala, you can also add roasted cumin powder for flavor.
Nutrition
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The spice blend in this tomato rice was so unexpected and delicious. I will definitely be making this again!
Thank you. I’m glad you loved it.
This is such a good recipe, love the Instant Pot tomato rice is our staple from now on.
Thank you.
Made this tomato rice and it turned out so good! Simple, comforting, and perfect for an easy meal. I’ll definitely make it again.
Thank you
I used the Instant Pot tu make this recipe and it worked perfectly. Tomato rice is so delicious and easy to make at home!
Thank you
The flavors smelled delicious and had real potential but the end result was mushy, sour tasting rice. I used beefsteak tomatoes and only cooked them for a few minutes since the instructions said to cook until the raw smell of the ground spices were gone; I’m not sure what that meant but have a feeling I should have cooked until the tomatoes were tender. Also, either the water ratio was either off or I shouldn’t have soaked the rice. The texture came out mushy and not separated like in the picture. Measurements were made using a standard cup (not rice cooker cup). I’m not sure what went wrong! Feedback would be appreciated. Nonetheless, thank you for taking the time to create and post this recipe.
Thank you for trying the recipe and I’m sorry the rice was mushy. The reason I see here is we have to cook the tomatoes till it gets mushed when you press with the ladle and the water content of tomatoes are dried before adding rice or we have to reduce the quantity of water. Because if we don’t dry up the tomatoes, it will also release water while the rice is cooking. As I see you used beefsteak tomatoes which are one of the juiciest tomatoes, it would have released more juice while cooking with the rice which turns into mushy. If you have used basmati rice, it can easily get mushy if you increase the liquid even a little bit. Next time try to use roma tomatoes or country vine. Plaese let me know if this was helpful and let me know your feedback when you try next time. Have a great day.
This is so delicious! Thanks a lot for this recipe, it’s really easy to follow and make! Highly recommended!
thank you so much.
I love tomatoes in just about anything and with rice it just brings it all together!
Thank you
How many minutes in instant pot for those who dont have the rice button? Is the rice button low or high pressure. Thanks
If your instant pot doesn’t have rice option, then pressure cook high for 6 minutes. Let me know if you have any questions.