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.
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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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I tried this and LOVED it. So easy. Even better the next day. This makes a large amount, which was fine by me as I ate leftovers for breakfast for a couple of days.:-)
Also, my entire family loved this, and they are rather picky eaters. I hadn’t expected that they would enjoy it so much that they’ve asked for it again a number of times.
Easy and delish.
Thank you so much for your honest feedback. Glad you tried this recipe and loved it.
Tomato rice is my family favorite rice. What a visual treat, so flavorful and yummy rice. A must try one during this lockdown period!
Thank you
I’ve been looking for simple flavored-rice recipes – what a treat to find an instant pot version. This is going to be popular at my house!
Thank you so much. Please do try and let me know your feedback.
Easy tomato rice with yogurt or raita makes me so happy, what a lovely share and recipe.
Thank you for
This is one of much comfort and easy to make one pot dish. The tomato flavors are always a hit at my place. Looks so flavorful by the use of whole spices.
Thank you
These kind of dishes are easy to make and loved by our children, so I keep making this kind. This looks flavoursome and ideal for brunch too.
Thank you
One of my top favourite quick rice dish I make very often..Yours looks super delicious and tempting…yummy share dear 😋
Thank you so much
Love tomato rice as it is so easy to make and taste absolutely delicious. Yours looks just amazing.
Thank you
I love such simple one pot meals! Tomato rice is one of them, the vibrant color of the rice is everyones favorite! i bet instant pot makes it even more easier!!!
Thank you
Tomato rice is an all-time favorite for my family. Looks yummy and a very easy recipe. My kids enjoy this with raita.
Thank you
Lathiya, Tomato rice is one of my favorites and yours looks so yummy! I like how you have given both methods in your recipe. I am drooling here.
great share!
Thank you so much dear
Such a flavorful plate of rice, I love tomato rice. I’ve not made it from scratch, have usually used leftover rice. Will make it from scratch next time.
Do try it’s more flavorful than the other method I feel. Thank you
This recipe comes to your rescue when you want to cook simple yet delicious one pot meal. Yummy to the core I make it with leftover rice.
Thank you
At times you are not in a position to cook elaborate food for any reason and that time such recipes come to rescue. Instant, simple and above all delicious.
Thank you so much.
Tomato rice is our family favorite 🙂 Your version looks so flavorful with the addition of whole spices. Perfect weeknight recipe.
Thank you