Description
This easy 30-minute pilau rice recipe is fragrant, fluffy, and packed with aromatic spices like cumin, turmeric, and cinnamon. Made with basmati rice and vegetable stock, it’s the perfect quick side dish to pair with curries, grilled meats, or roasted vegetables. A simple yet authentic pilau rice recipe for busy weeknights or dinner parties.
Ingredients
20 g (1 ½ tablespoons) salted butter
1 brown onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 sprigs thyme, leaves picked
1 bay leaf
3 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon turmeric
¼ teaspoon ground coriander
250 g (1 ¼ cups) basmati rice
500 ml (2 cups) vegetable stock
Instructions
- Heat butter in a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid over medium heat. Sauté onions and garlic until soft and translucent.
- Add thyme leaves, bay leaf, cloves, cinnamon stick, cumin, turmeric, and ground coriander. Stir and cook for about 2 minutes until aromatic.
- Mix in the basmati rice, coating the grains with the spice mixture.
- Pour in hot vegetable stock and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to very low, cover with lid, and simmer for 11 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat, fluff rice with a fork, and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Rinse basmati rice before cooking for fluffier grains.
- Use ghee instead of butter for a richer flavor.
- Add peas, carrots, or nuts for extra texture and nutrition.
- For a vegan version, replace butter with olive oil or coconut oil.
- Reheat with a splash of water or stock to keep the rice moist.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
