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Home » Recipes » Rice & Grains

Jeera Rice (Indian Cumin Rice) - Instant Pot

Nov 29, 2022. by Bhavana Patil. No Comments | This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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This Restaurant Style Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice) recipe is an easy one-pot flavorful Indian rice dish made with basmati rice, jeera (cumin) seeds, and whole spices in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker or Stovetop. Enjoy this aromatic rice with any curry or lentil.

jeera rice served in a copper bowl garnished with cilantro
Jump to:
  • What is Jeera (Cumin) Rice?
  • Health Benefits of Jeera (Cumin) Seeds?
  • Why You'll Love This Instant Pot Jeera Rice Recipe
  • Ingredients for Jeera Rice Recipe
  • How to Make Jeera (Cumin) Rice in Instant Pot
  • Stovetop Pressure Cooker Instructions
  • Stovetop Pot Instructions
  • What to Serve with Indian Jeera/Cumin Rice?
  • Storage Suggestions
  • Tips to Make the Perfect Jeera Rice
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Instant Pot Rice Recipes
  • Instant Pot Jeera Rice (Indian Cumin Rice)

What is Jeera (Cumin) Rice?

Jeera rice, or Zeera rice, is a popular rice dish in North India where basmati rice is tempered with cumin seeds and whole spices in ghee.

"Zeera" is the Indic word for cumin seeds, often pronounced Jeera. - Wiki

Jeera rice tastes aromatic, earthy, nutty and very flavorful and a great alternative to plain rice. It is very easy to prepare with very few ingredients

Jeera Rice is one of the most popular rice dishes served in Indian restaurants and Dhabas, often served as a side dish with curries, dal, beans etc.

If you love cumin seeds, then learn How to make roasted cumin powder at home in 10 minutes.

Health Benefits of Jeera (Cumin) Seeds?

Jeera (cumin) is commonly used in Indian cooking and used for its taste and medicinal properties for centuries. It is an excellent source of iron, manganese, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin B1. It helps to

  • promotes digestion
  • boosts immunity 
  • lowers the Risk of Iron-Deficiency Anemia
  • helps in fighting common colds.

Why You'll Love This Instant Pot Jeera Rice Recipe

  • Ready in less than 15 minutes.
  • Easy to make
  • One-pot recipe
  • It is hands-free and saves time.
  • Fluffy, fragrant, and perfectly cooked cumin rice every time.
  • Perfect side dish for curries, lentils or stir fries.
  • Vegetarian, gluten-free and can be made vegan.

Ingredients for Jeera Rice Recipe

  • Rice: Use good quality long grain Basmati rice for the restaurant style jeera rice recipe. You can also use small grain rice like sona masuri or seeraga samba rice, but adjust the water accordingly.
  • Ghee (or Oil): I like to use homemade ghee for this recipe. The best flavors come from the ghee, so I highly recommend adding it. If you are vegan, you may use oil.
  • Cumin Seeds: Use whole cumin seeds for this recipe. They add a nutty aroma and flavor to the dish when sauteed in oil/ghee.
  • Whole Spices: cinnamon, cloves, bay leaf, green cardamom, and star anise (optional).
  • Green chili: is added for the heat. Increase or decrease the quantity according to your spice level.
  • Coriander Leaves: They enhance the flavor, so do not skip them.
  • Salt: for seasoning
  • Water: use 1 cup of water for rice with more of a bite or 1¼ cups of water for a softer rice.

How to Make Jeera (Cumin) Rice in Instant Pot

Rinse the basmati rice 2-3 times until the water runs clear (removes extra starch) and drain the remaining water.

Firstly, Press Saute on Instant Pot. Heat ghee (or oil), add cumin/jeera seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cardamom, and cloves. Saute for a few seconds (till aromatic).

Then add green chilies. Saute for another 30 seconds.

step to saute whole spices, cumin and chilies collage

Add rinsed Basmati Rice, water, salt, and give a quick stir.

step to add rice, water and pressure cook collage

Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes.

Once the pot beeps, Do a Quick Pressure Release (QR) Manually.

perfectly cooked jeera rice in an instant pot pressure cooker garnished with cilantro

Lastly, remove the lid away from you, and garnish with fresh cilantro/coriander leaves.

Restaurant Style perfect Jeera Rice is ready. Serve with raita, lentils, or any curry.

Stovetop Pressure Cooker Instructions

  • Heat ghee in a pressure cooker on medium heat, and once it's hot, add bay leaf, cinnamon sticks, cardamom, cloves, cumin/jeera. Saute for 30 seconds (till aromatic).
  • Then add green chilies. Saute for another 30 secs.
  • Add basmati rice, water, salt, and stir well.
  • Close the lid of the cooker, Pressure cook it for two whistles on medium heat.
  • When rice is cooled, fluff the rice with a fork. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
  • Pressure Cooker Jeera Rice is ready to serve.

Stovetop Pot Instructions

To make jeera rice recipe or pulao on a stovetop pot, follow the steps above until adding water and then cook covered on medium-low heat until the water is absorbed and then turn off the heat. Allow it to rest for some time, and then open the lid and fluff the rice.

jeera rice served in a copper bowl garnished with cilantro

What to Serve with Indian Jeera/Cumin Rice?

Serve Jeera Pulao with curries, lentils (dal), stir fries or just serve with a side of yogurt or raita along with a salad.

I love to pair with the below North Indian Curries:

Dal Tadka

Chana Masala

Paneer Butter Masala

Vegetable Kurma

Rajma Masala (Kidney Beans Curry)

Storage Suggestions

  • Store: Leftover jeera rice keeps well in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Let it cool completely, and then store it in an airtight container.
  • Freeze: Cool down the rice completely and store it in the freezer-safe airtight container for up to 1-2 months.
  • Reheat: Sprinkle some water to moisten and reheat the cumin rice pilaf in the microwave or stovetop until it warms through. If Frozen, allow it to defrost in the refrigerator for a few hours and then reheat it on the stovetop or microwave for a steamy fresh cumin rice.

Tips to Make the Perfect Jeera Rice

  • Basmati Rice: Use a good quality basmati rice for making the fragrant Jeera Rice. However, you can use any premium-quality rice.
  • Rinsing the Rice: Rinse Always rinse the uncooked basmati rice before you cook it. This helps to remove excess starch, make it less sticky, and prevent it from clumping together.
  • Water-Rice Ratio: To make non-sticky, fluffy cumin rice adjust the water correctly, depending on the quality and type of rice used. I have used basmati rice in this recipe.
  • Vegan: Use ghee (clarified butter) to get the best flavors in Jeera Rice. To make vegan jeera rice, use either olive oil or any cooking oil.
  • 'Rice' Setting: You can follow the same instructions and Press the Rice button instead of Pressure Cook/Manual mode. It will default to 12 minutes at LOW pressure. The results are pretty much same.
  • Vegetable Jeera Pulao: Add 1 cup mixed fresh/frozen vegetables (like carrot, green beans, and peas) to this recipe to make a Vegetable Pulao/Pilaf. You can also garnish with some roasted nuts.
  • Onion Jeera Rice: You can add 1 medium onion (thinly sliced) to this rice to make Onion Jeera Rice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this Jeera Rice recipe Vegan?

No, I have used Ghee in this recipe. To make it vegan, substitute ghee with any cooking oil.

Is Jeera rice good for health?

Yes! Jeera rice is healthy for all age groups as its a great source of carbohydrates. Cumin seeds are packed with iron, zinc, copper and antioxidants. It aids digestion, boosts the immune system and have anti-inflammatory properties .

Do you need to soak the rice before cooking it?

It's optional. I find this step unnecessary when cooking rice in an electric pressure cooker.
However, soaking the rice will help to reduce the cooking time when you cook rice on the stovetop pot making the rice soft and fluffy.

More Instant Pot Rice Recipes

  • Vegetable Pulao
  • Peas Pulao
  • Coconut Milk Pulao
  • Lemon Rice
  • Ghee Rice
  • Beetroot Pulao
  • Bisibelebath/Hot Lentil Rice

If you’ve tried this easy Instant pot jeera/cumin rice recipe or any other recipe on Indianveggiedelight, then don’t forget to rate the recipe. You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see the latest recipes!

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Restaurant style Instant Pot Jeera/cumin rice served in a bowl with cilantro on the side

Instant Pot Jeera Rice (Indian Cumin Rice)

Bhavana Patil
Instant Pot Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice) is an easy one pot flavorful rice dish made with perfectly cooked Basmati Rice flavored with jeera and whole spices.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings: 2
Calories : 424
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian, North Indian
Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
Method: Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker, Stovetop
Prep Time : 5 minutes
Cook Time : 10 minutes
Total Time : 15 minutes

Equipment

  • Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
  • Stovetop Pressure Cooker

Ingredients
  

Whole Spices

  • 1 teaspoon cumin (jeera) Seeds
  • 1 inch cinnamon
  • 2-3 cloves
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 green cardamom

Other Ingredients

  • 1-2 tablespoons oil or ghee
  • 1 cup basmati rice rinsed
  • 2 green chilies split lengthwise
  • 1.5 cups water
  • salt to taste
  • 2 tablespoons coriander (cilantro)

Instructions
 

Instant Pot Method

  • Press Saute on Instant Pot. Add ghee or oil and once it's hot add cumin/jeera seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon sticks, cardamom, and cloves. Saute for 30 secs (till aromatic).
  • Then add green chilies. Saute for another 30 secs.
    step to saute whole spices, cumin and chilies collage
  • Add Basmati Rice, water, salt, and give a stir.
    step to add rice, water and pressure cook collage
  • Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes.
    perfectly cooked jeera rice in an instant pot pressure cooker garnished with cilantro
  • Once the pot beeps, Do a Quick Pressure Release (QR) Manually.
    Restaurant style Instant Pot Jeera/cumin rice served in a bowl with cilantro on the side
  • Lastly, remove the lid away from you, garnish with fresh cilantro/coriander leaves.
  • Jeera Rice is ready.

Indian Pressure Cooker Method

  • Heat ghee in a pressure cooker on medium heat and once it's hot add bay leaf, cinnamon sticks, cardamom, cloves, cumin/Jeera. Saute for 30 seconds (till aromatic).
  • Then add green chilies. Saute for another 30 secs.
  • Add basmati rice, water, salt and stir well.
  • Close the lid of the cooker, Pressure cook it for 2 whistles on medium heat.
  • When rice is cooled, fluff the rice with a fork. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
  • Jeera Rice is ready

Stovetop Pot Method:

  • To make jeera rice recipe or pulao on a stovetop pot, follow the steps as above until adding water and then cook covered on a low heat until the water is absorbed and then turn off the heat. Allow it to rest for some time and then open the lid and fluff the rice.

Notes

I have prepared this dish in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT

Tips to Make the Perfect Jeera Rice

  • Basmati Rice: Use good quality basmati rice for making the fragrant Jeera Rice. However, you can use any premium-quality rice.
  • Rinsing the Rice: Rinse Always rinse the uncooked basmati rice before you cook it. This helps to remove excess starch, make it less sticky, and prevent it from clumping together.
  • Water-Rice Ratio: To make non-sticky, fluffy cumin rice adjust the water correctly, depending on the quality and type of rice used. I have used basmati rice in this recipe.
  • Vegan: Use ghee (clarified butter) to get the best flavors in Jeera Rice. To make vegan jeera rice, use either olive oil or any cooking oil.
  • 'Rice' Setting: You can follow the same instructions and Press the Rice button instead of Pressure Cook/Manual mode. It will default to 12 minutes at LOW pressure. The results are pretty much the same.
  • Vegetable Jeera Pulao: Add 1 cup of mixed fresh/frozen vegetables (like carrot, green beans, and peas) to this recipe to make a Vegetable Pulao/Pilaf. You can also garnish it with some roasted nuts.
 
Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 424kcalCarbohydrates: 79gProtein: 7gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 166mgPotassium: 153mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 45IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 2mg
Keyword cumin rice, instant pot, jeera rice
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Hi There! Welcome to my blog! I’m Bhavana. Here you’ll find easy recipes for your Instant Pot, Kids Lunch Box ideas, Keto/LowCarb, Air-fryer recipes plus more wholesome, easy Vegetarian/Vegan Indian recipes that your family will love. More about me →

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