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.
Many individuals like to eat something that is quick and simple to make, gratifying, and flavorful when deciding what to eat for lunch. Additionally, simple lunches are frequently portable, making them useful for folks who need to eat on the move or at their workplace. Jeera rice is among the better alternatives. What's best? This recipe can also be made using leftover steamed rice.
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 flavorful and is 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 has been 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 cup of water for 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.
Add rinsed Basmati Rice, water, salt, and give a quick stir.
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.
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 seconds.
- Add basmati rice, water, salt, and stir well.
- Close the cooker's lid and 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.
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:
Rajma Masala (Kidney Beans Curry)
Storage Suggestions
- Store: Leftover jeera rice keeps well in the fridge for 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. 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 good quality basmati rice for making the fragrant Jeera Rice. However, you can use any premium-quality rice.
- Rinsing the Rice: 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.
- Onion Jeera Rice: You can add 1 medium onion (thinly sliced) to this rice to make Onion Jeera Rice.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, I have used Ghee in this recipe. To make it vegan, substitute ghee with any cooking oil.
Yes! Jeera rice is healthy for all age groups as it's a great source of carbohydrates. Cumin seeds are packed with iron, zinc, copper, and antioxidants. It aids digestion, boosts the immune system, and has anti-inflammatory properties.
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!
Instant Pot Jeera Rice (Indian Cumin Rice)
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.
- Add Basmati Rice, water, salt, and give a stir.
- 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.
- 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
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.
Gary Kaetzel says
I made this today to include in some wraps I made using some tamales I made. I have these Korean green chiles that are bigger than the one you used but it gave the rice a little bite which is good! When I first saw Jeera Rice I thought it would make a good add to Mexican dishes and it does! I looked at other recipes and decided to add 1/4 tsp. of hing to it. I can't taste the difference but I gave it a try! Thanks for another very very good recipe and dressing up my pedestrian tamale wraps!!!
Bhavana Patil says
Thank you so much for trying Gary, glad you liked it..