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Home » Recipes » Instant Pot

Tomato Rice with Coconut Milk - Instant Pot

Feb 7, 2023. by Bhavana Patil. 4 Comments | This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Jump to Recipe

Tomato Rice is a delicious Tamilnadu-style rice recipe made with fresh tomatoes, coconut milk, and a few Indian spices in an instant pot, stovetop pressure cooker, or pot.

instant pot tomato rice served in a white bowl with whole tomatoes on the side
Jump to:
  • What is Tomato Rice?
  • Why You'll Love This Tomato Pulao Recipe
  • Tomato Rice Ingredients
  • How to Make Tomato Rice Recipe using Coconut Milk in Instant Pot
  • Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method
  • Stovetop Pot Method
  • What to serve with Tomato Pulao?
  • Storage Suggestions
  • Tips to make the Best Indian Tomato Rice
  • Variations
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Instant Pot Rice Recipes
  • Tomato Rice Recipe - Instant Pot & Stovetop

What is Tomato Rice?

It’s simply rice cooked with lots of tomatoes and spices. I have also added coconut milk to give a nice flavor to the dish. But you can still make this recipe without coconut milk by following the same steps. Every home has a unique style of making this recipe.

You can also use vegetables like peas, potatoes, or soya chunks to make this dish healthier.

You can make this Tomato rice recipe in an Instant Pot, a stovetop pressure cooker, or a regular pan. Today I am sharing a video and step-by-step method of making tomato rice using Instant Pot.

I have included both the stovetop and pressure cooker method recipes below.

Why You'll Love This Tomato Pulao Recipe

  • Ready in less than 30 minutes.
  • Easy, and one-pot dish.
  • It pairs well with raita or any gravy.
  • Great for potlucks, get-togethers, or kids or adult lunch boxes.
  • Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free.

Tomato Rice Ingredients

You will require simple ingredients to make this easy tomato pulao recipe.

  • Rice: I used Long grain white basmati rice for making this tomato rice. You may also use medium-grain sona masoori, or seera samba rice. Make sure to adjust the water as needed.
  • Tomatoes: Use ripened, juicy, sweet, and sour tomatoes for the best flavor. If possible use fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomatoes or sauces.
  • Onion: Use thinly sliced onions. You can also use shallots (small onions).
  • Ginger and garlic:  I have used a paste made from fresh ginger and garlic. You can also mince and add them.
  • Coconut Milk: You can use either homemade or store-bought full-fat coconut milk.
  • Green chilies: I have used Thai green chilies for the heat.
  • Herbs: used fresh mint and coriander leaves.
  • Whole spices: I have used cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cloves, and cardamom in this recipe. If you don't have whole spices, add garam masala powder at the end.
  • Oil: You can use any cooking oil. For best results, use ghee.
Tomato Rice Recipe using Coconut Milk Ingredients

How to Make Tomato Rice Recipe using Coconut Milk in Instant Pot

Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Heat oil (or ghee), and add whole spices like cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. Saute for a few secs or till aromatic.

Next, add onion, and green chilies. Saute till the onions are soft and light brown.

step to saute whole spices and onion collage

Add ginger-garlic paste and saute for 1-2 minutes till the raw smell disappears.

Then add finely chopped tomatoes (or tomato puree), turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt. Cook till tomatoes turn soft and mushy. This can take 3-4 minutes.

step to saute tomatoes with spices collage

Then add the mint leaves, and coriander leaves. Saute for another minute.

Finally, coconut milk, water, and basmati rice. Mix everything together.

Deglaze the pot (Make sure there are no food bits stuck to the bottom of the pot). This helps to avoid getting a 'BURN' Alert during pressure cooking.

step to add coconut milk and herbs collage

Close the lid securely, and turn the vent to "SEALING". Select the PRESSURE COOK/MANUAL (High Pressure) setting and set the cooking time to 5 minutes.

When the instant pot beeps, do a quick pressure release before removing the lid.

Gently fluff up the rice with a ladle or fork. The Tomato Rice recipe is ready, serve with yogurt, raita.

tomato rice with coconut milk in the instant pot

Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method

Follow the same process mentioned above for Instant Pot. Close the lid and put the whistle weight on. Cook for 2 whistles on medium flame and turn off the gas. All the other steps remain the same.

Stovetop Pot Method

  • Heat oil (or ghee) in a nonstick pan or Kadai. Add whole spices like cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. Saute for a few secs or till aromatic.
  • Next, add onion, and green chilies. Saute till the onions are soft and light brown.
  • Add ginger-garlic paste and saute for 1-2 minutes till the raw smell disappears.
  • Then add finely chopped tomatoes (or tomato puree), turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt. Cook till tomatoes turn soft and mushy. This can take 3-4 minutes.
  • Then add the mint leaves, and coriander leaves. Saute for another minute.
  • Finally, coconut milk, water, and basmati rice. Mix everything.
  • Close the lid and cook on medium heat until the water is absorbed, and then turn off the heat and leave it covered for 10 minutes.
  • Open the lid and gently fluff up the rice. Tomato Rice is ready, serve with yogurt, or raita.
tomato rice made in coconut milk served in a bowl with raita and 2 whole tomatoes on the side

What to serve with Tomato Pulao?

Serve Tomato Rice using Coconut Milk with curry, raita or yogurt, papad, and pickle.

Storage Suggestions

Store: Leftover Tomato pulao will keep well in the fridge for up to 1-2 days. Let it cool completely, and then store it in an airtight container.

Reheat: Sprinkle some water and reheat the Tomato coconut milk rice in the microwave or stovetop until it warms through.

Tips to make the Best Indian Tomato Rice

  • Tomatoes: Use ripe, juicy Roma tomatoes for the best results.
  • Type of Rice: Traditionally short-grain rice like sona masuri or seeraga samba rice is used for tomato rice in south India, but I used basmati rice in this recipe.
  • Rice-to-water ratio: The rice-to-water ratio is important to get fluffy and nonsticky grains.
  1. Instant Pot: 1 cup Basmati rice: 1.5 cups of water
  2. Stovetop Pressure Cooker: 1 cup Basmati rice :1 ¾ cups of water
  3. Stovetop Pot: 1 cup Basmati rice: 2 cups of water

Variations

  • Fresh Herbs: I like to add mint (pudina) for flavoring, but you can skip it.
  • Coconut Milk: I have made fresh coconut milk at home, but you can use store-bought canned full-fat coconut milk as well. Tastes best with homemade coconut milk.
  • Add vegetables: You can also add other veggies like carrots, green beans, sweet corn, and green peas to make them more healthy.
  • Whole Spices: I have used whole spices in this recipe, you can completely skip it and add an extra ½ teaspoon of biryani masala or garam masala.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to make Coconut Milk at home?

Blend ½ cup of shredded coconut (fresh or frozen) with 1 cup of warm water. Strain the coconut milk in a strainer or nut milk bag. Transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate. You can save pulp for baked goods or add it to poriyal, smoothies, or coconut curries.

Which brand of coconut milk is best for this rice?

I personally like Chaokoh, Thai Kitchen Organic, Aroy-D, and 365 Everyday Value Organic Coconut Milk brands.

Which variety of rice is best to prepare tomato rice?

Traditionally in South India, short-grain rice like seeraga samba rice or sona masuri rice is used. However, I prefer to use basmati rice.

More Instant Pot Rice Recipes

  • Veg Biryani
  • Beetroot Rice
  • Spinach Rice
  • Cabbage Rice
  • Coconut Milk Pulao
  • Vegetable Pulav
  • Soya Chunks Biryani

If you’ve tried this easy Indian tomato 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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instant pot tomato rice pulao served in a white bowl with whole tomatoes on the side

Tomato Rice Recipe - Instant Pot & Stovetop

Bhavana Patil
Tomato Rice using Coconut Milk is a Tamilnadu style tomato rice recipe made with fresh tomatoes, coconut milk and few Indian spices.
4.77 from 13 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings: 2
Calories : 440
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian, South Indian
Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Method: Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker, Stovetop
Prep Time : 15 minutes
Cook Time : 15 minutes
Total Time : 30 minutes

Equipment

  • Stovetop Pressure Cooker
  • Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker

Ingredients
  

  • 2-3 tablespoons oil (or ghee)
  • 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
  • 1 large onion sliced thinly
  • 1 green chili slit lengthwise
  • 4 medium ripened tomatoes OR 1.5 cups chopped tomatoes OR 1.5 cups tomato puree
  • 2 tablespoons mint (pudina) leaves finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons coriander leaves finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala powder OR biryani masala powder
  • 1 cup basmati rice rinsed
  • ½ cup thick coconut milk
  • 1 cup water
  • salt to taste

Whole Spices

  • 1 inch cinnamon stick
  • 1 bay leaves
  • 2 cardamom
  • 3 cloves
  • 1 teaspoon cumin (jeera) seeds

Instructions
 

Instant Pot Method:

  • Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Heat oil (or ghee), and add whole spices like cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. Saute for a few secs or till aromatic.
  • Next, add onion, and green chilies. Saute till the onions are soft and light brown.
    step to saute whole spices and onion collage
  • Add ginger-garlic paste and saute for 1-2 minutes till the raw smell disappears.
  • Then add finely chopped tomatoes (or tomato puree), turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt. Cook till tomatoes turn soft and mushy. This can take 3-4 minutes.
    step to saute tomatoes with spices collage
  • Then add the mint leaves, and coriander leaves. Saute for another minute.
  • Finally, coconut milk, water, and basmati rice. Mix everything together.
    Deglaze the pot (Make sure there are no food bits stuck to the bottom of the pot). This helps to avoid getting a 'BURN' Alert during pressure cooking.
    step to add coconut milk and herbs collage
  • Close the lid securely, and turn the vent to "SEALING". Select the PRESSURE COOK/MANUAL (High Pressure) setting and set the cooking time to 5 minutes.
  • When the instant pot beeps, do a quick pressure release before removing the lid.
  • Gently fluff up the rice with a ladle or fork. The Tomato Rice recipe is ready, serve with yogurt, raita.
    tomato rice with coconut milk in the instant pot

Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method:

  • Follow the same process mentioned above for Instant Pot. Close the lid and put the whistle weight on. Cook for 2 whistles on medium flame and turn off the gas. All the other steps remain the same.

Stovetop Pot Method

  • Heat oil (or ghee) in a nonstick pan or Kadai. Add whole spices like cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. Saute for a few secs or till aromatic.
  • Next, add onion, and green chilies. Saute till the onions are soft and light brown.
  • Add ginger-garlic paste and saute for 1-2 minutes till the raw smell disappears.
  • Then add finely chopped tomatoes (or tomato puree), turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt. Cook till tomatoes turn soft and mushy. This can take 3-4 minutes.
  • Then add the mint leaves, and coriander leaves. Saute for another minute.
  • Finally, coconut milk, water, and basmati rice. Mix everything.
  • Close the lid and cook on medium-heat until the water is absorbed, and then turn off the heat and leave it covered for 10 minutes.
  • Open the lid and gently fluff up the rice. Tomato Rice is ready, serve with yogurt, or raita.

Notes

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

Tips to make the Best Tomato Rice

  • Tomatoes: Use ripe, juicy Roma tomatoes for the best results.
  • Type of Rice: Traditionally short-grain rice like sona masuri or seeraga samba rice is used for tomato rice in south India, but I used basmati rice in this recipe.
  • Rice-to-water ratio: The rice-to-water ratio is important to get fluffy and nonsticky grains.
  1. Instant Pot: 1 cup Basmati rice: 1.5 cups of water
  2. Stovetop Pressure Cooker: 1 cup Basmati rice :1 ¾ cups of water
  3. Stovetop Pot: 1 cup Basmati rice: 2 cups of water
 

Variations

  • Fresh Herbs: I like to add mint (pudina) for flavoring, but you can skip it.
  • Coconut Milk: I have made fresh coconut milk at home, but you can use store-bought canned full-fat coconut milk as well. Tastes best with homemade coconut milk.
  • Add vegetables: You can also add other veggies like carrots, green beans, sweet corn, and green peas to make them more healthy.
  • Whole Spices: I have used whole spices in this recipe, you can completely skip it and add an extra ½ teaspoon of biryani masala or garam masala.
 
Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 440kcalCarbohydrates: 81gProtein: 7gFat: 10gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 60mgPotassium: 277mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 435IUVitamin C: 11.2mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 1.3mg
Keyword instant pot, instant pot tomato rice, tomato biryani, tomato recipes, Tomato Rice, tomato rice with coconut milk
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ramya says

    May 16, 2020 at 11:54 pm

    5 stars
    Tried this recipe first time and it tasted delicious. Adding coconut milk makes a lot of difference in taste. It was yummy ! Thank you for the recipe Bhavana.

    Reply
    • bhavana says

      May 17, 2020 at 11:39 pm

      Thanks Ramya,This is Naveen's fav rice dish

      Reply
  2. Nisha B says

    October 29, 2021 at 8:39 am

    Made this for my kids lunch today with soy chunks ! Really yummy! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Bhavana Patil says

      November 01, 2021 at 2:21 pm

      That's really good to know Nisha 🙂

      Reply

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