Instant Pot Ghee Rice (Restaurant Style)

instant pot ghee rice served in a white bowl garnished with nuts and spices on the side

5 from 8 votes

Instant Pot Ghee Rice (Restaurant Style)

Instant Pot Ghee Rice is a simple and delicious one-pot rice made using desi ghee (clarified butter) and whole spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian, South Indian

Keyword ghee rice, instant pot ghee rice recipe, restaurant style

Diet Gluten-Free, Vegetarian

Method Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker, Stovetop

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Servings

Calories 540kcal

Author Bhavana Patil

Equipment

Ingredients

2-3 tablespoons ghee
12-15 cashews
10-15 raisins
2 small onion thinly sliced
2-3 green chilies slit lengthwise
½ inch ginger grated
1 cup basmati rice
1.5 cups water
salt to taste

Whole Spices

2 bay leaf
2 cinnamon sticks
3 cloves
2 cardamom
1 small mace optional
1 star anise optional

Instructions

Instant Pot Method:

Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Heat ghee, add cashews and fry till they are light golden in color. Then add raisins and fry till they plump up. Then remove them to a plate and set them aside. They will be used for garnishing.
Then add in the whole spices like bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, mace and star anise. Saute for a few secs or till aromatic.
Add sliced onion, green chilies, and grated ginger, and saute until translucent-stir regularly.
Then add rinsed basmati rice, water, and salt. Give a quick stir.
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 (QR) before removing the lid.
Garnish with roasted cashew nuts, and raisins and gently fluff up the ghee rice with a fork or laddle.
Instant pot restaurant style ghee rice is ready to serve.

Indian Pressure Cooker Method

Heat ghee in a pressure cooker on medium heat, add cashews, and fry till they are light golden in color. Then add raisins and fry till they plump up. Then remove them to a plate and set them aside. They will be used for garnishing.
Then add in the whole spices like bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, mace and star anise. Saute for a few seconds or till aromatic.
Add sliced onion, green chilies, and grated ginger, and saute until translucent-stir regularly.
Then add rinsed basmati rice, water, and salt. Give a quick stir.
Close the lid of the cooker, Pressure cook for 1 whistle on medium heat and let the pressure release naturally.
Garnish with roasted cashew nuts, and raisins and gently fluff up the ghee rice with a fork or laddle.

Video

Notes

Quality of basmati rice: The aroma and the texture of rice are purely based on the quality of basmati rice. Roast the rice for 2 minutes to get beautiful fluffy ghee rice.

Coconut milk: You may replace 1 cup of water with 1 cup of thick coconut milk for added flavor to make coconut ghee rice.

Veggies: Also, you can add some vegetables of your choice, like green peas, beans, and carrots, to make vegetable-loaded ghee rice if you make them, especially for the kid's lunch box.

Nuts: Along with roasted cashews and raisins, you can add more dry fruits like almonds, pistachios, etc.

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

Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition