How to Make Ghee Rice

How to Make  Ghee Rice -  Here is how to make buttery Ghee infused Basmati rice that is tender, light and fluffy and full of the flavour of Nutty and delicious Ghee. We use double the amount of water to Basmati Rice and it works perfectly! Rice is a staple recipe in most  Indian homes and it is often made every day. If you want to try another good Indian Rice Recipe, why not try this Basmati Rice or make it with a hint of Spice like we do in this Jeera Rice Recipe?

Ghee Rice

My Famous ghee Rice is seriously the best! Use a few simple ingredients to make the most buttery, aromatic and delicious rice you’ve ever had!

I like to make it on the stovetop. It can also be made in an Instant Pot/Ninja Foodi/a pressure cooker/ a rice cooker or in the Oven. 

Although this is a super easy recipe, there are some important key steps in making Ghee Rice perfect rice every time. Read on to find out more!

Main Ingredients in Easy Ghee Rice Recipe

You’re only a few ingredients and 30 easy peasy minutes away from the most delicious Ghee Rice. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ghee 

This adds a nutty buttery flavour. 

You can use Oil or Butter instead but it will not have the same taste. If using Butter, I would add a touch of Oil to stop the Butter from burning.

You can use either homemade desi Ghee or store brought.

We use a good amount of Ghee here to add a really rich buttery flavour.

Cumin Seeds

I add a teaspoon Cumin Seeds because it adds a warming delicious earthy flavour. 

Onion

You can use pre made fried Onions or sliced White or Red Onion. Cook until a light golden brown to add flavour.

If using pre fried Onions, add them in with the Rice.

Garlic

Adding Garlic Paste, Frozen Garlic or Garlic Granules/Powder adds a lovely mellow Garlicky flavour. You can also use Garlic or Ginger Garlic paste instead.

Long Grain White Rice 

Long-grained Rice (preferably Basmati). The ratio of rice to water is always 2 times the rice. e.g. 1 cup Basmati rice to 2 cups of Water. 

Boiled Water or Good Quality Chicken Stock 

If the Stock has Salt in it already, you will need to skip the Salt in the Rice. 

The pre boiled water will need to come back to the boil once it goes into the cold cooking pot.

Salt 

I add 1 teaspoon per cup of Rice.

Love rice? Why not try these other Rice recipes:

Easy One Pot Chicken Pulao Recipe; Jewelled Rice or Pilaf or Chicken and Rice One Pot.

How to Make the perfect Ghee Rice Recipe

This Ghee Rice Recipe is a crowd favourite that I am sure you will love! The full recipe can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page. Here are the basic steps:

Rinse the Rice in a fine mesh strainer over running cold tap water until the the water is no longer cloudy. 

Soak the Rice in cold tap water. The water should cover the rice in the bowl and come up an additional inch. Let the Rice soak for 30 minutes. 

Discard the water, rinse the Rice once more, and drain well.

Heat Ghee over medium heat in a large pot. 

Add Cumin. 

Once fragrant stir in Garlic. Cook for 30 seconds.

Add in sliced onions and saute gently for 8 - 10 minutes until golden brown. 

Stir in drained rice grains to coat in the Ghee.

Add 2 cups Water per cup of Rice and 1 teaspoon of Salt per cup of rice. Then bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Some of the water should have evaporated.

Reduce to a simmer then cover with a tight fitting lid.

Leave it to cook until all the excess water evaporates, about 10 to 15 minutes

Remove from the heat and keep the rice covered for 5 minutes. Then open the lid to reveal perfectly fluffy rice!

Top with chopped Coriander Leaves.

Storage for Leftover Rice

Fridge

This Ghee Rice Recipe can stay good for up to 5 days in the fridge.

Freezer

It keeps well for 6 months in an airtight container in the freezer.

How to reheat Ghee rice

Add a splash of Water and cook covered on low heat on the stove or place in the Microwave.

To reheat from the freezer, place in the microwave with a tablespoon of water and make sure the rice is piping hot all the way through before serving.

What to serve with Ghee Rice

Ghee rice can be served with a variety of meals such as:

Lamb Leg

Chicken Curry 

Variations for best Ghee Rice

Add other whole Spices

Add Whole aromatic Spices such as Cinnamon Stick, Star Anise,  Black Peppercorns, Green Cardamoms, Cloves to the Ghee before cooking. Once fragrant, continue with the recipe. 

Add Veg

Add mixed chopped vegetables, green peas and sweetcorn to make a Veg Pulao instead.

Add Garnishes

Cook some Cashew Nuts and dry fruits such as Raisins in Ghee and add on top of the Rice alongside fried Cashews as a garnish. You can also add chopped Green Chillies.

Tips and Tricks for making this aromatic Rice 

Make sure that the pot is covered with a tight fitting lid 

To finish cooking, the pot must be covered with a tight, heavy lid in order to cook and steam the rice properly.  

Pot Size 

The pot needs to be large enough to allow the rice to expand.  

Don’t peek!

Once the lid is on, leave the rice to cook and don't open the lid so no steam escapes.

Leave the Rice to rest

The rice will continue to absorb any remaining liquid.

How to cook larger Batches

Larger batches will need longer to cook (but just a minute or 2).

e.g.15 minutes for 4 cups is standard.

Ghee Rice Recipe FAQS

Does Rice need to be washed before cooking?

Very often you will find that Rice has some grit in it. Washing the rice gets rid of this but it also helps to get rid of excess starch meaning you get fluffy rice with separated grains.

Does Rice need to be soaked before cooking?

It is recommended. In my experience, soaking any Rice means it cooks more evenly, cooking time is shortened and the rice ends up more fluffy too. 

More Easy Rice Recipes:

Chicken Manchurian with Rice

Chicken and Rice One Pot

Keema Rice

did you make this recipe? i'd love to hear about it! did you try any variations? if you loved this recipe/tried any variations/have some top tips, please comment below. please leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. you can also follow us on instagram and subscribe to our newsletter to get our latest recipes.