How to Make Ghee Rice

This is the kind of side dish that works with all sorts of meals, from a rich chicken curry to a slow-cooked lamb dish. It doesn't need a long list of spices or much hands-on effort, either.

The trick is to rinse and soak the rice, give the onions enough time to turn golden, and leave the rice covered while it cooks. Follow those steps and you'll have a pot of fragrant rice that's ready to serve alongside your favourite curries.

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!

Ghee Rice Recipe Snapshot

• Flavour: Buttery, aromatic and gently savoury.
• Texture: Light, fluffy rice with separate grains.
• Difficulty: Easy.
• Prep time: 30 minutes, including soaking.
• Cook time: 25 minutes.
• Total time: 55 minutes.
• Serves: 4.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Simple ingredients - You only need a handful of everyday ingredients to make rice that tastes far better than plain boiled rice.
• Full of flavour - Ghee, cumin, garlic and golden onions do all the work.
• Easy to pair with meals - Serve it with curries, grilled meat, kebabs or a selection of vegetable dishes.
• Straightforward cooking - Once the rice is covered and simmering, you can leave it alone to finish cooking.

What Is Ghee Rice?

Ghee rice is rice cooked with ghee, a type of clarified butter commonly used in South Asian cooking. It has a rich, nutty flavour and is a lovely way to add depth to a simple bowl of rice.

There are many versions of ghee rice. Some use whole spices, while others keep things simple with just a few ingredients. This version uses cumin seeds, garlic and onion alongside basmati rice.

The onions are cooked until golden, the rice is coated in the ghee, and everything simmers together until the grains are tender.

Ingredients You'll Need

Ghee

Ghee gives the rice its characteristic buttery, slightly nutty flavour. You can use homemade desi ghee or shop-bought ghee.

Cumin seeds

These add a warm, earthy flavour that works beautifully with the ghee and garlic.

Garlic paste

A teaspoon of garlic paste gives the rice a gentle savoury flavour without overpowering it. You can use fresh garlic paste or frozen garlic.

Onion

Half a large onion, sliced and cooked until golden, adds sweetness and depth. Give it time to colour properly rather than rushing this step.

Basmati rice

Long-grain basmati rice is ideal because it cooks into light, fragrant grains. Rinsing and soaking it helps remove excess surface starch.

Water or stock

Use water or unsalted chicken or vegetable stock. If your stock already contains salt, adjust the salt in the recipe accordingly.

Salt

Salt brings all the flavours together. The amount can be adjusted to suit your taste, particularly if you are using stock.

How to Make Ghee Rice

1. Rinse and soak the rice

Rinse the basmati rice under cold running water until the water runs clear. Transfer it to a bowl, cover with cold water and leave to soak for 30 minutes.

Drain the rice, rinse it once more and drain thoroughly.

2. Heat the ghee and cumin

Heat the ghee in a large pot over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and let them sizzle until fragrant.

3. Add the garlic

Stir in the garlic paste and cook for 30 seconds, keeping an eye on it so that it doesn't burn.

4. Cook the onions

Add the sliced onion and cook gently for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown.

This step adds a lot of flavour, so give the onions the time they need.

5. Coat the rice

Add the drained rice to the pot and stir gently so that the grains are coated in the ghee.

6. Add the water and salt

Pour in the water or stock and add the salt. Bring everything to the boil over medium-high heat. Some of the water should evaporate as it comes to the boil.

7. Cover and simmer

Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the excess water has evaporated and the rice is cooked.

Avoid lifting the lid while the rice cooks, as the steam helps it cook evenly.

8. Rest and serve

Remove the pot from the heat and leave it covered for 5 minutes. Remove the lid and gently fluff the rice with a fork.

Finish with chopped coriander leaves and serve.

Tips for Fluffy Ghee Rice

Rinse the rice well. Washing removes excess surface starch, helping the cooked grains stay separate.

Don't skip the soaking. Soaking the rice for 30 minutes helps it cook more evenly and gives you a fluffier result.

Let the onions turn golden. Cooking them for the full 8-10 minutes builds flavour and adds a little sweetness to the rice.

Use a suitable pot. Choose a pot large enough to allow the rice to expand as it cooks.

Keep the lid on. Once the rice is simmering, resist the temptation to check on it. Lifting the lid releases steam and can interfere with the cooking process.

Rest the rice before serving. The five-minute rest allows the grains to finish absorbing moisture. Fluff gently with a fork rather than stirring vigorously.

Variations

The recipe above is delicious as it is, but you can adapt the flavours to suit the meal you're serving.

Add whole spices - Add a cinnamon stick, star anise, black peppercorns, green cardamom pods or cloves to the ghee before continuing with the recipe.

Add vegetables - Stir in mixed chopped vegetables, green peas and sweetcorn to turn the rice into a vegetable pulao.

Add a garnish - Fry cashew nuts and raisins in a little ghee and scatter them over the finished rice. Chopped green chillies are another option if you prefer a little heat.

What to Serve with Ghee Rice

Ghee rice works particularly well with dishes that have a sauce or plenty of seasoning.

Try it with:

• Chicken Curry
• Lamb dishes, including a slow-cooked lamb chops curry
• Grilled chicken or kebabs
• Vegetable curries and dal
• A fresh salad like kachumber and mint raita.

It's also a useful recipe to keep in mind when you're making a meal with several dishes, as it adds flavour without competing with the main event.

How to Store Leftover Ghee Rice

In the fridge

Cool the rice, transfer it to an airtight container and place in the fridge. Use within 24 hours for food safety.

In the freezer

Freeze the rice in suitable portions in airtight containers as soon as possible after cooling. For best quality, use within one month.

How to Reheat Ghee Rice

Add a splash of water to the rice, cover and reheat in the microwave or in a covered pan over low heat until steaming hot throughout.

If reheating frozen rice, defrost it thoroughly in the fridge before reheating, or follow your microwave's instructions for reheating from frozen. Only reheat rice once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which rice is best for ghee rice?

Long-grain basmati rice is the best choice for this recipe. Its fragrant aroma and long grains work particularly well with the ghee, cumin and onion.

Do I need to soak the rice?

Soaking for 30 minutes is recommended. It helps the rice cook more evenly and can improve the texture. Rinse it again after soaking and drain it well before adding it to the pot.

Why is my ghee rice sticky?

Rice can become sticky if it hasn't been rinsed thoroughly, if too much liquid is used or if it is stirred too much during cooking. Rinse until the water runs clear, follow the quantities in the recipe and leave the rice undisturbed while it simmers.

Can I use butter instead of ghee?

You can use butter or oil, but the flavour will be different. Ghee gives this recipe its distinctive nutty, buttery taste. If using butter, add a little oil to help prevent it from burning.

Can I use stock instead of water?

Yes. Unsalted chicken or vegetable stock adds extra flavour. If your stock contains salt, reduce or omit the salt added to the rice to avoid making it too salty.

Can I make ghee rice without garlic?

You can leave out the garlic, although it will change the flavour of the finished dish. The ghee, cumin and golden onion will still give the rice plenty of flavour.

More Easy Rice Recipes:

Jeera Rice

Ninja Foodi Rice

Ruz Bil Sharia (Arabic Vermicelli Rice)

Peri Peri Chicken and Rice Bowl Inspired by Pepe's

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