10 Must Try Vegetarian Indian Basmati Rice Recipe Ideas
Here are 10 excellent basmati rice recipe ideas for you to change up your favorite gluten-free side dish. Many of these can be made with cooked rice or leftover rice.
These are all vegetarian, gluten-free, and in most instances can be made vegan by substituting ghee for oil (I think olive oil or coconut oil tastes delicious!).
Basmati comes from the Hindi word that means fragrant. This rice type has a unique taste and smell that is irreplaceable and a staple in Indian cuisine. A few quick facts about basmati:
- It’s long grain rice, slender rice grain
- Known as an aromatic rice that has a nutty flavor
- India accounts for two third of the world’s supply – most made in the state of Haryana
- There are 34 varieties of basmati rice and many rice types in India besides basmati
If you’re looking for a quick way to add extra flavor to plain rice one simple way is to saute whole spices such as a cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and bay leaf in some ghee. Then add in washed, drained basmati rice and mix to coat the rice grains and then cook the rice.
If you don’t have it on hand and need a basmati rice substitute, then sona masoori rice is a commonly found rice you can use. It is however a short-grain rice and does not have the same aromatic qualities as basmati rice.
We’ll start off with the basics, how to make perfect basmati rice, and then cover variations for you to try!
1. Making Perfect Basmati Rice
Here, I have covered how to make easy basmati rice three ways: stove top, rice cooker method or Instant Pot!
You will get a pot of steaming perfect rice that:
- Is not mushy rice, so the grains remain separated (make sure to rinse in cold water to remove excess starch)
- Is fluffy when cooked
- A floral, nutty aroma
- Uses the perfect water ratio per cup of rice
- Delicious, almost buttery taste!
I cover tips and visual cues to help you learn when the rice is ready.
Once you know how to make plain Indian basmati rice, you’ll be able to make any rice dish using it as a base!
Authentic Indian Basmati Rice: Stovetop, Rice Cooker or Instant Pot
2. Brown Basmati Rice
For those looking for an alternative to white rice, you can use brown rice. Here is a guide to making Instant Pot Brown Basmati rice.
This delicious, no-soak Instant Potbasmati rice recipe will tell you all the tips and tricks to make fluffy rice that will become a part of your weekly rotation!
You can substitute white basmati rice for brown basmati rice in any of the recipes that follow.
No Soak Fluffy Instant Pot Brown Basmati Rice
3. Indian Lemon Rice
South Indian lemon rice is a delicious comfort food with light spices and a tangy, refreshing taste.
The best part is that it is made using leftover rice and only takes 10 minutes! You can certainly make a fresh batch of rice, if that is your preference.
The citrusy notes of the lemon juice add a zesty flavor. Optionally add cilantro for a refreshing plate of cilantro lemon rice.
Note, this rice is made often in South India with short grain rice, however, I usually use Basmati Rice as it is more common in the North. Either can work!
It can be served as colorful side dish or part of a main course.
10 Minute Indian Lemon Rice Stovetop
4. Saffron Basmati Rice
Saffron basmati rice is ready within 15 minutes and the perfect unique accompaniment to your meals! It is the perfect side dish for any Indian food as it is not overpowering in taste but it is unique.
This fragrant side dish has a delicately sweet, floral, almost musky taste. It is very distinctive and saffron cannot be easily substituted.
For contrasting flavor and depth, I use a small amount of onions and cashews for texture.
This saffron rice recipe can be made easily on a stovetop, in a rice cooker, or in an Instant Pot. Store leftovers in an airtight container.
15 Minute Saffron Basmati Rice: Stovetop, Rice Cooker or Instant Pot
5. Curd Rice (Yogurt Rice)
Curd rice (South Indian Yogurt Rice) is a comfort food curd. It is a popular South Indian dish made by combining rice and yogurt, seasoned with spices and herbs.
The creamy texture and tangy flavor of curd rice can be enjoyed on its own or as a refreshing accompaniment to Indian dishes
This is a simple dish, but there’s something cozy and wonderful in the creamy rice with light spices and a crunchy contrast of tempered dals.
In its simplest form cooked, cooled rice is mashed and mixed with curd and salt. The recipe here includes spices bloomed in hot oil for more flavor and texture.
Make 10 Minute South Indian Curd Rice
6. Coconut Basmati Rice
Coconut basmati rice with coconut milk gives a rich, delicious flavor to your everyday rice side dish.
This recipe uses a few pantry ingredients. I use coconut milk, green chili for a little heat, ginger for depth of flavor, and cashews for some crunch.
It’s a very easy recipe and a fun way to mix up a plain side dish of white basmati rice.
15 Minute Coconut Basmati Rice With Coconut Milk
7.Pudina Rice (Mint Rice)
Next up is this Indian-style mint rice recipe made with basmati rice, fresh mint leaves, and spices.
It is quick to make with basic pantry items and Indian spices. This can be made stove top or as Instant Pot mint rice.
It can be served as a side dish or a main dish. You can add veggies ( I added carrots and peas), paneer, potatoes, or even tofu to round it out into a meal.
It’s great to make in the summertime when mint is growing like crazy in your garden 🙂
Pudina Rice (Mint Rice)
8. Restaurant Style Jeera Rice
This restaurant-style jeera rice or cumin rice is a staple Indian side dish that uses a handful of ingredients. Key to it is cumin seeds.
It uses simple ingredients to make deliciously flavored basmati rice. I cover how to make it three ways (stovetop, Instant Pot, and rice cooker).
Jeera Rice or Cumin Rice
9. Chili Paneer Fried Rice
Chili paneer fried rice is a fusion dish I created based a VERY popular Indian Chinese dish, chili paneer.
- One pot meal
- Easy way to use up leftover rice
- Vegetarian
- Can by made vegan by using tofu instead of paneer
Chilli paneer is a popular Indo-Chinese appetizer that takes deep-fried paneer and tosses it in a spicy, tangy sauce with bell peppers (capsicum) and onions. It can be served dry or with some gravy. When made with some gravy it is served with basmati rice.
So, this idea takes inspiration from chili paneer and turns it into an easy main course dish, paneer fried rice.
This version has all the big spicy, tangy flavors with delicious paneer and veggies.
Chilli Paneer Fried Rice
10. Tamarind Rice
Delicious tamarind rice or puliyogare is made with leftover rice, spices, nuts, tamarind, and coconut to make a very flavor-packed and unique rice dish.
It is a tangy and unique rice. I like using long-grain rice, you can also use short-grain.
Popular in Southern India, you’ll love this rice!