10 Must Try Vegetarian Indian Basmati Rice Recipe Ideas


Upclose shot of coconut basmati rice.

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
Basmati rice with chana masala.

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!

Indian basmati rice on a blue plate with a steel serving spoon.

Authentic Indian Basmati Rice: Stovetop, Rice Cooker or Instant Pot

Get ready for the Best Indian Basmati rice! Perfect, easy way to get fluffy, easy basmati rice three ways: stove top, rice cooker or Instant Pot! Round out your favorite dish with a heaping side of warm, fragrant basmati rice!
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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.

A plate of cooked brown basmati rice.

No Soak Fluffy Instant Pot Brown Basmati Rice

This delicious, no-soak Instant Pot brown basmati rice recipe will tell you all the tips and tricks to make fluffy rice that will become a part of your weekly rotation!
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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.

Indian lemon rice in a pot.

10 Minute Indian Lemon Rice Stovetop

South Indian lemon rice is a delicious comfort food with light spices and a tangy, refreshing taste.  It’s traditionally made in ten minutes using leftover rice, but you could make a fresh batch if you’d like to!
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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.

Plate of saffron rice.

15 Minute Saffron Basmati Rice: Stovetop, Rice Cooker or Instant Pot

Saffron basmati rice is ready within 15 minutes and the perfect unique accompaniment to your meals! This saffron rice recipe can be made easily on a stovetop, in a rice cooker, or in an Instant Pot.
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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.

Curd rice topped with a tadka of curry leaves, dals, spices and cilantro leaves.

Make 10 Minute South Indian Curd Rice

Comfort food curd rice 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.
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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.

Upclose shot of coconut basmati rice.

15 Minute Coconut Basmati Rice With Coconut Milk

Coconut basmati rice gives a rich, delicious flavor to your everyday rice side dish.  It’s SO easy to make with a few ingredients like coconut milk, it’ll become a part of your rotation!
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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 🙂

Mint rice in a white plate with a silver spoon.

Pudina Rice (Mint Rice)

Simple pudina rice pulao is an Indian-style mint rice recipe made with Basmati Rice, fresh mint leaves, and spices.
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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 cumin rice

Jeera Rice or Cumin Rice

Warm comforting bowl of fluffy, non-sticky jeera (cumin) rice. Make easily on stove top with a few pantry staples.
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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 on a gray plate with a fork to the side.

Chilli Paneer Fried Rice

A one pot meal, chilli paneer fried rice, turns chilli paneer into a delicious spicy rice dish with bell peppers and onions.
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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!

Tamarind rice on a plate.

Easy Tamarind Rice Or Puliyogare Rice Recipe

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.  Popular in Southern India, you’ll love this rice!
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