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Upclose shot of coconut basmati rice.
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5 from 4 votes

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!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword: coconut basmati rice
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 426kcal
Author: Shilpa Joshi

Equipment

  • 1 medium pot with a lid I used non-stick

Ingredients

  • 1½ tablespoons coconut oil or ghee or other oil
  • 10-12 cashews optional for texture, can also use toasted coconut chips
  • 1 green chili
  • 1 tablespoon ginger (blended) About 1 inch
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup basmati rice aged basmati is always best
  • 1 can coconut milk 13.5 fluid oz or 400 ml
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 sprigs cilantro washed, leaves removed, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  • Prep: Wash basmati rice grains very well to remove starch. Drain and set aside. Wash and chop green chilies and cilantro.
    Basmati rice grains being washed with water in a white bowl.
  • Heat coconut oil in non-stick pot on medium heat until it melts. Then, add cashews and fry until golden brown. About 3-4 minutes. Remove using a slotted spoon and set aside.
    Cashews frying in oil in pan.
  • Add slit green chilies to heated oil. Turn gas to between low-medium.
    Green chilies added to oil in a pan.
  • After a minute, add crushed ginger to pan and give it a good mix. Let cook 1-1½ minutes.
    Ginger added to pan with oil and green chilies.
  • Add washed, drained white basmati rice to the pan. Mix well. Toast the rice for about 3 minutes. Mix intermittently.
    White basmati rice added to pan.
  • Add coconut milk, water, and salt to the pot. Let mixture come to a simmer.
    Coconut milk and water added to rice in pot.
  • Once it comes to a simmer, place cover on pot and let it cook about 10 minutes. (If your pot cover does not have a hole for steam to come out, make sure to turn down gas lower so it doesn't overflow).
    Covered pot on stove top.
  • After about 10 minutes, check the pot. If you tilt it to the side and you don't see liquid it will be cooked. Cover it and let it rest 10 minutes. This is key to finish the cooking process.
    Cooked basmati rice in a pot.
  • After the rest period, you will notice the grains have slightly turned out and excess moisture has evaporated. Fluff rice with a fork. Garnish the rice with the fried cashews and chopped cilantro.
    Basmati with coconut milk in a pot with cashews and cilantro on top.

Nutrition

Calories: 426kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 636mg | Potassium: 301mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 75IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 4mg