10+ Basmati Rice Recipes to Delight Your Taste Buds

Basmati rice is a flavorful and versatile ingredient that can elevate many dishes. You can use it in a variety of recipes, from simple sides to main courses.

This type of rice is known for its long grains and aromatic flavor. It adds a unique touch to your cooking.

In this article, you’ll discover different ways to enjoy basmati rice. Whether you want comfort food or a fresh salad, there are plenty of options.

Get ready to transform your meals with the delightful taste of basmati rice.

1) Classic Basmati Rice Pilaf with Onions and Bay Leaf

Classic basmati rice pilaf is a simple and delicious side dish. It pairs well with many meals and adds great flavor.

The combination of onions and bay leaves gives this dish a warm aroma. Sauté finely chopped onions in butter or oil until soft.

Add the basmati rice and stir, letting it cook for a minute. This step helps the rice absorb the flavors.

Next, add water or broth and toss in a bay leaf for extra taste. Let everything simmer until the rice is cooked.

Once it’s fluffy, remove the bay leaf and fluff the rice with a fork before serving.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
• ½ medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup basmati rice
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat butter or oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add chopped onion and sauté until soft.
3. Stir in basmati rice and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add broth and bay leaf, then bring to a boil.
5. Lower heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
6. Remove from heat, discard bay leaf, and fluff with a fork.

2) One-Pot Za’atar Chicken and Basmati Rice

One-Pot Za’atar Chicken and Basmati Rice is a simple and delicious meal. The flavors of za’atar blend perfectly with the juicy chicken and fluffy rice.

You’ll enjoy this dish in just one pot, making cleanup easy. Heat olive oil in a pot and sauté onions and garlic until soft.

Add chicken thighs and cook until browned. Add rinsed basmati rice, water, and za’atar spice.

Cover the pot and let it cook. The chicken becomes tender, and the rice soaks up all the flavors.

Ingredients

• 4-6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2½ pounds)
• 2 cups basmati rice
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup za’atar seasoning
• 4 cups water
• Kosher salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add diced onion and minced garlic; sauté until soft.
3. Add chicken thighs; cook until browned.
4. Stir in the rinsed basmati rice and za’atar.
5. Pour in water; season with salt.
6. Cover and simmer on low for 25-30 minutes.
7. Fluff rice and serve.

3) Sabzi Polo – Herbed Basmati Rice with Saffron

Sabzi Polo is a fragrant Persian rice dish with herbed basmati rice and saffron. The herbs add freshness, while the saffron gives a golden color.

This dish is often served with fish or meat. Use fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, and dill for a delightful aroma.

The crunchy saffron layer at the bottom, called tahdig, is a favorite part. Try this dish for a special occasion or a comforting dinner.

Ingredients

• 3 cups basmati rice
• 1 cup finely chopped cilantro
• 1 cup finely chopped parsley
• 1 cup finely chopped dill
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 tsp saffron threads
• Salt to taste
• Water

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Soak it in water for 30 minutes.
2. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil.
3. Add the soaked rice and cook for 5-7 minutes until partially cooked. Drain.
4. In the same pot, heat olive oil. Add the herbs and sauté briefly.
5. Layer the rice on top of the herbs. Dissolve saffron in a bit of hot water and pour it over the rice.
6. Cover and cook on low heat for 30-40 minutes, until tender.
7. Serve hot, enjoying the crunchy tahdig layer at the bottom.

4) Basmati Rice with Chana Masala

Basmati rice pairs perfectly with chana masala, creating a hearty meal. This dish combines fluffy rice with spicy, chickpea-based curry.

Cook the basmati rice until light and fluffy. While the rice cooks, prepare the chana masala with onions, tomatoes, and spices.

Serve the warm chana masala over a bed of basmati rice.

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 2 tablespoons oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the basmati rice until the water runs clear.
2. In a pot, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. In another pan, heat oil over medium heat.
4. Add diced onion and cook until soft.
5. Stir in tomatoes, chickpeas, curry powder, and cumin. Cook for 5-7 minutes.
6. Serve the chana masala over the cooked basmati rice.

5) Basmati Rice and Dal Combo

Basmati rice pairs wonderfully with dal for a wholesome meal. The nutty flavor of basmati complements the spiced lentils.

Start with your favorite dal recipe, such as toor dal or masoor dal. Cook the rice separately to keep it fluffy.

Serve the dal over a bed of basmati rice. Add a side of vegetables or chutney for extra zest.

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 cup dal (any variety)
• 4 cups water
• Salt to taste
• Spices (cumin, turmeric, etc., to taste)

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. In a pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the basmati rice and a pinch of salt.
3. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes.
4. In another pot, combine the dal, 2 cups of water, and spices. Bring to a boil.
5. Lower the heat and simmer until the dal is tender, about 20-25 minutes.
6. Serve the dal over the basmati rice.

6) Basmati Rice Salad with Nuts and Fresh Herbs

Basmati rice salad is a fresh and tasty dish. It combines fluffy rice with crunchy nuts and vibrant herbs.

This salad makes a great side or a light meal. Cook your basmati rice according to package instructions and let it cool.

Mix in your favorite nuts like almonds or walnuts for crunch. Fresh herbs like parsley, mint, or cilantro add flavor and color.

Dress the salad with olive oil and lemon juice for a bright taste.

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice
• ½ cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pistachios)
• ½ cup chopped fresh herbs (parsley, mint, or cilantro)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the basmati rice as per package instructions and let it cool.
2. In a bowl, combine the cooled rice, nuts, and fresh herbs.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.
4. Season with salt and pepper, then mix well.

7) Lemon Garlic Basmati Rice

Lemon Garlic Basmati Rice is a bright and flavorful side dish. It pairs well with many meals and adds a zesty touch.

Combine olive oil, minced garlic, and long-grain basmati rice in a pot. Sauté until fragrant.

Add chicken stock and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat.

Cover and let it simmer until the rice is tender. The lemon and garlic infuse the rice with delicious flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup long-grain basmati rice
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add minced garlic and sauté briefly.
3. Stir in the rice and cook for a minute.
4. Pour in the chicken stock and lemon juice.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
6. Cover and cook for about 15-20 minutes until rice is tender.
7. Fluff with a fork and serve.

8) Basmati Rice with Roasted Vegetables

Basmati rice with roasted vegetables is a tasty and healthy dish. You can enjoy it as a main meal or a side.

The rice is fluffy and pairs well with a mix of colorful veggies. Choose your favorite vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots.

Roasting brings out their natural sweetness. Cook the basmati rice in vegetable broth for extra flavor.

Adding spices like cumin and turmeric enhances the taste. This dish is simple and satisfying.

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Spices (optional): cumin, turmeric

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss the chopped vegetables in olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread the vegetables on a baking sheet. Roast for 25-30 minutes.
4. Rinse the basmati rice while the veggies roast.
5. Bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a saucepan.
6. Add the rice and your chosen spices. Lower the heat and cover the pan.
7. Cook until the rice absorbs the broth, about 15-20 minutes.
8. Fluff the rice. Mix in the roasted vegetables before serving.

9) Coconut Basmati Rice

Coconut Basmati Rice brings a tropical twist to your meals. It pairs well with curries and stir-fries.

The creamy flavor of coconut milk makes this rice fluffy and tasty. You only need a few simple ingredients.

Start with white basmati rice, light coconut milk, and water. Add a pinch of salt to enhance the taste.

Ingredients

• 2 cups white basmati rice
• 1 (14 ounce) can light coconut milk
• 1 ¾ cups water
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until it runs clear.
2. Combine the rinsed rice, coconut milk, water, and salt in a pot.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
4. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15-20 minutes until the liquid absorbs.
5. Remove the pot from heat. Let it sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

10) Basmati Rice with Turmeric and Peas

This dish is simple and full of flavor. Turmeric adds a warm color and taste to the basmati rice.

Peas give the dish a pop of sweetness. Gather basmati rice, vegetable or chicken stock, and frozen peas.

You will also need turmeric, butter, and salt. Rinse the rice until the water runs clear.

Combine the rice, stock, water, turmeric, butter, and salt in a pot. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and cover.

Cook on low for 15-20 minutes until the rice is done. Stir in the peas just before serving and let them heat through.

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 cup vegetable or chicken stock
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup frozen peas

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear.

2. In a pot, combine rice, stock, water, turmeric, butter, and salt.

3. Bring the mixture to a boil. Then reduce the heat and cover the pot.

4. Cook on low for 15 to 20 minutes.

5. Stir in peas and heat through before serving.