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    Home » Recipes » Sides

    Homemade Pilau Rice

    Published: Jul 15, 2020 · Modified: Jan 2, 2023 by Beth Sachs · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    homemade pilau rice

    My fuss-free, homemade Pilau Rice, brings an authentic taste of an Indian takeaway to your home.

    Best of all, it's ready in less than 30 minutes! Serve with your favourite curry, for a delicious Indian feast.

    Homemade pilau rice as part of a curry feast.

    We love a takeaway curry in this house, and pilau rice is ALWAYS requested from the kids. In an effort to save some money, I've developed this easy pilau rice recipe that you can make in the comfort of your own kitchen, bringing that authentic taste of your local Indian to your next curry night at home.

    We often have an Indian night at the weekend, where I make a few different curries, including a creamy halloumi curry, mango chutney chicken curry, keema matar (beef and pea curry), a vegan chickpea and spinach curry, homemade naan bread, and also this tasty pilau rice.

    👩‍🍳 Have you seen my easy turmeric rice? Another easy rice dish that's great with curries!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why should you try it?
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🥄 Equipment
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • 🧊 Suitable for freezing?
    • ❓ FAQS
    • 😋Related recipes
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why should you try it?

    • Authentic tasting pilau rice.
    • Easy and quick to make.
    • Much healthier than pilau rice from the takeaway.

    🥘 Ingredients

    • Basmati rice
    • Vegetable oil
    • Turmeric
    • Cumin Seeds
    • Cardamom pods
    • Cinnamon stick
    • Cloves
    • Bay leaf
    • Vegetable stock

    🥄 Equipment

    A large lidded pan is needed to make the rice. You will also need a heat resistant jug for the vegetable stock

    🔪 Instructions

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    One: Crack the cardamom pods with the flat edge of a knife and gently fry the cardamom, cloves, cumin seeds and turmeric in the vegetable oil for 1 minute, to release their flavours.

    Two: Add the rice and coat in the spices.

    Three: Pour over the stock and pop in the bay, cinnamon and season with salt. Bring to a simmer then put a lid on the pan and turn down the heat to low.

    Four: Let it cook for 25 minutes. When it's ready, take the lid off and fluff up the rice with a fork before serving.

    Step-by-step picture instructions for making pilau rice

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    Curry and pilau rice go hand in hand, so I often serve my homemade 'yellow rice', as the kids call it, with a mildly spiced chicken curry and also a spicier vegetarian curry like my halloumi curry or sweet potato and lentil curry. Lamb tikka masala also goes well with it!

    Overhead shot of pilau rice

    📖 Variations

    Replace the olive oil with butter or ghee if you prefer.

    To reduce the salt content of the rice, use boiling water in place of the vegetable stock.

    🥡 Storage

    The cooked pilau rice can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat the rice in the microwave until piping hot.

    🧊 Suitable for freezing?

    Place any leftover rice into microwaveable tubs with lids and stash them away in the freezer.

    You can reheat pilau rice straight from frozen, in the microwaveable tubs. Just make sure the rice is hot all the way through before serving. I usually give it a shake in the tub and pop it back in the microwave for a few more minutes, to ensure it reaches an even temperature throughout.

    Chicken curry and rice

    ❓ FAQS

    How does pilau rice get it's colour?

    Pilua rice's gorgeous yellowy colour comes from using turmeric (or sometimes saffron). It's also flavoured with other spices, including cardamom, cumin seeds, cinnamon and bay leaves.

    What is the difference between boiled rice and pilau rice?

    Pilau rice and plain boiled rice are both made with white basmati rice. Pilau rice is fried with a fat (usually ghee, oil or butter) and flavoured with Indian spices such as cardamom, cloves, turmeric, cumin, cinnamon and bay leaves.  Boiled rice is cooked in salted water and served with no additional flavourings.

    What do you eat with pilau rice?

    Curries, grilled meat and fish, and vegetables are all popular accompaniments to pilau rice. You could also add leftover cooked meat (tandori chicken for example) and roasted veg to the pilau rice to make it a meal in itself.

    Rice with bay leaves and cinnamon.
    Pilau Rice

    😋Related recipes

    Some delicious curry recipes to serve with pilau rice;

    • Lamb Balti
    • Creamy Courgette Curry
    • Halloumi Curry
    • Cauliflower and Lentil Curry
    • Slow Cooker Beef Curry
    • Keema Matar
    • Mild Chicken Curry for Kids

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    Recipe

    Homemade pilau rice in a pan
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    5 from 6 votes

    Homemade Pilau Rice

    My fuss-free, homemade pilau rice, brings an authentic taste of an Indian takeaway to your home. Best of all, it's ready in less than 30 minutes! Serve with your favourite curry, for a delicious Indian feast.
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Indian
    Keyword Pilau Rice
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 277kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Kitchen Scales
    • Measuring Jug
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Shallow Casserole
    • Knife
    • Chopping Board

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil or use butter
    • 1 tsp Turmeric
    • 2 Cloves
    • 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
    • 4 Cardamom pods bruised with the flat of a knife
    • 250 g Basmati rice
    • 500 ml Vegetable stock
    • 1 Cinnamon stick
    • 1 Bay Leaf

    Instructions

    • In a pan (with a lid), heat the oil and fry the turmeric, cloves, cumin seeds and cardamom pods for 1 minute, to release their flavours.
    • Add the rice and stir to coat in the spices.
    • Pour in the vegetable stock, give it another stir and add the cinnamon and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, season with salt, then pop the lid on. Turn the heat down to low.
    • Cook for 25 minutes, then take off the heat. Remove the lid and fluff up the rice with a fork. Replace the lid until you're ready to serve.

    Notes

    Freezing: Any leftover rice can be frozen. Store the rice in a microwaveable container in the freezer then reheat in the microwave, straight from frozen.
    Nutrition: The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
    Nutrition Facts
    Homemade Pilau Rice
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    277
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    4
    g
    6
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    19
    %
    Sodium
     
    505
    mg
    22
    %
    Potassium
     
    117
    mg
    3
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    54
    g
    18
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    1
    g
    1
    %
    Protein
     
    5
    g
    10
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    266
    IU
    5
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    1
    mg
    1
    %
    Calcium
     
    39
    mg
    4
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @effortlessf00d on Instagram or Twitter

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Adriana

      August 03, 2020 at 8:30 pm

      5 stars
      I love rice cooked on different ways and have always wondered how to male pilau. Your version looks so tasty and easy to make. Thanks!

      Reply
    2. Shadi Hasanzadenemati

      August 03, 2020 at 8:32 pm

      5 stars
      I love your recipe, I'll be making it again!

      Reply
    3. Sue

      August 03, 2020 at 9:25 pm

      5 stars
      I love yellow rice but have never tried it. Thank you for the easy recipe!

      Reply
    4. Emily Liao

      August 03, 2020 at 9:34 pm

      5 stars
      This pilau rice was so easy to make and delicious! Will pair perfectly with many meals I have planned this week.

      Reply
    5. Alexandra

      August 03, 2020 at 11:26 pm

      5 stars
      What a great side dish this makes! Perfect rice 🙂

      Reply

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    Beth Sachs Food Blogger

    Hi, I’m Beth, a Mum of three (and one crazy dog), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

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