Jeera rice
जीरा राइस
Cumin-tempered rice — the quiet plate that makes a gravy make sense.
Recipe by I Want Some Food · Reviewed by the editorial kitchen. Native name preserved: जीरा राइस.
0 people cooked this in the public kitchen yet. Kitchen-tested by I Want Some Food. Not a purchased rating.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Spice
- No chilli
- Cost
- Cheap nightUnder $8 USD · indicative, not a store price
About
Jeera rice is basmati rinsed, tempered in ghee with cumin, then steamed. The grains should stay long and separate. It is a side. If it tastes only of water, you skipped the tadka or the salt.
Ingredients
Scaling multiplies the written quantities. Baking still prefers a scale.
Steps
Step 1
Soak rinsed rice 20 minutes. Drain.
20 minStep 2
Heat ghee, crack cumin and bay. Add rice, toast 1 minute. Add water and salt. Simmer covered 12 minutes. Rest 10.
15 min
Adapt this recipe
The canonical recipe stays intact. Personal versions are labelled. Serving changes are maths, not AI.
Adaptations · 0 / 15 used. Resets 24 August.
Substitutions
Basmati → Long-grain rice
Less perfume.
Tips
- A few whole peppercorns or a clove are a festive pot.
- Do not stir while it steams.
History & culture
North Indian restaurant tables and home thalis. The rice that sits next to dal and a masala.
Tempered rice is older than the restaurant name. Cumin is the spice people mean.
Traditional
Provenance: Editorial adaptation. Original editorial adaptation for I Want Some Food. Not copied from another recipe site. Official recipe photography is pending. Photograph: Divya Kudua via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0). https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jeera%20Rice%20India.jpg
Questions about this recipe
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips — not a chatbot.
How long does Jeera rice take?
50 min all in — 10 min prep, 20 min cook, 20 min rest. That is the time on this recipe, not a guess.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 4 plates. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Easy.
How spicy is it?
No chilli.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Milk. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Vegetarian.
What does it cost to cook?
Cheap night — about Under $8 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Saucepan.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at ¾ tsp.
What can I use instead?
Basmati → Long-grain rice. Less perfume.
Any tips from this recipe?
A few whole peppercorns or a clove are a festive pot. Do not stir while it steams.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.
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