Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice)
Fluffy, separate grains of basmati rice cooked with ghee and toasted cumin seeds, finished with fresh cilantro. The simple, aromatic rice that goes with every curry.
Servings
Ingredients
Nutrition
Per serving
Steps
Rinse and soak
Rinse the rice in a bowl under cold water, swishing it with your hand, until the water runs clear, about 4-5 rinses. Soak in fresh water for 20 minutes, then drain well in a sieve.
- 300g basmati rice
✅ Done when: the water runs clear and the rice is well drained
Fry the cumin
In a medium saucepan (about 3-quart/3L), melt the over medium heat until it shimmers. Add the cumin seeds, bay leaf and cardamom pods and fry for about 30 seconds, stirring, until the cumin darkens slightly and smells toasty.
- 2 tbsp
- 1½ tsp cumin seeds
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 cardamom pods
✅ Done when: the cumin seeds turn a shade darker and smell toasted
Cook
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Rest and fluff
This step is part of Foodie Premium. Subscribe to unlock the full method, cooking mode and every recipe in the library.
Rinse and soak
Rinse the rice in a bowl under cold water, swishing it with your hand, until the water runs clear, about 4-5 rinses. Soak in fresh water for 20 minutes, then drain well in a sieve.
- 300g basmati rice
✅ Done when: the water runs clear and the rice is well drained
Fry the cumin
In a medium saucepan (about 3-quart/3L), melt the over medium heat until it shimmers. Add the cumin seeds, bay leaf and cardamom pods and fry for about 30 seconds, stirring, until the cumin darkens slightly and smells toasty.
- 2 tbsp
- 1½ tsp cumin seeds
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 cardamom pods
✅ Done when: the cumin seeds turn a shade darker and smell toasted
Cook
This step is part of Foodie Premium. Subscribe to unlock the full method, cooking mode and every recipe in the library.
Rest and fluff
This step is part of Foodie Premium. Subscribe to unlock the full method, cooking mode and every recipe in the library.
The Story Behind the Dish
Basmati rice, grown at the foothills of the Himalayas, has been prized for its fragrance for centuries — 'basmati' roughly means 'full of aroma'.
Jeera rice is the simplest way to show it off, and is a fixture of North Indian restaurant meals alongside dal and curry.
⭐ Why It's Famous
Quick, fragrant and versatile, jeera rice turns plain rice into something special.
💡 Fun Fact
Good basmati grains nearly double in length — but not width — when cooked.
North India
30.73°N, 76.78°E
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