Instant Pot Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice)

Jeera rice is a classic one-pot rice dish that is flavored with cumin seeds and aromatic spices. It is a simple yet flavorful recipe that is perfect as a side dish or base for your favorite Indian curries. This recipe is easy to prepare, with minimal prep time and the use of an Instant Pot pressure cooker that ensures perfectly cooked, fluffy rice every time.

When cooked in an Instant Pot pressure cooker, this dish can be ready in just 10 minutes with less than a minute of hands-on time and no prep work required. With simple ingredients, the only essential spice used in this recipe is whole cumin seeds, making it an uncomplicated yet delicious addition to your meal.

It is a popular side dish in Indian restaurants, often served alongside curries like butter chicken or paneer butter masala. While there are many ways to prepare this dish, the no-fuss Instant Pot recipe provided here will ensure perfectly cooked, fluffy rice every time.

Ingredients

Rice: Basmati or any variety of long rice grains should be used. Other rice varieties like red rice or brown rice can also be used to make this Indian cumin rice. However, you will need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Cumin seeds: This is the main and only essential spice in this dish needed to add the cumin flavor.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Step-by-step instructions

Expert Tips

Use good quality aged Basmati rice or any variety of long-grain rice to make this dish. To remove excess starch from the rice, wash the rice thoroughly until the water runs clear. Soak the washed rice for a minimum of 15-20 minutes.

Saute the cumin seeds until they turn slightly dark so that maximum flavors are released. However, take care not to burn them as they tend to burn quickly after this stage.

The whole spices are optional and can be skipped. Alternatively, you can replace them with ½ teaspoon of garam masala.

I have used 1¼ cup of water for every cup of rice. This rice-to-water ratio gives me perfectly cooked and separated rice. I have used an 8-quart Instant Pot.

This Instant Pot method is the best way to make restaurant style jeera rice. However, you can make this dish in a stovetop pressure cooker. Follow this recipe with a 1:1½ rice: water ratio and cook for two whistles in the cooker.

Add 1-2 green chilies along with the whole spices to make it spicy. Some versions call for adding green peas. However, it is optional. You can also drizzle some lemon juice on it just before serving.

Serving suggestions

This dish pairs well with most curries and dal. Chicken curry, dal tadka, spinach dal, chana masala, etc. taste so good when served with this cumin-flavored aromatic rice rather than plain white rice.

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Recipe card