Cilantro Rice / Dhaniya Pulao - Instant Pot

5 from 50 votes

Cilantro Rice / Dhaniya Pulao - Instant Pot

Indian cilantro rice, also known as coriander rice or dhaniya pulao, is a fragrant and flavorful dish made with basmati rice, fresh cilantro leaves, and spices.

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Total Time25

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: Indian

Diet: Gluten Free, Hindu, Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings:

Calories: 313kcal

Author: Shilpa Kerur

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

For the masala paste:

2 cups cilantro leaves and tender stem
2-3 cloves garlic
½ inch ginger
1-2 green chilies

For the cilantro rice:

2 cup basmati rice
2 tablespoon oil
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
¼ cup cashew
1 small onion (thinly sliced)
1 teaspoon garam masala (use store-bought or homemade garam masala)
1 - 1½ teaspoon salt (adjust as per taste)
½ lime or lemon
2½ cups water

Instructions

Wash the rice thoroughly until the water runs clear. Soak it in water for 20-30 minutes.
Grind together cilantro, ginger, garlic, and green chili using 1-2 tablespoons of water to form a thick paste.
Set the Instant Pot in saute mode and add oil. Once it heats, add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
Add cashews and onions. Saute until the onions are translucent.
Add the ground cilantro paste, garam masala, and salt. Saute for 2-3 minutes.
Drain all the water from the soaked rice and add it to the inner pot. Also, add 2½ cups of water.
Close the lid and pressure cook on high for 6 minutes. Do a quick release of the pressure.
Open the lid and add the lime/lemon juice. Gently mix the rice before serving.

Notes

Before cooking, rinse the basmati rice under cold water until it runs clear. This helps remove excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky. Soaking the rice for 20-30 minutes results in fluffier grains. This step is especially helpful for achieving the right texture in the Instant Pot.

Wash and clean the cilantro well before grinding. Use the tender stems along with leaves to add more flavor to the dish.

Nutrition