Looking for a variety of rice dishes to cook for your family or friends? This collection has 30 delicious Indian rice recipes! From fancy layered biryanis to simple and comforting khichdi. These recipes are easy to make and will be a hit at your next meal!
Rice is a staple food in Indian cuisine, just like bread is in other places. There are many ways to cook rice in India, not just plain steamed rice.
In some parts of India, like the south and east, people eat rice almost daily for lunch or dinner. In the north, they eat flatbreads called roti and paratha more often. But no matter where you go in India, you’re likely to find rice or roti on most people’s plates!
Here, you’ll find 30 variety rice recipes from India. Many don’t have meat and are good for vegetarians or vegans.
Table of Contents
South Indian Rice Recipes
Tomato Rice
Tomato Rice is a quick, one-pot meal that’s perfect for busy days and lunchboxes. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s tangy, flavorful, and effortless to make in an Instant Pot or on the stovetop. This family favorite is sure to become a go-to recipe!
Get the Tomato Rice recipe.
Lemon Rice
Flavorful, tangy and crunchy Lemon Rice from South India, made as a one-pot dish in Instant Pot. Aromatic Basmati Rice flavored with lemon juice, mustard seeds, ginger and topped with roasted peanuts.
Get the Lemon Rice recipe.
Ven Pongal
Made from rice and lentils, this satisfying South Indian breakfast recipe, Ven Pongal, is enjoyed with sambar and chutney. Deliciously seasoned with curry leaves, cumin seeds, and black pepper, this vegetarian and gluten-free recipe is a wholesome meal.
Get the Ven Pongal recipe.
Bisi Bele Bath
Bisi Bele Bath is a flavor and nutrition-filled recipe from Karnataka in Southern India. Cooked with lentils, rice, vegetables, and aromatic spices, this authentic one-pot meal is hearty and comforting.
Get the Bisi Bele Bath recipe.
Coconut Rice
Perfectly cooked rice with the sweet aroma and subtle flavor of coconut milk. This is a great vegan & gluten free rice side dish to many Asian dishes!
Get the Coconut Rice recipe.
Sweet Pongal
Sweet Pongal, also called Sakkarai or Chakkara Pongal, is a popular traditional sweet dish from South India. Made with rice, moong dal, milk and jaggery, it is a delicious sweet pudding made during festivals.
Get the Sweet Pongal recipe.
Beetroot Rice
Beetroot Rice or Beet Rice Pulao made in the Instant Pot, is a great way to sneak in some beets into your diet. Easy, vegan & gluten-free meal perfect for busy days.
Get the Beet Rice Pilaf recipe.
North Indian Rice Recipes
Peas Pulao
This fragrant and flavorful Peas Pulao (Matar Pulao) is a staple in most Indian homes. Basmati rice is cooked with whole spices and green peas. It is delicious and effortless to make in the instant pot or stovetop. Pair this peas pulao as a side dish with any curry or dal for a wonderful meal!
Get the Peas Pulao recipe.
Jeera / Cumin Rice
Perfectly cooked Basmati Rice flavored with cumin and whole spices, prepared in Instant Pot. Enjoy these aromatic Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice) with any curry or lentil.
Get the Cumin Rice recipe.
Vegetable Rice Pulao
Veg Pulao is an easy one pot rice dish mixed with a variety of vegetables and mildly flavored with spices.
Get the Vegetable Pulao recipe.
Spinach Rice
Aromatic basmati rice cooked with spinach and spices, make this Spinach Rice flavorful and healthy!
Get the Spinach Rice recipe.
Indian Turmeric Yellow Rice
This fragrant and flavorful Turmeric Rice is a healthy alternative to your usual white rice. Try my recipe to know how to easily make this vibrant rice on the stovetop or in the instant pot.
Get the Turmeric Yellow Rice recipe.
Chana Pulao
Chana Pulao, also called Chickpea Pulao, is an easy, flavorful recipe perfect for weeknights. With just 10 minutes of prep time, this one-pot pulao can be made in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop.
Get the Chana Pulao recipe.
Chana Dal Pulao
Chana Dal Pulao is a delicious protein-rich vegetarian dish made with chana dal (split yellow chickpeas) and basmati rice cooked along with the aroma of whole spices. Enjoy with raita and salad.
Get the Chana Dal Pulao recipe.
Wadi Chawal
A flavorful and nutritious Punjabi rice recipe, this Wadi chawal is a delicious wholesome meal. Made with aromatic whole spices, wadiyan and basmati rice, this wadi pulao or biryani is a heathy meal for the whole family.
Get the Wadi Chawal recipe.
Black eyed peas & Spinach Rice
One-pot Black-Eyed Peas and Spinach Rice is a healthy and wholesome dish, perfect for weeknight meals. This vegetarian and gluten free dish is easy to make in the Instant Pot.
Get the Black eyed peas & Spinach Rice recipe.
Chicken Pulao
Chicken Pulao is a delicious one-pot meal made with fragrant Basmati rice, tender chicken pieces, and aromatic spices. It’s a flavorful, satisfying weeknight meal that can be made in just 30 minutes.
Get the Chicken Pulao recipe.
Keema Rice
Keema pulao, also known as keema rice or keema biryani, is a delightful and aromatic one-pot meal that combines succulent minced meat with fragrant basmati rice. This flavorful gluten-free rice dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner with cooling raita and salad.
Get the Keema Rice recipe.
Mutton Yakhni Pulao
Mutton Yakhni Pulao combines tender mutton with fragrant basmati rice to create a flavorsome and comforting meal. This delightful Mutton Pulao recipe from the Awadh or Lucknow region in India is served during celebrations including the festival of Eid. With this well-tested and easy-to-follow recipe, you can now make Yakhni Pulao with perfect results!
Get the Mutton Yakhni Pulao recipe.
Biryani
Shrimp Biryani
This flavorful Shrimp Biryani is made with spicy shrimp or prawns layered with fragrant basmati rice and fried onions. With this tried-and-tested recipe, learn how to make the most flavorful restaurant-style shrimp biryani.
Get the Shrimp Biryani recipe.
Chicken Biryani
Learn how to make the most flavorful restaurant-style chicken biryani with tender marinated chicken, fluffy rice, and topped with crispy fried onions. You can also make one-pot chicken biryani in a pressure cooker.
Get the Chicken Biryani recipe.
Egg Biryani
Egg Biryani is a flavorful and colorful rice dish loaded with fragrant spices and tender, boiled eggs. With this tried-and-tested recipe, learn how to make the most flavorful egg biryani.
Get the Egg Biryani recipe.
Mutton Biryani
Mutton Biryani features layers of fragrant basmati rice and succulent tender mutton or lamb topped with crispy fried onions and slow-cooked to perfection in traditional dum style.
Get the Mutton Biryani recipe.
Vegetable Biryani
One-pot Vegetable Biryani made in the pressure cooker, is so easy to cook with the same authentic flavors! Fragrant basmati rice cooked with vegetables, and whole spices and herbs.
Get the Vegetable Biryani recipe.
Khichdi
Masala Khichdi
Masala Khichdi made with lentils, rice and vegetables along with simple spices and ghee. The epitome of comfort food all over India.
Get the Masala Khichdi recipe.
Instant Pot Khichdi
Moong Dal Khichdi, or Kitchari is a simple dish made with rice and lentils, tempered in ghee with cumin seeds and turmeric. It takes less than 30 minutes to make and is a perfect comfort meal for weeknights or when someone is under the weather!
Get the Khichdi recipe.
Sweet Rice Recipes
Zarda Sweet Rice
Meethe Chawal or Zarda Rice is a sweet and rich rice preparation loaded with dry fruits, sugar and ghee. This aromatic sweet saffron flavored rice is royal dessert made on special occasions and festivals.
Get the Zarda Sweet Rice recipe.
Kheer
Rice Kheer, also known as Indian Rice Pudding, is a beloved classic Indian dessert. It’s a rich and creamy pudding made by cooking rice with milk and adding nuts and saffron for flavor. Try this easy recipe for a delicious taste of tradition.
Get the Kheer recipe.
Brown Rice Kheer
An Indian favorite dessert for special occasions – Kheer made with brown rice and milk infused with saffron, cardamom and assorted dried fruits.
Get the Brown Rice Pudding / Kheer recipe.
