We LOVE Pilau rice with a curry, and always thought it would be difficult to make because the flavour is so good. How wrong we were! We will show you how to make pilau rice in a few easy steps. A fragrant rice dish that goes perfectly with a homemade curry. Just one pan and in 30 minutes you have the most incredible rice, with very little hands on time.
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About pilau rice
Pilau rice, also known as pilaf or pulao, is a popular rice dish around the world and an Indian takeaway favourite. Its origins are believed to be in Persia, where it was known as pilāv and from there, it spread to other parts of the Middle East, Central Asia, and eventually to India.
In the Middle East, it is often served with lamb or chicken, while in India, it is often served with vegetarian dishes such as dal or chana masala and in the UK is one of the most popular side dishes with a curry.
The best thing about it, is it's far more simple to make than you might think. Just cook rice with spices such as cardamon, cinnamon, turmeric and cloves and then allow it to steam for the perfect fluffy rice.
If you are looking for more easy rice recipes, then why not try our healthy Brown Rice & Quinoa, simple Slow Cooker Rice, healthy Egg Fried Rice, vibrant Turmeric Rice or simple Oven Cooked Rice?
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Ingredients and substitutions
- Butter - This is what the onion is cooked in and adds a lovely richness to the base of the rice.
- Onion - You don't have to add onion, and it does skip a step, but we find it adds a nice extra texture to the rice.
- Rice - Choosing the right type of rice is crucial for making perfect pilau rice. Basmati rice is the most commonly used rice used. It is a long-grain rice that is known for its fragrant aroma and fluffy texture. Other varieties of rice such as jasmine rice or long-grain white rice can also be used, but they may not provide the same level of flavour and texture as basmati rice.
- Spices - The spice mix is what gives this rice its unique flavour and what makes the pilau rice seasoning. The traditional spice mix for pilau rice includes turmeric, cumin, bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. Some recipes may also include additional spices such as saffron.
- Stock - You can use a vegetable stock to keep this vegetarian, or you can use a chicken stock which will have a richer flavour.
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
How to make pilau rice - Step by step
One: Add the butter to a pan and melt over a low heat. Add the onion and cook for 3 minutes.
Two: Add the rice, turmeric, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, bay leaf, salt and pepper. Mix everything together, stirring for a minute.
Three: Pour in the stock and bring to the boil. Reduce to a simmer, covered with a lid, for 10 minutes.
Four: After the 10 minutes, turn the heat off but leave the lid on the pan. Allow to stand, still covered, for 10 minutes.
Five: Remove the cinnamon stick, cardamom, bay leaf and clove before serving.
What to serve with pilau rice
This is such a versatile side dish, as the flavours are subtle so it works with a lot of things, but curry is the best thing to serve with pilau rice recipe with.
Curry - You want a really saucy curry so that the rice soaks up all that delicious curry sauce and just adds to the flavour. We recommend our 10 Minute Chickpea and Spinach Curry, Paneer Curry, Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry or Butter Chicken.
Kebabs - Pilau rice is also a great side dish for kebabs. Whether you're grilling chicken, lamb or vegetable kebabs, the aromatic spices in the rice just work so well with kebabs. Why not try our Lamb Shish Kebab, Vegetable and Halloumi Kebab, Turkey Kebabs or Chicken Tikka Kebabs?
Fish - Don't over complicate dinner, keep it simple with some rice, green veggies and some fish. Serve this with Air Fryer Cod, Sweet Chilli Salmon or Gambas Pil Pil (garlic prawns).
Variations
Crunch - If you want a bit of extra texture, then some crushed cashews or flaked almonds on top are nice, and that goes really well with a curry like a korma.
Spice - This isn't meant to be a spicy side dish, but if you did want a kick of heat to it then you could mix in some red chilli flakes or even some diced fresh red chilli for some real spice.
Vegetables - If you wanted a vegetable pilau recipe then you can cook vegetables separately like peas, finely diced carrots or even sweetcorn and stir it in when the rice has finished resting.
Top Tip
To make really luxurious pilau rice like you would get at an Indian restaurant, then stir through a generous knob of butter or ghee just before serving.
Storage
Store: Leftover pilau rice can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Rice needs to cool down quickly though, so spread it out on a baking tray so it is in a thin layer. You need to put it in the fridge as soon as it has reached room temperature.
Freeze: Allow the rice to cool to room temperature and then transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Defrost: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheat: You can reheat it in a dry frying pan. Or we just stir it into a curry when the curry is nearly finished cooking. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
Extra tips
- Make sure you don't add too much water to the rice - just the amount in the recipe. Adding too much water will result in mushy and overcooked rice.
- After the rice has finished cooking, it is important to allow it to rest for at least 5-10 minutes. This allows the rice to absorb any excess moisture and ensures that the grains are fluffy and separate. Skipping this step can result in sticky and clumpy rice.
- Make sure you are using a saucepan with a lid. As you need to keep the lid on to allow the rice to steam and finish cooking.
- Carefully fluff up the rice to be able to find the cardamom pod and cloves to remove them.
- For extra flavour, crack the cardamom pod with the bottom of a glass - this releases flavour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whilst you don't HAVE to, we really recommend that you do. Washing the rice removes any excess starch and impurities, which can affect the texture and flavour of the rice. To wash the rice, place it in a bowl and cover it with cold water. Gently swirl the rice with your hands and then drain the water. Repeat this process until the water runs clear.
While it is possible to use brown rice instead of white rice, it may not produce the same results. Brown rice takes longer to cook and has a nuttier flavour, which doesn't give the same fluffy texture as white rice. If you do decide to use brown rice, be sure to adjust the cooking time and liquid ratio accordingly.
Yes, it can. Just make sure it isn't kept out at room temperature and stored correctly and then reheat thoroughly before serving. You can't reheat it and chill again though.
More side dish recipes
If you've tried this pilau rice recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
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Recipe
How To Make Pilau Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of Butter
- 1 Onion - small; diced
- 200 g (1 cups) of Basmati rice - rinsed
- 0.5 teaspoon of Ground turmeric
- 0.5 teaspoon of Ground cumin
- 1 Cardamon pod
- 1 Clove
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1 pinch of Sea salt
- 1 pinch of Ground black pepper
- 300 ml (1.25 cups) of Vegetable stock
Instructions
- Add 1 tbsp of Butter to a pan and melt over a low heat.
- Add 1 Onion and cook for 3 minutes.
- Add 200 g of Basmati rice, 0.5 tsp of Ground turmeric, 0.5 tsp of Ground cumin, 1 Cinnamon stick, 1 Cardamon pod, 1 Clove, 1 Bay leaf, 1 pinch of Sea salt and 1 pinch of Ground black pepper.
- Mix everything together, stirring for a minute.
- Pour in 300 ml of Vegetable stock and bring to the boil. Reduce to a simmer, covered with a lid, for 10 minutes.
- After the 10 minutes, turn the heat off but leave the lid on the pan. Allow to stand, still covered, for 10 minutes.
- Remove the cinnamon stick, cardamom pod, bay leaf and clove before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure you don't add too much water to the rice - just the amount in the recipe. Adding too much water will result in mushy and overcooked rice.
- After the rice has finished cooking, it is important to allow it to rest for at least 5-10 minutes. This allows the rice to absorb any excess moisture and ensures that the grains are fluffy and separate. Skipping this step can result in sticky and clumpy rice.
- Make sure you are using a saucepan with a lid. As you need to keep the lid on to allow the rice to steam and finish cooking.
- Carefully fluff up the rice to be able to find the cardamom pod and cloves to remove them.
- For extra flavour, crack the cardamom pod with the bottom of a glass - this releases flavour.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
This fragrant and flavorful rice dish is a true masterpiece of spices and aromatics. The step-by-step guide made it easy for me to recreate the authentic taste of Pilau Rice in the comfort of my own kitchen.
Gina says
This really was so much easier to make than I thought it would be. It came out fantastic! Love this rice!
Sisley says
This recipe was so easy to make and tasted so good. I absolutely loved it.
Suja md says
I love how versatile this recipe is! So delicious!
Tayler says
I made this rice with dinner last night and it was amazing! So flavorful and delicious- definitely one of our new go to side dishes!
Kushigalu says
Flavorful and delicious rice recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Stephanie says
I've tried a few pilau rice recipe and this one is truly the best. Just the right amount of spices and the rice texture is perfect. As suggested, I added some veggies and it made for wonderful meal.