How to make Pilau Rice

Learn how to make pilau rice at home. One of the most popular Indian side dishes enjoyed by people worldwide. 

Basmati rice, perfectly cooked with spices and stock to create this homemade pilau rice recipe. 

Great served with curries, meat or fish.

How to make pilau rice?

It is easy to make pilau rice at home. Press the button below to jump straight to the recipe.

Or continue reading for all the advice from what ingredients are needed, suitable substitutes and rice cooking times.

What is Pilau Rice?

Pilau rice (otherwise known as pilaf rice in the US) is a rice dish originating from South Asia and the Middle East. 

The recipe usually involves cooking long-grain rice in stock with spices using an absorption method to create fragrant fluffy long-grained rice.

Sometimes other ingredients such as meat or vegetables are added.

In the British Indian restaurants and takeaways, pilau rice is often served in curry houses as a side dish to a curry. 

Ingredients 

To make authentic pilau rice with all the aroma and colour, you see in an Indian restaurant. 

You will need; Basmati rice, oil, rice turmeric, cumin, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, curry leaves, vegetable stock, fresh coriander, salt and pepper.

Of course, if you haven’t got all of the above-listed ingredients, there are suitable substitutes.  

Oil

Use any type of oil, sunflower, vegetable, coconut or ghee.

Rice

In Indian rice recipes, basmati rice is usually used. Other long-grain rice varieties may be used instead. 

I suggest using white rice. Using brown rice or wild rice will need a longer cooking time and alter the texture of your pilau rice dish.

It is best to rinse the rice before cooking.

Pilau rice seasoning

The spices used for making pilau rice are the same as those used in many Indian recipes. It is essential to include them for flavouring plain rice, but you can adjust what is used if you have not got everything you need!

Check that the spices in your cupboard are still fragrant for maximum flavour.

Turmeric

Turmeric is responsible for giving Indian pilau rice a vibrant yellow colour, but did you know turmeric is also full of health benefits.

Cumin

Cumin adds a rich earthy flavour to the rice. Instead of ground cumin, you can use whole cumin seeds; you will need a pestle and mortar to grind these into powder. 

Vegetable Stock

Using vegetable stock instead of just water gives yet more flavour to the rice. You can use chicken stock or others depending on what you are serving with the pilau rice.

Curry leaves

If you can’t source curry leaves, bay leaves make a great substitute; they are larger, so you only need one.

Cinnamon Stick and Cardamom pods

Cinnamon sticks and cardamom pods are great taste enhancers. Remember to remove them after cooking the rice as they are unpleasant to chew on!

Fresh Coriander

I love adding fresh coriander leaves and stems (cilantro) finely chopped and sprinkled on top of the finished pilau rice.

Substitutes

Struggling to find all the ingredients or missing some in the cupboard?

A simple mild curry powder is a quick substitute instead of using all the listed spices. Use two teaspoons (per 4 servings of rice)  

Cooking Pilau Rice

Now that you know all the ingredients needed for pilau rice, it's time to get cooking. The recipe card below has all the measurements you need.

But here is a quick run-through of the pilau rice cooking process.

You will need a large saucepan with a lid.

First, fry the basmati rice over medium heat with the oil and ground spices until the rice is yellow from absorbing turmeric into the grains. 

Make up the vegetable stock with boiling water, pour into the yellow rice, add the curry leaves, cinnamon and cardamom pods, then turn the heat to max and bring to the boil. 

Once boiling, turn the heat down to low, stir and place the lid on the saucepan. 

Time for 10 minutes on low heat, then turn the heat off but LEAVE THE LID ON for another 10 minutes.

DO NOT REMOVE LID during the whole 20 minutes; it is crucial to allow the rice to cook in the steam created for perfectly cooked fluffy rice.

After the full 20 minutes with the lid on, you are ready to remove the curry leaves, cinnamon and cardamom pods, which conveniently rise to the top during cooking.

Fluff the rice grains with a fork to separate the grains.

Serving Suggestions

Pilau rice is fantastic served up with homemade Indian curries we have created a few on our blog, take your choice from some of our Indian inspired recipes below.

📖 Step by Step Recipe

We hope you enjoy this easy pilau rice recipe as much as we do, let us know in the comments what you like to serve yours with?

More Rice Recipes

Check out our recipe for plain basmati rice, you might want to try. A Coconut Rice with its wonderful aroma and sweetness.

If this isn't enough, we've also created an onion rice recipe. Another long-grain white rice option is jasmine rice or Jamaican rice and peas.