Jul 14 2026

Basmati Rice Recipe

Time1h
Serves4

aromatic rice with clove, cumin, cardamom & cinnamon

Was this page helpful?

Help improve this recipe for others.

Send this recipe to your inbox.

We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.

Ingredients

Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Rice Preparation

Spices

Method

Rice Preparation

  1. 1

    Rinse the Rice

    Place 1 cup of basmati rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold running water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and helps the rice stay fluffy.

  2. 2

    Soak the Rice

    Soak the rinsed rice in water for at least 30 minutes. This helps to elongate the grains during cooking.

  3. 3

    Drain the Rice

    After soaking, drain the rice and set it aside.

Cooking the Rice

  1. 4

    Heat the Ghee

    In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of ghee or oil over medium heat until shimmering.

  2. 5

    Add Spices

    Add 2 whole cloves, 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds, 2 whole cardamom pods, and a 1-inch cinnamon stick to the ghee. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.

  3. 6

    Cook the Rice

    Add the drained basmati rice to the saucepan, stirring gently to coat the rice with the ghee and spices. Sauté for another 2-3 minutes.

  4. 7

    Add Water and Salt

    Pour in 2 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring the mixture to a boil.

  5. 8

    Simmer the Rice

    Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed all the water and is tender.

  6. 9

    Fluff the Rice

    Remove from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes. Then, use a fork to fluff the rice gently.

More from Sherkaan Indian Street Food