• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Savvy Bites
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Easy Dinners
  • One Pot
  • Fakeaways
  • Recipes
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Easy Dinners
    • One Pot
    • Fakeaways
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » One Pot Recipes

    Easy 30-Minute Pilau Rice

    Published: Aug 15, 2023 by Deborah Rainford · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    • Share
    • Yummly
    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
    Pilau rice with seasoning and text overlay.
    Pilau rice with herbs and text overlay.
    Pilau rice with herbs and text overlay.

    This easy pilau rice is better than any restaurant version you can order. Fragrant with spices and herbs and cooked to fluffy perfection, this Indian side dish is perfect for serving with your favourite homemade curry recipes. This pilau rice recipe is straightforward, taking just 20 minutes from start to finish.

    Pilau rice on a white plate with seasoning and a spoon.

    If you're a fan of Indian recipes, you might want to check out my pork curry recipe or the classic coconut chicken curry for a full-on Indian feast at home. And these recipes should absolutely be served with this easy naan bread.

    Jump to:
    • ⭐️ Why You'll Love This Pilau Rice
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 📖 Substitutions & Variations
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Step By Step
    • 🍯 Storage
    • 💡 Top Tips
    • ❓FAQ
    • Recipes to create an Indian feast
    • The Easy 30 Minute Pilau Rice

    ⭐️ Why You'll Love This Pilau Rice

    • Quick and Easy: Ready in just 20 minutes.
    • Flavourful: Packed with spices that create an authentic Indian restaurant-style experience.
    • Versatile: A perfect side dish for numerous curries like these easy curry chicken thighs.

    🧾 Ingredients

    Ingredients for pilau rice and seasoning on a baking tray.
    • Basmati Rice: The long, slender grains provide the perfect fluffy texture.
    • Butter: Adds a touch of richness to the rice.
    • Onion: Gives a slight sweetness and depth.
    • Pilau Seasoning Spices: Including cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods (optional), cloves, ground turmeric, bay leaves, and salt. These spices are what make pilau rice truly stand out, offering warmth, depth, and the signature yellow colour.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    📖 Substitutions & Variations

    • Rice Type: If you don't have basmati on hand, long-grain white rice is a decent substitute.
    • Vegan Friendly: Replace butter with coconut oil or any plant-based alternative for a vegan pilau.
    • Spice It Up: Feel free to adjust the spices to suit your palette. For those who love an extra kick, a pinch of red chilli flakes works wonders.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Step By Step

    Melting butter and adding onion into the pan for pilau rice.
    Seasonings and spices being added to the pan for pilau rice.
    • Start by gently melting the butter in a pan.
    • Add the finely chopped onion and spices. Remember, it's essential to soften the onions without browning them.
    • Mix in the basmati rice, ensuring every grain is well coated with the flavorful buttery-spice mix.
    • Pour in boiling water, bring to a gentle simmer, and let it cook until the water is absorbed.
    • Once done, let the rice steam for a few minutes before fluffing and serving.
    Basmati rice being mixed with the spices for pilau rice.
    Cooked pilau rice with a bay leaf and seasoning.

    Pro-tip: For perfect rice every time, refrain from stirring too often as this can break the grains.

    🍯 Storage

    • Fridge: Store the cooled pilau rice in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
    • Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the rice in portions. Ensure it's entirely cooled before doing so.
    • Reheat: Reheat the rice in a microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water. Make sure it's piping hot throughout before serving.

    💡 Top Tips

    • Always rinse your basmati rice before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent stickiness.
    • While using whole spices like cardamom pods and bay leaves, remember to remove them before serving.

    ❓FAQ

    What's the difference between pilau rice and biryani?

    While both are spiced rice dishes, biryani typically includes meat or vegetables, layered with partially cooked rice, and then cooked together.

    Can I add vegetables to this pilau rice recipe?

    Absolutely! Peas, carrots, or bell peppers make excellent additions.

    How do I ensure my rice isn't sticky?

    Rinsing the rice well and cooking on low heat without excessive stirring should give you perfectly fluffy pilau rice.

    Recipes to create an Indian feast

    These are my favourite Indian dishes to serve with this pilau rice:

    • Butternut squash curry with white rice and crispy shallots.
      Easy Butternut Squash Curry (Ready In 30 Minutes)
    • Red lentil dhal with tomatoes and spinach in a bowl with lemon.
      Easy Red Lentil Dhal Curry
    • Slow cooker lamb curry in a white bowl.
      Easy Slow Cooked Indian Lamb Curry (Rogan Josh)
    • Easy 2 ingredient naan bread with herb butter.
      Soft and Fluffy 2 Ingredient Naan Bread

    If you tried this  Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from you. Also, please leave a star rating whilst you're there!

    You can also follow along on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram and join our private Facebook Group Facebook group to share more recipe ideas and all your photos!

    Need help with meal planning? You can find our (Aldi ingredients only) weekly meal plans here! Sign up to receive them free every week or take our quick meal planning course and use all these recipes to create your own meal plans. 

    You can also find more comfort food recipes using everyday ingredients over on our sister site Salted Mint.

    Pilau rice on a white plate with seasoning and a spoon.

    The Easy 30 Minute Pilau Rice

    Easy 30-minute pilau rice made with simple ingredients all from Aldi. The perfect side dish to go with all your Indian curries.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side dishes
    Cuisine: Indian- Inspired
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 Servings
    Save This RecipeSaved!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Author: Deborah Rainford

    Ingredients

    • 20 g (5/7 oz) salted butter
    • 1 (1) brown onion, diced
    • 1 clove (1 clove) garlic, minced
    • 2 (2) sprigs thyme, leaves picked
    • 1 (1) bay leaf
    • 3 (3) cloves
    • 1 (1) cinnamon stick
    • ½ teaspoon (½ teaspoon) cumin
    • ½ teaspoon (½ teaspoon) turmeric
    • ¼ teaspoon (¼ teaspoon) ground coriander
    • 250 g (1 2/7 cups) basmati rice
    • 500 ml (2 cups) vegetable stock

    Instructions

    • Heat the butter in a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid over medium heat. Saute the onions and garlic until soft and translucent. Mix in the thyme, and all the spices. Continue to cook for a further 2 minutes.
    • Mix in the basmati rice and mix to coat all the grains in the spices. Pour in the hot stock and bring to a boil. Turn down to a very gentle simmer over very low heat and put the lid on the pan. Continue to cook for about 11 minutes until the rice is tender and the stock has been absorbed. 
    • Once the rice is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and fluff the rice with a fork and let stand for about 5 minutes before serving. 

    Notes

    1. Rinse First: Before cooking, always rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch, preventing the rice from becoming sticky during cooking.
    2. Cardamom Pods: When adding cardamom pods, lightly crush or "bash" them open to release the seeds inside. This will impart a deeper flavour. Just remember to remove the pods before serving.
    3. Lid Matters: Use a tight-fitting lid to ensure proper steam cooking. If your pot doesn't have a good lid, a clean kitchen towel under the lid can help seal in steam, ensuring fluffy rice.
    4. Reheating Tips: When reheating pilau rice, add a splash of water to keep it moist. Microwave or steam until it's piping hot throughout. Always reheat rice only once.
    5. Experiment with Add-ins: Pilau rice is versatile. Feel free to add veggies like peas or carrots for a colourful twist, or toss in some raisins for a touch of sweetness.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 288kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 541mg | Potassium: 137mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 423IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag Me @savvybites or tag #savvybites!

    More One Pot Recipes

    • Chicken stroganoff with egg noodles on a plate.
      Easy One Pan Chicken Stroganoff
    • Baked gnocchi with lots of melted cheese.
      The Best And Easiest Gnocchi Bake
    • Sausage traybake with potatoes and vegetables.
      Quick and Easy Sausage Traybake
    • Creamy mushroom stroganoff over noodles.
      Easy One Pot Mushroom Stroganoff

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Pilau rice with seasoning and text overlay.
    Pilau rice with herbs and text overlay.
    Pilau rice with herbs and text overlay.

    Hi, I'm Deborah! A Cordon Bleu graduate with more than 10 years of restaurant cooking experience. I now focus on helping you create easy, delicious and healthy(ish) budget recipes from scratch using only Aldi ingredients. Welcome to my virtual kitchen!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Aldi budget meal plan recipes in a photo collage.
      Family Budget Meal Plan 138
    • Creamy kale pasta with pine nuts and tomatoes in a white bowl.
      Easy 20 Minute Creamy Kale Pasta
    • Sun-dried tomato pasta in a bowl with chopped basil and parmesan cheese.
      Easy One Pot Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
    • A gammon joint fresh from the slow cooker and glazed with honey.
      The BEST Slow Cooker Gammon (Easy Ham Recipe)

    Footer

    Pilau rice with seasoning and text overlay.
    Pilau rice with herbs and text overlay.
    Pilau rice with herbs and text overlay.

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • FAQ's
    • About

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Recipes

    • Meal Plans
    • One Pot

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 SAVVYBITES