Spiced Rice Pilaf

Elevate your mealtime with this fragrant and flavorful Spiced Rice Pilaf, a vibrant dish that perfectly balances aromatic spices and textural contrasts. Made with fluffy basmati rice, sautéed onions, and a medley of whole spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, this pilaf is infused with warmth and rich depth of flavor. A hint of turmeric adds a golden hue, while sweet raisins and toasted nuts provide delightful bursts of sweetness and crunch. Finished with fresh cilantro and optional mint, this one-pot recipe is as versatile as it is satisfying—ideal as a hearty side dish or a standalone vegetarian delight. With a simple cooking process and an irresistible aroma, this spiced rice pilaf will quickly become a family favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups basmati rice
• 2.5 cups water
• 2 tablespoons ghee or unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 piece cinnamon stick
• 4 pieces whole cloves
• 3 pieces green cardamom pods
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 0.5 teaspoons turmeric powder
• 1 piece bay leaf
• 0.25 cup raisins
• 0.25 cup slivered almonds or cashews
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the basmati rice in cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well and set aside.

Step 2

Heat the ghee or unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened and golden, about 5–7 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom pods, cumin seeds, and bay leaf to the pan. Stir for about 30 seconds to release the spices' aroma.

Step 6

Mix in the turmeric powder and salt, followed by the rinsed rice. Stir gently to coat the rice with the spices and butter, cooking for 1–2 minutes.

Step 7

Pour in the water and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer for 18–20 minutes.

Step 8

While the rice cooks, toast the almonds or cashews in a dry pan over medium heat until golden and set aside. If using raisins, optionally warm them in the same pan for 1–2 minutes until plump.

Step 9

Once the rice is cooked, turn off the heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes before fluffing it gently with a fork.

Step 10

Transfer the rice to a serving dish and garnish with toasted nuts, raisins, chopped cilantro, and optional mint.

Step 11

Serve warm as a side dish or enjoy on its own!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1136.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	979.6

Total Fat 44.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 19.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 66.9mg	0%
Sodium 2406.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 132.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.9g	0%
Total Sugars 32.2g
Protein 20.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 279.7mg	0%
Iron 9.4mg	0%
Potassium 899.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 39.6%

Protein: 8.2%

Carbs: 52.2%