Ghee rice, also known as nei choru, is a popular South Indian recipe which is specially served during weddings, festive occasions and gatherings. It can be made using either basmati rice or seeraga samba rice. This wedding style ghee rice is cooked generously with pure ghee and infused with flavourful whole spices. Serve this hot with salan, chicken curry, vegetable kurma or even with simple raita for a comforting meal.
Ghee Rice Recipe
I was looking for a wedding style ghee rice recipe for a long time, finally got it from my aunty and when I tried it, the rice turned out to be delicious. I loved it to the core and the rice turned out to be perfectly flavourful.
About Ghee Rice
Ghee Rice is a popular dish made with either basmati rice or seera samba rice. The rice is flavoured with ghee, coriander leaves, mint leaves and fried onion.
This dish is also called as nei choru and is very popular all over South Indian specially in muslim community and weddings. Ghee rice is usually accompanied with chicken curry or mutton curry.
Ghee rice is a classic South Indian dish that is known for its aromatic, rich and flavourful taste.
It is made with long grained basmati rice, which is slow cooked in ghee with fragrant whole spices and topped with golden fried onions and crunchy cashews.
More Recipes
I had been searching for an authentic wedding style ghee rice recipe for a long time and I finally got this one from my aunty. I immediately gave it a try and it turned out exactly like the ghee rice served at weddings.
This recipe is perfect to make when you're craving a mild, comforting meal without heavy masalas, vegetables or meat and yet still want something rich and satisfying.
It tastes so light, mildly spiced and pairs perfectly with any side dishes like chicken curry, mutton curry, vegetable kurma or even with a raita.
The ghee adds richness to the rice, while the whole spices adds a gentle aroma. Fresh herbs like mint and coriander leaves, along with caramelized onions give the rice its authentic South Indian wedding style taste and flavour.
Difference Between Ghee Rice & Biryani
Ghee rice is a simple, mild flavoured rice made with ghee and whole spices. It is made without tomatoes, vegetables or meat. It tastes so light, aromatic and pairs perfectly with any curries or raita.
Whereas, biryani is one of the most loved foods around the world. It is a layered rice made with marinated chicken or mutton and aromatic whole spices.
Both biryani and ghee rice are loved rice dishes that work perfectly for weddings, special occasions or for everyday meals.
Ingredients
- Ghee : Ghee is the main ingredient that makes the rice more aromatic and flavourful.
- Oil : Though the predominant flavour is ghee, oil is used to fry the onions and cashews. Use any neutral flavoured oil like canola oil or vegetable oil.
- Spices : The whole spices like cardamom, black cumin seed / shahi jeera, brinji ilai / pandan leaves are the essential flavouring that gives the rice its signature aroma and wedding style flavour.
- Rice : You can use either basmati rice or seeraga samba rice based upon your preference. Both rice absorbs the ghee and spice flavours beautifully and gives the authentic ghee rice taste.
- Coconut milk : Coconut milk adds a rich sweetness and balances the spice taste. Use freshly squeezed coconut milk for best flavour.
- Green chillies : Green chillies added for its heat and adjust the quantity if you prefer mild spicy rice.
- Grinding Masala - Coriander leaves, mint leaves, ginger, garlic, green chillies and whole spices are grounded into a smooth paste. These fresh herbs and spices add a rich fragrant aroma to the rice and make it more indulgent.
- Topping - Cashews, raisins, onion, curry leaves, coriander leaves and mint leaves are fried in oil and finally added to the rice. This adds a nice crunch and mild caramelized taste to the rice.
Step by Step Pictures
Soaking Rice
1)Wash rice multiple times until the water runs clear. Take rice in a bowl and soak in water for 30 minutes.
Grind Masala
2)take all ingredients for the masala. You need mint leaves, coriander leaves, green chillies, ginger, and whole spices.
3)take all ingredients in a blender jar. Add water and make it into a smooth paste.
4)This is your flavour masala.
Frying Rice
5)Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan with lid. Add in whole spices and let them sizzle.
6)Add in pandan leaf in the oil and fry till aromatic.
7)Add in the soaked strained rice in the oil.
8)Stir fry the rice in oil and fry for couple of minutes until the rice is coated with the oil.
9)Add in the ground masala in the rice and coat the rice with this masala.
10)Toast them for few minutes to mix the masala in with the rice.
11)Now the rice is well toasted in the masala.
Cooking rice
11)Now pour in coconut milk. Coconut milk is optional.
12)Pour in water.
13)Season with salt.
14)Add in extra green chillies which are optional.
15)Bring this to a full boil. Boil this for few minutes until the rice absorbs some of the liquid. Once it has absorbed some of the liquid. Give a good mix and cover with a lid and reduce the flame to the lowest possible. Cook on low heat for 8 to 10 minutes and switch off the flame.
16)Once you turn off heat let it sit for 5 minutes. Once 5 minutes is up, open the lid and fluff up the rice with a spoon gently. Keep covered for 10 minutes. Now remove this to a serving platter or wide bowl.
Make topping
17)Now lets make the variety of topping. Heat oil in a pan, add in cashews.
18)Add sliced onions and fry until golden brown.
19)Now the onions are golden brown.
20)Remove and set aside in a bowl.
21)Drop in curry leaves and fry till crispy. These are optional toppings.
22)Fry some coriander leaves.
23)Fry some mint leaves too. Curry leaves, coriander leaves and mint leaves are optional, but they add so much flavour.
24)Top the rice with these fried topping and gently combine.
25)Drizzle with final spoonful of ghee.
26)Toss once. Thats it ghee rice is ready.
27)Serve hot with your favorite curry.
Expert Tips
- Wash and soak basmati rice for about 30 minutes before cooking.
- Measure and add the water as the water ratio is important for a fluffy rice.
- Cook on low heat so the flavors blend evenly and avoid burning at the bottom.
- Fry the onions and cashews till golden and crispy. This adds sweetness and texture to the rice.
- You can also garnish the ghee rice with fried bread.
- Gently fluffy up the cooked rice with a fork instead of stirring to keep the grains intact.
- You can customize the rice by adding mushroom, vegetables or chicken for extra flavour.
Serving Suggestions
Ghee rice tastes best when served hot and fresh. You can refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container and it stays good for up to 2 to 3 days.
Serve this wedding style ghee rice with any flavourful curries like mirchi salan, chicken curry, mutton curry or kurma. Or pair it with simple onion raita during busy days for a wholesome meal.
Ghee rice can be served with vegetarian or non veg curries. Some popular side dishes are chicken curry, mutton curry, chicken masala, chicken gravy & veg kurma.
FAQ
Ghee rice can be served with vegetarian or non veg curries. Some popular side dishes are chicken curry, mutton curry, chicken masala, chicken gravy & veg kurma.
Yes ghee rice is good for health. But excessive amount can result in weight gain.
Yes u can use butter in ghee rice, but ghee has a unique aroma which butter cannot give.
Which rice works best for this recipe ?
Well, both basmati rice and seeraga samba work best for making this ghee rice. You can use any variety based on your choice.
My rice turned mushy. What went wrong ?
This happens when too much water is added or the rice is stirred too much. Always cook the rice on low heat and measure water accordingly.
Absolutely ! Instant pot works perfectly for making this ghee rice. Set the time and pressure cook accordingly.
📖 Get Recipe
Ghee Rice Recipe (Wedding Style Ghee Rice)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups Basmati Rice
- 1 cup Coconut Milk
- 2 cups Water
- 2 slit Green Chillies
- Salt to taste
For Tempering
- ¼ cup Coconut Oil
- 4 no Cardamom crushed
- 1 teaspoon Black Cumin Seeds (Shahi jeera)
- 1 no Pandan Leaf
To Grind
- ½ cup Coriander Leaves
- ½ cup Mint Leaves
- 4 no Green Chillies
- 5 inch Ginger peeled, sliced thinly
- 10 cloves Garlic peeled
- 4 no Cloves
- 6 no Cardamom
- 1 stick Cinnamon
For Topping
- Oil for deep frying
- 3 tablespoon Cashews a handful
- 2 large Onion peeled & sliced thinly
- ¼ cup Curry leaves
- ¼ cup Coriander leaves
- ¼ cup Mint Leaves
- 2 tablespoon Ghee
Instructions
- Soaking rice - Wash and soak basmati rice for 30 mins. Once soaked Strain and set aside.
- Grind masala - Take all the ingredients given to grind in a blender and grind to a smooth puree, set aside.
- Roasting rice - Heat ¼ cup oil in a heavy bottom pan with lid, add in cardamom, cumin and let them sizzle. Now add in strained rice and fry it for 6 to 7 mins till the rice is nicely toasted.
- Add in the ground masala and fry it for few mins so the masala is nicely coated with rice.
- Cooking Rice - Now add in coconut milk, water, salt, green chillies and mix well. Bring it to a full boil. Keep cooking until the rice absorbs some of the water.
- Give a good mix, cover with lid. Reduce the flame to the lowest possible. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes on the lowest heat. Once the rice is cooked, turn off heat and set aside for 5 minutes covered. Now gently fluff the rice with fork and set aside covered for 10 minutes.
- Make topping - Heat oil for deep frying, add in cashews and fry till golden, now add in onions and fry till golden as well. Remove it and set aside.
- Now add in curry leaves and fry till golden, remove and set aside. Fry coriander leaves and mint leaves till crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Garnish - Now spoon rice to serving bowl, top with the fried topping, drizzle 2 tablespoon ghee over rice and gently mix. Serve with any curries.
Notes
- Wash and soak rice for a good 30 mins
- Roast the drained rice well in oil so it is coated with oil and gets dry with no water content.
- Now add in the ground masala and toast it well so the rice gets nicely coated with the masala. It will take around 5 to 7 mins.
- Add the required amount of water content.
- Cook it just for 1 whistle, and put the whole cooker over a tawa on low heat for 15 mins so the rice gets cooked to perfection.
My Life in the Charente
This sounds so delicious but I bet I cannot find the ingredients here! Hope you are well Diane
Sowmia pragash
Flavorful and perfectly cooked ghee Rice.
roopa yadav
@My Life in the Charente .....
Diane I think you can find these ingredients in Charente. This is a great recipe. Try it. Omit the ingredients that aren't available but do give it a try
roopa yadav
Love ghee rice Aarthi .. . Will definitely try your recipe. Love
Rupani Shah
This looks so tempting! I have been a regular reader on your website and must say the recipes are wonderful. I am soon going to try this ghee rice recipe with my favourite Gowardhan ghee and would definitely share my experience here.
Neha
Wow...
It looks so yummy...
I wish I could try this once...
Sofia
Thanks for sharing this recipe. This food is so yummy and tasty..
Aswathy
Thanks aarthi for the recipe, nice one, I tried, perfect
Indian Wedding Invitations
This food is so yummy!!!!
Sakthinathan R
Worked perfectly 👍 fine for me, Thank you...
PadmaRam
Hi.. the ghee rice was perfect and friends & family loved it so much. Thank you so much for the recipe 👍😊