Indian Lemon rice - spicy, tangy flavored South Indian classic rice pilaf recipe prepared with rice, lemon juice, roasted peanuts, and Indian spices in an Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 5 minutes
  • Cook time: 15 minutes
  • Total time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 2
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Indian, South Indian

Ingredients

  • 2-3 tablespoons oil ((or ghee))
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon split urad dal
  • 1/2 tablespoon split chana dal
  • 1 teaspoon ginger (minced)
  • 1-2 dry red chili ((optional))
  • 2 green chili (finely chopped)
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • 1 pinch asafoetida (hing) (skip for gluten-free)
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder (haldi)
  • 1 cup basmati rice
  • 1.5 cups water
  • salt (to taste)
  • juice of one lemon
  • 2 tablespoon roasted peanuts
  • 2 tablespoon roasted cashews ((optional))
  • 2 tablespoon coriander leaves (cilantro) (finely chopped)

Method

Instant Pot Method:

  1. Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Heat ghee (or oil), add chana dal and urad dal. Sauté them for about a minute until they are light brown.
  2. Next, add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Then add green chilies, red chili, curry leaves, asafoetida, and ginger and saute for a few seconds.
  3. Add turmeric powder and give a quick stir.
  4. Add rinsed rice, water, salt, and give a stir.
  5. Close the lid securely, and turn the vent to " SEALING ". Select the PRESSURE COOK/MANUAL (High Pressure) setting and set the cooking time to 5 minutes.
  6. When the instant pot beeps, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure before removing the lid.
  7. Remove the lid away from you. Add roasted peanuts, lemon juice, and garnish with fresh cilantro/coriander leaves. Gently mix everything.
  8. Lemon Rice is ready to be enjoyed with pickle, papad and raita.

Stovetop Method

  1. Rinse the rice and cook the Basmati Rice Instant Pot Electric Pressure or stovetop pressure cooker. Once cooked, spread it out on a wide plate and let it cool completely, this step helps to achieve separate and non-mushy rice.
  2. In a Kadai, Heat oil. Add in the raw peanuts and fry them until they turn slightly golden brown. Take them out and keep them aside.
  3. In the same Kadai, add mustard seeds and let them crackle. Then add chana dal, and urad dal. Sauté for about a minute until they are light brown.
  4. Then add ginger, green chilies, red chili, and curry leaves, and saute for a few seconds.
  5. Turn off the gas and then add turmeric powder and asafoetida. Stir quickly.
  6. Add the cooked rice, roasted peanuts, lemon juice and salt. Mix well.
  7. Sprinkle coriander leaves and serve immediately.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.