All you need is 5 simple ingredients and about half an hour to make this exquisite rice dish. You'll love this Easy Indian Saffron Yellow Basmati Rice Recipe which pairs perfectly alongside your favorite Indian dishes!
Basmati rice is my favorite rice. Highly aromatic, it is a rice that is grown in the foothills of the Himalayas. Anything so exotic gets my vote!
Served with curries such as Indian Butter Chicken or alongside Indian Spiced Green Lentils, basmati rice is the perfect accompaniment to so many dishes!
Jump to:
Basmati - The King of Rice
There are thousands of types of rices in the world, so what makes basmati rice so different and special? Here are a few characteristics to consider:
- Highly aromatic and fragrant (basmati derives from a Sanskrit word which literally translates as "fragrant")
- Fluffiness!
- Delicate texture
Basmati rice, which has both white and brown varieties, is a staple in Indian cuisine, and also Pakistani and Persian cuisines. It is served alongside many dishes in these cuisines. Basmati is the foundation for the amazing Indian dish called biryani, a mixed rice dish made with Indian spices and different types of meat or vegetables.
I decided to make basmati infused with saffron, which is the world's most expensive spice. This evening I served this great side dish alongside an Indian chicken with spinach and tomatoes dish. It was absolutely divine!
So let me show you what you'll need to make your own homemade saffron yellow rice for your enjoyment!
🥘 Ingredients
You only need 5 simple basic ingredients to make this yellow rice recipe:
- Basmati rice - I used white rice for this easy recipe
- Saffron - it's recommended to use a good quality saffron for this recipe, which will give your rice a vibrant yellow colour
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Water (can substitute chicken broth of chicken stock for a richer taste)
Also consider adding some finely chopped cilantro as an optional garnish if you like.
You should be able to find all of these ingredients at your local grocery store.
That's it! Now let me show you the simple steps to make this Indian saffron rice dish!
🔪 Instructions
Add the saffron threads to a mortar and pestle, and grind the saffron into a powder.
Heat your stove to medium heat and add the extra virgin olive oil to a large pot. Once the oil is hot, add the rice followed by the saffron powder, and stir for 1 minute, being sure to coat each grain of rice with the oil.
Add the water and salt, and bring to the boil on medium-high heat.
Once boiling, turn your heat down to the low setting on your stove, cover, and cook undisturbed for a cooking time of 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove from the heat, and allow to rest (covered) for about 10 minutes.
Fluff with a fork, and then add the rice to a serving dish, garnishing with some finely chopped cilantro if desired!
Suggestions For Serving
I hope you will enjoy this easy yellow rice which deserves pride of place at your dinner table! Consider serving this easy side dish with a delicious lamb dish, Keema Do Pyaza, or perhaps Indian Spiced Green Lentils.
This Indian yellow rice is perfect to serve alongside most any of your favorite main dishes, Indian or not!
You'll find a full printable recipe card for this fluffy yellow rice below. I hope this delicious recipe will become one of your favorite rice recipes! Enjoy!
FAQ
You can substitute brown basmati rice for the white rice in this recipe, however you won't achieve a vibrant color using the brown rice. White rice is recommended.
If you prefer, you can use ground turmeric instead of saffron to make some yellow golden turmeric rice instead. You'll also achieve rice with a bright yellow color, with a slightly different taste!
Store any leftover yellow saffron rice in an airtight container in your refrigerator, and enjoy within 3-4 days.
This recipe is intended for your stove top, however you can use a rice cooker if you like. Skip adding the oil and add all the other ingredients to your rice cooker and stir, then let your rice cooker do the work for you!
1,000 Foods to Eat Project
Basmati rice is one of the foods listed in the book 1,000 Foods To Eat Before You Die, by Mimi Sheraton. It became #17 in my quest to try each and every one of the foods in the book.
Please follow along with me on this quest to try the 1,000 Foods To Eat Before You Die, from the book by Mimi Sheraton! Join me in this journey and discover new foods, experiences, and cuisines which I hope will add inspiration, fun, and joy to your life! For a list of the foods tried so far visit the 1,000 Foods to Eat Project page.
Join Me On A Fun Food Journey!
If you'd like to follow along and be a part of the 1,000 Foods Project, please sign up to get the latest recipes and inspiration for you to expand your food comfort zone! It's an incredible journey, please join me by signing up here.
Please share this recipe, and I would be grateful for your comments as well as a star rating! Thank you!
Cheers!
Grace
Easy Indian Saffron Yellow Basmati Rice Recipe
Equipment
- large pot with a tight fitting lid a Dutch oven would be perfect for this recipe!
- mortar and pestle used to grind the saffron threads into a powder
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice
- ½ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cup water can substitute chicken broth of chicken stock for a richer taste
- ⅛ ts saffron threads ground into a powder using a mortar and pestle
- ¾ ts salt
Optional Garnish
- cilantro for garnish if desired
Instructions
- Add the saffron threads to a mortar and pestle, and grind the saffron into a powder.
- Heat your stove to medium and add the extra virgin olive oil to a large pot. Once the oil is hot, add the rice followed by the saffron powder, and stir for 1 minute, being sure to coat each grain of rice with the oil.
- Add the water and salt, and bring to the boil on medium-high heat. Once boiling, turn your heat down to the low setting on your stove, cover, and cook undisturbed for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove from the heat, and allow to rest (covered) for about 10 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork, and then add the rice to a serving dish, garnishing with some finely chopped cilantro if desired!
Grace
What a simple and delicious recipe! Yellow saffron rice is such an elegant side dish perfect to accompany so many of my favorite main dishes!