Ghee Rice (Neychoru, Nei Choru) is a very flavorful rice recipe prepared using fresh ghee and aromatic whole spices. This is one of the best and simplest rice dishes that you can prepare in less than 30 minutes, and the perfect dish to impress your family and friends with your culinary skills.
About the recipe
Ghee rice is a very popular, classic, and aromatic rice recipe in Kerala called Neychoru, Nei Sadam or Nei Choru (Malabar Style Rice ) and coastal Karnataka (Mangalore and Udupi region) and is mainly prepared during special occasions and events.
Ghee rice is made by sauteing and cooking the rice in ghee and aromatic spices. Ghee (brown butter) is the star of the dish. This rice can be served alone or with any curry like korma (kurma) or gravy of your choice. It goes well almost with anything and everything 🙂
The ghee rice recipe that I am sharing today is a no-onion no-garlic version and the best I have had till date. Yes, the best because my master chef (hubby), who was influenced by my rice series, took some time from his busy schedule and prepared this dish, and he always cooks any dish to perfection.
There are a number of variations to the ghee-rice recipes online, but if you really want to impress someone, then do try out the method given below. I can guarantee that you can never go wrong with this simple dish.
Also, I have given instructions for both stovetop (traditional method) and instant pot. Pick your favorite. Also this one of the best recipe for your lunch box or tiffin box.
Navratri No onion No garlic Rice Series
(prasdam recipes for goddess lakshmi)
Ingredients
1 cup Basmati Rice (any aromatic rice)
1 tablespoon Ghee (brown butter)
1 Bay leaf
2 Cardamom pods
2 Cloves
1 inch Cinnamon
1 Star Anise (optional)
1 Marati moggu (optional)
½ teaspoon Cumin seeds
Salt to taste
Other Ingredients
1 ½ tablespoon Ghee (Brown butter)
½ teaspoon Cumin seeds
1 tablespoon Cashews chopped
½ cup Green peas (frozen)
½ cup Sweet corn (frozen)
1 Green chile chopped
How to make Perfect and Best Ghee Rice at home?
Heat 1 tablespoon of ghee in a pan. Add uncooked rice and saute for 2 minutes on medium flame to get a nice aroma.
Add bay leaf, cardamom pods, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, marati moggu, cumin seeds, salt to taste, 1 ½ cup of water, and bring it to a boil.
Cover with a lid once the rice comes to a boil, and simmer on medium-low flame for 10 to 12 minutes or until rice is cooked through.
In another pan, heat 1 ½ tablespoon of ghee. Add cumin seeds and cashews and saute for a few seconds.
Add chopped green chile, green peas, and sweet corn and continue to saute for another 2 or 3 minutes on medium flame.
Add cooked rice and lightly toss until combined.
Ghee Rice is ready. Serve and enjoy.
Expert Tips
First, use nice aromatic rice like basmati or jeera to prepare ghee rice. Plus, make sure the rice is not sticky, and when cooked, it's easy to separate the grains. To make it traditional Kerala style neychoru, use Kaima rice or seeraga samba rice.
Use whole garam masala spices that are available in your pantry. Be careful when using spices, as too much can ruin the dish. You are adding it only to enhance the flavor.
Do not add any oil to prepare this dish. Make it only with desi ghee or butter.
You only have to follow two steps to prepare Ghee Rice.
The first step is to saute basmati rice in ghee and add the spices and water and cook the rice. The ratio for rice to water is 1 cup rice and 1 ½ cup water. While cooking the rice, always bring it to boil and then cover it with a lid and simmer on low flame for 10 to 12 minutes. The amount of rice to water varies depdning on the brand of the rice and altitude of place you stay.
Add ghee, cumin seeds, and cashews to another pan for an additional crunch. To this, add frozen green peas and sweet corn, green chili for additional taste, and saute. Adding peas and corn is optional, but if you have them in your freezer, then add them to the dish as it will not only make your rice look beautiful but also takes it to the next level 🙂
Instant Pot Ghee Rice
Press the SAUTE button and add 1 tablespoon of ghee to the inner steel pot of the instant pot. Add cashews and saute until golden brown. Transfer this to a plate and set it aside.
Add remaining 1 ½ tablespoon of ghee, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, and whole spices (bay leaf, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, marati moggu, star anise) and saute for 30 seconds.
Add uncooked basmati rice and continue to saute for another 1 or 2 minutes. This is optional but mainly done to get a nice aroma. To this, add green chile, sweet corn, green peas, salt to taste, 1 ¼ cup of water, and deglaze the bottom by scrubbing with a spatula. Press the CANCEL button.
Secure instant pot with lid with vent to sealing position.
Press the PRESSURE COOK button and set the timer for 5 minutes.
Let the pressure release naturally for 3 minutes. If you want softer rice, let it sit for 5 minutes. Then release any remaining pressure manually.
Let this cool down a bit. Add cashews and toss to combine. Serve and enjoy.
Serving suggestions
Ghee rice is good on its own and can be served warm or even at room temperature. Some good combination for ghee rice are
- Paneer Butter Masala
- Chana Masala (chole or chickpeas curry)
- Chicken tikka masala
- Mushroom Butter masala - popular on blog
- Palak Paneer
Some other rice recipes with basmati rice
FAQs
The fatty acids in ghee helps in metabolism, supports a healthy heart. Also when used as a part of your balanced diet, ghee can reduce the unhealthy cholestrol levels. The ghee will also help is gigesting the sugar in rice making it good for diabetics too.
Yes, you can. In this case, add the spices along with cashews and nicely saute it. Add it to the rice and mix.
No. I highly recommend you make this rice with desi ghee or butter only.
Never overcook the rice while making any rice recipes like pulao, biryani, or ghee rice. Add the exact amount of water that is needed.
You can add a combination of nuts like almonds, cashews, and raisins if desired.
Any leftover rice can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. You can reheat on the stovetop by sprinkling water until heated through or in your instant pot.
Yes, you can. You will have perfectly cooked fluffy rice if you use the right amount of water and also follow the package instructions of the rice you are using. The amount of rice to water varies depending on the brand of the rice and altitude of place you stay.
Video
Check out the video recipe on making of Ghee rice (Neychoru, Nei Choru)
Follow me on Instagram and tag me with #cookwithkushi so that I get a chance to see all the recipes you make and give it a ♥.
Recipe card
Ghee Rice | How to make Ghee Rice | Neychoru
Equipment
- 2 Pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup Basmati Rice (or any aromatic rice)
- 1 tablespoon Ghee (brown butter)
- 1 Bay leaf
- 2 Cardamom pods
- 2 Cloves
- 1 inch Cinnamon
- 1 Star Anise (optional)
- 1 Marati moggu (optional)
- ½ teaspoon Cumin seeds
- Salt to taste
Other Ingredients
- 1 ½ tablespoon Ghee (Brown butter)
- ½ teaspoon Cumin seeds
- 1 tablespoon Cashews chopped
- ½ cup Green peas (frozen)
- ½ cup Sweet corn (frozen)
- 1 Green chile chopped
Instructions
How to prepare Ghee rice on stovetop?
- Heat 1 tablespoon of ghee in a pan. To this add uncooked rice and saute for 2 minutes on medium flame to get nice aroma.1 cup Basmati Rice, 1 tablespoon Ghee (brown butter)
- Add bay leaf, cardamom pods, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, marati moggu, cumin seeds, salt to taste , 1 ½ cup of water, and bring it to a boil.1 Bay leaf, 2 Cardamom pods, 2 Cloves, 1 inch Cinnamon, 1 Star Anise, 1 Marati moggu, ½ teaspoon Cumin seeds, Salt to taste
- Cover with lid once the rice comes to a boil, and simmer on medium-low flame for 10 to 12 minutes or until rice is cooked through.
- In another pan, heat 1 ½ tablespoon of ghee. Add cumin seeds and cashews and saute for few seconds.1 ½ tablespoon Ghee (Brown butter), ½ teaspoon Cumin seeds, 1 tablespoon Cashews chopped
- Add chopped green chile, green peas and sweet corn and continue to saute for another 2 or 3 minutes on medium flame.½ cup Green peas (frozen), ½ cup Sweet corn (frozen), 1 Green chile chopped
- Add cooked rice and lightly-toss until combined.
- Ghee Rice is ready. Serve and enjoy.
Instant Pot Ghee Rice
- Press the SAUTE button and add 1 tablespoon of ghee to inner steel pot of instant pot. Add cashews and saute until golden brown. Transfer this to a plate and set aside.
- Add remaining 1 ½ tablespoon of ghee, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, whole spices (bay leaf, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, marati moggu, star anise) and saute for 30 seconds.
- Add uncooked basmati rice and continue to saute for another 1 or 2 minute. This is optional but mainly done to get nice aroma. To this add green chile, sweet corn, green peas, salt to taste, 1 ¼ cup of water and deglaze the bottom by scrubbing with spatula. Press the CANCEL button.
- Secure instant pot with lid with vent to sealing position.
- Press the PRESSURE COOK button and set the timer for 5 minutes.
- Let the pressure release naturally for 3 minutes. If you want softer rice let it sit for 5 minutes. Then release any remaining pressure manually.
- Let this cool down a bit. Add cashews and toss to combine. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- First, use nice aromatic rice like basmati or jeera to prepare ghee rice. Plus, make sure the rice is not sticky, and when cooked it's easy to separate the grains. For traditional Kerala or Malabar style rice use Kaima rice or seeraga samba rice.
- Use whole garam masala spices that are available in your pantry. Be careful when using the spices, as too much can ruin the dish. You are adding it only to enhance the flavor. Do not add any oil to prepare this dish.
- You can add a combination of nuts like almonds, cashews, and raisins if desired.
- The amount of rice to water varies depending on the brand of the rice and altitude of place you stay.
Nutrition
For more recent updates, follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter,
***Click below to save it on Pinterest***
Sara Welch
Enjoyed this with dinner last night and it did not disappoint! Quick, easy and flavorful; definitely a new favorite side dish!