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    Home » Rice Recipes

    Onion Rice | Easy Lunch Box Recipe

    Published: Feb 9, 2016 · Modified: Feb 9, 2024 by Kushi · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Onion Rice is a quick and easy aromatic recipe that can be prepared in less than 30 minutes. The best way to add depth of flavor to the plain rice. It is vegan and gluten-free.

    Simple and best Onion rice - Easy one-pot recipes as a side for lunch and dinner.
    Jump to:
    • Recipe card
    • Simple rice recipe
    • Ingredients
    • One pot onion rice
    • Tips
    • Onion rice with cooked leftover rice
    • Store
    • How to serve onion rice?
    • User Reviews

    Recipe card

    Simple Onion rice - One pot recipes | Easy lunch box and dinner recipe ideas.

    Onion Rice | Easy Lunch Box Recipe

    Kushi
    Onion Rice is a quick and easy aromatic rice recipe that can be prepared in less than 30 minutes. The best way to add depth of flavor to the plain rice. It is vegan and gluten-free.
    5 from 15 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Dinner, Lunch
    Cuisine French, Indian
    Servings 4
    Calories 262 kcal

    Equipment

    • Pan

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 tablespoon Vegetable oil ghee or butter
    • 2 Cardamom seeds optional
    • 1 Clove optional
    • 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
    • 1 tablespoon Cashews chopped
    • 1 Big Onion chopped finely or lengthwise
    • 1 cup Rice
    • 1 Green chile chopped (optional)
    • Salt to taste
    • Spring onions or cilantro for garnish optional

    Instructions
     

    One pot onion rice

    • Wash the rice 2 to 3 times underwater until the water runs clear.
      1 cup Rice
    • Heat oil or butter in a skillet or pot over medium heat. Add cumin seeds, cloves, and cardamom, and saute for a few seconds.
      2 tablespoon Vegetable oil, 2 Cardamom seeds, 1 Clove, 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
    • Next, add cashews and saute until it becomes golden in color.
      1 tablespoon Cashews
    • Add the onions and green chile and saute for about 7 to 10 minutes on medium flame until the onions become light golden in color. You can add a pinch of salt while sauteing the onions, as this will draw out the moisture and cook the onions faster.
      1 Big Onion, 1 Green chile, Salt
    • Add the rice and saute it for a minute or 2, stirring occasionally until the rice becomes fragrant.
    • Add 1 ½ cups of water and salt to taste, and bring it to a boil.
    • Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes or until the rice is cooked and all the liquid is absorbed (If the rice is uncooked, add a splash of water and continue cooking. Some long-grain rice will need 2 cups of water and takes 15 to 20 minutes to cook. )
    • Garnish with spring onions or cilantro if desired.
      Spring onions

    Onion rice with cooked leftover rice

    • If you are making this recipe with cooked or leftover rice, follow these steps.
    • Heat butter or oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds, cloves, and cardamom, and saute for a few seconds.
    • Next, add cashews and saute until it becomes light golden.
    • Add chopped onions, green chile, and salt, and saute for about 7 to 10 minutes on medium flame until the onions become light golden in color.
    • Add the cooked rice and toss until it is combined and heated through.

    Notes

    • I have used jasmine rice. One cup: 1 ½ cup rice ratio works for jasmine and basmati rice in the USA. Check the package instructions for water to rice ratio if using any other rice. 
    • Some long-grain rice will need 2 cups of water and takes 15 to 20 minutes to cook. 
    • If using medium-sized onions, then add 2 onions to the recipe. 
    • Instead of water, you can use broth to cook rice. 
    • You can use your favorite herbs like thyme or parsley for garnish 
    • Any spices like bay leaf, cinnamon stick, garlic powder, pepper powder, or onion powder can be used while making this rice. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 262kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 4gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.04gSodium: 42mgPotassium: 130mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 7IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Simple rice recipe

    • This onion rice is a super simple and versatile dish loved by people of all age groups. You can serve it as a main dish or side dish in vegetarian or non veg thali or with any curries, such as mixed vegetable dal, dum aloo vindaloo, mushroom butter masala, and popular butter chicken. 
    • It goes well with stir-fries or grilled meat. 
    • My kids love this for their lunch box with a simple yogurt salad. 
    • If you have leftover rice or day-old rice, this onion rice can be made in less than 10 minutes. 
    Onion rice served with mixed vegetable dal or lentil curry for a complete vegetarian and vegan meal.

    Ingredients

    Fat: For a vegan version, use vegetable oil or coconut oil. For a rich taste, always use desi ghee or butter.

    Onions: White, yellow, or red - any onions will work for this recipe.

    Spices: Cardamom, clove, cinnamon, bay leaf, or powder-like black pepper, garlic, etc, will all work for this recipe.

    Cashews: Adds a nice crunch to the recipe.

    Rice: I prefer basmati or jasmine rice for its aromatic flavor. You can use any long-grain rice or even brown rice to try this recipe.

    Herbs: For garnish, spring onions or cilantro (thyme, parsley) are optional.

    Check out the recipe card for the full list of ingredients.

    Onion rice served with dum aloo (Indian potato curry) - Vegetarian dinner and lunch recipe idea.

    One pot onion rice

    • Wash the rice 2 to 3 times underwater until the water runs clear. 
    • Heat oil or butter in a skillet or pot over medium heat. Add cumin seeds, cloves, and cardamom, and saute for a few seconds. 
    • Next, add cashews and saute until it becomes golden in color. 
    • Add the onions and green chile and saute for about 7 to 10 minutes on medium flame until the onions become light golden in color. You can add a pinch of salt while sauteing the onions, as this will draw out the moisture and cook the onions faster.
    • Add the rice and saute it for a minute or 2, stirring occasionally until the rice becomes fragrant. 
    • Add 1 ½ cups of water and salt to taste, and bring it to a boil. 
    • Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes or until the rice is cooked and all the liquid is absorbed (If the rice is uncooked, add a splash of water and continue cooking. Some long-grain rice will need 2 cups of water and takes 15 to 20 minutes to cook. )
    Onion rice with the best dal recipe (lentil curry) - vegetarian and vegan lunch or dinner combo.

    Tips

    • I have used jasmine rice. One cup: 1 ½ cup rice ratio works for jasmine and basmati rice in the USA. Check the package instructions for water to rice ratio if using any other rice. 
    • Some long-grain rice will need 2 cups of water and takes 15 to 20 minutes to cook. 
    • If using medium-sized onions, then add 2 onions to the recipe. 
    • Instead of water, you can use broth to cook rice. 
    • You can use your favorite herbs like thyme or parsley for garnish 
    • Any spices like bay leaf, cinnamon stick, garlic powder, pepper powder, or onion powder can be used while making this rice. 
    Fluffy and perfectly cooked white rice recipe for any meal.

    Onion rice with cooked leftover rice

    • If you are making this recipe with cooked or leftover rice, follow these steps.
    • Heat butter or oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds, cloves, and cardamom, and saute for a few seconds.
    • Next, add cashews and saute until it becomes light golden.
    • Add chopped onions, green chile, and salt, and saute for about 7 to 10 minutes on medium flame until the onions become light golden in color.
    • Add the cooked rice and toss until it is combined and heated through.

    Store

    Leftover onion rice can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave just before serving.

    How to serve onion rice?

    In the picture above, I have served it with mixed vegetable dal and goan aloo vindaloo. Here are some of my favorite accompaniments for onion rice

    • Best, simple and authentic Indian butter chicken recipe (murgh makhani) with naan, roti, chapati.
      Indian Butter Chicken Recipe | Best Chicken Makhani
    • Paneer Butter Masala garnished with cilantro and a drizzle of cream and served in a white bowl.
      Paneer Butter Masala | Paneer Makhani
    • Dal tadka, restaurant-style (simple & easy garlic dal), served with rice for a vegetarian meal.
      Lasooni Dal Tadka | Simple Garlic Dal Recipe
    • Mushroom Butter Masala, mushroom recipes, Indian dishes
      MUSHROOM BUTTER MASALA | HOW TO MAKE MUSHROOM BUTTER MASALA

    Did you like this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

    Note: We originally posted this onion rice recipe in Feb 2016. It has now been modified in Feb 2024 with Expert Chef Tips, FAQs, Storage Instructions, etc.

    More Super Easy Rice Recipes - Rice Dish Ideas!

    • Jackfruit dosa recipe with ripe jackfruits (ponsa polo). Indian breakfast and snack recipe idea.
      Jackfruit Dosa Recipe
    • Easy Chettinad chicken biryani recipe - spicy one-pot chicken biryani with raita.
      Chettinad Chicken Biryani
    • Simple mushroom rice recipe. One pot rice dish for lunch and dinner with basmati or long grain rice.
      Simple Mushroom Rice - One Pot Rice Recipe
    • Egg rice recipe | Egg Pulao | Simple lunchbox and dinner ideas with boiled eggs and rice.
      Egg Rice | Egg Pulao | Lunchbox Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nisa (Flavour Diary)

      March 22, 2016 at 3:58 pm

      5 stars
      i do the same thing for my leftover rice but i also add ginger garlic paste. Its yummy dish.

      Reply
      • Kushi

        March 22, 2016 at 9:34 pm

        Yeah. Thank you dear 🙂

        Reply
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    5 from 15 votes (1 rating without comment)

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