If you know, you know! Kala Jeera, also known as Black Cumin is the secret ingredient in this wonderfully flavorful, fluffy, moist rice! Perfect alongside any of your favorite Indian dishes or when you are in the mood for anything but plain rice! Just a few simple ingredients + 30 minutes is all you need!
Tara’s Tips For Perfect Kala Jeera (Black Cumin) Rice
Vegetables
- I choose to use frozen peas + carrots when I make this rice, but there are so many vegetables that will work. Such as corn, edamame, frozen mixed vegetables, or peas.
Rice
- This comes out perfect with basmati rice, and it must be soaked first! It only takes a few extra minutes while you are preparing your other ingredients for your meal, rinse, and ready! Use basmati rice for perfect cooking + texture.
Kala Jeera
- AKA black cumin. You can find this at any Indian grocery store or on Amazon. You only need a small amount for this recipe so when you are done cooking your rice, put the remaining seeds in a glass jar and store them in the freezer to keep them fresh.
Butter
- I use Miyoko’s dairy-free vegan butter. This recipe also works with ghee. You choose!
Don’t peek!
- Seriously, don’t open the cover. It won’t burn if you truly do leave it on a simmer. Make sure your pot has a tight fitting lid, put the rice, water, veggies, spices in, put the cover on, lower the heat to a simmer, cook for 11 minutes, turn the heat off, wait 4 minutes, perfect rice!
Need to double this recipe?
- Double the rice, water, and spices but NOT the cook time!
What to eat with Black Cumin Rice
- This is the perfect side dish for any vegetable, bean dish, tofu or even on its own!
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Kala Jeera (Black Cumin) Rice
Basmati rice simmered with peas and carrots, spices, and kala jeera, perfection!
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1 tsp black cumin (kala jeera)
- 2 tsp vegan butter (can substitute ghee or oil)
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- 1/8 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
Directions
- Step 1 Rinse rice with water until water runs clear. Once clear, place rice in a bowl and soak in room temperature water for 15 minutes.
- Step 2 Meanwhile, heat the butter (or ghee) to a pot, add cumin/jeera seeds, heat until the seeds begin to sizzle.
- Step 3 Add peas, carrots, salt, mix well.
- Step 4 Once 15 minutes is up on the rice soaking, drain the water and give the rice one more rinse.
- Step 5 Add the rice to the pot along with the 2 cups water, garam masala and cardamom.
- Step 6 Give everything a gentle stir, bring to a boil while uncovered, once the mixture comes to a boil, place the lid on the pot, lower the heat to a simmer, and let the rice simmer for 11 minutes without removing the lid. Turn off the heat, wait 5 minutes, remove the cover and stir the rice.
- Step 7 Serve alongside your favorite Indian dish or eat on its own, enjoy!
⭐Did you make this Kala Jeera Rice Recipe? Love it? Leave a comment + a rating below!
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Omg i never comment on one of these but this is SO DELICIOUS OH MY GOD. I always made like mushy rice so i was skeptical but it came out so perfect thank you so much 😭😭🙏♥️
Hi Sae! Thank you so much for your comment and rating! This is one of our favorite rice dishes! I agree, so delicious. So glad you like it, Tara