Indian Lemon Rice Recipe
How to make Indian Lemon rice. Infused with Indian spices, this fragrant rice dish is the perfect side to your Indian meals.
How to Make the Best Indian Lemon Rice
Indian lemon rice is a vibrant, aromatic dish that brings together the bright tang of fresh lemon with the earthy warmth of traditional Indian spices. This South Indian classic is the perfect way to transform plain rice into something extraordinary, making it an ideal side dish for curries, dal, or grilled meats.
The magic of this recipe lies in the tempering, or “tadka”—a technique where whole spices are bloomed in hot ghee to release their essential oils. The combination of popping mustard seeds, fragrant cardamom, cloves, and curry leaves creates layers of flavor that infuse every grain of rice. The turmeric adds a beautiful golden hue while the lemon provides a refreshing brightness that balances the richness.
This lemon rice comes together quickly, especially if you have leftover rice on hand. It’s a fantastic meal prep option that tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld. Serve it alongside your favorite Indian dishes or enjoy it on its own as a light, flavorful lunch.
Indian Lemon Rice
How to make Indian Lemon rice. Infused with Indian spices, this fragrant rice dish is the perfect side to your Indian meals.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
Tempering Spices
Instructions
Make Tempering Oil
- Heat ghee in a large pan or wok over medium heat.
- Add the mustard seeds and let them pop and splutter for about 30 seconds.
- Add the cardamom pods, cloves, and coriander seeds. Toast for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the fresh curry leaves and sliced red chilli. Sauté for another minute.
Mix Up the Rice
- Add the cooked rice to the pan with the tempering oil.
- Sprinkle in the turmeric powder, sugar, and salt. Toss everything together until the rice is evenly coated with the spices.
- Squeeze the juice of the lemon over the rice and toss again.
- Add the sliced scallions and mix well. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use day-old rice for the best texture—freshly cooked rice can become mushy.
- Adjust the amount of lemon juice to taste for more or less tanginess.
- Fresh curry leaves are essential for authentic flavor—look for them at Indian grocery stores.
