Green Rice

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This green rice with coriander (cilantro) and chillies might just be the perfect side dish so many cuisines.

Each of the curry recipes on my site can be served with plain white rice. This coriander rice with lime  is so good it can be served on its own but you might like to try it as a side with a delicious chicken curry, lamb curry, seafood or veggie dish.

About this green rice recipe

You can make green rice either with steamed or fried rice. In this version, you will be frying the rice before adding the green masala ingredients. Another popular option for green rice is to add it to taste to your steamed rice.

This fried green recipe only takes minutes to make and is an excellent way for you to use up leftover Basmati rice.

FYI, green rice is served with many different cuisines so it is a good one to have in your recipe library. The flavours of coriander (cilantro), green chillies and cumin are just as good served with Mexican recipes, for example as they are Indian recipes. 

How do you cook green fried rice?

Cooking this popular green rice side dish is so simple. All you need to do is melt some ghee over a medium-high heat in a pan. Then stir in the green paste (masala) and fry it for a couple of minutes before adding the cold cooked rice. This is best added in small amounts so that it is nicely coated with the green colours. 

Season with salt to taste and you have a one delicious rice dish!

How do you make green steamed rice?

The idea is exactly the same but instead of frying the cold rice, you add it to your freshly cooked Basmati rice. This should be done carefully. Do not stir the rice too vigorously or you will split the rice grains.

I usually just use a fork or chopstick and delicately incorporate the green mixture into the steamed rice.  

Can you use any Basmati rice?

You can but for best results, look for  premium quality, aged Basmati rice. I use VeeTee Extra Long Premium Rice.

You really will taste the difference so if you want your onion rice to be amazing, getting the Basmati rice right is by far the most important thing.

Working ahead

The rice needs to be fried, cold from the fridge. This means that making green rice is an ideal way to use up leftover rice. So you can cook your rice a day or two ahead of serving your green fried rice.

The coriander (cilantro) and chilli green paste can also be prepared a day or so in advance. Just keep it covered, tightly in the fridge.

How long does green rice keep in the fridge?

Cooked rice will keep in the fridge for about 3 days. So if you cook and chill the rice on day one, you have two more days to get the finished green rice to the table.  

Can you freeze rice?

Yes! Rice freezes really well and this green rice is no exception. You can freeze green fried rice for at least 6 months. Just be sure to freeze it in portion sizes that work for you.

You don’t want to freeze it all in one large container if you only want to serve yourself.

How do you reheat green rice?

Whether you place it in the freezer or fridge, the easiest way to heat up your green rice is in a microwave.

If you are cooking it cold from the fridge, your green fried rice should heat up in about a minute. You can microwave  the rice from frozen in the covered container in 3 to 4 minutes.

Just ensure that it is piping hot before serving.

Can this recipe be upscaled or downscaled?

Yes. No problem there!

Generally speaking, 185g (1 1/2 cups) of raw rice will make two generous portions of cooked rice, though when served as part of a larger meal, you can probably stretch that to three people.

If upscaling, the water to raw rice ratio is 1 part rice to 1 1/2 parts water. 

All is explained with step by step photographs in my perfect Basmati rice recipe.

What do you serve this green rice with?

If you want to make a simple meal, you could just serve it topped with a nice chutney or two. 

It’s also delicious served with dal, either on the side or over the top. Here are a few popular dal recipes for you.

Of course this green rice will go well with pretty much any curry. Try some of these chicken, lamb, veggie and seafood curries. You might also like to try your gunpowder rice as a side for curry house style curry.

Pro Tips

• Always ensure you cook your rice correctly. There are many ways to do this but this recipe will get you perfect results every time.
• Never stir the rice too vigorously. You just want to move it around in the hot ghee until heated through.
• Season carefully. If adding salt be sure to add these to taste. If you cooked rice per my recipe, you will have already added salt so be careful when finishing this off.

Step by step photographs

Would you like to try some other rice recipes?

I have you covered, Try lemon rice, onion fried rice, jeera rice, gunpowder rice, mushroom fried rice and/or pilau rice. All are great with a curry!

You might also like to try a good biryani or two. 

I hope you enjoy this green rice recipe. Please leave a comment if you tried this recipe or have any recipe questions. I’m happy to help.