Brown Rice Parsi Style

A quick and easy recipe to make Parsi Brown Rice using caramelized onions and spices. This is perfect to serve with Dhanshak or any other curry.

Plus, it is gluten-free, nut-free and easy to make in 30 minutes using the Instant Pot.

Parsi cuisine is one of the few underrated cuisines. Though it is rich in so many ways; there are very few recipes known to people. A combination of Iranian, Gujarati and British cuisines

Exploring Parsi cuisine is a great experience that is filled with textures, flavors and pretty unique cooking style.

While the cuisine is rich in meat based recipes, there is a niche section of vegetarian recipes. From Dhanshak and brown rice to ravo, cutlets, falooda and lagan nu custard are super delicious. And we totally enjoy each of these.

Jump to:

• What is Parsi brown rice
• How is the rice brown
• Why this recipe works
• Ingredients and Substitutions
• How to make this recipe
• Expert Tips and Notes
• To prepare rice in a pressure cooker
• Recipe FAQs
• More Rice recipes
• Parsi style Brown Rice

What is Parsi brown rice

A typical Parsi meal is always complete with some rice. From plain steamed rice, Berry Pulao to this rice with caramelized onions, these are all great.

This recipe of brown rice is often served with Dhanshak, dal or other curries. I will admit I enjoy this by itself with some plain yogurt too.

I was introduced to this recipe by my mother in law. Her version of dhanshak with this rice is the perfect meal. And ever since I started making and enjoying this recipe, it does feature regularly on our menu.

It is an easy recipe with a very particular flavor of caramelized onions, caramelized sugar and whole spices with rice. Moreover, it is a very simple recipe to put together in the Instant Pot or using a pressure cooker.

How is the rice brown

Contrary to the looks, the rice is actually made with white rice. It is not made with brown rice. In fact the color is from the caramelization of sugar and onions. These are perfect for the flavor in rice and the color.

And yes, as we caramelize the sugar, the rice is not actually sweet. It does have a nutty caramel flavor and is great. If it is too sweet for your liking, adding some spice from green chilies is always an option.

Why this recipe works

• This recipe is super easy to put together. It is as simple as sauté, cook and serve!
• It is naturally gluten-free.
• We can easily prepare the recipe just one pot; and no extra pots and pans required.
• This one works with the Instant Pot or the pressure cooker.
• The resultant rice is perfect as a side for Dhanshak, dal or other curries.
• We need only five essential ingredients to make the recipe.
• It is easy to make the recipe Vegan by one simple substitution.
• The recipe works well for meal prep.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Rice: I like to use basmati rice for this recipe. Not only are they long grain; they are also super flavorful and the aroma of them cooked with ghee is amazing. Try and use any long grain rice if basmati is not available.
• Onions: Caramelized onions taste so good in the rice. I like to add quite a lot of onions but reduce if desired. Or skip them completely to make a no-onion, no-garlic version.
• Sugar: This is the ingredient we use for that signature color. The rice used is white but the caramelized sugar results in a light brown color. Caramelize the sugar to the desired shade of brown and proceed with the recipe.
• Spices: We use some whole spices like cardamom, cloves, bay leaves and cinnamon in the rice. Add or reduce them as per preferences. Plus we ad some salt to season the rice.
• Ghee: I like to temper the rice in ghee. The aroma is simply amazing. However, oil can be used for a Vegan version.

See the recipe card for detailed ingredient information, measurements and nutrition.

How to make this recipe

1- Measure rice and place in a bowl.

2- Wash them 3-4 times and soak in 2 cups water for 30 minutes.

3- In the base of the Instant Pot add ghee. Set mode to sauté and normal.

4- Once the ghee melts and the instant pot reads 'Hot', add the whole spices.

5- Let them cook for a few seconds and then add the sliced onions.

6- Mix well and let the onions cook till they are light brown and caramelized.

7- Remove the onions and set aside and in the leftover ghee sprinkle sugar.

8- Without mixing or stirring let the sugar cook for 4-5 minutes; till it caramelizes completely.

9- Then add water to stop the sugar from caramelizing further or burning.

10- Drain the soaked rice and add them to the Instant pot.

11- Add back the tempering and onions leaving some onions aside for topping. Also add salt.

12- Mix well and press 'cancel'. Then change the mode to Pressure Cook and time to 3 minutes. Let the rice cook under high pressure and once the Instant Pot beeps; let it stand for 5 minutes.

13- Then release the remaining pressure and open the lid.

14- Fluff with a fork and serve with Dhanshak or a curry of your choice.

Expert Tips and Notes

• Replace ghee with oil for a Vegan version of the rice. The rest of the ingredients are Vegan friendly.
• The recipe works for any kind of rice or even quinoa. Simply adjust the cooking time based on the grain picked.
• This rice is best to serve with Dhanshak but perfect with any curry.
• Make sure the sugar is brown and bubbly before adding the rice. It should neither be uncooked nor burnt.
• The recipe does not work without sugar. Thus, the recipe is not great for people with diabetes or sugar intolerance.

To prepare rice in a pressure cooker

The same recipe is easy to make in the pressure cooker. To do so, simply follow the steps up to caramelizing the sugar in a pressure cooker. Then add the soaked rice and pressure cook for 3 whistles. Let the pressure release naturally and open the cooker. Fluff the rice and enjoy with your favorite curry.

Recipe FAQs

More Rice recipes

Love this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card below & if you REALLY like it, consider a review in the comments whilst you are there, thanks!