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    Home » Instant Pot

    Published: Sep 19, 2016 · Modified: Jul 10, 2023 by Smruti · This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments

    Brown Rice Parsi Style

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    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.

    White oval plate with Parsi style brown rice topped with spices, onions and cilantro served on a black board with a brown napkin by the side.

    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

    Ingredients for Parsi brown rice; rice, onions, ghee and spices on a black board.
    • 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.

    Collage steps to make Parsi Brown Rice; soak rice in 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.

    Collage steps to make Parsi Brown Rice; add ghee and add spices in the instant pot.

    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.

    Collage steps to make Parsi Brown Rice; add onions and let them caramelize.

    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.

    Collage steps to make Parsi Brown Rice; caramelize sugar in ghee.

    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.

    Collage steps to make Parsi Brown Rice; add water and rice and mix well.

    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.

    Collage steps to make Parsi Brown Rice; add onions and cook the rice in the instant pot.

    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.

    Steps to make Parsi Brown Rice; fluff the rice and serve on a platter with cilantro on top.

    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.

    Side view of a pile of brown rice placed on a white platter and served with cilantro and spices on top.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can Parsi brown rice be made with brown rice?

    Yes. The same recipe will work for brown rice. Simply set the cook time for 24 minutes to make brown rice. Also, increase the sugar by a little to make it perfect.

    Can we make brown rice in pressure cooker?

    Certainly. Simply cook the rice for 3 whistles to make white rice in a pressure cooker. The remaining steps are the same.

    What is the best pairing for Parsi Brown Rice?

    Traditionally Parsi Brown rice pairs perfectly with Dhanshak. However, it can be served with any curry like Tofu Mutter, Paneer Makhani, Mushroom Masala or Tadka Dal.

    Can we make Parsi brown rice ahead of time?

    Certainly. The rice can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Simply reheat before serving.

    Is Parsi brown rice sweet?

    No, the rice is not sweet. As we caramelize the onions and sugar, the rice has a caramelized nutty flavor and taste but does not taste sugary at all.

    More Rice recipes

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      Lemon Rice
    • Easy Paneer Vegetable Biryani
    • A bowl of instant pot masale bhaat with an instant pot right behind it and yogurt served by the side.
      Instant Pot Masale Bhaat
    • A brown bowl filled with Instant pot Jasmine Rice and a fork in it served with some red Thai curry on the side.
      Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
    Serving Parsi style brown rice with a fork on the side and topped with spices and cilantro leaves.

    I love seeing when you share my recipes!

    Tag me on Instagram @herbivorecucina or mention #herbivorecucina so I can enjoy them virtually with you! You can also find me on Pinterest, Facebook, Tik Tok, and YouTube.

    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!

    White oval plate with Parsi style brown rice topped with spices, onions and cilantro served on a black board with a brown napkin by the side.

    Parsi style Brown Rice

    Smruti
    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 the Instant Pot.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Indian, Parsi
    Servings 4
    Calories 293 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup Basmati rice
    • 3 tablespoon ghee
    • ¾ medium onion (sliced thin)
    • 3-4 bay leaves
    • 4-5 cloves
    • 1-2 cinnamon sticks
    • 2-3 cardamom pods
    • 1 tablespoon sugar
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1¼ cup water

    Instructions
     

    • Measure rice and place in a bowl.
    • Wash them 3-4 times and soak in 2 cups water for 30 minutes.
    • In the base of the Instant Pot add ghee. Set mode to sauté and normal.
    • Once the ghee melts and the instant pot reads 'Hot', add the whole spices.
    • Let them cook for a few seconds and then add the sliced onions.
    • Mix well and let the onions cook till they are light brown and caramelized.
    • Remove the onions and set aside and in the leftover ghee sprinkle sugar.
    • Without mixing or stirring let the sugar cook for 4-5 minutes; till it caramelizes completely.
    • Then add water to stop the sugar from caramelizing further or burning.
    • Drain the soaked rice and add them to the Instant pot.
    • Add back the tempering and onions leaving some onions aside for topping. Also add salt.
    • 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.
    • Then release the remaining pressure and open the lid.
    • Fluff with a fork and serve with Dhanshak or a curry of your choice.

    Video

    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.
    Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates using an automated calculator. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 293kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 4gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 589mgPotassium: 101mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 8IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. MySpicyKitchen says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      This is a mildly flavored rice and must have tasted amazing with dhansak

      Reply
    2. Nalini's Kitchen says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      Nice and flavorful rice,tastes great with spicy curry..

      Reply
    3. Harini R says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      Wow! the composition of the picture looks awesome. Love the mildly flavored rice.

      Reply
    4. vaishali sabnani says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      I like the flavors of this rice..and the rice looks just perfectly cooked, though I might just finish that bowl without any accompaniment.

      Reply
    5. Gayathri Kumar says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      That is a nice flavourful rice to have with danshak...

      Reply
    6. Srividhya says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      perfect combo with dhansak..looks super simple. I never add mustard seeds when I include the masala items. will try it out next time.

      Reply
    7. Kalyani says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      Having tasted this dish at a Parsi colleague's place , i was smitten by the different Flavous this combo brings !!

      Reply
    8. Priya Suresh says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      I have already tried my hands in making this brown rice, just love this mildly falvoured rice;

      Reply
    9. Suma Gandlur says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      The mildly flavored rice forms a good base for spicy curries.

      Reply
    10. Srivalli says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      Oh Yes I enjoyed eating this when I had made it..such a good option to serve with spicy curries..so its rice all this week!..good..:)

      Reply
    11. Archana says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      I made dhansshak and since the girls were not well its still in the freezer. Will serve it tomorrow with this rice. Love it.

      Reply
    12. Pavani says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      This is such a flavorful and delicious looking rice dish.

      Reply
    13. cookingwithsapana says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      Parsi style brown rice looks so perfect.

      Reply
    14. Priya Srinivasan - I Camp in My Kitchen says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:57 pm

      Such a flavorful rice recipe, looks tempting, beautifully presented!!!

      Reply
    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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