Coconut rice is a very simple Indian rice recipe and is one of the beginner's delight. This mild and flavourful Indian coconut rice recipe is a vegan and gluten free rice recipe. A perfect dish to pack for a lunchbox or to use up left over rice.
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Ingredients
Steamed Rice: 2 cups
Oil: 2 tbsp
Mustard seeds: ¼ tsp
Cumin seeds: ¼ tsp
Urad Dal (Split Black Gram): 1 tsp
Channa Dal (Yellow Split Lentils): 1 tsp
Peanuts: ⅓ cup
Curry leaves: Few
Red chillies: 2, broken
Green cilli: 1, slit
Grated coconut: 1 cup
Salt: as required
Fresh coriander leaves: ¼ cup
How to make south Indian coconut rice?
Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and let them crackle, add cumin seeds and peanuts, saute for a minute.
Add chana dal and urad dal saute until dal turns light golden brown.
Now add chopped green chilies, broken red chillies, few curry leaves and sauté for few seconds or till red chillies change colour.
Now add grated coconut mix well and cook for few seconds and turn off the heat. It is not necessary to fry the grated coconut until it turns brown.
Add salt, coriander leaves and boiled rice.
Mix until well combined.
Enjoy delicious and mildly spiced south Indian style coconut rice with poppadums, pickle or any side dish of your choice.
Notes
Cook rice either in an instant pot pressure cooker or on a stovetop. Spread freshly cooked rice on a plate to cool down to room temperature before adding to the seasoning as it ensures even mixing and each rice grain is separated.
Best is to use leftover rice for this recipe as little dried rice helps in even and easy mixing.
You could use any rice variety - sona masoori, ponni, long grain or basmati rice.
Adjust chillies according to your preferred spice levels.
Freshly grated coconut tastes best for this recipe, but frozen coconut can be used too.
Urad dal and chana dal adds a lovely nutty aroma and taste. But you could leave them out if you don't have them on hand.
Ensure not to use freshly cooked rice immediately as it could get mushy while mixing. Allow rice to cool and then use it.
Serving Suggestions
Serve coconut rice with vegetable pakoda and pickle such as allam pachadi for a comfort meal.
This easy coconut rice with jeera aloo or bombay aloo makes a great dish to pack in a lunchbox.
Storage
Do not store the rice made with fresh grated coconut and leftover rice I would rather suggest finishing it off the same day.
If you prepare this coconut-flavoured rice with freshly cooked rice then you can store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat the rice in the microwave until piping hot and serve.
More recipes with left over rice
Jeera Rice: An easy and quick way to make fragrant rice seasoned with cumin.
Lemon Rice: A tangy, crunchy and flavourful dish that gets together in under 20 minutes and makes an ideal dish on busy weekdays or to pack for a lunchbox.
Corn Fried Rice: An easy and quick vegan dish that makes a perfect weeknight dinner.
Carrot Rice: Tasty and flavourful rice made with carrot, nuts, cooked rice and a few spices.
📖 Recipe Card
Coconut Rice
Ingredients
1 Cup = 250ml ; 1 Tablespoon = 15ml ; 1 Teaspoon = 5ml
- 2 Cups Rice
- 2 Tablespoon Oil
- ¼ Teaspoon Mustard Seeds
- ¼ Teaspoon Cumin Seeds
- 1 Teaspoon Chana Dal/ Yellow Split Lentils
- 1 Teaspoon Urad Dal/ Split Black Gram
- 2 Red Chillies broken
- 1 Green Chilli slit
- Few Curry Leaves
- 1 Cup Grated Coconut
- ⅓ Cup Peanuts
- Salt as required
- ¼ Cup Coriander
Instructions
- Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and let them crackle, add cumin seeds and peanuts, saute for a minute.2 Tablespoon Oil, ¼ Teaspoon Mustard Seeds, ¼ Teaspoon Cumin Seeds, ⅓ Cup Peanuts
- Add chana dal and urad dal saute until dal turns light golden brown.1 Teaspoon Chana Dal/ Yellow Split Lentils, 1 Teaspoon Urad Dal/ Split Black Gram
- Now add chopped green chillies, broken red chillies, few curry leaves and sauté for few seconds or till red chillies change colour.2 Red Chillies, 1 Green Chilli, Few Curry Leaves
- Now add grated coconut mix well and cook for few seconds and turn off the heat. It is not necessary to fry the grated coconut until it turns brown.1 Cup Grated Coconut
- Add salt, coriander leaves and cooked rice.Salt, ¼ Cup Coriander, 2 Cups Rice
- Mix until well combined.
- Enjoy delicious and mildly spiced Coconut Rice with poppadums, pickle, chips or any just with the salad.
Notes
Nutrition
Keep in touch
Do let me know if you make this easy coconut rice recipe. I love hearing from you all. If you like this recipe kindly consider rating it using stars in the comment section or on the recipe card to help more people find this recipe online.
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Sujata Roy
I love the taste of coconut. And this rice looks flavourful and delicious. Bookmaking it to try soon.
Geetha Priyanka
Thank you. Do try and let me know how it turned out.
Mildly Indian
Coconut rice was my staple lunch box recipe for college. My husband doesn't seem to like it so hardly make it now a days. Yours look lovely
Geetha Priyanka
I am glad to know you enjoyed this delicious rice during your college days.
Renu
This rice looks simply yum. I have never tried coconut rice but heard about it. Looks delicious.
Geetha Priyanka
Do try Renu, I am sure you will enjoy it.
Lathiya
I love such simple and quick recipes..I make it when I was in time constraint..The coconut rice looks delicious and love the crunch get from those nuts.
Geetha Priyanka
So true Lathia this recipe is definitely a saver when we are in rush.
Mayuri Patel
Though its the simplest rice to make, I've not made coconut rice to have on its owns, usually make it for pulao or biryani. Love all the spices you've used and its urging me to make coconut rice soon.
Geetha Priyanka
I usually like to have it on its own sometimes with pickle or chips. Trust me its tastes delicious. I hope you do try this recipe sometime, would love to know how it turned out.
Poonam Bachhav
Love the flavors of coconut rice. Yours looks so inviting ! Perfect to pair with thick gravies and even I lunch box.
Geetha Priyanka
Thanks Poonam
Vanitha Bhat
This used to be my favorite during childhood! My mother used to make this with leftover rice for breakfast! Thanks for reminding me dear: looks yummy and delicious!
Geetha Priyanka
I am happy that this recipe brought back your childhood memories. Even my mom used to make either coconut rice or lemon rice for breakfast with leftover rice. Nostalgic isn't it!!!!
Lata Lala
You are tempting me by showing coconut recipe as I so love all things coconut. This is my super favorite dish. I can have this any time of the day.
Wonderful share.
Geetha Priyanka
That's so nice to know Lata. Any dish made with coconut turns out to be a super delicious!!!
Shobha Keshwani
I love coconut rice.. my favourite specially with Coconut based gravy dishes.
Geetha Priyanka
Glad to know Shobhaji....
Soma Mukherjee
Love these kind flavourful rice recipes they are so perfect for tiffinbox or any time meal, the pictures are just too tempting.
Geetha Priyanka
Yes Soma they are perfect for tiffinbox. Do try and let me your feedback.
Ritu Tangri
Coconut rice sounds quite a flavorful rice with all the ingredients that I love. Moreover, the way you have presented makes it more attractive
Geetha Priyanka
I hope you do try sometime and let me know how you enjoyed it.
Priya Suresh
All time favourite vegan rice, never get bored of this dish.. Love to have even everyday.. Inviting me.. Hard to resist to this beautiful rice.