A2 FarmerBuffalo Bilona Ghee

Recipe

Ghee Rice Recipe: Easy, Aromatic & Ready in 25 Minutes

By Ashutosh Nagare·Updated August 2026·5 min read

A plate of fragrant ghee rice with whole spices
Why it works: tossing the rice in ghee before adding water coats each grain in fat, so the rice cooks up fluffy, separate and fragrant.

At a glance

  • Prep 10 min · Cook 15 min · Serves 4.
  • Fragrant basmati toasted in ghee with whole spices and cashews.
  • Pairs with dal, raita, korma or any curry.

Ghee rice is the easiest way to turn plain rice into something special. Buttery, aromatic and ready in about 25 minutes, it’s a staple that pairs with almost any curry.

Ingredients (serves 4)

  • 1.5 cups basmati rice
  • 2 tbsp buffalo ghee
  • 1 onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 bay leaf, 4 cloves, 4 green cardamom, 1 inch cinnamon, 1 tsp cumin
  • 10 cashews · 3 cups water · salt · coriander/mint

Method

  1. Rinse and soak the rice 20 minutes; drain.
  2. Heat ghee; fry cashews until golden, set aside.
  3. Sizzle the whole spices and cumin in the ghee.
  4. Saute the onion until soft and lightly golden.
  5. Add rice; toss 2 minutes to coat in ghee.
  6. Add water and salt; boil, then cover and cook low 12–15 min.
  7. Rest 5 min, fluff, top with cashews and herbs, serve.

Tips

  • Fluffy grains: soaking + the ghee coat is the secret; don’t stir while cooking.
  • Use pure ghee: the aroma is the whole point — see how to identify pure ghee.
  • Serve with: dal, raita, korma, or a simple khichdi-style meal.

Ghee rice is also a great way to enjoy the benefits of buffalo ghee in an everyday meal. For more, see foods to eat with ghee.

Frequently asked questions

How do you make ghee rice?

Rinse and soak basmati rice, fry cashews in ghee and set aside, then sizzle whole spices and saute onion in the ghee. Toss the drained rice in the ghee for 2 minutes, add water and salt, and cook covered on low for 12 to 15 minutes. Rest, fluff and garnish.

Which ghee is best for ghee rice?

A pure, aromatic ghee is best, since the flavour of the dish comes from the ghee. Buffalo bilona ghee gives a rich aroma; make sure it is genuinely pure.

What do you serve with ghee rice?

Ghee rice pairs with dal, raita, vegetable or paneer korma, and most curries. It also works alongside a simple khichdi-style meal.

Make it with real ghee

A2 Farmer Buffalo Bilona Ghee — the aromatic, pure ghee your rice deserves.

Shop Pure Ghee →