The Perfect Lemon Rice Simple & Delicious!

By : Sneha Singh September 18. 2025 ShutterStock

[{"selector":"#anim-f2eec3aa-b910-4acd-8ee0-5f49c782e20b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":1000,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-74e91807-783a-4765-8971-3b0b9e54ccf1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-105.97827%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":1000,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7048858d-8f47-44ca-9133-e90de96528ea [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.812499744007886%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Lemon Rice is a zesty, South Indian favorite—perfect for a quick meal or lunchbox. Light, tangy, and full of flavor. Let’s make it! Lemon Rice is a zesty, South Indian favorite—perfect for a quick meal or lunchbox. Light, tangy, and full of flavor. Let’s make it! ShutterStock Learn more

Ingredients for Lemon Rice Recipe

[{"selector":"#anim-41161b7e-b4de-4217-8deb-6fe4be758e61","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7ae93ee9-26b0-414b-9122-85c029b022e9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.55555%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-85efc2b4-67cc-448e-bd92-344c792cdff9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9a9b0030-c59d-40f5-927b-33d949ea61fe","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 124.46311%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-36ad0608-3e3c-4814-a334-a77a5bb16f16 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Basmati rice Lemon (juice) Oil or ghee Mustard seeds Chana dal Urad dal Green chilies Curry leaves Turmeric Salt Roasted peanuts (optional)

Cook & Cool the Rice

[{"selector":"#anim-585abff1-0243-407c-bb12-0eee9662226f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-449a158d-fe73-448f-9f13-719d85c07497","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.55555%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e8196cdc-5fd4-4ac7-b7a2-f3ee3950205d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-23fbeda8-3831-4a0f-89ac-f8493bed99e8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 184.38001%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8b0b503a-05db-48ac-a26d-4c4823589910","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1321918c-8428-4b9e-a24b-2f2ce1c01c81","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-268.08512%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4dd5e1b3-8490-4d5b-be58-1fcd7e180326 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Cook rice and let it cool completely. Use leftover rice or fresh rice that’s cooled to avoid stickiness.

Prepare the Tempering

[{"selector":"#anim-6b178655-4ffa-49d0-9706-e9642e425b4d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-732adc86-f5f7-458c-8e58-77c6978ab147","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.55555%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9d897f96-c8e1-48ea-8286-dd987dff4869","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c47f3011-5f88-4c5f-9f71-83fc4b6f0933","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 184.38001%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7d933635-8942-4491-ad51-ed08d600a93a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dc0fa0fc-4756-4e75-ac46-1310487cffe3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-267.02132%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7f743c72-7d26-430f-8ef4-123c765c2e42 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds, then chana dal, urad dal, green chilies & curry leaves. Sauté till golden.

Add Turmeric & Peanuts

[{"selector":"#anim-b2b44e11-5882-4b4b-9520-d0badc741efd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-74a7ca42-db63-4752-bd22-2ecba8388e8e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.55555%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e039031b-c878-4536-8de2-a4c7c1158a9a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bcec9abc-b778-406f-be04-a215143f17a8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 184.38001%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-facf047a-41ae-4b06-9eb0-55da6ebad37b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e4a69820-74ec-485d-8b37-f14010bfb5c7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-269.14895%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cfe1d923-fd8f-4f92-a96c-2f0fcabcd831 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Add turmeric powder for color and earthy flavor. Toss in roasted peanuts or cashews for a crunchy bite.

Add Cooked Rice

[{"selector":"#anim-3a9aa409-9ee9-4b84-a8e0-8d135033bcba","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7bfb8011-f3bd-4bf2-9e13-640b7cb3ad21","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.55555%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ac2e5c99-be39-4c4c-9752-1694f7eb092f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9b03e36a-7dc9-4ab8-9a10-42bbdc1d623e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 184.38001%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d5305bf5-11f3-4daa-a76f-6e0330288b58","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-36d4b48e-3364-456b-a252-f81ddcaff5d2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-269.14895%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1bac5607-ac30-409d-8c8f-18cd17712e99 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Add the cooled rice to the pan. Sprinkle salt and mix gently so the tempering coats the rice evenly.

Squeeze in Lemon Juice

[{"selector":"#anim-d81a9477-12f6-4564-ad4c-7fe4513b16f7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-aeb708e6-55c5-4b82-914e-9ef18e64bdc7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.55555%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fcdb588b-431c-401c-b532-7cbae4edb72b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bdd0e721-ec5e-445e-8bdc-06cb92079f70","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 184.38001%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-95a37275-d4cc-402b-ab23-d6db644f2748","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bbba5751-adbf-4b30-8c24-33a02bc1262b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-268.08512%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0e567c15-ba6f-4e23-8ef8-6677b21b5883 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Turn off the heat and squeeze in fresh lemon juice. Stir well to combine the flavors without turning the rice mushy.

Ready to Serve!

[{"selector":"#anim-b633b9d9-042e-4ae5-881c-3aad7a18ad09","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e1993ccb-6b06-424d-be5e-16fad2f4e0a6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.55555%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-efa45fe3-43b5-4156-b96f-47e249816345","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-deabbc87-748c-4d9f-808c-60776a59ba56","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 219.16265%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5fb06104-7d9a-4946-9ecf-025701fff2a8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Serve warm or pack it in a lunchbox. Perfect with pickle, curd, or papad. Light, quick, and delicious every time! ShutterStock Learn more

Click For Methi Rice Recipe

[{"selector":"#anim-cdf06294-4581-40d0-9ee5-84183cf07c40","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6c6a4be3-a205-48a9-8402-ab2882577f72","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 193.65076%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3a7d21b0-e49e-4912-a920-d5b35972aad2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more