Go Back
–+ servings
A dish is served in a plate

Lemon Rice Recipe

Lemon rice is a South Indian dish made with cooked rice, lemon juice, and spices like mustard seeds, turmeric, and green chilies. It’s tangy and flavorful, often garnished with peanuts, and is a quick and easy meal or side dish, perfect for lunchboxes and picnics.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Rice
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4
Calories 290 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Cup Basmati rice (or any long-grain rice)
  • 1 tablespoon Oil (vegetable or coconut oil)
  • 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon Turmeric powder
  • 1-2 Green chilies (slit or chopped, adjust to taste)
  • 8-10 Curry leaves
  • ¼ Cup Peanuts (optional, for crunch)
  • 1 tablespoon Urad dal (optional, for added texture)
  • 1 tablespoon Chana dal (optional, for added texture)
  • 2 tablespoon Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • Salt (to taste)
  • ¼ Cup Fresh coriander leaves (chopped, for garnish)
  • ¼ Cup Grated coconut (optional, for garnish)

Instructions
 

Preparing the Rice

  • Perfectly Cooked Rice: Firstly, cook the rice in a pressure cooker, stovetop, or rice cooker. The goal is to achieve fluffy rice that is separate, not sticky. No sooner than the rice is ready, set it aside to cool slightly, as this will prevent clumping later on.

Tempering the Spices

  • Infuse the Oil: Heat oil or ghee in a pan and temper the spices—mustard seeds, cumin seeds, urad dal, chana dal, dried chilies, and curry leaves—until they become aromatic. This process helps to release the essential oils and flavors of the spices, enriching the dish with a delightful fragrance.

Adding Lemon Juice and Salt

  • Add the Zing: After tempering the spices, add salt and freshly squeezed lemon juice. This is when the dish truly comes together, as the tangy lemon balances the flavors of the spices, elevating the dish.

Mixing the Rice

  • Gentle Mixing: Carefully fold the cooked rice into the tempering mixture, ensuring each grain is evenly coated. Be cautious, as over-mixing can break the delicate rice grains. The goal is to have a beautifully textured dish with every bite.

Garnishing

  • Finishing Touch: Top off the rice with fresh coriander or mint leaves, and for added crunch, sprinkle in fried cashews or peanuts. This final step adds both color and texture, making your Lemon Rice a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds.

Notes

Creative Variations: Twists on Traditional Lemon Rice

1. Veg Lemon Rice: For instance, adding mixed vegetables like carrots, peas, or green beans not only makes it more nutritious but also adds a pop of color to your dish.
2. Spicy Lemon Rice: If you love heat, then a pinch of green chili paste or red chili powder will give your lemon rice that extra zing. 
3. Lemon Rice with Coconut: Furthermore, adding freshly grated coconut or desiccated coconut imparts a sweet and nutty twist that complements the tangy lemon flavor. 
4. Peanut Lemon Rice: In addition, tossing in roasted peanuts adds a delightful crunch and enhances the texture of the dish. 
5. Lemon Rice with Moong Dal: Another key point to consider is adding cooked moong dal to make the dish more hearty and protein-rich, perfect for a filling meal.
6. Lemon Rice with Mint: Moreover, fresh mint leaves provide a refreshing burst of flavor, elevating the dish with a cool, aromatic finish.
7. Fermented Lemon Rice: Interestingly, some people enjoy letting their Lemon Rice sit for a few hours, allowing the flavors to meld and develop a fermented tangy flavor, which adds depth to the taste.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Lemon Rice 

    • Let it Rest: Finally, allow the Lemon Rice to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and develop even further, giving you a more aromatic and flavorful dish. 
    • Perfect Rice Texture: First and foremost, it’s important to ensure the rice is fluffy. As a result, avoid overcooking the rice and allow it to cool slightly before mixing with the tempering. This way, the rice stays separate and doesn’t become sticky. 
    • Balance of Flavors: In particular, achieving the right balance between tanginess, salt, and spice is crucial. To clarify, adjust the lemon juice and salt according to your taste preferences. For instance, you might want a more pronounced tang or a saltier base, depending on your liking. 
    • Using Fresh Lemon Juice: Importantly, always use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled juice. This is because fresh juice offers a much more vibrant flavor and aroma, making the dish taste more authentic and refreshing. 
    • Avoid Overmixing: Furthermore, be gentle when mixing the rice with the tempering. As has been noted, overmixing can result in mushy rice, which will not hold its texture. Therefore, stir carefully to ensure the rice stays fluffy and well-coated with the tempering. 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Lemon Rice Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
290
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
10
g
15
%
Saturated Fat
 
2
g
13
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
5
g
Sodium
 
200
mg
9
%
Potassium
 
250
mg
7
%
Carbohydrates
 
45
g
15
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
7
g
14
%
Vitamin A
 
30
IU
1
%
Vitamin B1
 
0.1
mg
7
%
Vitamin B2
 
0.05
mg
3
%
Vitamin B3
 
1.5
mg
8
%
Vitamin B5
 
0.5
mg
5
%
Vitamin B6
 
0.1
mg
5
%
Vitamin C
 
6
mg
7
%
Vitamin E
 
0.5
mg
3
%
Vitamin K
 
2
µg
2
%
Calcium
 
40
mg
4
%
Iron
 
1.5
mg
8
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!