South Indian lemon rice was one of our go-to meals when we were in Hyderabad and loved every bite of it! The tangy lemon rice with the crunch of peanuts is nothing short of a one pot wonder!
I learned to cook lemon rice during my stay in Hyderabad. The land of biryani also has an ample number of vegetarian rice dishes which are immensely good in taste and work like a magical healthy meal.
Lemon rice proved to be our best bet as it has a perfect combination of savory and tartness with the right amount of crunch from peanuts. This is best paired with a warm bowl of healthy sambar with loads of veggies.
I used to pack this tasty lemon rice for my office lunch when I was in Hyderabad and used to go to the office daily. This rice warms up well; the only adjustment you can do is to carry a couple of lemon wedges and squeeze it over your warmed lemon rice just before consuming it.
What is lemon rice?
If you are looking for a quick, tasty as well as a wholesome meal for your family on a busy day, then lemon rice is the way to go! Lemon rice is exactly what its name says.
Rice infused with flavors of freshly squeezed lemon juice! The warm grains of rice absorb the lemon juice so beautifully that when you take the first bite, it will fill up your senses like nothing else!
This lemon rice is the perfect option for your carb intake which will also give you good fat from peanuts. Curry leaves also have exceptional nutritional benefits. All in all, this South Indian delicacy is a win-win recipe fitting the bill perfectly for a healthy meal!
Ingredients for lemon rice
Wondering what all you need to make this healthy dish? Let’s check it out!
Cooked rice: To make a perfect lemon rice, I would recommend using a day old rice which is refrigerated overnight. Take it out from the refrigerator 1 hour before you start making the lemon rice. Absolutely do not use hot rice as they will break when you start stir-frying them.
Pro tip: You can use any type of rice for making lemon rice; it is not mandatory to use long grain or basmati rice.
Lemon: This is the star of the show! Use freshly squeezed lemon juice please! I know we do get bottled lemon juice these days but that not only contains preservatives but it in no way compares with the freshness of the freshly squeezed lemon juice!
Vegetable oil: Lemon rice does not require a lot of oil. Just a tablespoon for frying up the peanuts until crispy and a couple more for the rice. Your lemon rice must turn out to be fluffy and not sticky.
Curry leaves: Fresh curry leaves are a must as the aroma of curry leaves imparts magical flavor to the rice. Again use the freshest curry leaves that you can get your hands on.
Whole mustard: You will need a good sprinkling of whole black mustard to temper the hot oil.
Dried red chilli: To add a kick of heat, add a few broken dried red chillies. This adds subtle spiciness and smokiness at the same time.
Turmeric powder: A dash of turmeric powder to add that vibrant golden yellow color.
Peanuts: The bites of crunchy peanuts in the tangy & fluffy rice bring the best combination for your taste buds.
Salt: Season your lemon rice to perfection with the right amount of salt.
How to make delicious lemon rice?
Step 1: First fry the raw peanuts in a small frying pan using 1 tablespoon of oil until they turn crispy. This will take a little more than 1 minute. Take the crunchy peanuts out in a bowl and set aside.
Step 2: Now heat a kadai or wok and add the remaining oil to it. Once the oil is warm, temper it with dried red chillies, mustard seeds and curry leaves. They will splutter, so be careful; you can cover the kadai for a few seconds using a lid to save yourself from oil splutters.
Step 3: After about a minute, add the cold rice to the kadai and start frying it in oil. Sprinkle the turmeric powder on the rice and start mixing it in so that every rice grain is coated with turmeric and turns golden yellow.
Step 4: Season the rice with salt and mix in to distribute the seasoning evenly. Stir fry the rice for a good 5 minutes on medium-low heat until the rice grains turn glossy.
Step 5: Now switch off the flame and leave the rice for a few minutes for the temperature to come down a bit as lemon juice does not work on super hot food.
Step 6: Finally drizzle all the lemon juice over the rice and sprinkle the fried peanuts. Give a good mix with a light hand using a spatula.
Step 7: Rice will absorb all the flavors from lemon juice and transform to a mind-blowingly delicious lemon rice with crunchy peanuts to complement it with perfection!
Step 8: Your tasty lemon rice is ready. Serve on individual plates and enjoy with sambhar on the side!
More delicious rice recipes from Flavor Quotient
- Cooked rice - 4 cups, at room temperature or cold
- Vegetable oil - 3-4 tbsp
- Curry leaves - 3 sprigs or about 12 to 15 fresh leaves
- Whole mustard - ½ tsp
- Dried red chilli - 3 to 4
- Turmeric powder - ½ tsp
- Lemon - 2, large (about ¼ cup of Lemon juice)
- Peanuts - ½ cup
- Salt to taste
- First fry the raw peanuts in a small frying pan using 1 tablespoon of oil until they turn crispy. This will take a little more than 1 minute. Take the crunchy peanuts out in a bowl and set aside.
- Now heat a kadai or wok and add the remaining oil to it. Once the oil is warm, temper it with dried red chillies, mustard seeds and curry leaves. They will splutter, so be careful; you can cover the kadai for a few seconds using a lid to save yourself from oil splutters.
- After about a minute, add the cold rice to the kadai and start frying it in oil. Sprinkle the turmeric powder on the rice and start mixing it in so that every rice grain is coated with turmeric and turns golden yellow.
- Season the rice with salt and mix in to distribute the seasoning evenly. Stir fry the rice for a good 5 minutes on medium-low heat until the rice grains turn glossy.
- Now switch off the flame and leave the rice for a few minutes for the temperature to come down a bit as lemon juice does not work on super hot food.
- Finally drizzle all the lemon juice over the rice and sprinkle the fried peanuts. Give a good mix with a light hand using a spatula.
- Rice will absorb all the flavors from lemon juice and transform to a mind-blowingly delicious lemon rice with crunchy peanuts to complement it with perfection!
- Your tasty lemon rice is ready. Serve on individual plates and enjoy with sambhar on the side!
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Wow! This was really good!
Looks delicious
Thank you very much Shilpa!!