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Lemon Rice Recipe - Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker
4.9 from 111 votes

Lemon Rice Recipe - Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker

This Lemon Rice recipe uses basmati rice cooked with turmeric, mustard seeds, lentils, curry leaves, and ginger, then finished with fresh lemon juice and roasted peanuts. The pressure cooking method breaks down the lentils and spices, creating a flavorful and aromatic dish with a bright citrus note and crunchy nuts. It's a vibrant side dish that pairs well with various mains and is prepared conveniently in an Instant Pot.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 332 kcal
Course: Side Dish, Main Course
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon ghee or oil
  • 1 tablespoon chickpeas split, aka Chana dal
  • 1 tablespoon split skinned black gram lentils aka urad dal
  • 1 tablespoon mustard seeds aka rai
  • 1 dried red chili broken (optional, whole
  • 10-12 curry leaves aka Kadi Patta
  • 1/4 teaspoon asafoetida optional, skip for gluten-free, aka hing
  • 1 tablespoon ginger minced
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder ground, aka Haldi powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
  • 2 cups basmati rice rinsed
  • 2 1/4 cups water
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup peanuts roasted (and/or cashews)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Start the instant pot in sauté mode and heat oil in it. Add chana dal and urad dal. Sauté them for about a minute until they are slightly browned. 
  2. Add mustard seeds, dry red chili, curry leaves, asafoetida and ginger. Stir and saute for 30 seconds while the mustard seeds splutter. 
  3. Add turmeric powder and salt. Stir well. 
  4. Add rice and water. Stir in the lemon juice. Press Cancel and close lid with vent in sealing position. 
  5. Start the instant pot in Manual or Pressure Cook for 4 minutes at high pressure. When the instant pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Then quick release the pressure manually. 
  6. Add roasted peanuts. Gently fluff the rice with a fork while mixing the peanuts in the rice.  
  7. Lemon Rice is ready to be enjoyed! 

Notes

  • If you lack roasted peanuts, roast them beforehand in ghee using the Instant Pot by itself.
  • Use lime instead of lemon if preferred, adjusting juice amount due to tartness differences.
  • Other white rice varieties can be used, but water quantity and cooking time should be adjusted accordingly.
  • This recipe was developed for a 6-quart Instant Pot DUO60.

Nutrition Information

Calories 332kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 55g (18%) Protein 7g (14%) Fat 8g (12%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Cholesterol 12mg (4%) Sodium 423mg (18%) Potassium 188mg (4%) Fiber 2g (8%) Vitamin A 135IU (3%) Vitamin C 48mg (53%) Calcium 36mg (4%) Iron 1.3mg (7%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 332

% Daily Value*

Calories 332kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 55g 18%
Protein 7g 14%
Fat 8g 12%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 12mg 4%
Sodium 423mg 18%
Potassium 188mg 4%
Fiber 2g 8%
Vitamin A 135IU 3%
Vitamin C 48mg 53%
Calcium 36mg 4%
Iron 1.3mg 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.