palak rice spinach rice

Palak Rice Recipe (Spinach Rice)

By Swasthi on March 5, 2023, Comments, Jump to Recipe

Palak Rice Pulao is Indian style Spinach Rice made with basmati rice, fresh spinach, spices and herbs. This iron-rich dish is super quick and easy to make for a quick meal. Mildly spiced yet tastes delicious and uses nothing but pantry staples. It’s a meal in itself and you won’t need any sides. But you may serve this Palak Rice with a Raita, Kachumber or a Vegetable salad to perk up the nutrition of your meal.

Palak rice is Indian spinach rice

Make this palak rice in a pan on the stovetop or in the instant pot with my easy recipe instructions.

About Palak Rice

Palak Rice also known as Spinach Rice is an Indian dish where cooked rice is mixed with sautéed and spiced spinach and herbs. It is made in numerous ways and this palak rice is a family favorite and is made time and again. It goes well in the office and school boxes too.

In this post I share 2 ways to make this green wholesome goodness. Both the methods use the same ingredients. The first recipe is to puree spinach and saute with spices to flavour it. Then mix it with precooked rice. You are done with it and ready to serve. To make it a complete meal, serve it with Lassi, chaas, salad and papad.

I prefer this method since palak is sauteed only for few mins retaining most of the nutrients. It is not over cooked as it happens with pressure cooking method.

While the rice cooks, spinach can be cleaned and pureed which saves some time. Potato, sweet corn, baby corn, cauliflower and peas go very well with this method.

More veggies of your choice can be used. I have used only 1 medium potato here. The rice tastes good on its own even without the addition of any veggies.

The second method is a one pot palak rice, where the spices are tempered and then spinach is sautéed. To this rice and water is added and cooked in one go. You can either use a pressure cooker or a pot for this method.

I have used basmati rice but you can use any rice that is not sticky or mushy. If you have precooked rice, then you can just use up to make palak rice following the first method.

You may like to check this link for more rice recipes.

For more Palak recipes, check
Spinach curry
Palak paratha
Aloo palak
Palak paneer
Aloo methi
Hara bhara kabab

How to Make Palak Rice (Stepwise Pics)

Preparation

1. Wash, soak and cook 1 cup rice in whatever way you like. For the lunch box, I usually make rice in electric cooker or pressure cooker. If making in pressure cooker, I just cook on medium flame for 1 whistle after soaking for 20 mins. You can also cook in a pot with water.

cooking basmati rice for palak rice recipe

2. Meanwhile pluck, wash palak in a large pot filled with water. Sprinkle some salt on the palak and rinse well few times. Drain the water. Add them to a blender jar (if desired with green chilies). I used small chutney jar & used about 100 grams spinach. It comes upto 2 cups tightly packed or 3.5 cups loosely measured. I blend half first and then added the other half. You may add few tablespoons water to help blend smooth.

clean spinach and puree to make palak rice

3. Make a fine puree. Set this aside.

pureed spinach to make palak rice

Make Palak Rice

4. Heat 1½ tablespoons oil in a pan. Add 1 bay leaf and ½ teaspoon cumin seeds. I also prefer to add a star anise and 2 cardamoms. These are optional. When the cumin begins to sizzle, add the 2 chopped garlic cloves and 1 to 2 slit green chilies. Saute until the garlic turns fragrant for 30 to 40 seconds.

saute spices to make palak rice recipe

5. Add 1 small sliced onion and fry them until until slightly golden or pink.

fry onions till pink to make palak rice

6. This step is optional. Add 1 medium potato finely chopped. Or any other veggies you like. Fry until they are cooked completely. If needed cover and cook or sprinkle some water to help them cook. Ensure you chop the potatoes very fine.

cooking potatoes for palak rice

7. Add ½ to ¾ teaspoon garam masala, 1/8 teaspoon turmeric and ½ teaspoon salt.

addition of spice powders for palak rice recipe

8. Saute everything well.

cooked potatoes to make palak rice

9. Add the palak puree.

addition of puree to make palak pulao recipe

10. Saute until the raw smell goes off. Add 10 to 12 chopped mint leaves or few coriander leaves. Do not skip the herbs here. They add a good flavor. Saute for 2 mins. Turn off the stove.

mint leaves for palak rice recipe

11. Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Spinach is high in iron. The absorption of iron is good when lemon juice or any vitamin C ingredient is used. If you do not have you can skip it.

addition of lemon juice for palak pulao

12. Mix everything well. Taste test and add more salt if needed.

mixing rice with cooked potatoes spinach

Serve palak rice with some salad.

palak rice spinach rice

Instant Pot Palak Rice

  1. Soak 1 cup basmati rice for 30 mins and later drain it. I use the chopped palak here. Rinse,drain and chop spinach very finely.
  2. Press SAUTE button on the Instant pot and pour 1.5 tbsps ghee or oil to the steel insert.
  3. Then add half tsp cumin and 1 bay leaf. When they splutter, add onions and green chilli. Saute for 2 mins until transparent.
  4. Next stir in the ginger garlic. Let it fry for 30 seconds.
  5. Then add potatoes, mint leaves and spinach. Saute until the leaves wilt.
  6. Add salt, turmeric and garam masala. Press CANCEL button. Pour 1¼ cups water and deglaze the pot by scrubbing the bottom.
  7. Drain water from the rice completely and add it to the pot. Give a good mix.
  8. Secure the instant pot with the lid and position the steam release handle to sealing.
  9. Press PRESSURE COOK button and set the timer to 5 mins. Instant pot will beep when the rice is done.
  10. Let the pressure release naturally for 3 to 4 mins and then release the rest manually by moving the steam release value from sealing to venting.
  11. Fluff up the rice with a fork. Cool down slightly and squeeze in the lemon juice. Serve palak rice with raita.
palak rice

Related Recipes

Recipe Card

palak rice also known as spinach rice made on the stovetop & instant pot

Palak Rice Recipe (Spinach Rice)

Palak rice or palak pulao is a healthy, delicious and colorful dish made of spinach, spices & rice. It can be served without any side or with a salad or raita. Palak rice is quick to make for a meal and also goes well in lunch box. Instructions included to cook in pot, pressure cooker and instant pot.
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For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Servings2
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )

  • 1 cup rice uncooked (basmati for instant pot)
  • tablespoon oil or ghee
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
  • 1 small bay leaf or curry leaves
  • 2 cups spinach (palak) (tightly packed about 100 grams leaves)
  • 2 green chilies slit or chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves chopped or 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste
  • 1 small onion sliced
  • 1 medium potato (optional) or ½ cup sweet corn or ½ cup carrot chopped
  • ½ to ¾ garam masala (adjust to taste)
  • â…› teaspoon turmeric (optional)
  • ½ to ¾ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 10 to 12 mint leaves or coriander leaves (fine chopped)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice for serving (adjust to taste)


Instructions

Preparation

  • Rinse rice and cook in a pot or cooker. Rice must be grainy and not mushy.
  • Wash palak thoroughly in lots of water. Drain completely. Add them to a small blender and puree to a smooth paste. You can also add few tablespoons of water to help blend smooth or alternately fine chop and use.

How to make Palak Rice (Method 1)

  • Heat a pan with oil, add cumin seeds and bay leaf.
  • When the cumin begins to sizzle, add garlic & saute until it turns fragrant for about 40 to 60 seconds.
  • Add onion and green chilli . Saute until the onions turn golden.
  • Then add potatoes. Saute until they become tender. If needed sprinkle some water and cook.
  • Sprinkle garam masala, salt and turmeric. Pour palak puree and saute until the raw smell goes off.
  • Add mint leaves and saute for a min or two. Switch off the stove.
  • Transfer the cooled rice, squeeze in the lemon juice. Mix everything well. Taste test and add more salt if needed
  • Serve palak rice hot or warm.

Method 2 – One pot Spinach Rice

  • Heat oil in a pot. Add cumin and bay leaf. When the cumin sizzles, saute ginger garlic paste.
  • Then add onions and green chilies. Fry until transparent. Add potatoes or any other veggies you intend to use. Stir fry for 2 to 3 mins.
  • Stir in the garam masala, salt and turmeric. Transfer the pureed palak and saute until the raw smell goes away.
  • When the mixture turns thicker, add uncooked rice.
  • If using pressure cooker, pour 1¾ cups water for basmati rice. (2 cups if using normal rice). If cooking in a pot use 2 cups water.
  • Pressure cook on a medium high flame for 1 whistle for basmati rice. If using normal rice pressure cook for 2 whistles.
  • Release the pressure manually with the help of a spatula if using basmati rice.
  • Fluff up palak rice with a fork.


Notes

  • I have tested the instant pot palak rice with basmati rice. You don’t need to blend the spinach, chop finely and use. Instructions included above the recipe card.
  • Star anise can also be added to the tempering along with bay leaf and cumin. 

Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.

For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Palak Rice Recipe (Spinach Rice)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 477 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 34mg1%
Potassium 401mg11%
Carbohydrates 83g28%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 2845IU57%
Vitamin C 13mg16%
Calcium 76mg8%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!

© Swasthi’s Recipes

This recipe is from the Archives. First published in December 2015. Updated and republished in November 2021.

Palak Rice Recipe (Spinach Rice)

About Swasthi

I’m Swasthi Shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthi’s Recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills. More about me

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What’s the time for instant pot? Using raw basmati rice. You just mentioned whistles.

5 stars
Thanks for this super recipe

5 stars
This is so good. Thanks for the recipie!

5 stars
Appreciate your timely reply Swasthi. Last week I made a large batch with homegrown spinach and have been using it through the week. A tablespoon is enough to make a serving. My kids seem to be loving it. For a change I use different veggies like corn, potatoes and carrots. Thank you for the healthy recipes.

Thank you for all the delicious recipes . I have been trying them for 3 years now & absolutely love them. Can I make the spinach puree and refrigerate? If so for how many days?

5 stars
At home we are a great fans of palak and corn. Made this recipe with palak and corn. Turned out excellent.

5 stars
I made method 1 with brown rice and it came out delicious with sweet corn. Thank you Swasthi for the healthy recipes.

5 stars
This turns out so good always. I use sweet corn and also cook the palak rice in ghee. Delicious!

5 stars
It turned out so delicious, even with just common rice (I have no basmati at home). Thank you so much!! This was my first time cooking with star anise (before I only used it for tea) and I just wanna try more recipes!!

5 stars
Swasthi, your palak rice recipe was amazing. I tried it and all loved it.

5 stars
Swasthi, Thank you for all the amazing recipes you put on your blog. I have been following your blog since last year and made a plenty of dishes. They turn out to be very yummy. Want to let you know that I enjoy receiving your mails. But these days I am not receiving them regularly. I was getting them earlier ever since I first subscribed. Please can you send them. Thank you.

5 stars
I made this recipe using frozen spinach when our family was craving Indian food, but I wanted to make just one dish. This came out really well in the Instapot. I used both brown and white basmati rice. Next time, I might use just brown rice. I have not been disappointed by a single recipe by Swathi. Thank you!

Hi, can I add paneer to this palak rice recipe?

5 stars
Excellent recipe. Very easy to make. Thank you so much!

5 stars
I’m not much of a cook, and blindly followed your recipe. OMG it was absolutely deliciously, thanks so much for sharing! The only mistake I made is I made of the quantity you suggested since I was making for 2 people; we could have had more 🙂

5 stars
Thanks for guiding novices in kitchen skills through your awesome recipes.

I find this recipe s from Swasthi are very tasty& easy for preparation.

Nice method to make colorful rice. See my method to make it tasty.

?recipes

5 stars
Hi Swasthi yeaterday i tried palak pulav with gopi manjoorian, it was really amazing. Thnx for ur receipe. Childrens are very much happy and my wife also. Binoj Kochi Kerala

Hi swasthi garu pressure cooker lo ee recipe ela cheyalo cheppandi pls thank you