15+ Delicious South Indian Rice Recipes You Must Try Today!

South Indian cuisine is a treasure trove of flavors, and rice is the star of many delightful dishes. Each recipe tells a unique story, bringing together aromatic spices and fresh ingredients that dance on your palate. You won’t want to miss out on these delicious creations that are perfect for any meal!

Vegetable Biryani

Veg Biryani | Vegetable Biryani Recipe

Veg Biryani | Vegetable Biryani Recipe from Swasthi's Recipes

Rating: 5. Ingredients: 30 min Total Time: 30 min.

Restaurant Style Vegetable Biryani

Restaurant Style Vegetable Biryani from Cook With Manali

Rating: 4.9. Ingredients: 1 h 10 min Total Time: 1 h 10 min.

Vegetable biryani

Vegetable biryani from BBC Good Food

Rating: 4. Ingredients: 1 h

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Imagine a fragrant pot of basmati rice, cooked with colorful veggies and a blend of spices that makes your taste buds sing! Vegetable biryani is a one-pot wonder that combines the goodness of carrots, peas, and beans, all tossed in a spicy, aromatic masala.

What makes this dish special is the layering technique, where the rice and vegetables are cooked separately and then beautifully combined, allowing each grain to absorb the flavors. Perfect for a family gathering or a special occasion, it’s a dish that everyone will love!

Curd Rice

Curd Rice Recipe

Curd Rice Recipe from Swasthi's Recipes

Rating: 5. Ingredients: Bottle gourd, brown rice, chana dal, urad dal, yogurt Total Time: 35 min.

Curd Rice Recipe | Thayir Sadam Recipe

Curd Rice Recipe | Thayir Sadam Recipe from Raks Kitchen

Rating: 5. Ingredients: Urad dal, mango, cucumber, mustard, cashew nuts Total Time: 30 min.

Curd Rice Recipe | Daddojanam | Thayir Sadam

Curd Rice Recipe | Daddojanam | Thayir Sadam from Dassana's Veg Recipes

Rating: 5. Ingredients: Urad dal, yogurt, sesame oil, ginger, curry leaves Total Time: 20 min.

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This dish is like a warm hug on a plate! Curd rice, or yogurt rice, is creamy and cool, combining cooked rice with yogurt and a sprinkle of spices. It’s often a staple in South Indian homes, especially during hot summer days.

What makes curd rice truly special is the tempering of mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chilies that adds a delightful crunch and flavor. It’s not just comforting; it’s also a fantastic way to cool down after a spicy meal!

Lemon Rice

Lemon Rice Recipe (Chitranna)

Lemon Rice Recipe (Chitranna) from Swasthi's Recipes

Rating: 5. Ingredients: 27 мин

Greek Lemon Rice Recipe

Greek Lemon Rice Recipe from The Mediterranean Dish

Rating: 4.5. Ingredients: 45 мин

Lemon Rice Recipe

Lemon Rice Recipe from Foodie Crush

Rating: 4.4. Ingredients: 25 мин

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Bright, zesty, and refreshing, lemon rice is a perfect companion for any meal. This dish combines cooked rice with a tangy lemon juice dressing, peanuts for crunch, and a hint of turmeric for color. It’s like sunshine on your plate!

The magic lies in the tempering, where mustard seeds, urad dal, and green chilies come together to create a mouthwatering aroma. It’s quick to make and can be enjoyed as a light lunch or a snack anytime!

Tomato Rice

Tomato Rice

Tomato Rice from Budget Bytes

Rating: 4.8. Ingredients: Grain white rice, tomato paste, petite diced tomatoes, garlic, chili powder Total Time: 45 min.

Tomato Rice Recipe (Indian Style)

Tomato Rice Recipe (Indian Style) from Swasthi's Recipes

Rating: 5. Ingredients: Sticky rice, cooker, curry powder, cinnamon, curry leaves Total Time: 45 min.

Tomato Rice Recipe (South Indian Thakkali Sadam)

Tomato Rice Recipe (South Indian Thakkali Sadam) from Dassana's Veg Recipes

Rating: 4.8. Ingredients: Basmati rice, green, curry leaves, mint leaves, mustard seeds Total Time: basmati rice, green, curry leaves, mint leaves, mustard seeds.

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Tomato rice is a delicious blend of tangy tomatoes and spices, making it a flavorful, hearty dish. With its vibrant red color, it’s not just tasty but also visually appealing! The rice absorbs the juicy goodness of tomatoes, along with spices like cumin and coriander.

This dish is special because it’s incredibly versatile; you can add vegetables, or even cooked chicken, to make it your own. It’s a great option when you want something quick yet satisfying!

Coconut Rice

Asian Coconut Rice

Asian Coconut Rice from Allrecipes

Rating: 4.7. Ingredients: 30 мин

Restaurant Style Coconut Rice (Coconut Milk)

Restaurant Style Coconut Rice (Coconut Milk) from RecipeTin Eats

Rating: 4.9. Ingredients: 17 мин

Coconut Rice

Coconut Rice from Love and Lemons

Rating: 5. Ingredients: 30 мин

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Sweet and nutty, coconut rice is a tropical delight that transports your taste buds to paradise! This dish combines cooked rice with freshly grated coconut and is enhanced with a tempering of mustard seeds, urad dal, and green chilies.

The best part? It’s perfect for pairing with spicy curries or can be enjoyed on its own! Coconut rice is often made during festivals and celebrations, making it a special treat to share with loved ones.

Pongal

Lemon Rice Recipe (Chitranna)

Lemon Rice Recipe (Chitranna) from Swasthi's Recipes

Rating: 5. Ingredients: 27 мин

Tomato Rice Recipe | Thakkali Sadam

Tomato Rice Recipe | Thakkali Sadam from Cookilicious

Rating: 4.8. Ingredients: 20 мин

Lemon Rice – South Indian Rice With Lemon and Peanuts

Lemon Rice – South Indian Rice With Lemon and Peanuts from SpiceRoots

Ingredients: 30 мин

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Pongal is a comforting and hearty dish made with rice and moong dal, seasoned with black pepper, cumin, and ginger. It has a creamy texture and is often served with ghee and coconut chutney. This dish is a favorite breakfast option in many South Indian households.

What makes pongal truly special is its simplicity and warmth; it’s like a bowl of happiness! It’s traditionally made during the harvest festival, Pongal, symbolizing gratitude and abundance.