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Lemon Rice

Premium

25 min

Side

10 ingredients or less

One-bowl / one-pot

Budget-friendly
Lemon rice is very popular in South India and there are many ways of making this simple and delicious dish. The cashews give the rice a nice crunch and texture, while the spices and lemon juice make it flavourful and tangy. Enjoy it as a side with daal or curry.

Servings

(¾ cup per serving)

Total

25 min

Prep

5 min

Cook

20 min

Contains

Treenut symbol

tree nut

Free from

Soy symbol

soy

Peanut symbol

peanut

Sesame symbol

sesame

Gluten symbol

gluten

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Veronica Nolasco - June 17, 2025, 4:59 a.m.

Can this be made with precooked rice?

PUL small logo PUL Team - June 17, 2025, 5:55 p.m.

Hi Veronica! You can use precooked rice if you'd like. Just skip the water and simmering step, and instead, stir the rice into the spiced oil mixture until heated through and well coated in the flavours 🥰

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Mimi - April 5, 2025, 6:51 p.m.

Absolutely loved this recipe and will be making more often! Thanks team ❤️

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Brianna Cruz - March 10, 2025, 3:27 a.m.

Is there a sub for curry leaves? Can’t seem to find any in stores.

PUL small logo PUL Team - March 10, 2025, 5:07 p.m.

Hey Brianna! You can try using a combination of bay leaves and a bit of lime zest for a similar-ish flavour. Alternatively, fresh lime leaves or curry powder can work in a pinch! In case it helps, we often have better luck finding curry leaves at our local Asian grocery market 💛

Marlene G. - Sept. 22, 2025, 8:07 p.m.

Oh amazing I had the same problem and used Persian lime leaves. Was wondering if it would do!

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Manpreet - Feb. 26, 2024, 3:46 p.m.

Lemon rice is when I want something lite, quick and flavourful. It goes best with something crunchy for the sides. I make it with plantain fry. There are many ways to do it. But in south India it is mostly done with Mustard seeds, split white urad dal, split chana dal, ginger, peanuts, cashews, dry red chilli, curry leaves, turmeric powder, salt, cooked rice and lemon juice.

PUL small logo PUL Team - Feb. 27, 2024, 9:38 p.m.

Thanks a bunch for taking the time to share your experience with lemon rice, Manpreet! ☺️

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alan - Jan. 22, 2024, 9:43 p.m.

Amazing just made it we'll make it again with nice curry or on its own

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Georgie - July 20, 2023, 10:38 p.m.

Hi! Can’t wait to try this! Would coconut oil work?

PUL small logo PUL Team - July 25, 2023, 1:11 a.m.

Hey Georgie, we hope you enjoy the recipe! You can use coconut oil if you'd like. We'd recommend refined coconut oil that doesn't smell or taste like coconuts if accessible 😊

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Rhonda - July 3, 2023, 12:51 a.m.

Is there a way to make this without oil?

PUL small logo PUL Team - July 4, 2023, 1:44 a.m.

Hey Haley, the oils help deepen the flavour of the spices. You can omit it if you'd like though. You may just want to turn the heat down a tad 🤗

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Isabel Summers - June 27, 2023, 8:42 p.m.

This is one of my childhood favourites! Thank you for the recipe. It was perfect! 💚

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TT - June 15, 2023, 4:03 a.m.

I am thinking of making this with brown basmati rice. Would that work?

PUL small logo PUL Team - June 15, 2023, 11:23 a.m.

Hey TT, for sure! The taste will be a bit more earthy, and you'll need to add more liquid and cook it for longer (check the package instructions) - but it should still be delicious!

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