Pudina Rice Recipe | Spicy Pudina Pulao (Mint Rice)

Pudina Rice or Pudina Pulao is a fragrant, spicy and tasty one-pot dish made with fresh mint leaves, basmati rice, onion, tomato, some more spices and herbs. I also include some green peas and potatoes to make it hearty, flavorful and satisfying dish. This green colored Mint Rice is also a vegan and gluten-free recipe.

About Pudina Rice

Mint (Pudina in Hindi), is a fragrant herb used in Indian cuisine in different ways. This simple and easy pudina pulao has mint leaves as one of the main ingredients.

Besides mint leaves some coriander leaves, coconut, onion, green chilies and whole spices are also added. Thus the final result is a spicy flavored green-colored mint rice with lovely flavors and tastes very good. It is not only tasty but also healthy.

I sometimes also add other veggies like carrots, cauliflower and bell pepper. You can also consider to add vegetables like french beans, corn, broccoli, beetroot.

This pudina rice is best served with some plain yogurt or onion-tomato raita or boondi raita. You can also serve some papad or salad or pickle as a side. Mint rice can also be packed for lunch box.

How to make Pudina Rice

Preparation

1. Rinse the 1 cup basmati rice (200 grams) till the water runs clear of the starch. Soak the rice in water for 20 to 30 minutes.

You can also use any other variety of non-sticky rice. To make it more healthy you can also use brown rice. However with brown rice the cooking time and the proportion of water will change.

Depending upon the brand and quality of brown rice use your own judgement when cooking with it.

2. After 20 to 30 minutes, drain all of the water from the rice. Keep the soaked rice aside.

3. Meanwhile, when the rice is soaking, prep the other ingredients. Take the following listed ingredients in a blender or grinder.

• 1 cup chopped mint leaves
• ½ cup chopped coriander leaves (cilantro)
• ½ teaspoon chopped ginger
• ½ teaspoon chopped garlic
• 1 or 2 chopped green chilies, or ½ to 1 teaspoon, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped coconut or 2 tablespoons coconut milk or grated coconut
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• ½ teaspoon cumin seeds

Note that If you do not have fresh coconut, then you can also add 2 tablespoons of desiccated coconut instead

4. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water and blend to a smooth paste. Add more water if required while blending.

Sauté

5. Heat 2 tablespoons oil (any neutral flavored oil) in a 2 litre stovetop pressure cooker.

Add the following whole spices listed below and fry them for some seconds till they splutter and becomes aromatic.

• 1 inch cinnamon
• 1 tej patta (Indian bay leaf)
• 2 green cardamoms
• 3 cloves
• 2 to 3 single strands of mace
• 1 small piece of stone flower (stone flower is optional). Though if you have then do add. Stone flower or kalpasi give a nice earthy flavor to biryanis and pulaos.

6. Add ½ cup of thinly sliced onions. About 1 medium-sized onion that has been thinly sliced.

7.  Saute stirring often till the onions start to turn golden.

8. Then add the ground mint paste.

9. Add ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder and ¼ teaspoon red chili powder (or cayenne pepper or paprika). Stir and saute the masala paste for a minute or two.

10. Then add chopped potatoes, tomatoes and green peas. About 1 small to medium sized potato, chopped, 1 small tomato, chopped and ¼ heaped cup fresh or frozen peas. Stir and mix well.

11. Add the strained rice and mix gently. The oil should coat the rice grains well. Stir and sauté for a minute on low heat.

Cook Pudina Pulao

12. Add 1.5 to 2 cups of water. Stir well. I added 2 cups since I had used organic basmati rice and we prefer the rice grains to be cooked well.

12. Add 1.5 to 2 cups of water. Stir and mix well. 

I added 2 cups of water since I had used organic basmati rice and we prefer the rice grains to be cooked well.

1.5 cups of water will give an al dente texture and can be added for the regular Indian brands of basmati rice.

13. Add salt as required. Stir again.

Tip: The taste of the water should be slightly salty as like that of ocean water.

14. Cover the lid tightly and pressure cook the rice on a high heat for 2 to 3 whistles till the rice grains are cooked.

When the pressure settles down on its own, then only remove the lid and gently fluff the rice.

15. Serve Pudina Rice hot with plain curd (yogurt) or with onion-tomato raita or spiced boondi raita or cucumber raita.

You can also drizzle some lemon juice will eating. I also like to have some pickle or papad while having this flavorful pudina pulao.

It can also be packed for tiffin box. It makes for a healthy, hearty and satisfying meal that you can prepare for lunch or dinner.

Expert Tips for Pudina Rice

• The time for cooking varies the quality of rice and soaking time. Just soak the rice for 20 to 30 minutes and then drain it. If the rice is soaked for a longer period of time, then they become mushy while cooking.
• If you do not soak the rice, then you have to increase the amount of water as well as the pressure cooking time. For best results, it is better to soak rice for 20 to 30 minutes.
• To make it more nutritious, you can also add veggies like peas, carrots, cauliflower, beans to make the dish more healthier. Usually, I add peas or both peas & potatoes.
• I have it made in the pressure cooker, but you can also easily make it in a pan or instant pot. If making in a pan or pot, increase the amount of water to 2.5 cups or more if required.

More Tasty Rice recipes

• Curd rice
• Methi rice
• Carrot rice
• Coconut rice
• Capsicum rice

Please be sure to rate the recipe in the recipe card or leave a comment below if you have made it. For more vegetarian inspirations, Sign Up for my emails or follow me on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter.

This Pudina Rice recipe from the blog archives first published in April 2010 has been republished and updated on January 2023.