Par-boiled, then steamed is the traditional way to cook Steamed Persian Rice, and it takes just 4 ingredients. It’s to go-to side dish to serve with all your favorite Persian stews like Ghormeh sabzi or kabobs like koobideh.
![A grey plate full of Persian basmati rice with saffron.](https://www.proportionalplate.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Persian-RiceAug-23-202243.jpg)
You can make this recipe with or without saffron, though I love the vibrant color the saffron gives. This recipe is similar to tahdig but makes the rice without the crispy bottom. If it’s that crispy, crunchy bottom you want, make this recipe for rice tahdig instead.
🌟Why You’ll Love This Recipe
🧾Ingredients in This Recipe
![Basmati rice, salt, saffron, and oil, laid out on a countertop.](https://www.proportionalplate.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Basmati-Rice-Ingredients-1024x683.jpg)
👩🍳How to Make This Recipe
![Two hands washing rice in a glass bowl in a white sink.](https://www.proportionalplate.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Persian-Rice-Wash.jpg)
![A pot of water with rice coming to a boil.](https://www.proportionalplate.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Persian-Rice-Boil.jpg)
![Pouring rice into a green colander from a metal pot.](https://www.proportionalplate.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Persian-Rice-Strain.jpg)
![Pouring white rice into a metal pot on a black stove.](https://www.proportionalplate.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Persian-Rice-Pour.jpg)
![Pouring oil into a metal pot of rice with holes in the rice.](https://www.proportionalplate.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Persian-Rice-Oil.jpg)
![A hand holding the lid of a pot wrapped in a grey tea towel.](https://www.proportionalplate.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Persian-Rice-Towel.jpg)
Note: If your pot does not have a glass lid, check for condensation on the top of the lid.
![A marble bowl with ground saffron and two ice cubes in it.](https://www.proportionalplate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Ice-Cube-Saffron.jpg)
![Pouring oil into a metal pot of rice with holes in the rice.](https://www.proportionalplate.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Persian-Rice-Oil.jpg)
If using saffron, now is the time to add it to about a cup of cooked rice and mix well with a fork. Pour this yellow rice over the rest of the rice in your serving dish.
Not sure if you want to use saffron?
This rice will still be delicious without the saffron but will have a simple flavor. My mom would usually make it without saffron for weekdays, and always with saffron if we were having guests.
🍚 What To Serve with Persian Rice
Here are some of my favorite Persian stews that I enjoy with this rice. And be sure to check out all my Persian recipes here.
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![](https://www.proportionalplate.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Persian-RiceAug-23-202243-200x300.jpg)
4-Ingredient Steamed Persian Rice (with or without Saffron)
Print Recipe SaveIngredients
- 2 cups basmati rice you can use as little as 1.5 cups
- 3 tbsp salt
- 5 tbsp flavorless oil canola, sunflower seed
- 1 pinch saffron optional, ground
- water
Instructions
- Wash the rice with cold water until the water runs clear. Then soak it in cold water until the next step.
- Bring ⅔ of a pot of water to boil. Add 3 tablespoons of salt. Then, strain the rice and add it to the pot. Gently stir, bring it back to a boil, then remove the lid to keep it from overflowing.
- When al dente, strain. Do not overcook! If salty, rinse with cold water. Shake the colander to remove as much water as possible.
- Using the back side of a kitchen utensil, make 6 deep holes in the rice, then put the lid back on. Cook on medium heat, watching it carefully.Optional: wrap the lid in a kitchen towel. This helps absorb excess water and keep the rice from getting mushy.
- Cook 20-30 min from when the oil is poured on top.
- Optional: If using the saffron, now is the time to steep it. Steep the ground saffron by topping it with 2 ice cubes while the rice cooks.
- When the lid gets foggy, pour a little oil over the rice – about 3 tbsp. Then put the lid back on and turn the heat to the lowest possible setting.
- If using saffron, now is the time to add it to about a cup of the cooked rice and mix well with a fork. Pour this yellow rice over the rest of the rice in your serving dish.
That was the best and easiest Persian Rice recipe I’ve seen! I tried another one last month, and the rice came about way to greasy. This was so simple to make and my family loved it!
Came out perfect.
The texture was so nice & fluffy! Definitely making this again.
I’m so glad you liked it, Salima… thank you for taking the time to share!
Hi Candice, step 1 on the instructions, how much water to put in the pot?
Thanks
The amount isn’t as important since you will be using way more than you need… think about it like filling a pot of water to cook noodles for pasta. So just make sure the pot is about 2/3 full, and you will be OK. Great question!
Excellent interpretation.
Glad you liked it, Frederick. Thank you for sharing.