Garlic Tomato Rice Recipe | Easy & Flavorful Indian Tomato Rice

This fabulous garlic tomato rice is simply irresistible! Fragrant garlic, juicy tomatoes and aromatic Indian spices come together with fluffy basmati rice to create a delicious and comforting meal.

Try it once, and don't be surprised if your family asks you to make it again and again! 😋

Ingredients Required

For Tempering

• 5–6 tsp oil

• ½ cup finely chopped garlic

• 2–3 whole red chillies, broken

• 1 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)

For the Rice

• ½ cup finely sliced onion

• ½ cup finely sliced tomatoes

• 1 tsp garam masala

• 1 tsp red chilli powder

• ½ tsp hing (asafoetida/perungayam)

• 1 tsp coriander powder (dhaniya powder)

• 1 tsp cumin powder (jeera powder)

• 1 tsp salt, or to taste

• 1½ cups basmati rice

• 1 cup tomato puree

• 1¼ cups water

• 4 tsp finely chopped coriander leaves

Method

1. Prepare the tempering

Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed vessel. Add the chopped garlic, broken red chillies and cumin seeds. Sauté until the garlic becomes fragrant and lightly golden.

2. Sauté the onions

Add the sliced onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.

3. Add tomatoes and spices

Add the sliced tomatoes along with garam masala, red chilli powder, hing, coriander powder, cumin powder and salt. Mix well and cook until the tomatoes soften.

4. Add tomato puree and water

Pour in the tomato puree and water. Mix well and check the salt and spice level at this stage. Adjust according to taste.

5. Add the basmati rice

Wash and soak the basmati rice for about 15 minutes. Drain and add the rice to the tomato mixture.

I prefer cooking this rice in an open vessel rather than pressure cooking it. This helps the basmati grains remain separate and gives the rice a lovely, grainy texture instead of becoming soggy.

Bring it to a boil and cook until the rice rises to the surface. Then reduce the flame, cover the vessel and simmer for another 10 minutes, or until the rice is completely cooked.

6. Garnish and serve

Gently fluff the rice and garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.

Serve hot and enjoy this delicious, aromatic garlic tomato rice!