South Indian Ghee Rice Recipe with A2 Ghee
Share
Share
By the Faimly Farm Team · Prep 10 min · Cook 25 min · Serves 4 · A South Indian favourite
Ghee Rice (ney choru) is a fragrant, comforting rice dish from South India — basmati cooked in pure ghee with whole spices and fried onions, simple yet special. A staple at South Indian weddings and feasts, it pairs beautifully with curries and raita. Here is how to make it.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups basmati rice (soaked 20 min, drained)
- 3 tbsp A2 ghee
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- Whole spices: 1 bay leaf, 4 cloves, 2 cardamom, 1 small cinnamon, 1 tsp shahi jeera
- 10-12 cashews
- 2.5 cups hot water or stock
- Salt to taste
- A few mint or coriander leaves (optional)
Method
1. Fry the aromatics: heat A2 ghee, fry the cashews until golden and set aside, then fry the sliced onion until golden brown.
2. Temper the spices: in the same ghee, add bay leaf, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, and shahi jeera; let them sizzle and release aroma.
3. Saute: add ginger-garlic paste and saute briefly, then add the drained rice and gently toast it in the ghee for 2 minutes.
4. Cook: add hot water and salt, bring to a boil, then cover and cook on low until the rice is fluffy and the water absorbed (or pressure-cook for 1 whistle).
5. Finish: fluff gently, top with the fried cashews, onions, and herbs, and serve hot.
Why Ghee Makes This Dish
Ghee rice lives or dies by its ghee — it is the main flavour, not just a cooking medium. Pure A2 ghee gives the rice its signature aroma and richness, carrying the whole spices through every grain. With genuine ghee, a simple rice becomes something special.
The Faimly Farm Tip
Since ghee is the star flavour, use pure A2 ghee. Ours is made from indigenous-cow milk by the traditional bilona method, in small lab-tested batches under our FSSAI licence. Explore our Nature's Pure A2 Cow Ghee or the full A2 Ghee collection.
What to Serve It With
Ghee rice pairs beautifully with korma, dalcha, spicy curries, or a simple raita and pickle. It is mild and fragrant, making it a perfect base for richer accompaniments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ghee rice?
Ghee rice (ney choru) is a fragrant South Indian dish of basmati rice cooked in pure ghee with whole spices and fried onions, often served at weddings and feasts.
Why is ghee important in ghee rice?
Ghee is the main flavour of the dish, not just a cooking fat. Pure A2 ghee gives the rice its signature aroma and richness.
Which ghee is best for ghee rice?
Pure A2 cow ghee, ideally bilona-made, gives the most authentic aroma.
What do you serve with ghee rice?
It pairs well with korma, dalcha, spicy curries, or a simple raita and pickle.
Can I make it in a pressure cooker?
Yes. After tempering and toasting the rice, add water and pressure-cook for one whistle, then let the pressure release naturally.
Conclusion
Ghee Rice proves that simple can be special. Fragrant basmati, whole spices, golden onions, and — above all — pure A2 ghee come together into a dish fit for any feast. Make it with genuine ghee, and a humble pot of rice becomes the star of the table.
Make fragrant ghee rice. Explore our A2 Ghee collection, try Nature's Pure A2 Cow Ghee, and see our complete guide to cooking with A2 ghee. New customers can use code FIRST10 for 10% off their first order.
Faimly Farm: indigenous A2 milk, traditional bilona batches, lab-tested purity under our FSSAI licence. Learn more about Faimly Farm or contact us.
