Garlic rice is a simple yet flavorful South Indian dish that brings together the earthy aroma of roasted spices and the rich flavor of garlic. Cooked rice is delicately tossed with a freshly ground spice powder made from roasted dals, coriander seeds, and red chilies, while fried garlic flakes add a crunchy, aromatic twist. Finished with a tempering of mustard seeds and curry leaves, this dish is quick to prepare and pairs beautifully with a refreshing cucumber raita, making it an ideal choice for a comforting meal.
Garlic Rice
2
servings10
minutes20
minutesExperience the aromatic flavors of South India with our simple and delicious garlic rice recipe. Perfectly spiced and easy to make! #GarlicRice #SouthIndianFlavors
Ingredients
Cooked Rice – 2 cups (enough to serve 2)
Garlic flakes – 10 to 15 (small size)
Red Chillies – 2
Coriander seeds (Dhaniya) – 1 teaspoon
Bengal Gran dhal – 1 teaspoon
Urad dhal – 1 teaspoon
Oil – 1 to 2 tablespoons
Mustard – 1/4 teaspoon
Curry leaves – few
Salt – 1/2 teaspoon or as per taste
Directions
- In a small kadai, heat a teaspoon of oil and fry the Bengal gram dal, urad dal, coriander seeds, and red chillies. Then add 4 to 5 garlic flakes, fry for a few seconds, and remove from heat. Allow it to cool, then grind into a fine powder.
- In a thick-bottomed kadai, heat the oil and fry the remaining garlic flakes until they turn light brown. Remove and set aside.
- In the same oil, add mustard seeds and when they pop, add curry leaves. Lower the heat to a minimum and mix in the cooked rice with the spice powder and salt. Stir gently for a few seconds.
- Add the fried garlic flakes and remove from heat.
- Serve with Cucumber Raita.
Notes
- You may fry the garlic flakes in a teaspoon of ghee instead of oil. Alternatively, use “Pottu Kadalai” (chutney dal) or peanuts to make the spice powder, which does not require frying the dal or peanuts.
Hi Kamala,
First when i saw garlic rice, surprised, i never heard about it, wondering if it’s possible to make garlic rice.
thanks for the healthy dish. there is no garlic smell since it was fried and ground i am doing often.
It was really very tasty and a different one. Thanks for the recipe.
can we add onion ,garlic and any other spices
Hi Soundarya,
Yes. You can add onion and tomato also in the seasoning.
I tried this. Wow I really liked the aroma. It
was nice 🙂
Thank you Raji Murali for your feed back.