Lemon rice recipe - Lemon rice (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Vandana Chauhan. This post may contain affiliate links.

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Easy Indian style Lemon rice is a refreshing, subtly flavored vegan rice recipe from South India. This quick vegan dish gets ready within minutes and is a great way to use leftover rice.

Lemon rice recipe - Lemon rice (1)

Though lemon rice is a South Indian dish and I am from the North part of India, I grew up eating this delicious rice recipe quite often. Everyone in my family loves South Indian food so my mother who is a very good cook used to regularly prepare a lot of South Indian dishes at home.

Of all the South Indian dishes she makes, lemon rice is one of my favorites. I love the simple flavors, refreshing tangy taste, and the crunch of peanuts and lentils so much that I can survive the whole summer with just a bowl of lemon rice. Curd rice is another South Indian dish on which I can survive the summers.

Jump to:
  • Key ingredients for South Indian style lemon rice
  • What to serve with it?
  • More vegan rice recipes
  • Step by step photo instructions
  • Recipe

Key ingredients for South Indian style lemon rice

Lemon rice is made with only a few basic ingredients that are easily available in almost every kitchen.

Rice:

Lemon rice is made with leftover steamed rice which is tempered with a few basic spices and lime/lemon juice. If you want you can also make it by cooking raw rice with spices and then adding the lime juice. However, in that case, it will be less flavorful.

Use, medium or long grain rice to make this Indian-style lemon rice, choosing a short-grain variety will make it very mushy.

Lime/ lemon juice:

Though it’s called lemon rice, generally lime juice is used in this recipe as lime is more readily available in most parts of India.

If you don’t have lime use lemon juice. You can adjust the amount of lime/ lemon juice depending on your taste.

To make it even more flavorful, you can also add some lemon zest to it.

Nuts and lentils:

One of the things which I liked the most in this rice dish is the crunch of peanuts and lentils. Don’t skip using them. Without the crunch, this dish will become very dull. If allergic to peanuts, you can also use cashew nuts.

Basic spices:

Turmeric powder, mustard seeds, dry red chilies, asafetida, ginger, and curry leaves, only these basic ingredients are used to temper lemon rice.

What to serve with it?

Just like Jeera rice, this mild rice dish goes really well with rich Indian curries and sambhar/ rasam.

However, if you want to serve some simple side dish with lemon rice, just serve it with toasted papadum, a yogurt dip, pickle or just a refreshing salad like kachumber salad.

It’s a very popular lunch box recipe in South India. I remember a lot of my South Indian friends in school used to bring this dish in their tiffin box.

Another great thing about lemon rice is that it gets ready within 15 minutes.

If you like South Indian recipes, then you must keep urad dal and chana dal, black mustard seeds, curry leaves, and asafoetida in your pantry. These ingredients are used in a lot of South Indian recipes like Cabbage Poriyal, Beetroot Poriyal, and Coconut chutney.

More vegan rice recipes

If you also love rice like me don’t miss to check out my other rice recipes on this blog:

  1. Chickpea pulao
  2. Vegan Nasi Goreng,
  3. Hawaiian fried rice.
  4. Chole Pulao
  5. Spanakorizo
  6. Easy Mexican Rice
  7. Cabbage rice
  8. Edamame rice
  9. Peanut butter rice

Step by step photo instructions

Lemon rice recipe - Lemon rice (2)
Lemon rice recipe - Lemon rice (3)

If you try any of my recipes, please rate ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ it on the recipe card and also leave your feedback in the comments section below. You can also follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and subscribe to my youtube channel.

Recipe

Lemon rice recipe - Lemon rice (4)

Lemon rice

This delicious vegan rice dish - lemon rice is from South India. This subtly flavored rice dish is very refreshing and is perfect for summers.

4.91 from 10 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian, South Indian

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 339kcal

Author: Vandana Chauhan

Ingredients

  • 4 cups boiled rice
  • 5 tbsp lemon juice you can also use lime juice and change the quantity as per your taste
  • 1-2 green chilies finely chopped
  • 5-6 curry leaves
  • 1 small piece of ginger finely chopped/ grated
  • 1.5 tbsp urad dal split & skinless black lentil
  • 1.5 tbsp chana dal begnal gram
  • 2 tbsp peanuts
  • 2 dry red chilies broken into 2-3 pieces, each
  • 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
  • A pinch of asafoetida
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1.5 tbsp cooking oil
  • Salt as per taste

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a pan and add peanuts to it, saute for a few seconds and then add dry red chilies.

  • When the peanut starts changing color, add urad dal, chana dal, and mustard seeds.

  • Once the lentils start changing color, add curry leaves, asafoetida, turmeric powder, and salt. Mix well and saute for a few seconds. You can also add 1-2 tablespoons of water to avoid burning of turmeric.

  • Next, add in the boiled rice and lemon juice. Mix well and stir fry for 1-2 minutes. Switch off the gas.

  • Serve with sambhar/ rasam or any dal/ curry of your choice.

Nutrition

Calories: 339kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 43mg | Potassium: 184mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 261IU | Vitamin C: 66mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 2mg

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Lemon rice recipe - Lemon rice (2024)

FAQs

What does lemon juice do to rice? ›

The citrus makes rice look brighter and is said to enhance the texture of the grain, as well. A dash of lemon juice can go a long way for a pot of rice. But if you don't have it on hand, there are other ways to stop rice from grouping together.

How long can lemon rice last in the fridge? ›

This lemon rice will keep well in the fridge for 4 days. Once cooked, let it cool completely before storing in an air tight container in the fridge. You can reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave with a coupe of tablespoons of water and cook til piping hot, about 3 minutes in the microwave.

What do you do with lemon rice? ›

Immune System Support: Lemon rice powder is rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps strengthen the immune system. Adequate vitamin C intake can enhance immune function, protect against infections, and contribute to overall wellness.

Does lemon juice make rice fluffy? ›

Luckily, a small squeeze of lemon juice is all you need to keep stickiness at bay and enjoy rice that's light and feathery every time.

Why is my lemon rice bitter? ›

Did your lemon rice ever turn bitter after cooking? If yes, then dear reader, you must be adding the juice before time. Always add lemon juice at the last step. When you feel the rice is ready and you have tasted the salt and sugar, switch off the flame and add the juice to it.

Does lemon rice go bad? ›

Spoiled lemon rice has a funky, sour smell that's quite noticeable. You might also notice a change in colour or appearance such as molds. If the lemon rice has turned hard or dry, it's most likely past its prime. Lastly, if you taste it and it has a sour or off-flavor, it's probably gone bad.

What to do if lemon rice is too sour? ›

How to Make Food Less Acidic. Add a fat such as butter, heavy cream, sour cream, cheese, or olive oil to coat the tongue and physically block some of the acidity from your taste buds. You might also try adding a sweetener such as sugar, honey, or maple syrup.

Is lemon rice good for health? ›

Digestive Health: The natural acidity in lemon rice powder can aid digestion. It stimulates the production of digestive enzymes, which help break down food and improve nutrient absorption. Incorporating lemon rice powder into your diet may alleviate digestive issues such as bloating, indigestion, and constipation.

How do I make rice taste like a restaurant? ›

Use Stock Instead of Water

“Instead of water, use either vegetable or chicken stock. Homemade is ideal, but plenty of premade boxed stocks exist for convenience. Add stock to the hot pan with vegetables and toasted rice.” He explains that toasting the rice first adds a layer of nutty flavor and creates more depth.

Why does Chinese restaurant white rice taste better? ›

The answer: high heat, expert tosses, and something known as 'wok hei. ' As J. Kenji López-Alt writes for Serious Eats, expert cooking with a wok (and the gas range it requires) is one of the main reasons that fried rice from a Chinese restaurant tastes so much better than what you can make at home.

What sauce is good on rice? ›

BBQ Sauce. BBQ sauce is perfect for if you want to add a sweet, sour, smoky and spicy flavor to your rice dishes. Use it with a summer dish like this BBQ Grilled Beef Kabobs made with sirloin steak, veggies. These kabobs can be broiled or grilled depending on your preferences.

How do you reduce lemon taste in lemon rice? ›

One of the easiest ways to cut the lemon taste is to balance it with sweetness. Adding a touch of sugar or sweetener can help neutralize the acidity and bring out the natural flavors of lemon. You can try adding a teaspoon of honey, agave syrup, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar to your lemon-infused dishes or drinks.

Can we use vinegar instead of lemon in lemon rice? ›

Vinegar. Apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, and rice vinegar can all be substituted at a ½:1 ratio. If your recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, then, sub 1 tablespoon vinegar and replace the rest with water if needed. Usually you won't need to add any extra liquid but it depends on the recipe.

Is lemon rice good during cold? ›

Lemon is rich in vitamin C, which supports the immune system and helps fight off cold-related symptoms.

What does lemon juice do in cooking? ›

In baked goods and desserts, lemons provide a light, fresh flavour. Plus, it can be used to tenderise meat, or it can be used as a substitute for vinegar in dressings. Lemon juice added to steamed vegetables will help them keep their bright colours and enhance their flavour.

Can I add lemon juice to my rice water? ›

Adding lemon juice to boiled rice can offer several potential health benefits, as lemons are a good source of various nutrients and compounds. Here are some potential benefits: Vitamin C: Lemons are rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that supports the immune system, helps the body absorb iron, and promotes healthy skin.

What does soaking in lemon juice do? ›

Lemon contains natural exfoliating properties that may help remove dead skin cells, leaving your skin feeling smoother and softer.

Is rice and lemon good for you? ›

Immune System Support: Lemon rice powder is rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps strengthen the immune system. Adequate vitamin C intake can enhance immune function, protect against infections, and contribute to overall wellness.

References

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