Lemon Rice

Explore Lemon Rice recipes with bright citrus flavor, tempered spices, curry leaves, peanuts, and classic South Indian seasoning.

Leftover Rice FriendlyLunchboxQuick & EasySouth IndianTempered Rice
South Indian Lemon Rice with curry leaves, peanuts, and fresh lemon

About Lemon Rice

Lemon Rice is a popular South Indian rice dish made with cooked rice, fresh lemon juice, mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chillies, turmeric, and often peanuts. Discover traditional, quick lunchbox, leftover-rice, and easy homemade variations.

Lemon Rice Recipes

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Lemon Rice – South Indian Style

Lemon Rice – South Indian Style

Indian · South Indian

Easy15 min
Lemon Rice – South Indian Style

Lemon Rice – South Indian Style

Indian · South Indian

Easy15 min
Lemon Rice – Home Cooking

Lemon Rice – Home Cooking

Indian · South Indian

Easy25 min
Lemon Rice - South Indian Style

Lemon Rice - South Indian Style

Indian · South Indian

Easy25 min
Microwave Lemon Rice - Homestyle

Microwave Lemon Rice - Homestyle

Indian · South Indian

Easy45 min

What defines this dish

Cuisine

South Indian

Meal Type

Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast

Preference

Vegetarian

Quick & Easy

Recipes are generally quick to prepare, with total times ranging from 15 to 45 minutes.

Leftover Rice Friendly

This dish can be made using leftover rice.

Serving ideas

  • Serve with side dishes

    Lemon rice can be served with various accompaniments such as chicken sambal, potato fries, kheema, kaccha kabab, avial, kootu, fried appalam (papad), tomato chutney, dry aloo sabzi, or yam fry.

  • Suitable for lunchboxes and travel

    This dish is convenient for packing in lunchboxes, for train journeys, or as a meal in hostels.

Flavour profile

The combination of curry leaves, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and chilies contributes to an aromatic profile.

3/5
Spice
4/5
Aroma
4/5
Tanginess

Common ingredients

  • curry leaves
  • peanuts
  • salt
  • turmeric
  • chana dal
  • mustard seeds
  • oil
  • urad dal
  • dried red chilli
  • boiled rice
  • cumin seeds
  • green chilli
  • lemon
  • asafoetida
  • basmati rice

Common mistakes to avoid

Using unsoaked lentils

Using unsoaked lentils may result in a harder texture that is difficult to chew.

Adding lemon juice too early

Adding lemon juice to hot tempering can lead to bitterness.

Frequently asked questions

What type of rice is best for Lemon Rice?

While basmati rice is used in some recipes, other short-grain rice varieties like Kolum rice are also recommended. Using leftover cooked rice is also a common practice.

How much rice is needed for this recipe?

The amount of rice varies across recipes, with quantities like 1 cup or 2 cups of cooked rice being common.

Can I add onions to Lemon Rice?

Onions are not typically included in traditional Lemon Rice recipes, though variations may exist.

What home cooks say about this dish

  • The dish is frequently described as having great taste and being delicious.

  • The recipe was described as simple and easy to understand.

  • The recipe is praised for being quick and easy, suitable for those with limited time.

  • General appreciation was expressed for the recipe provided.

  • Asafoetida is frequently mentioned as an ingredient that adds significant flavor to the dish.

  • The dish is frequently described as having great taste and being delicious.

  • The recipe was described as simple and easy to understand.

  • The recipe is praised for being quick and easy, suitable for those with limited time.

  • General appreciation was expressed for the recipe provided.

  • Asafoetida is frequently mentioned as an ingredient that adds significant flavor to the dish.

  • The dish is frequently described as having great taste and being delicious.

  • The recipe was described as simple and easy to understand.

  • The recipe is praised for being quick and easy, suitable for those with limited time.

  • General appreciation was expressed for the recipe provided.

  • Asafoetida is frequently mentioned as an ingredient that adds significant flavor to the dish.

  • The dish is frequently described as having great taste and being delicious.

  • The recipe was described as simple and easy to understand.

  • The recipe is praised for being quick and easy, suitable for those with limited time.

  • General appreciation was expressed for the recipe provided.

  • Asafoetida is frequently mentioned as an ingredient that adds significant flavor to the dish.

  • The dish is frequently described as having great taste and being delicious.

  • The recipe was described as simple and easy to understand.

  • The recipe is praised for being quick and easy, suitable for those with limited time.

  • General appreciation was expressed for the recipe provided.

  • Asafoetida is frequently mentioned as an ingredient that adds significant flavor to the dish.