Curry Vegetable Basmati Rice
Curry Vegetable Basmati Rice is a simple, colorful side dish with big flavor. Vegetables and basmati rice are cooked with curry powder that will pair so well with any chicken, beef or fish dish. Also perfect for vegan/plant-based diets.

Delicious spices pack so much flavor into the rice and what I love is, since the vegetables are in the rice, this is the only side dish you need.
Basmati rice is always served with Indian food. It has a nutty, delicious flavor that you just don’t get from plain white rice.

Why do you add the dry rice to pan of vegetables?
This gives the rice a chance to toast and add a lovely, nutty flavor.
Can I make this a complete meal instead of just a side dish?
You can eat this vegetarian-style as a meal. Or if you want to add meat, cut up a store bought rotisserie chicken into bite-size pieces and mix in.
Leftovers tip
This Curry Vegetable Basmati Rice would make the best Indian-style fried rice using the leftovers. Heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add 2 whisked eggs and stir breaking up the eggs. Add the leftover rice, stir and cook until the rice is heated, browned and crispy.
Curry Vegetable Basmati Rice

Vegetables and basmati rice are cooked with curry powder that will pair so well with any chicken, beef or fish dish.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups (591 ml) water
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups (170 grams) yellow onion, chopped
- 6 ounces (170 grams) red pepper, chopped
- 3 ounces (84 grams) cauliflower, cut into small florets
- 3 ounces (84 grams) green beans, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 1 cup (105 grams) basmati rice, rinsed
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (140 grams) frozen peas
Instructions
- To a large frying pan heat the butter over medium heat. When melted and slightly bubbling, add the onions, red pepper, cauliflower and green beans. Sauté until softened, about 10 minutes.
- Add the garlic, rice, ginger, turmeric, coriander, cumin, cardamom (spices are listed as curry powder in the video) and salt. Stir and cook for 1 minute. Add 2 cups (472 ml) water, mix well. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Add a little more water if needed. Stir in the peas and serve.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 160Total Fat 4gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 8mgSodium 570mgCarbohydrates 28gFiber 5gSugar 7gProtein 5g

29 Comments on “Curry Vegetable Basmati Rice”
Help!? What am I missing?
I made this in an instant pot and tripled the recipe (so I can understand that the recipe would need to be tweaked a little) but I used 2/3 the amount of water and it was still mushy.
What is the goal consistency?
I haven’t tested this recipe in the instant pot so I can’t say, sorry.
Thank you for the recipe! Does this double well for 10 people?
Yes, the recipe doubles well. Enjoy.
The rice in the dish is added after its been soaked or added unwashed? Thanks
The rice is added after rinsing. You can soak if you wish to shorten cooking time, but the cooking time of the rice is written without soaking. I hope this helps, let me know if you have any more questions and enjoy.
Thank you so, so much!! I added chick peas and my granddaughter couldn’t get enough.
Sharon J
Thank you so much for the feedback. I love the idea of adding chickpeas.
Can I use a red or green curry paste instead?
I have not tried the recipe using curry paste so I can’t say if it would or would not work. I’m sorry I can’t be more help.
Loved this rice recipe, served with a chicken and beef curry and it was delicious. Just checking apart from the spices added do you add curry powder as well, not listed in ingredient list.
I’m so happy you liked the recipe. Curry powder is actually a blend of spices depending on the culture of the dish, so the blend used in this recipe is actually a curry powder blend. Some curry recipes call for more spices and some less depending on the dish. Thanks.
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I love this curry recipe. The broccoli is definitely not in your average pilau recipe, but, I like it. Basmati rice is so perfect too. I completely agree with your opinion on Basmati rice. There is nothing in this world that can come close to it.
This looks delicious, love all the veggies. Perfect side dish for so many entrees!!
This is a perfect rice side dish or would serve as a meal all by itself. Wonderful flavors.
I love the flavors you combined in this dish and can’t wait to try it!
Curry rice sounds amazing! I love how fresh this one is! Pinning of course 🙂
Thank you Mira.
This sounds like the perfect side dish. I love a good rice and this has it all! Beautiful flavors and color 🙂
Thank you so much Nicole.
Fantastic flavors in this dish! It’s almost like an Indian-style paella, just brilliant! I love rice – I’ll eat it 6 ways to Sundays… looks like I have another way to prepare it, thanks! 😉
I never thought of an Indian style paella, you’re right. Thank you Kathleen.
Oh, I do love all the flavors in attendance. Great job on a beautiful dish.
Thank you so much
This looks delicious, Janette! Basmati rice is such a delicious rice to work with and I love all the veggies!
Thank you April, it’s my new favorite rice dish 🙂
I love curry and this recipe would eat well all buy itself.
Yes it would, thank you Peter