Quick & Easy Lemon Rice Recipe| Make restaurant-style tasty lemon rice at home

Lemon Rice is a very tasty and quick dish, which is especially popular in South Indian cuisine. Its sour-spicy taste makes it even more special. It is ready in just 15-20 minutes and is also a good way to make the best use of leftover rice.

If you also want to make perfect Lemon Rice at home like the market, then definitely adopt this easy and simple method. In this article, we will tell you the step-by-step method of making lemon rice, as well as give some important tips so that your Lemon Rice becomes even more wonderful.

Ingredients required to make Lemon Rice

Main Ingredients:

✔ 2 cups cooked rice (can also use leftover rice)
✔ 2 tsp oil (sesame oil will enhance the taste)
✔ 1 tsp mustard seeds
✔ ½ tsp urad dal (optional)
✔ ½ tsp chana dal (optional)
✔ 8-10 curry leaves
✔ 2-3 dried red chilies (optional)
✔ 1 green chili (finely chopped)
✔ ½ tsp turmeric powder
✔ 2 tsp lemon juice
✔ ½ tsp salt (to taste)
✔ 1 tsp peanuts
✔ 1 tbsp coriander leaves (for garnishing)

Step-by-Step Method – How to make Lemon Rice

1️⃣ Prepare the Rice

If you have already cooked rice then great! But if you are making fresh rice, then cool it well after making it so that the rice grains remain separate and the lemon rice does not become too sticky.

✔ After cooking the rice, spread it on a plate and let it cool a little.

2️⃣ Prepare the Tadka (Tempering the Spices)

✔ Heat oil in a pan or kadhai.

✔ Add mustard seeds to it and let them crackle.

✔ Now add urad dal and chana dal and fry till golden.

✔ Then add peanuts and fry till light brown.

✔ Add curry leaves, dried red chilies and green chilies and fry for 30 seconds.

3️⃣ Mixing Rice & Turmeric

✔ Now add ½ teaspoon turmeric powder and salt and mix well.

✔ Add the previously prepared cold rice and mix well.

4️⃣ Add lemon juice and mix (Adding Lemon Juice & Final Touch)

✔ After turning off the gas, add lemon juice and mix well.

✔ Cover the rice for 2-3 minutes so that the flavors mix well.

✔ Now garnish it with coriander leaves and serve hot!

Best ways to serve Lemon Rice

✔ Eat it with plain curd or boondi raita.

✔ Enjoy papad, pickle or South Indian coconut chutney along with it.

✔ Packing it in a tiffin box is also a great option, as it remains delicious for many hours.

Tips to make Lemon Rice even tastier

✅ Use stale rice: Using cold rice or one-day old rice keeps the grains separate and enhances the taste.

✅ Change the oil: Adding sesame oil makes it taste more authentic.

✅ Add lemon juice at the right time: Always add lemon juice after turning off the gas, so that its refreshing sour taste remains.

✅ For smoky flavor: Add a little asafoetida in the tempering, it will enhance both the taste and aroma.

✅ Use of onion and garlic: If you want more flavor, you can also fry finely chopped onion and garlic.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to Lemon Rice

1️⃣ Can I make this recipe without tempering?

Yes, if you do not want to eat too much oil, then you can also make it without tempering by just adding lemon and turmeric.

2️⃣ Can Lemon Rice be stored?

Yes! It can be stored in the fridge for 24 hours. However, lemon tastes better fresh, so it is better to eat it right away.

3️⃣ Can I make it without peanuts?

Absolutely! If you do not like peanuts or are allergic to them, it can be made without peanuts.

4️⃣ Can Lemon Rice be sweetened?

If you want a mild sweet taste, you can add ½ tsp jaggery powder to it.

Conclusion

Lemon Rice is a light, quick, healthy and tasty dish that you can eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Its tangy and spicy aroma can entice anyone!

If you liked this lemon rice recipe, share it on social media and give your opinion in the comments!