Spinach Rice is an excellent one for meal for busy nights when one wants something quick and not too complicated. Palak Rice pair well with just plain yogurt or raita on the side and making it in the Instant pot makes it very convenient.
I just love making one-pot meals on weeknights. I like including different vegetables in the rice and it is easy to feed the kids everything in one bite. The rice was so simple to make and it had quite a bit of spinach in it. All it needed was some plain yogurt on the side.
Being an South Indian, we eat a lot of rice. Our staple menu on a normal day is rice with Sambar, Rasam and some kind of vegetable curry / poriyal. We end the meal with curd / yogurt and rice.
Apart from just sticking to the traditional meals, I make a lot of one pot meal recipes and Spinach rice is one among the most favorite.
Why make this recipe?
- It is truly a one pot meal. It takes just about 45 minutes from start to finish. I make the entire recipe in the Instant Pot but we could make it in any pressure cooker.
- My little one fell in love with the spinach after eating this recipe and till date it is one of his favorite meals. I can absolutely say that this spinach rice recipe is Kid approved.
- This palak rice does not need a specific side dish to pair. It is a great recipe to eat as is or just some plain yogurt works. I make my own yogurt at home and that is what we eat this with most of the time.
- This is a great recipe to use spinach. We can use fresh spinach or frozen spinach to make the palak rice.
Ingredients and Substitutes
Check the recipe card at the bottom of the page for exact measurements and printable detailed recipe.
- Basmati rice - I use Basmati rice for most of my one pot rice recipes. We could also use sona masoori rice or brown rice as well. Lately I have even been using millet and Quinoa to make the same recipe.
- Spinach - I use frozen spinach most of the time as I always have that in my freezer. We could absolutely fresh spinach for the recipe. If using fresh, just make sure to coarsely chop the leaves.
- Onion - We could use red, yellow or sweet onion for the recipe.
- Tomatoes - Fresh chopped tomatoes is what I use most of the time. If I don't have fresh tomatoes in hand, I use the diced canned tomatoes.
- Garlic - We love the garlic flavor in the recipe. If you don't eat garlic or not a fan, we could skip it in the recipe. Freshly minced garlic works the best, but you could use the canned ones as well.
- Spices - We need cumin seeds, red chili powder, dhania jeera powder (cumin coriander powder) and garam masala. We also need salt to taste.
- Oil - I use olive oil or any cooking oil to make the spinach rice. We could also use butter or ghee.
Step by step process
- Wash and soak the basmati rice for about 15 minutes. I usually leave the rice soaking until I get the rest of the ingredients cooking. Then drain the rice and use it.
- In the saute mode of the Instant pot, heat oil add the cumin seeds (1). Once the seeds splutter, add the onions and sauté until translucent (2).
- Add the minced garlic and fry for a minute (3). Add the chopped tomatoes (4).
- Next add the salt and spices and cook until the tomatoes are mushy and the masala is aromatic (5).
- Add the frozen or fresh spinach and saute for couple of minutes (6).
- Add the water needed for the rice to cook (7). I use about 1 ½ cups of water for a cup of basmati rice. If using any other kind of rice or grain, make sure to adjust the water quantity.
- Once the water heat up, add the drained rice and mix it well (8).
- Close the Instant pot and turn it off from the saute mode and set to pressure cook mode for 5 minutes. Again change the cooking time depending on what works for the particular kind of rice you are using.
- Once the cooking time is up, do a quick pressure release after 10 minutes. Let the rice sit for about 5 minutes and then gently fluff with a fork.
- Serve it warm with raita or yogurt on side.
Expert Tips
- Take into account that spinach lets out some liquid when cooking. So reduce the water quantity accordingly.
- I thaw the frozen spinach and then squeeze the excess liquid out before using. If you are using it directly from frozen, slightly reduce the water used for cooking the rice.
- Chop the fresh spinach (if using) coarsely for the spinach rice recipe.
- Let the cooked rice stand for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
This spinach rice is a meal on its own. We can serve it with a simple cucumber raita or just plain yogurt.
I usually refrigerate the leftover spinach rice and then pack it for lunch box the following day. The spinach rice also freezes very well. I would portion them as individual serving and then freeze them so it is easy to reheat.
Yes, we could add carrots, green peas or corn to the palak rice recipe.
Yes, spinach rice is vegan as I use oil to saute the ingredients. If not vegan, we could use butter or ghee.
Yes, spinach rice is a naturally gluten free recipe. Just make sure to grind your own spices or buy gluten free spice powders if sensitive to gluten.
More Spinach recipes
More One Pot Rice Recipes
If you made this recipe and liked it, give a star rating on the recipe card or let me know in the comments below. You could also share it with me on Instagram using #MyCookingJourney and tagging me @sandhya.ramakrishnan. You could follow me and my recipes on Facebook |Instagram | Pinterest | twitter
Spinach Rice | Palak Rice in Instant Pot
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Basmati rice
- 8 Oz Spinach Finely chopped - 8 oz (I used chopped frozen spinach)
- 1 Onion Finely chopped
- 2 Tomatoes Finely chopped
- 3-4 cloves Garlic Minced
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- 1 tsp Red chili powder
- 1 tsp Dhania Jeera powder
- ¾ tsp Garam masala
- to taste Salt
- 2 tbsp Oil
Instructions
- Wash and soak the basmati rice for about 15 minutes. I usually leave the rice soaking until I get the rest of the ingredients cooking. Then drain the rice and use it.
- In the saute mode of the Instant pot, heat oil add the cumin seeds (1). Once the seeds splutter, add the onions and sauté until translucent (2).
- Add the minced garlic and fry for a minute (3). Add the chopped tomatoes(4).
- Next add the salt and spices and cook until the tomatoes are mushy and the masala is aromatic (5).
- Add the frozen or fresh spinach and saute for couple of minutes (6).
- Add the water needed for the rice to cook (7). I use about 1 ½ cups of water for a cup of basmati rice. If using any other kind of rice or grain, make sure to adjust the water quantity.
- Once the water heat up, add the drained rice and mix it well (8).
- Close the Instant pot and turn it off from the saute mode and set to pressure cook mode for 5 minutes. Again change the cooking time depending on what works for the particular kind of rice you are using.
- Once the cooking time is up, do a quick pressure release after 10 minutes. Let the rice sit for about 5 minutes and then gently fluff with a fork.
- Serve it warm with raita or yogurt on side.
Notes
- Take into account that spinach lets out some liquid when cooking. So reduce the water quantity accordingly.
- I thaw the frozen spinach and then squeeze the excess liquid out before using. If you are using it directly from frozen, slightly reduce the water used for cooking the rice.
- Chop the fresh spinach (if using) coarsely for the spinach rice recipe.
- Let the cooked rice stand for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Uma Srinivas says
I always make spinach rice using an instant pot. This is the quick and best option for weekday meals!
Lata Lala says
Palak Rice in Instant Pot sounds easy to make, and I am sure it will be relished by my family. We love all kinds of rice dishes. Packed with tons of flavors it seems to a must try recipe.
Priya Srinivasan says
Spinach rice looks inviting sandhya! Same pinch on the one-pot meal weeknights . love how simple and nutritious this spinach rice is!!
Poonam Bachhav says
Spinach rice is a wonderful one pot dish . Delicious and wholesome ! Love your instant pit version.
Mayuri Patel says
Sandhya I usually make a spinach and corn rice. Got to try your version of spinach rice with tomatoes. Looks so delicious. I prefer making quick one pot meals on a Sunday.Usually its a rice dish as its filling, versatile and comfort food.
NP says
Hi. If using quinoa or millet instead of rice , how much water will be needed ? Thanks
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
I use 1.5 cups of water for a cup of quinoa. And for millet, use the same that you would use to cook it plain. It depends on the kind. I usually use 2 cuos of water for a cup of millet.
Heidy and Ben says
Your Palak Rice in Instant Pot sounds divine, and I bet it will be a huge hit with the hubby. He loves rice dishes. It sounds like it's packed with a ton of flavors.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thanks a lot! I hope he likes it 🙂
Claudia Lamascolo says
I love all the flavors in this what a great side dish!
Alex says
There are so many good spices in this dish! I love anything with chili powder and cumin. And you can't go wrong with a one-pot meal!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thank you!
Krissy Allori says
So many great ingredients in this recipe and I love how easy it was to make!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thanks Krissy! It is a very quick recipe to put together!
Dannii says
I am always looking for new ways to get leafy greens in my diet, so this looks delicious.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thank you! This is definitely a great recipe to use greens.