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Home » All Recipes » Lemon Rice

Lemon Rice

Jun 13, 2019 | Last Updated: Oct 5, 2023 | by Swati

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Lemon Rice Recipe | How to make Lemon Rice | Chitraana Recipe

Bursting with the flavors of lemon and curry leaves, here I bring you the Lemon Rice Recipe. One of the most easy to make and flavourful rice.

Lemon Rice Recipe

About the Recipe

Lemon Rice is a no-onion no-garlic, gluten-free and suitable for vegans recipe.

As the famous saying... When Life gives you Lemons make some Lemonade.. but I ill tell you make this refreshing lemon rice !! with the summery lemony flavour and crunch of nuts and lentils.

It is one of the best ways to use leftover rice, a light dish for hot summer afternoon with chilled plain yogurt or any raita and it is also quick wholesome dish to packing lunch box. Kids and grown ups all love this citrusy rice.

Ingredients to make Lemon Rice

Boiled Rice/Steamed Rice- Any long grain variety of rice is good in this recipe. I always use long grain Basmati rice for any rice preparations , but you can use any other variety of your your choice. Do not use over boiled and mushy rice in the recipe.

Lemon Juice- Use juice of 1 lemon /lime. For a more robust lemony flavour, use lemon zest also along with lemon juice.

Lentils-- like Chana Dal(Split Chickpeas Lentils, Urad Dal(Split Black Gram Skinned) are use for the crunch and also add flavour. Peanuts, Cashew nuts also add nice crunch and flavour of rice.

Spices--Cumin seeds, mustard seeds (rai), turmeric powder for the beautiful yellow color. I prefer using fresh curry leaves for this rice, but incase you do not have access to fresh ones you can add the dried ones also. Do not have curry leaves at all.. do not worry, add few fresh basil leaves, trust me it adds a nice flavour to it.

Fresh ginger and green chilies along with whole red chilies for flavour and spicy kick.

Boiled rice for Lemon Rice
Peanuts, Cashew nuts, Dalia/roasted chana dal, urad dal, turmeric ppowder,
Lemon juice, lemon zest, dry red chilli, green chilli and curry leaves to make Lemon rice

How to make Lemon Rice

Use left over rice from previous day or make a fresh batch. When using fresh rice in the recipe, always cool and refrigerate it for at least 30 mins. If you do not want mushy rice dish, it is always better to refrigerate it. Do not use hot rice.

Prepare tempering with mustard seeds, cumin seeds, Add lentils and fry peanuts and cashew nuts till light golden brown. You can also fry a batch of peanuts and cashew nuts and store. Use it directly in recipe.

Finally add rice, spices, lemon juice, lemon zest and salt.

Stepwise pics to make Lemon Rice

Serving Suggestions

It is good to have on it's own with a bowl of plain yogurt/dahi as it is called in India. We love this with boondi raita. The rice also goes well with any curry like aloo tamatar, Matar Paneer.

More fried rice recipes from blog

Chinese Veg. Fried Rice, Tawa Paulo, Burnt Garlic Mushroom Fried Rice, Kadhai Paneer Pulao, Tomato Rice with Basil, Palak Paneer/Spinach Fried Rice

Recipe Card

Lemon Rice

Swati
Bursting with the flavours of lemon and curry leaves, here I bring you the Lemon Rice Recipe. One of the most easy to make and flavourful rice. A no-onion no-garlic dish that is gluten-free and suitable for vegans.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Breakfast, Main
Cuisine Indian, South Indian
Servings 2

Equipment

  • Non stick pan/ Kadhai
  • Laddles

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Cups Cooked Steamed Rice
  • 1 tbsp Lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Lemon zest
  • 1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds
  • 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds/Jeera
  • 1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
  • 1 tbsp Broken Cashew nuts
  • 1 tbsp Peanuts
  • 1 tsp Mixed Chana Dal
  • 1 tsp Dhuli Urad Dal
  • 1-2 Dry Whole Red Chilli
  • 1-2 Green Chillies use as required
  • 7-8 Fresh Curry Leaves
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tbsp Oil/Ghee

Instructions
 

  • In a non-stick pan or kadhai, add oil, once the oil is warm enough, add mustard seeds.
    1 tbsp Oil/Ghee, 1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds
  • Once the seeds crackle, add cumin seeds and let it sizzle.
    1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds/Jeera
  • Keep the heat of gas-stove to medium. Add lentils sauté for a minute, add peanuts and cashew nut and fry for 1-2 minutes, till you get the nutty aroma of roasted nuts.
    1 tbsp Peanuts, 1 tsp Mixed Chana Dal, 1 tsp Dhuli Urad Dal, 1 tbsp Broken Cashew nuts
  • Add curry leaves whole red chilli and slit green chilies if using.
    1-2 Dry Whole Red Chilli, 7-8 Fresh Curry Leaves, 1-2 Green Chillies
  • Add rice, turmeric powder, salt, lemon rind and lemon juice and mix lightly, do not overmix.
    2 Cups Cooked Steamed Rice, 1 tbsp Lemon juice, 1 tsp Lemon zest, 1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder, Salt to taste
  • Serve hot.

Notes

Use cold refrigerated rice for a beautiful texture.
You can skip lentils and add only cashew nuts/peanuts.
Limes or Lemons both work well in the recipe.
Any good oil like peanut oil, olive oil or avocado oil is good to use. You can use ghee also it makes it more flavourful.
Skip nuts if you have nut allergies.
Keyword Chitranna, Instant Pot Rice recipes, Lemons
Did you try the recipe..Share @foodtrails25 or tag me #foodtrails25!
Tried this recipe?Share @foodtrails25 or tag me #foodtrails25!

Do try this citrusy Lemon Rice my way.. a light and nutritious meal for hot summer days. Whenever you make it do share your feedback.

Also, whenever you try the recipe, I will love to hear/share your feedback or any queries in the comment section below. I will try to answer your queries as soon as possible.

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Thanks for stopping by!! Keep coming back!!

Swati

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Comments

  1. jayashreetrao

    June 30, 2019 at 5:23 am

    This is my quick- fix menu, when I am in a hurry, I always end up making this. This is one of the dishes liked by all at home. Yours looks awesome.

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  2. Gargi

    June 20, 2019 at 12:56 pm

    Absolutely perfect for summer!

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    Reply
    • Swati

      June 21, 2019 at 12:12 am

      Thanks Gargi!! Thanks for stopping by!!

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      Reply
  3. Vanitha Bhat

    June 15, 2019 at 7:03 am

    This dish is always a winner in our house! Tangy lemons add an amazing flavor and of course turmeric makes it beautiful and healthy! Fab share dear <3 This is a quick and easy yet flavorful filling dish !

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    • Swati

      June 19, 2019 at 8:07 pm

      Thanks Vanitha!! So true.. we all love this citrusy rice ..

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      Reply
  4. Sasmita

    June 15, 2019 at 6:53 am

    I love Lemon rice.. So simple yet very flavourful and delicious.. looks so tempting and its a common affair at my plce

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    Reply
  5. Geetanjali Tung

    June 15, 2019 at 6:29 am

    Looks tempting? One of my fav... So easy-to-make yet tastes great! Woderful captures as well!!

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    • Swati

      June 19, 2019 at 8:07 pm

      Thanks dear!!

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      Reply
  6. poonampagar

    June 14, 2019 at 11:30 pm

    My family loves this tangy flavorful lemon rice. Perfect Summer afternoon treat with some papadum and salad. Lovely post !

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    Reply
    • Swati

      June 19, 2019 at 8:08 pm

      Thanks Poonam!!

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      Reply
  7. Ruchisvegkitchen

    June 14, 2019 at 5:19 am

    Just love Lemon rice.. So simple yet very flavourful and delicious.. looks so tempting . Beautifully explained. Loved the post

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    Reply
  8. Bernice

    June 13, 2019 at 4:07 pm

    I absolutely love this rice! ?

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    Reply
    • Swati

      June 13, 2019 at 6:33 pm

      One of my family's favourite 🙂

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      Reply
      • Bernice

        June 13, 2019 at 8:53 pm

        I can imagine! ?

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A passionate foodie, food blogger.. blogging about my food experiences, and food stories.. Love to click pics and cook for my loved ones. Aham Bhramasmi!!

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Swati Malik

A passionate foodie, food blogger.. blogging about my food experiences, and food stories.. Love to click pics and cook for my loved ones. Aham Bhramasmi!!

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