If you love Indian food you're going to love this Instant Pot tomato rice. It's an easy one-pot dish loaded with flavor and aroma.
The best part is that it only takes about 30 minutes to prepare from scratch!
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Why this recipe works
This tomato rice recipe is so easy because you just throw everything in the Instant Pot or your electric pressure cooker and let it do its thing.
The rice comes out perfectly cooked, and the flavors of the tomatoes really shine through.
I've added some Indian spices to give it a little kick, but you can adjust the spice level to your liking.
If you're looking for an easy, delicious, and healthy meal, look no further than this Instant Pot tomato rice.
It's perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or any time you need a quick, nutritious, and tasty meal. Give it a try today! You won't be disappointed.
If you like rice recipes or Instant Pot recipes in general, like this tomato rice a.k.a "thakkali sadam" then you must check out some of my other recipes like Instant pot garlic rice, Palak Rice, and Instant pot mushroom rice.
I will show you how to make it step by step, so you can enjoy this delicious meal any night of the week.
Ingredients note
Tomato and tomato paste: You can use any type of tomatoes for this recipe. I like to use Roma tomatoes because they are less watery and have a higher concentration of tomato flavor.
Using tomato paste, tomato sauce or tomato puree is optional. I used a little bit of tomato paste because it gives an extra tangy flavor.
Basmati rice: You can use any type of long-grain white rice for this recipe. Basmati rice is my favorite because it's light and fluffy, but jasmine rice or sona masoori rice are also excellent options.
If you plan to use brown rice, be sure to extend the cooking time accordingly.
Spices: I used a combination of garam masala, turmeric powder, coriander powder, and red chili powder. This packs the flavor of several individual spices and makes the recipe easier instead of adding whole spices.
Adding a handful of tempered mustard seeds and curry leaves is also a common way to add flavor to the dish. Adding green chilies is optional, especially if you use chili powder.
Onion: You can use any type of onion for this recipe. I like to use yellow onion because it's sweeter and has a milder flavor compared to red onions.
Mint leaves: Mint leaves are optional, but they bring a nice fresh flavor to the dish. If you don't have mint leaves, you can use cilantro (coriander leaves) instead.
See the recipe card for a list of ingredients and quantities, plus recipe instructions. You can find the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Instructions
Wash the basmati rice in cold water until the water runs clear. Drain the rice and set it aside. Peel, finely chop the onion, and set it aside.
Chop the tomatoes into small pieces. If you are using Roma tomatoes, there is no need to remove the seeds.
Press saute on the Instant Pot and add 3 teaspoons of Olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add cumin seeds. When the seeds start to sizzle, add the chopped onions and cook until they turn translucent.
Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, and all of the spices.
Stir everything together and cook for a minute or two.
Add the drained rice to the pot and stir everything together. Add 1 ¼ cups of water to cover the rice. Add the mint leaves. And mix well.
Close the lid of the Instant Pot and turn it to manual mode. Cook for 5 minutes at high pressure.
When the timer expires, let the pressure release naturally. Open the lid of the Instant Pot and garnish with chopped cilantro as you fluff the rice with a fork.
Instant Pot Tomato Rice is ready! Serve it hot paired with a side of raita or any other side dish of your choice. Enjoy!
Recipe FAQ's
Yes, you can use any type of long-grain rice for this recipe. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time and water ratio to match the choice of rice.
Yes, you can make this recipe on the stovetop or with a conventional rice cooker. Just follow the same instructions, but cook the rice on medium heat until it's fully cooked.
Yes, you can make this recipe up to 24 hours in advance. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat it when you're ready to eat.
This south Indian tomato rice goes well with raita, a yogurt-based side dish. Most Indian spicy foods are best served with a side dish that takes the edge off the heat.
Tomato rice is also delicious with a simple salad or some roasted veggies.
Expert tips
- If you want to add some protein to this dish, you can stir in some cooked chickpeas, tofu, or beans.
- If you prefer a spicy version, you can add more chili powder or green chilies to the dish.
- This recipe is also great for meal prep. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat it when you're ready to eat.
- Instead of adding tomato paste use ½ cup extra chopped tomatoes.
- You can add ¼ cup of coconut milk for a tropical flavor. Besides that, it will also add creaminess to the dish.
- Be sure to add 1 tablespoon of water along with tomato paste. This will prevent the tomato paste from settling at the bottom of the pot and prevents burning.
- If you don't have garam masala, you can use curry powder instead.
- You can also use canned tomatoes instead of fresh tomatoes. Just be sure to drain them before adding them to the pot.
- If you don't have mint leaves, you can use cilantro instead.
- You could saute finely chopped bell peppers along with the onions to give the dish some more color and flavor.
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📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Tomato Rice
Equipment
Process Shot
Check above for step-by-step pictures (most of my recipes include pictures)
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice
- ½ cup chopped tomatoes
- ½ cup chopped onions
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste - while adding mix with 1 tablespoon water
- 1 ¼ cup water
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon coriander powder
- ¼ teaspoon garam masala powder
- salt to taste
- 7-10 mint leaves
- 3 teaspoon olive oil or corn oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 2 tablespoon cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Wash the basmati rice in cold water until the water runs clear. Drain the rice and set it aside. Peel, finely chop the onion, and set it aside.
- Chop the tomatoes into small pieces. If you are using Roma tomatoes, there is no need to remove the seeds.
- Press saute on the Instant Pot and add 3 teaspoons of Olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add cumin seeds. When the seeds start to sizzle, add the chopped onions and cook until they turn translucent.1 teaspoon cumin seeds, ½ cup chopped onions
- Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, and all of the spices. Stir everything together and cook for a minute or two.½ cup chopped tomatoes, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, ½ teaspoon red chili powder, ½ teaspoon coriander powder, ¼ teaspoon garam masala powder, salt to taste, ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- Add the drained rice to the pot and stir everything together. Add water to cover the rice. Add the mint leaves. And mix well. (check above for step by step pictures with the method)1 cup basmati rice, 1 ¼ cup water, 7-10 mint leaves
- Close the lid of the Instant Pot and turn it to manual mode. Cook for 5 minutes at high pressure.
- When the timer expires, let the pressure release naturally. Open the lid of the Instant Pot and garnish with chopped cilantro as you fluff the rice with a fork.2 tablespoon cilantro chopped
- Instant Pot Tomato Rice is ready! Serve it hot paired with a side of raita or any other side dish of your choice. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- If you want to add some protein to this dish, you can stir in some cooked chickpeas, tofu, or beans.
- If you prefer a spicy version, you can add more chili powder or green chilies to the dish.
- This recipe is also great for meal prep. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat it when you're ready to eat.
- Instead of adding tomato paste use ½ cup extra chopped tomatoes.
- You can add ¼ cup of coconut milk for a tropical flavor. Besides that, it will also add creaminess to the dish.
- Be sure to add 1 tablespoon of water along with tomato paste. This will prevent the tomato paste from settling at the bottom of the pot and prevents burning.
- If you don't have garam masala, you can use curry powder instead.
- You can also use canned tomatoes instead of fresh tomatoes. Just be sure to drain them before adding them to the pot.
- If you don't have mint leaves, you can use cilantro instead.
- You could saute finely chopped bell peppers along with the onions to give the dish some more color and flavor.
YOUR OWN NOTES
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
Will says
Straight forward and very tasty. I got the burn message but it just added another level of flavour. I did 1:1 rice to water ratio. Would add a little more next time. Thanks for sharing this wee gem.
Uma Raghupathi says
Thanks Will for the feedback. Add more water and scrape the inner pot before closing the lid.This will avoid burn messages.
Sarh says
Delicious and so easy! Really delighted how perfectly the texture of the rice came out. Definitely a keeper!
Uma Raghupathi says
Thank you for taking the time and leaving a rating and feedback!
Anshika Juneja says
Instant pot tomato rice is one of my favorite rice recipe. Such a delicious and flavorful tomato rice recipe.
Hayley Dhanecha says
Just the other day my English friend came to visit me and I prepared this easy Instant pot tomato rice for our dinner, she loved it and I shared it with her 🙂
Mayuri Patel says
I am just getting use to using the Instant Pot for rice dishes. With your clear cut instructions, prepared tomato rice. It came out perfect and what a treat it was as it is pretty cold. So hot flavourful rice was perfect for dinner.
Lata Lala says
How lovely and easy this tomato rice recipe you shared Uma. Though we don't use instant post I tried this in Pressure cooker and it turned out yummmmmmmmmmm and perfect.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
This recipe comes in so handy for the morning. This tomato rice is one of my favorite to make for lunch boxes and it is so convenient to make in the instant pot.
Uma Raghupathi says
Thank you, Sandhya.
Avin Kohli says
I cannot believe its that simple and takes such less ingredients to make. I believe our Indian cooker will also give the same results. Super excited to try this soon.
Seema Doraiswamy Sriram says
We are currently having bad weather and this instant pot tomato rice came in so handy. It was a perfect moodlifter and such a tasty recipe.
Hem lata says
Your instant pot recipe is very fast and easy way to prepare a meal. I have never tried tomato rice earlier, will definitely try this delicious recipe and will give you my feedback.
Myyellowapron says
Tomato rice is my absolute comfort food. Been thinking about making tomato rice and your post just enforced my cravings. 🙂