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Home›Rice Dishes

🍚 Rice Dishes

From Persian saffron tahdig to Indian biryani, Afghan Kabuli Palaw to Azerbaijani plov - explore rice dishes that are the centerpiece of cuisines across the saffron belt.

263 recipes

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Persian · Rice Dishes
Zereshk Polo (زرشک پلو) — Persian Barberry Rice with Chicken
Zereshk Polo is a celebratory Persian dish of fluffy saffron basmati rice topped with sweet-tart barberries and served with tender chicken in a fragrant onion sauce. Bright color, balanced sour-salty flavor, and crisp tahdig make it unforgettable.
145 min 6 710 cal

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Adas Polo — Persian Lentil Rice - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Rice Dishes

Adas Polo (عدس پلو) — Persian Lentil Rice

Adas Polo is a fragrant Iranian rice dish combining fluffy basmati with tender lentils, finished with saffron and a sweet raisin topping. Comforting yet elegant, it balances earthy, floral, and caramel notes in every bite.

135 min 6 447 cal

Mash Polo — Persian Mung Bean Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Mash Polo (ماش پلو) — Persian Mung Bean Rice

Mash Polo is a comforting Persian rice dish that pairs fluffy basmati with tender mung beans, golden onions, turmeric, and black pepper. Optional raisins and cinnamon add a gentle sweetness and warmth for a balanced everyday meal.

150 min 6 406 cal

Polo Se Rang — Persian Three-Colored Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Polo Se Rang (پلو سه رنگ) — Persian Three-Colored Rice

A festive Persian layered rice with three vibrant colors: saffron-gold, spinach-green, and carrot-orange. Fragrant basmati is parboiled, tinted, and steamed with a crisp tahdig, then finished with almonds and raisins.

130 min 6 520 cal

Polo Morgh-e Sorkh Shodeh — Persian-Style Fried Chicken Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Polo Morgh-e Sorkh Shodeh (پلو مرغ سرخ شده) — Persian-Style Fried Chicken Rice

Fragrant Persian-style basmati rice topped with saffron-tinted fried chicken, barberries, toasted almonds, and a colorful pepper-corn mix. Bright, aromatic, and balanced with gentle curry warmth and tangy pops.

105 min 4 790 cal

Tahchin Shirazi — Saffron-Infused Persian Rice Cake - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Tahchin Shirazi (ته چین شیرازی) — Saffron-Infused Persian Rice Cake

Tahchin Shirazi is a saffron-stained Persian rice cake layered with tender chicken and set with a yogurt-egg custard. Baked or stovetop-steamed until crisp, its golden tahdig contrasts with tart barberries and toasted almonds.

170 min 6 710 cal

Estamboli Polo — Persian Tomato and Potato Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Estamboli Polo (استانبولی پلو) — Persian Tomato and Potato Rice

Estamboli Polo is a comforting Persian one-pot rice layered with tomatoes, potatoes, and savory ground meat. Saffron perfumes the dish while tomato paste and broth deepen its color and tangy, home-style flavor.

115 min 6 560 cal

Tahchin — Persian Saffron Rice Cake with Golden Tahdig - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Tahchin (ته چین) — Persian Saffron Rice Cake with Golden Tahdig

Tahchin is a Persian saffron rice cake with tender chicken set in a yogurt–egg custard and a thick, golden tahdig crust. It is baked or stovetop-steamed, then unmolded for a dramatic, crunchy, aromatic centerpiece.

210 min 6 640 cal

Chelow Kabab Tarkhooni — Persian Tarragon Kebabs with Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Chelow Kabab Tarkhooni (چلو کباب ترخونی) — Persian Tarragon Kebabs with Rice

Juicy Persian tarragon pan-kebabs bound with egg and onion, seasoned with turmeric and pepper, served with buttery saffron rice. Yogurt adds tenderness and a fresh herbal finish.

115 min 4 718 cal

Chelo Goosht Semnani — Semnani Rice with Lamb - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Chelo Goosht Semnani (چلو گوشت سمنانی) — Semnani Rice with Lamb

A Semnan specialty of tender lamb neck braised with onion, tomato paste, and cinnamon, then layered into saffron basmati rice to steam. The meat juices perfume each grain for a rich, celebratory chelo.

240 min 6 740 cal

Shang Polo — Persian Wild Garlic Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Shang Polo (شنگ پلو) — Persian Wild Garlic Rice

Shang Polo is a springtime Persian layered rice dish scented with wild garlic and saffron. Fluffy basmati is combined with tender lamb or beef, turmeric, and onions for a pungent, earthy, seasonal flavor.

155 min 6 610 cal

Polo-ye Sonati Limousin — Persian Rice with Chicken, Carrots & Raisins - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Polo-ye Sonati Limousin (پلو سنتی لیموسین) — Persian Rice with Chicken, Carrots & Raisins

A fragrant Persian-style layered rice with tender chicken, caramelized carrots, sweet raisins, and green peas. Cardamom, turmeric, and tomato paste build a savory aroma, finished with fluffy steamed rice and crisp tahdig.

150 min 6 760 cal

Esfanaj Polo — Persian Spinach Rice Pilaf with Meatballs - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Esfanaj Polo (اسفناج پلو) — Persian Spinach Rice Pilaf with Meatballs

Esfanaj Polo is a classic Persian pilaf layering fragrant basmati rice with sautéed spinach and tender mini meatballs, brightened with verjuice. It finishes with a golden bread tahdig for a crisp, buttery crunch.

145 min 6 615 cal

Tahchin Morgh or Bareh — Persian Saffron Rice Cake - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Tahchin Morgh or Bareh (ته چین مرغ یا بره) — Persian Saffron Rice Cake

Tahchin is a Persian saffron rice cake with a crisp golden crust and tender marinated meat inside. This version offers a choice of chicken or lamb, layered with tangy barberries and bound with yogurt and egg yolks for a rich, fragrant sliceable dish.

195 min 8 620 cal

Felfel Polo ba Tokhm Morgh — Persian Bell Pepper Rice with Eggs - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Felfel Polo ba Tokhm Morgh (فلفل پلو با تخم مرغ) — Persian Bell Pepper Rice with Eggs

A comforting Persian kateh-style rice dish where sautéed bell peppers perfume the pot as the rice steams. Finished with sunny-side-up eggs, it’s colorful, satisfying, and made from simple pantry staples.

70 min 4 500 cal

Dam-Pokhtak Baqali Khoshk Zard (‌ ) — Persian Yellow Split Pea Pilaf - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Dam-Pokhtak Baqali Khoshk Zard (دم‌پختک باقلی خشک زرد) — Persian Yellow Split Pea Pilaf

A comforting Tehrani one-pot rice pilaf colored golden with turmeric and dotted with tender yellow split peas. Finished with fresh dill, it is simple, fragrant, and especially popular in colder months.

145 min 4 455 cal

Esfenaj Polo — Persian Spinach Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Esfenaj Polo (اسفناج پلو) — Persian Spinach Rice

Esfenaj Polo is Persian basmati rice layered with sautéed spinach, onion, garlic, and turmeric, finished with saffron and a crisp tahdig. A little lemon brightens the earthy greens for a balanced, aromatic pilaf.

115 min 4 560 cal

Kateh Tond — Persian Spicy Steamed Rice with Chicken - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Kateh Tond (کته تند) — Persian Spicy Steamed Rice with Chicken

A northern Iranian-style one-pot kateh rice cooked with tender chicken, onions, herbs, and warming spices. Verjuice adds bright acidity while butter enriches the grains for a comforting, aromatic meal.

115 min 4 646 cal

Polo Portugali — Persian Portuguese-Style Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Polo Portugali (پلو پرتغالی) — Persian Portuguese-Style Rice

Polo Portugali is a Persian-style tomato rice pilaf simmered in meat broth with onion, sweet bell peppers, and ripe tomatoes, then finished with melted butter for a glossy, savory, comforting result.

130 min 6 410 cal

Masaleh Polo — Persian Spiced Rice with Meatballs - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Masaleh Polo (مصالح پلو) — Persian Spiced Rice with Meatballs

Masaleh Polo is a celebratory Persian spiced rice layered with saffron, warm aromatics, and tender meatballs. Tart barberries and sweet raisins add contrast, creating a fragrant, jewel-like dish with fluffy grains and rich flavor.

150 min 6 790 cal

Shirin Polo ba Adas va Keshmesh — Persian Sweet Rice with Lentils and Raisins - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Shirin Polo ba Adas va Keshmesh (شیرین پلو با عدس و کشمش) — Persian Sweet Rice with Lentils and Raisins

Festive Persian sweet rice layered with tender lentils, plump raisins, candied citrus peel, and saffron. Finished with buttery nuts and a crisp tahdig, it balances earthy, floral, and honeyed flavors for celebrations.

140 min 6 520 cal

Dami Bademjan — Persian One-Pot Eggplant and Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Dami Bademjan (دمی بادمجان) — Persian One-Pot Eggplant and Rice

Dami Bademjan is a comforting Persian one-pot rice dish layered with silky fried eggplant, spiced ground meat, and tomatoes. The dami steaming method perfumes basmati rice with turmeric and creates a crisp bottom crust.

135 min 6 540 cal

Beranj Sabz — Persian-Style Green Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Beranj Sabz (برنج سبز) — Persian-Style Green Rice

Beranj Sabz is fluffy long-grain rice steamed with fresh cilantro, onion, peppers, tomato, garlic, and cumin. Bright, aromatic, and lightly spicy, it pairs beautifully with grilled meats or roasted vegetables.

100 min 6 304 cal

Polo Cheshm Bolboli ba Koofteh Rizeh — Persian Black-Eyed Pea Rice with Mini Meatballs - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Polo Cheshm Bolboli ba Koofteh Rizeh (پلو چشم بلبلی با کوفته ریزه) — Persian Black-Eyed Pea Rice with Mini Meatballs

Fragrant saffron rice layered with tender black-eyed peas and caramelized onions, served with juicy spiced mini meatballs. A comforting Persian home-style dish with crisp tahdig and balanced, savory aromas.

145 min 4 780 cal