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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

easy
Persian · Rice Dishes
Kateh (کته) — Persian Absorption Rice
Traditional Persian Kateh is a simple absorption-method rice with a tender, slightly sticky texture and a buttery aroma. Popular for everyday meals, it uses minimal ingredients and preserves the rice’s natural fragrance.
75 min 4 378 cal

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medium

Persian · Rice Dishes

Dami Yarma (دامی یارما) — Persian Azeri Bulgur Pilaf

A rustic Persian Azeri one-pot bulgur pilaf steamed with spiced ground meat, tomato paste, and tender carrots and potatoes. Comforting, hearty, and pantry-friendly, with a fluffy, gently crusted bottom.

85 min 4 625 cal

Adas Polo Makhsoos — Persian Lentil Rice with Dates and Raisins - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Adas Polo Makhsoos (عدس پلو مخصوص) — Persian Lentil Rice with Dates and Raisins

Adas Polo Makhsoos is celebratory Persian lentil rice layered with spiced ground meat, sweet dates and raisins, saffron, and crunchy almonds, finished with a crisp potato crust for a balanced savory-sweet main.

130 min 6 780 cal

Tahchin-e Shirazi — Persian Saffron Chicken Rice Cake - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

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

A regal Shiraz-style tahchin: saffron-gold rice bound with yogurt and eggs, layered with tender chicken, and baked for a crisp tahdig crust. Finished with tart barberries and pistachios for a jeweled contrast.

180 min 8 560 cal

Polo Makhlout — Persian Aromatic Mixed Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Polo Makhlout (پلو مخلوط) — Persian Aromatic Mixed Rice

Polo Makhlout is a fragrant Persian mixed rice layered with spiced ground meat, dill, and tomato. A saffron-yogurt tahdig forms a golden, crisp crust beneath fluffy basmati grains—comforting, aromatic, and celebratory.

140 min 6 610 cal

Tahchin Sabzi Polo Torsh — Sour Herb Persian Rice Cake - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Tahchin Sabzi Polo Torsh (ته چین سبزی پلو ترش) — Sour Herb Persian Rice Cake

A golden saffron-yogurt rice cake layered with fragrant herbs and a tangy, Caspian-inspired sourness from dried limes and pomegranate paste. Crisp tahdig outside, tender herb rice inside.

150 min 6 430 cal

Shirazi Polo — Persian Jeweled Layered Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Shirazi Polo (شیرازی پلو) — Persian Jeweled Layered Rice

A celebratory layered Persian rice from Shiraz with saffron-scented basmati, tender chicken, golden fried eggplant, and a crisp yogurt-egg tahdig. Finished with sweet-tart barberries and slivered nuts for a jeweled look.

170 min 6 720 cal

Polow-e Loobia Ghermez — Persian Red Bean Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Polow-e Loobia Ghermez (پلو لوبیا قرمز) — Persian Red Bean Rice

Persian Red Bean Rice layers fluffy basmati with tender kidney beans simmered in a turmeric-tomato base. Finished with crisp tahdig, it is a comforting, everyday Iranian-style pilaf that travels well and reheats beautifully.

145 min 6 385 cal

Shir Polo — Persian Milk Pilaf - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Shir Polo (شیر پلو) — Persian Milk Pilaf

Shir Polo is a celebratory Persian rice pilaf cooked with milk, saffron, and a touch of sugar, then finished with rose water and nuts. Creamy yet fluffy, it’s often served at festive gatherings and Nowruz tables.

155 min 6 488 cal

Dami Yarmeh — Persian Bulgur Pilaf with Meat and Vegetables - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Dami Yarmeh (دمی یارمه) — Persian Bulgur Pilaf with Meat and Vegetables

A rustic Azerbaijani-style Persian bulgur pilaf simmered with spiced ground meat, carrots, potatoes, and tomato paste. This one-pot comfort dish is nutty, savory, and ideal for everyday family meals.

85 min 4 569 cal

Gheimeh Polo — Persian Split Pea and Beef Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Gheimeh Polo (قیمه پلو) — Persian Split Pea and Beef Rice

Gheimeh Polo is a layered Persian basmati rice dish combining tender beef shank, yellow split peas, tomato, and warm advieh spices. Dried limes add a bright, tangy depth, finished with a crisp saffron tahdig.

195 min 6 720 cal

Tahchin-e Zereshk va Gerdoo — Persian Saffron Rice Cake with Barberries and Walnuts - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Tahchin-e Zereshk va Gerdoo (ته چین زرشک و گردو) — Persian Saffron Rice Cake with Barberries and Walnuts

A baked Persian saffron rice cake with a crisp golden crust, layered with spiced ground lamb, tart barberries, and crunchy walnuts. Yogurt and egg bind the rice into neat slices perfect for a centerpiece.

145 min 8 515 cal

Dami Bolghur — Persian Toasted Bulgur and Rice Pilaf - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Dami Bolghur (دمی بلغور) — Persian Toasted Bulgur and Rice Pilaf

Dami Bolghur is a rustic Persian one-pot pilaf of toasted bulgur and rice, scented with turmeric and topped with fried onions. It cooks by absorption, forming a golden crust while staying fluffy and nourishing.

110 min 4 470 cal

Polo-ye Shushtari — Fragrant Shushtari Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Polo-ye Shushtari (پلو شوشتری) — Fragrant Shushtari Rice

A Khuzestani layered rice dish from Shushtar: fluffy basmati steamed with saffron, fresh dill, black-eyed peas, and tender chicken. Fragrant, colorful, and perfect with yogurt or salad for a complete meal.

165 min 6 560 cal

Chelow Kebab Tarkhooni — Persian Tarragon Minced Kebab with Saffron Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Chelow Kebab Tarkhooni (چلو کباب ترخونی) — Persian Tarragon Minced Kebab with Saffron Rice

A fragrant Persian minced kebab scented with fresh tarragon, served with buttery saffron basmati rice. Juicy, lightly spiced meat and aromatic herb notes make this a refined take on classic chelow kebab.

150 min 4 820 cal

Albaloo Tahchin — Persian Sour Cherry Saffron Rice Cake - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Albaloo Tahchin (ته چین آلبالو) — Persian Sour Cherry Saffron Rice Cake

Albaloo Tahchin is a Persian saffron rice cake layered with tart sour cherries and tender meat, baked until a crisp golden crust forms. The yogurt-egg batter binds the rice into a sliceable, festive centerpiece.

210 min 8 610 cal

Kalam Polo — Persian Cabbage Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Kalam Polo (کلم پلو) — Persian Cabbage Rice

Kalam Polo is a jewel-toned Persian rice dish where fluffy basmati is layered with sautéed red cabbage and raisins, then steamed to form a crisp tahdig. Aromatic, gently sweet-tart, and comforting, it’s especially associated with Shiraz.

135 min 6 430 cal

Havij Polow — Persian Carrot and Beef Pilaf - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Havij Polow (هویج پلو) — Persian Carrot and Beef Pilaf

Havij Polow is a festive Persian layered pilaf combining saffron-steamed rice with sweet julienned carrots, peas, and tender spiced beef. Fragrant polow spices and caramelized onions create a balanced, aromatic main dish.

165 min 6 700 cal

Meygoo Polo — Persian Saffron Shrimp Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Meygoo Polo (میگو پلو) — Persian Saffron Shrimp Rice

Meygoo Polo is a Southern Iranian rice dish layering fluffy basmati with saffron-scented shrimp, onion, and garlic. Turmeric and black pepper add warmth, while fresh herbs brighten each bite.

115 min 4 690 cal

Beranj Rangi ba Panir — Persian Saffron Rice with Cheese - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Beranj Rangi ba Panir (برنج رنگی با پنیر) — Persian Saffron Rice with Cheese

A luxurious Persian-style saffron rice finished with butter and aged Parmesan. Long-grain rice is parboiled, steamed for fluffy grains, then perfumed with saffron and enriched with savory broth and cheese.

105 min 6 352 cal

Nokhod Polo — Persian Pea Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Nokhod Polo (نخود پلو) — Persian Pea Rice

Nokhod Polo is a comforting Persian layered rice with sweet green peas, a tomato-onion base, and saffron-tinted basmati. Finished dam-pokht style with crispy potato tahdig, it’s fragrant, colorful, and perfect for everyday family meals.

135 min 6 430 cal

Tahchin — Persian Saffron Yogurt Rice with Crispy Crust - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Tahchin (ته چین) — Persian Saffron Yogurt Rice with Crispy Crust

Tahchin is a Persian baked or pot-cooked rice dish with a prized golden crust. Saffron, yogurt, and egg create a tangy, aromatic base that turns the bottom layer into an intensely crisp, buttery-tasting tahdig.

160 min 6 420 cal

Sardeh Polo — Persian Spiced Carrot and Raisin Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Sardeh Polo (سردِه پلو) — Persian Spiced Carrot and Raisin Rice

Sardeh Polo is a celebratory Persian layered rice dish with fragrant basmati, sweet carrots, plump raisins, savory ground meat, and fried onions. Finished with buttery tahdig, it balances sweet, warm spices with rich, comforting texture.

130 min 6 735 cal

Chelo — Persian Steamed Rice with Tahdig - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Chelo (چلو) — Persian Steamed Rice with Tahdig

A master method for Persian chelo: long, separate grains and a crisp golden tahdig. Learn proper rinsing, soaking, parboiling, steaming, and crust-making with precise times and temperatures for reliable results anywhere.

125 min 6 349 cal