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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
Sabzi Polo (سبزی پلو) — Persian Herbed Rice with Saffron
Fragrant Persian herbed rice layered with dill, parsley, and coriander, steamed for a crisp tahdig and finished with saffron butter. Served with tender lamb and garlic for a classic Nowruz-style centerpiece.
165 min 6 760 cal

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Persian · Rice Dishes

Keshmesh Polow (کشمش پلو) — Persian Raisin Rice with Lamb

Keshmesh Polow is a celebratory Persian layered basmati rice with saffron, sweet raisins, and tender braised lamb. Finished with a crisp tahdig base, it balances warm spices, tomato, and caramelized onion in every bite.

215 min 6 740 cal

Dampokhtak — Persian Turmeric Rice with Yellow Split Peas - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Dampokhtak (دمپختک) — Persian Turmeric Rice with Yellow Split Peas

Dampokhtak is a comforting Persian one-pot rice dish colored with turmeric and scented with saffron. Tender yellow split peas, sweet onion, and fluffy basmati rice cook together, finished with butter for a rich, home-style flavor.

130 min 4 510 cal

Gol Kalam Polow — Persian Cauliflower Pilaf - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Gol Kalam Polow (گل کلم پلو) — Persian Cauliflower Pilaf

Gol Kalam Polow is a fragrant Persian pilaf of parboiled basmati rice layered with golden sautéed cauliflower, fresh dill, bloomed saffron, and warm turmeric. It’s comforting, aromatic, and ideal for family-style meals.

125 min 6 430 cal

Kalam Polo Ghermez — Persian Red Cabbage Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Kalam Polo Ghermez (کلم پلو قرمز) — Persian Red Cabbage Rice

A jewel-toned Persian layered rice dish where tangy-sweet red cabbage and saffron chicken meet fragrant rose petals and cinnamon. Crisp tahdig and fluffy basmati make it festive yet approachable.

130 min 6 560 cal

Tahchin Alo va Esfenaj ba Morgh — Persian Saffron Rice Cake with Plum and Spinach - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Tahchin Alo va Esfenaj ba Morgh (ته چین آلو و اسفناج با مرغ) — Persian Saffron Rice Cake with Plum and Spinach

A festive Persian tahchin with tender saffron chicken, sautéed spinach, and tart dried plums layered into a golden yogurt-rice cake. Baked until a crisp tahdig forms, then unmolded for a regal centerpiece.

180 min 6 610 cal

Adas Polo ba Sos-e Morgh — Persian Lentil Rice with Savory Chicken - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Adas Polo ba Sos-e Morgh (عدس پلو با سس مرغ) — Persian Lentil Rice with Savory Chicken

Fluffy basmati rice layered with tender lentils and finished with a savory chicken and bell pepper sauce. Saffron, caramelized onion, and toasted slivered almonds create a fragrant, comforting Persian-style meal.

145 min 6 610 cal

Nokhod Polo — Persian Green Pea Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Nokhod Polo (نخود پلو) — Persian Green Pea Rice

Nokhod Polo is a Persian dam-pokht style rice layered with sweet green peas, a rich tomato-onion base, turmeric, and brewed saffron. Finished with crisp potato tahdig, it is comforting, colorful, and fragrant.

145 min 6 520 cal

Polow Zaferani Fasl — Persian Seasonal Saffron Jeweled Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Polow Zaferani Fasl (پلو زعفرانی فصل) — Persian Seasonal Saffron Jeweled Rice

Fluffy basmati rice layered with seasonal vegetables and saffron, finished with a crisp potato tahdig. A festive Persian mixed rice that’s aromatic, colorful, and ideal for family gatherings.

150 min 6 520 cal

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

Persian · Rice Dishes

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

Fluffy basmati rice layered with sautéed sweet bell peppers, onion, garlic, and turmeric, then finished with crisp-edged fried eggs and fresh herbs. Colorful, comforting, and weeknight-friendly with classic Persian aroma.

95 min 4 560 cal

Reshteh Polo — Persian Noodle Rice with Savory Meat - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Reshteh Polo (رشته پلو) — Persian Noodle Rice with Savory Meat

Reshteh Polo is a celebratory Persian rice dish where toasted noodles are steamed with fragrant basmati, then topped with tender spiced meat and onions. Traditionally served for Nowruz, it is aromatic, rich, and comforting.

150 min 6 735 cal

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

Persian · Rice Dishes

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

Havij Polow is a celebratory Persian layered rice dish with saffron, caramelized carrots, green peas, and tender beef. Fragrant advieh and crispy tahdig bring sweet-savory balance and aroma to every bite.

150 min 6 705 cal

Polow-e Cheshm Bolboli ba Koofteh Rizeh — Persian Rice with Black-Eyed Peas and Soy Mini Meatballs - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Polow-e Cheshm Bolboli ba Koofteh Rizeh (پلو چشم بلبلی با کوفته ریزه) — Persian Rice with Black-Eyed Peas and Soy Mini Meatballs

Fluffy saffron rice layered with tender black-eyed peas and warmly spiced soy mini meatballs. This comforting Persian-style pilaf is aromatic, protein-rich, and perfect for a family meal with yogurt and pickles.

150 min 6 627 cal

Tahchin Esfenaj — Persian Saffron Spinach Rice Cake - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Tahchin Esfenaj (ته چین اسفناج) — Persian Saffron Spinach Rice Cake

Tahchin Esfenaj is a Persian saffron rice cake baked upside-down with a crisp golden tahdig crust. Fluffy basmati rice is bound with yogurt and egg yolks, layered with sautéed spinach and spiced minced meat, then unmolded as a striking centerpiece.

150 min 6 610 cal

Tahchin-e Esfenaj — Persian Saffron Rice Cake with Spinach - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Tahchin-e Esfenaj (ته چین اسفناج) — Persian Saffron Rice Cake with Spinach

Tahchin-e Esfenaj is a layered Persian saffron rice cake with sautéed spinach and seasoned ground meat, baked until a deep golden tahdig crust forms. Fragrant, sliceable, and ideal as a centerpiece dish.

145 min 6 560 cal

Shirin Polow — Persian Saffron Sweet Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Shirin Polow (شیرین پلو) — Persian Saffron Sweet Rice

Shirin Polow is a celebratory Persian saffron sweet rice made with fragrant basmati, milk, butter, and saffron. Gently steamed for a golden, creamy texture, it balances floral aroma with a rich, buttery finish.

120 min 6 395 cal

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

Persian · Rice Dishes

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

Tahchin Albaloo is a crisp-bottomed Persian rice cake layered with sweet-tart sour cherries. Parboiled basmati is bound with saffron yogurt and baked into a golden crust, perfect for celebrations and festive tables.

165 min 8 401 cal

Loobia Polo ba Sabzi — Persian Green Bean and Herb Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Loobia Polo ba Sabzi (لوبیا پلو با سبزی) — Persian Green Bean and Herb Rice

Loobia Polo ba Sabzi is a fragrant Persian layered rice featuring tender green beans, sautéed onions, tomato paste, and a fresh mix of herbs, finished with saffron. It’s fluffy, colorful, and ideal for family-style meals.

130 min 6 420 cal

Lubia Polo — Persian Green Bean Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Lubia Polo (لوبیا پلو) — Persian Green Bean Rice

Lubia Polo is a classic Persian layered rice dish combining tender lamb, sautéed green beans, and a tomato-cinnamon sauce. Finished with butter and steamed to a crisp tahdig, it’s a comforting family-style meal.

165 min 6 640 cal

Estamboli Polo — Persian Tomato Rice with Lamb - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Estamboli Polo (استانبولی پلو) — Persian Tomato Rice with Lamb

Estamboli Polo is a classic Persian one-pot rice dish where tender lamb, onions, and tomatoes simmer into a tangy, savory base, then steam with rice for fluffy grains and a golden crust. Comforting, aromatic, and weeknight-friendly.

150 min 6 610 cal

Havij Polo — Persian Carrot Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Havij Polo (هویج پلو) — Persian Carrot Rice

Havij Polo is a festive Persian rice dish layered with saffron, caramelized carrots, and savory meatballs. Long-grain basmati steams to fluffy perfection over a crisp tahdig, finished with pistachios and warm cinnamon.

145 min 6 710 cal

Tahchin Goosht va Bademjan — Persian Saffron Rice Cake with Meat and Eggplant - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Tahchin Goosht va Bademjan (ته چین گوشت و بادمجان) — Persian Saffron Rice Cake with Meat and Eggplant

A celebratory Persian saffron rice cake with a crisp tahdig crust, layered with tender lamb or beef and golden eggplant. Yogurt and egg yolks bind the rice into a sliceable, aromatic centerpiece.

195 min 6 705 cal

Polow-e Loobia ba Koofteh Rizeh — Persian Rice with Black-Eyed Peas and Mini Soy Meatballs - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Polow-e Loobia ba Koofteh Rizeh (پلو لوبیا با کوفته ریزه) — Persian Rice with Black-Eyed Peas and Mini Soy Meatballs

Fluffy Persian-style rice layered with tender black-eyed peas and crisp mini soy meatballs, finished with saffron butter. A plant-based comfort dish with warm turmeric and pepper, ideal for family-style serving.

180 min 6 560 cal

Reshteh Polo — Persian Celebration Noodle Rice with Braised Lamb - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Reshteh Polo (رشته پلو) — Persian Celebration Noodle Rice with Braised Lamb

Fragrant basmati rice layered with toasted polo noodles and crowned with tender saffron-braised lamb. Traditionally served for Nowruz, this celebratory dish balances nutty noodles, aromatic spices, and golden tahdig.

210 min 6 745 cal