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Home›Persian Recipes

🇮🇷Persian Recipes

Discover the rich flavors of Persian cuisine — from aromatic herb stews to jeweled saffron rice, succulent kebabs, and traditional sweets.

206 recipes

Persian cuisine is one of the world's oldest and most sophisticated culinary traditions, stretching back over 5,000 years. Built on a foundation of saffron, dried limes, barberries, and fresh herbs, it celebrates the balance of sweet, sour, and savory in every dish. From the elaborate rice dishes (polo) to the slow-cooked stews (khoresh), Persian cooking is an art form passed down through generations.

🧂 Essential Pantry

SaffronDried limes (limoo amani)Barberries (zereshk)Advieh spice blendRosewaterTurmericBasmati riceFresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, dill, fenugreek)Verjuice (ab-ghooreh)Pomegranate molasses

📂 Browse by category

All (1191)Main Courses (395)Rice Dishes (206)Stews (174)Soups (115)Appetizers (106)Kebabs (72)Side Dishes (41)Breakfast (37)Salads (24)Desserts (9)Breads (8)

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Persian · Rice Dishes
Sabzi Polo ba Mahi (سبزی پلو با ماهی) — Persian Herbed Rice with Crispy Fish
A Nowruz centerpiece, Sabzi Polo ba Mahi pairs fluffy basmati rice with a bright mix of spring herbs and crisp, lemony fish. It’s served to welcome renewal and abundance, with greens symbolizing rebirth at the new year table.
105 min 4 760 cal

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Albaloo Polo — Persian Sour Cherry Saffron Rice with Chicken - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Rice Dishes

Albaloo Polo (آلبالو پلو) — Persian Sour Cherry Saffron Rice with Chicken

Albaloo Polo is a jewel-like Persian rice layered with tart sour cherries, saffron, and a gentle sweetness. Often served at weddings and summer gatherings, it’s traditionally paired with chicken and finished with nuts for crunch.

110 min 6 760 cal

Shekar Polo — Shirazi Sweet Saffron Rice with Citrus and Pistachio - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Shekar Polo (شکر پلو) — Shirazi Sweet Saffron Rice with Citrus and Pistachio

A celebratory specialty from Shiraz, Shekar Polo is a jeweled sweet rice perfumed with saffron and citrus zest. Its golden color and gentle floral sweetness make it a classic accompaniment for festive tables and family gatherings.

80 min 6 458 cal

Adas Polo — Persian Lentil and Raisin Rice with Saffron - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Adas Polo (عدس پلو) — Persian Lentil and Raisin Rice with Saffron

Adas Polo is a beloved Persian rice dish that layers fluffy basmati with tender lentils and sweet raisins, finished with saffron. Often served as comforting family food, it balances savory onions with warm spices in a classic Iranian style.

80 min 6 520 cal

Esfenaj Polow — Persian Spinach and Carrot Pilaf - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Esfenaj Polow (اسفناج پلو) — Persian Spinach and Carrot Pilaf

Esfenaj Polow is a classic Iranian pilaf where fragrant rice is layered with sautéed spinach, carrots, and warm spices. It’s a home-style dish that highlights Persian balance: sweetness from vegetables, savoriness from onions and garlic, and gentle aromatics.

80 min 4 520 cal

Mushroom and Chicken Polo — Saffron-scented layered rice with chicken and mushrooms - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Mushroom and Chicken Polo (پلو مرغ و قارچ) — Saffron-scented layered rice with chicken and mushrooms

A Persian-inspired polo where fluffy basmati rice is layered with saffron-braised chicken, sautéed mushrooms, and sweet fried onions. The dish balances earthy umami with the regal perfume of brewed saffron, perfect for family-style gatherings.

90 min 6 585 cal

Shirazi Polo — Fragrant layered saffron rice with chicken, eggplant, and jeweled barberries - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Shirazi Polo (پلو شیرازی) — Fragrant layered saffron rice with chicken, eggplant, and jeweled barberries

From Shiraz’s celebratory tables, Shirazi Polo layers saffron-steamed basmati with tender meat, golden fried eggplant, and jeweled zereshk. The tahdig is enriched with yogurt and egg yolk for a crisp, rich crust.

120 min 6 780 cal

Shirazi Kalam Polo — Herb-Scented Cabbage Rice with Meatballs - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Shirazi Kalam Polo (کلم پلو شیرازی) — Herb-Scented Cabbage Rice with Meatballs

Kalam Polo is a beloved Shiraz specialty that layers fluffy basmati rice with sweet sautéed cabbage, fresh herbs, and tiny spiced meatballs. It’s a comforting Persian polow often finished with saffron and a crisp tahdig.

110 min 6 640 cal

Reshteh Polo — Persian Noodle Rice with Black-Eyed Peas - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Reshteh Polo (رشته پلو) — Persian Noodle Rice with Black-Eyed Peas

Reshteh Polo is a beloved Persian rice dish where toasted noodles mingle with fluffy basmati and legumes. Often served for Nowruz, the “noodles” symbolize life’s threads—hoping the new year’s paths become easier to untangle.

90 min 6 520 cal

Red Bean Rice — Layered Persian rice with turmeric tomato beans - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Red Bean Rice (پلو با لوبیا قرمز) — Layered Persian rice with turmeric tomato beans

Polowye Loobia Ghermez is a comforting Iranian layered rice (polow) where fluffy basmati is steamed with a savory tomato-turmeric base and tender red kidney beans. It’s a homestyle staple that’s simple, filling, and deeply aromatic.

95 min 4 540 cal

Persian-Style Chicken Polo — Zesty Lemon-Basil Chicken Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Persian-Style Chicken Polo (پلو مرغ) — Zesty Lemon-Basil Chicken Rice

A modern Persian-inspired chicken polo where fluffy basmati rice is layered with sautéed chicken, tomatoes, peppers, and lots of lemon and basil. It echoes the bright, herb-forward flavors popular in contemporary Middle Eastern home cooking.

80 min 4 610 cal

Polo Loobia Ghermez — Persian Red Bean and Lamb Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Polo Loobia Ghermez (پلو لوبیا قرمز) — Persian Red Bean and Lamb Rice

Polo Loobia Ghermez is a comforting Persian rice dish where aromatic beans and spiced meat are layered with fluffy basmati. It’s a family-style meal often served in colder months, showcasing Iran’s love of slow-simmered stews paired with polo.

150 min 6 720 cal

Sheer Polo — Persian Milk Pilaf with Saffron and Nuts - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Sheer Polo (شیر پلو) — Persian Milk Pilaf with Saffron and Nuts

A celebratory rice pilaf from Iranian Azerbaijan, Sheer Polo cooks basmati in milk for a tender, fragrant grain. Saffron, rose water, and a jeweled nut topping make it a classic for Nowruz and weddings.

85 min 6 520 cal

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

Persian · Rice Dishes

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

Beranj Sabz is a Persian-inspired herb rice where long-grain basmati turns fragrant and green with cilantro and aromatics. It’s a bright, everyday-style pilaf often served alongside kebabs, stews, or grilled vegetables.

55 min 6 292 cal

Shang Polo — Persian Wild Herb Rice with Braised Meat - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Shang Polo (شنگ پلو) — Persian Wild Herb Rice with Braised Meat

Shang Polo is a springtime Zagros Mountains specialty where wild shang leaves perfume basmati rice with a pleasant earthy bitterness. Traditionally paired with tender braised meat, it’s a rustic dish that feels celebratory when served with saffron and tahdig.

155 min 6 705 cal

Black-Eyed Pea Rice with Mini Meatballs — Saffron rice layered with peas and spiced meatballs - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Black-Eyed Pea Rice with Mini Meatballs (پلو چشم بلبلی با کوفته ریزه) — Saffron rice layered with peas and spiced meatballs

Polo Cheshm Bolboli is a beloved Persian home-style rice, where fluffy basmati is layered with tender black-eyed peas and sweet sautéed onions. Paired with koofteh rizeh, it’s a comforting, aromatic meal often served with yogurt and fresh herbs.

105 min 6 690 cal

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

Persian · Rice Dishes

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

Reshteh Polo is a Nowruz favorite, symbolizing “holding the threads of life” as noodles weave through fragrant basmati rice. Served with saffron lamb and sweet onions, it’s a celebratory, deeply aromatic Persian centerpiece.

140 min 6 735 cal

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

Persian · Rice Dishes

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

Gheimeh Polo blends the soul of gheimeh stew into fragrant basmati rice, layering tender beef, split peas, and tomato-advieh aromas. It’s a celebratory Persian polo often served for family gatherings, prized for its savory-tangy balance.

165 min 6 735 cal

Tahchin Morgh va Bademjan — Persian Saffron Rice Cake with Chicken and Eggplant - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Tahchin Morgh va Bademjan (ته‌چین مرغ و بادمجان) — Persian Saffron Rice Cake with Chicken and Eggplant

Tahchin is a celebratory Persian rice cake prized for its saffron perfume and crisp, golden crust. This version layers tender chicken and silky fried eggplant, then unmolds into a dramatic centerpiece for family-style meals.

135 min 6 720 cal

Sardee Polo — Persian Carrot Pilaf with Raisins and Spiced Meat - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Sardee Polo (سردی پلو) — Persian Carrot Pilaf with Raisins and Spiced Meat

Sardee Polo is a festive Persian rice dish where sweet carrots and raisins meet savory spiced meat in a fragrant, saffron-tinted pilaf. It’s often served at family gatherings and celebrations, prized for its warm aroma and balanced sweet-savory flavor.

105 min 6 690 cal

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

Persian · Rice Dishes

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

Esfanaj Polo is a refined Persian rice pilaf where sautéed spinach is layered with fragrant basmati and tiny meatballs. Often served with crisp tahdig, it’s prized for its bright green color and comforting, herbaceous aroma.

105 min 6 640 cal

Loobia Polo — Persian Green Bean Rice with Saffron and Beef - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Loobia Polo (لوبیا پلو) — Persian Green Bean Rice with Saffron and Beef

Loobia Polo is a beloved Persian layered rice dish where tender green beans and spiced tomato beef are folded into fluffy basmati. Finished with saffron, it’s a classic family meal often served with yogurt and salad.

95 min 6 640 cal

Shirin Polo — Persian Sweet Rice with Orange Peel and Barberries - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Shirin Polo (شیرین پلو) — Persian Sweet Rice with Orange Peel and Barberries

Shirin Polo is a celebratory Persian rice dish perfumed with saffron, candied orange peel, and jeweled barberries. Often served at weddings and Nowruz tables, it balances sweet, tart, and aromatic notes in classic Iranian style.

115 min 6 610 cal

Dampokhtak-e Adas — Persian One-Pot Lentil Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Dampokhtak-e Adas (دمپختک عدس) — Persian One-Pot Lentil Rice

Dampokhtak-e Adas is a comforting Persian one-pot rice dish where lentils and rice steam together until fluffy and deeply savory. It is a classic home-style meal (often made when you want something nourishing and economical) and is traditionally served with yogurt and pickles for contrast.

75 min 4 540 cal

Persian Recipes — Page 3 — Zaffaron