By Becky Hardin
Updated Feb 17, 2025
This fragrant saffron rice is a beautiful mix of basmati rice, aromatics, warm spices, chicken broth, and saffron threads. The bold yellow rice gets its color from the infusion of saffron spice and ground turmeric; and cinnamon, cumin, garlic, and onion work together to create a subtle but savory flavor.
Every time I’ve walked by saffron in the spice aisle, I’ve wondered what it’s for and what it tastes like. It turns out those fancy threads pack a lot of subtle flavor and vivid color into a small package. They’re a bit expensive, but in my opinion totally worth it for this show-stopping rice dish!
This delicious stovetop rice goes well with Indian and pan-Asian dishes. With only 10 ingredients, I love how simple it is to make and it only takes 30 minutes from start to finish!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ▢ ½ yellow onion diced
- ▢ 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- ▢ 1 cinnamon stick
- ▢ ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ▢ 1½ cups dry basmati rice
- ▢ 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
- ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon saffron threads
Video
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat and sauté the onions for 4 minutes. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, ½ yellow onion
- Add in the garlic, cinnamon, cumin and turmeric and cook for 30 seconds or until aromatic. 2 cloves garlic, 1 cinnamon stick, ½ teaspoon cumin seeds, ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- Add the rice and sauté for 3-5 minutes or until it turns to an opaque white color, stirring occasionally. 1½ cups dry basmati rice
- Pour the broth into the saucepan, add the salt and saffron, then stir to combine. 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon saffron threads
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a tight fitting lid.
- Let it cook for 20 minutes, or until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. (Do not open the pan during this time or you’ll let out all of the steam and make some of the rice crunchy and underdone.)
- Remove the pan from the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes with the lid on.
- Fluff the rice with a fork before serving with freshly chopped cilantro if desired.
Becky’s Tips
- I like basmati rice best, but any long-grain rice works.
- Rinse the rice in cold water until the water runs clear. This removes starch from the rice, allowing the grains to separate rather than clump together.
- Toast the rice with the spices to add a nutty flavor to the final dish. You won’t regret it!
- Let the rice rest for at least 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork. This will make the rice nice and fluffy.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Saffron Rice Step-by-Step
Sauté the Onions: In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat and sauté ½ of a diced yellow onion for 4 minutes.
Bloom the Spices: Add in the 2 minced cloves of garlic, 1 cinnamon stick, ½ teaspoon of cumin seeds, and ¼ teaspoon of ground turmeric and cook for 30 seconds or until aromatic.
Toast the Rice: Add 1½ cups of dry basmati rice and sauté for 3-5 minutes or until it turns to an opaque white color, stirring occasionally.
Add the Saffron: Pour 3 cups of low-sodium chicken broth into the saucepan, add ½ teaspoon of kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon of saffron threads, then stir to combine.
Cook the Rice: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Let it cook for 20 minutes, or until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. (Do not open the pan during this time or you’ll let out all of the steam and make some of the rice crunchy and underdone.)
Rest the Rice: Remove the pan from the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes with the lid on. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving with freshly chopped cilantro if desired.
How to Store and Reheat
Store saffron basmati rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 days. Sprinkle it with a few tablespoons of water and reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between, until warmed through.
Freeze leftover rice in an airtight container for up to 4 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this fragrant saffron rice with Indian favorites, like this creamy Indian butter chicken or the flavor-packed chicken tikka masala ! It has a great mild flavor and vibrant color that impresses when served next to just about anything, though, so serve it up with your favorite meal!
More Rice Recipes To Try
Basmati Rice (Stovetop Method)
Spiced Rice Pilaf with Apples and Raisins
Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Easy Mexican Rice Recipe
Saffron Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ½ yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1½ cups dry basmati rice
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon saffron threads
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat and sauté the onions for 4 minutes. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, ½ yellow onion
- Add in the garlic, cinnamon, cumin and turmeric and cook for 30 seconds or until aromatic. 2 cloves garlic, 1 cinnamon stick, ½ teaspoon cumin seeds, ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- Add the rice and sauté for 3-5 minutes or until it turns to an opaque white color, stirring occasionally. 1½ cups dry basmati rice
- Pour the broth into the saucepan, add the salt and saffron, then stir to combine. 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon saffron threads
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a tight fitting lid.
- Let it cook for 20 minutes, or until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. (Do not open the pan during this time or you’ll let out all of the steam and make some of the rice crunchy and underdone.)
- Remove the pan from the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes with the lid on.
- Fluff the rice with a fork before serving with freshly chopped cilantro if desired.
Video
Notes
- I like basmati rice best, but any long-grain rice works.
- Rinse the rice in cold water until the water runs clear. This removes starch from the rice, allowing the grains to separate rather than clump together.
- Toast the rice with the spices to add a nutty flavor to the final dish. You won’t regret it!
- Let the rice rest for at least 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork. This will make the rice nice and fluffy.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
