By Candice Walker on November 12, 2024 (Last updated November 12, 2024) This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
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The sheer variety in flavor in Persian rice dishes is unmatched. From simple, perfect saffron rice to layered and majestic Shirin Polo, making and eating Persian rice dishes is a pure joy. There’s something for every palette: there are rice dishes for vegetarians and meat-eaters. Plus, if you’re feeling brave, you can turn any of them into a crunchy tahdig.
🌟 Why Persian Rice Dishes are the Best
Amazing recipes perfected over time: For me, Persian rice dishes are at the heart of Persian cuisine and tradition. They are rich in flavor and texture, beautiful to look at, and steeped in history. Each uses a traditional par-boil, then steam method, and you can turn any of them into tahdig by following the instructions in this post for how to make tahdig.
Incredible texture: Persian rice achieves a perfect balance between fluffy, separated grains and a crispy tahdig (that prized crunchy layer at the bottom of the pot). This contrast of textures—soft, delicate rice with a crunchy, flavorful base—creates an extraordinary eating experience.
Tantalizing spices and herbs for your tastebuds: Persian dishes are packed with fragrant herbs and spices, and these rice dishes are no exception. Saffron, cardamom, barberries, dill, and more are infused into layers of aroma and flavor. If you want to start simple, you can’t go wrong with an easy saffron rice.
❤️ My Favorite Persian Rice Dishes
1.
4-Ingredient Steamed Persian Rice (with or without Saffron)
You have to start with the classics! Par-boiled, then steamed, this rice is the traditional way to cook Persian rice with just 4 ingredients. The saffron is an optional addition, but if you can include it, I would as it takes it to the next level.
2.
4 Ingredient Tahdig (Persian Crunchy Rice)
Crunchy tahdig is what you get at the bottom of a pot of Persian rice. It's notoriously tricky to manage, but with this recipe, it comes out perfectly every time! Follow my tips and tricks and you won't go wrong.
A flavorful and filling Persian rice dish, Lubia Polo (or Loobia Polo) is layered with small cubes of tender beef and fresh green beans. The basmati rice is stewed in both fresh Roma tomatoes and tomato paste to give it extra sweetness and is infused with delicious Persian spices.
Zereshk Polo is a classic Persian rice dish that's easy enough to make on a weeknight making it one of my go-tos. This fluffy rice is brimming with barberries, a wonderfully tart and tangy dried fruit. that you simply have to try.
Adas polo is a gorgeous layered saffron rice dish with rice, lentils, and sweet currants. It's a simple yet scrumptious dish that pairs well with meats like beef and lamb or is enjoyed on its own with a dollop of yogurt.
Albaloo Polo bah Morg – Sour Cherry Rice with Chicken
Albaloo Polo is a Sour Cherry Rice made with plump sour cherries, pistachios, slivered almonds, and chicken. It's a beautiful and majestic Persian dish that has an unbeatable blend of flavors.
Shirin Polo is a superbly special, jeweled rice that is usually served at weddings to bring sweetness to the happy new couple. It's a sweet rice pilaf layered with dried fruit, nuts, and candied orange peel.
Baghali Polow is a Persian Dill Rice made with fava beans, broad beans, or lima beans. My grandma taught me to make this recipe with frozen lima beans and dried dill. This makes it easy to make all year long, and the dried dill packs a ton more flavor than fresh.
Serve your Persian rice with a hearty meat stew if making a simple steamed basmati rice – I recommend khoresh e beh or ghormeh sabzi.
I also like to pair rice with a fresh, bright salad option like a classic Shirazi salad and a kabob if making one that has a few more ingredients like adas polo or zereshk polo.
My favorite to pair with fish dishes is baghali polo.
🏆 Tips for The Best Results Every Time
Patience is key: Good rice takes time to make. Don’t rush any of the steps, otherwise, you may be setting yourself up to undercook or overcook your rice. Persian rice is never mushy, always perfectly al dente, which can only be achieved with love and attention from you!
Wash your rice thoroughly: This helps remove excess starch, which can make your rice too sticky or clumpy instead of that fluffy texture we want.
Give yourself enough time: Some of these rice recipes have multiple involved steps and need plenty of time to complete them. Read the recipe instructions and allot yourself enough time to complete them all without getting stressed.
🍚 More Persian Recipes
I get excited every single time I get the chance to introduce someone new to the wealth of great dishes in Persian cuisine. Start with these amazing recipes.
