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Want to bring some color and unique flavors to your table? You should try my saffron rice recipe. It’s fluffy with a golden, vibrant color, making it a unique addition to any meal. This Persian classic is simple and made with a handful of ingredients in just 30 minutes.
Growing up in Iran, rice has always been one of the most important pantry staples for us and we are very proud of our rice recipes. You can make this turn this humble ingredient into so many dishes from Persian one-pot tomato rice, fish tahdig, and dill rice and peas to adas polo (lentil rice) and tahdig.
Today, I’m going to show you how to make Persian-style rice with saffron at home. Follow along for the easiest and most flavorful saffron rice recipe!
Table of Contents
Recipe Highlights
Cuisine: Persian
Cooking Method: Sautéing and steaming
Flavor Profile: floral, earthy, and aromatic
Skill Required: Beginner-friendly
What Is Saffron Rice?
Saffron is my absolute favorite spice, and it’s easy to see why. Its flavor and aroma are delicate yet bold, capable of transforming even the simplest dish into something extraordinary. Take humble rice, for example, a staple we all know and love. But when paired with bloomed saffron, this everyday side dish becomes a vibrant masterpiece. With every spoonful, you’ll find yourself wondering: Where has this been all my life?
Not to be confused with Mediterranean yellow rice, which gets its color from turmeric, saffron rice is a beloved dish in Iranian cuisine. In Iran, its signature golden hue and aromatic flavor come from saffron, which is carefully bloomed on ice to unlock its full potential. The result is a side dish that’s as stunning as it is delicious.
Saffron Rice Ingredients
- Saffron: Make sure to use quality saffron threads and grind it using a pestle and mortar.
- Olive oil: You need about 2 tablespoons of olive oil for this recipe. You can use olive oil or neutral flavored oil such as avocado oil.
- Onion: Finely chopped onion adds a lot of flavor to the rice.
- Rice: I recommend using basmati rice as the long grains hold their shape and have just enough starch to be tender but not sticky.
Ingredient Spotlight: Bloomed Saffron
Saffron is the heart and soul of Persian saffron rice. Actually, it’s the world’s most expensive spice. This exquisite spice, derived from the stigma of crocus flowers, is prized for its vibrant color, floral aroma, and delicate flavor. But to unlock its full potential, saffron must be bloomed—a process that transforms these tiny strands into a powerhouse of taste and aroma.
Blooming saffron on ice is a Persian technique that gently draws out its vibrant pigments and rich fragrance. As the ice melts, it releases the saffron’s deep golden hues and luxurious essence, ensuring every grain of rice is infused with its magic. The technique of blooming saffron ensures the rice is evenly coated with its distinctive hue, creating a dish that’s nothing short of spectacular.
How To Make Saffron Rice
Bloom the saffron: Place two ice cubes in a small bowl. Sprinkle the ground saffron over the ice cubes. Let the ice melt at room temperature. This gentle process unlocks the vibrant color and aroma of saffron.
Saute the onion: Heat the oil oil in a medium-sized pot over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until golden and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
Add and cook the rice: To the sauteed onion, add the rinsed rice and salt. Give it a good stir and add in the broth or water. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes until most of the water is absorbed.
Add the bloomed saffron: Uncover, add the bloomed saffron, and gently stir the rice so all grains are yellow. Cover with the lid and cook on medium-low for 10 minutes until the rice is fluffy and all the water is absorbed. Turn the heat off, let the rice sit covered for 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
Recipe Tips
Use High-Quality Saffron: Always choose good quality saffron strands for the best flavor, aroma, and color. Avoid powders or imitations that lack potency.
Bloom the Saffron Properly: Blooming saffron on ice is key to releasing its vibrant color and fragrance. Be patient and let the ice melt naturally for optimal results.
Rinse the Rice Thoroughly: Wash the white basmati rice 3–5 times until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch, which makes the rice fluffy and the grains separated.
Add a Flavorful Twist: For extra flavor, consider cooking the rice in chicken stock or vegetable stock instead of water.
Fluff Gently: When ready to serve, use a fork to gently fluff the rice to avoid breaking the grains.
What Do You Eat With Saffron Rice?
You can serve saffron rice with different dishes, including Persian pistachio meatballs, kabob koobideh, braised lamb, whole branzino, roasted leg of lamb, and pomegranate chicken. You can also serve it with fesenjan, which is a Persian pomegranate and walnut stew, or khoresh kadoo, which is a chicken and zucchini stew, along with a refreshing salad shirazi.
Storage
Refrigeration: Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or a pan over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Freezing: To freeze saffron rice, let it cool completely and then transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat in a pan over medium heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Saffron rice is aromatic with slight warm floral flavor.
Saffron has a distinct flavor and aroma and cannot be replaced with any other spice.
While turmeric can mimic the color of saffron, it lacks the unique flavor and aroma. For the most authentic experience, stick with saffron.
Rinsing the rice thoroughly and using the correct water-to-rice ratio will ensure fluffy, separate grains.
While it’s more fragrant than basmati, jasmine rice has a slightly sticky texture, which may not replicate the traditional fluffy result.
More Rice Recipes
Persian Recipes
Tahdig Recipe (Persian Crispy Rice)
Greek Recipes
Greek Lemon Rice Recipe
Persian Recipes
Dill Rice with Peas (Persian Style)
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How To Make Saffron Rice
Ingredients
- ¼ teaspoon Ground saffron
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 Yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 cup Basmati rice
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 ½ cups Water , You can use chicken or vegetable broth as well
Instructions
- Wash the rice 3-5 times until the water runs clear. Set aside.
- Bloom the saffron by sprinkling the ground saffron over the 2 ice cubes in a small bowl and let the ice melt. The liquid will be your bloomed saffron.
- Heat the olive oil in a small pot or saucepan over medium-high heat. Saute the onion until golden and translucent.
- Add in the rinsed rice and salt. Stir and add in the water. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until most of the water is absorbed.
- Uncover and pour in the bloomed saffron over the rice. Stir gently, cover, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes so the water is completely absorbed.
- Turn the heat off and let the rice sit covered for 10 minutes. Uncover and fluff using a fork.
Video
Notes
- You can serve this saffron rice with fesenjan, whole branzino or kofta kebab.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan over medium heat.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Just absolutely fabulous! Your recipe was amazing! I am enjoying my Khoreste Bademjun along with your saffron rice and tahdiq recipe! I am so happy I found you online! Many thanks!
Yay! Happy you are here!
Enjoyed this with dinner last night and it does not disappoint! Turned out light, fluffy and delicious; my whole family loved it!
This rice was so easy to make, perfectly fluffy, and was packed with flavor!! It was a great side dish for our dinner last night!
Love anything with saffron in, I can taste this rice bowl right through my phone.
This rice looks so flavorful and delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
Haha! When I make this, I can’t resist tasting it again and again until I think I’ve tasted about half a cup of rice already! Too good!
Thank you so much for this recipe! I love eating saffron rice in the restaurants but now I can make it at home! Love it!
I think I saw this same type of recipe on the NetFlix Heat, Salt, Fat… and something else. Anywhoo…. she made this with her mom and it looked so good! Thanks for the recipe!
Yes! Samin does a great job when it comes to tahdig! Hope you enjoy this tahdig recipe.
Ooooh, what an interesting dish!