Ghee Bhat
Fragrant rice cooked with ghee, whole spices, onion, and herbs for a lightly spiced Karnataka-style rice dish. It is comforting, aromatic, and works beautifully as part of a festive or everyday meal.
For 4 servings
- prep · ~20 min
Soak the rice and prepare the aromatics.
1.Wash the basmati rice until the water runs mostly clear.2.Soak the rice in fresh water for 20 minutes, then drain well.3.Slice the onion, slit the green chili, chop the ginger, and chop the coriander leaves and mint.TIPDrained rice gives separate grains and helps prevent a sticky finish. - saute · ~1 min
Heat the ghee and cook the whole spices.
1.Heat the ghee in a heavy pot over medium heat.2.Add cinnamon, cloves, green cardamom, and bay leaf.3.Cook for 20 to 30 seconds until the spices smell fragrant. - saute · ~6 min
Cook the onion, chili, and ginger.
1.Add the sliced onion and cook until soft and lightly golden, about 4 to 5 minutes.2.Add the green chili and chopped ginger.3.Cook for 1 minute until the raw smell fades.TIPDo not brown the onion too much; a light golden color keeps the rice delicate. - mix · ~1 min
Stir in the rice and herbs.
Add the drained rice, mint, and half of the coriander leaves. Gently stir for 1 minute so the grains are coated well in the ghee without breaking.
- boil · ~4 min
Add water and bring the rice to a boil.
Pour in the water and add the salt. Bring everything to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- steam · ~15 min
Cover and cook the rice until tender.
Lower the heat, cover the pot tightly, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes until the rice is done and the water is absorbed.
TIPKeep the lid closed while the rice cooks so the steam stays trapped. - rest · ~5 min
Rest the rice before fluffing.
Turn off the heat and let the rice rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff gently with a fork or spoon.
- garnish
Finish with the remaining coriander leaves.
- serve
Serve the ghee bhat hot.
What to keep in mind.
7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Drain the soaked basmati very well before it goes into the pot; extra water can make ghee bhat heavy instead of fluffy.
- 2Let the whole spices bloom only until fragrant in the ghee; if they darken too much, the rice can taste bitter.
- 3Cook the onions just to light golden, not deep brown, so the finished rice stays pale, delicate, and aromatic.
- 4Stir the rice gently for only about a minute after adding it, just enough to coat the grains without snapping them.
- 5Use a heavy-bottomed pot with a tight lid so the bottom does not scorch while the rice steams.
- 6After cooking, rest the rice covered for 5 minutes before fluffing; this helps the grains firm up and stay separate.
- 7If making ahead, cool the rice uncovered for a few minutes before storing so trapped steam does not soften the grains.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegetable
Add peas, carrots, or beans after the onions for a fuller one-pot meal with more color and texture.
low spiceLow-spice
Reduce the green chilies to one or skip them for a milder ghee bhat that still keeps its warm whole-spice aroma.
veganVegan
Replace ghee with coconut oil or a neutral oil; the dish loses some buttery depth but stays fragrant and dairy-free.
festival styleFestival-style
Garnish with fried cashews and a little extra ghee for a richer, celebratory Karnataka-style serving.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Herb-Forward Aromatics
Mint and coriander add freshness and plant compounds that brighten the dish without needing heavy masala.
Gentle, Easy Comfort Food
With plain rice, ginger, and mild whole spices, this dish is simple and soothing alongside dals or curries.
Balanced With Whole Spices
Cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and bay leaf bring flavor through aroma, so the rice tastes complex with minimal ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, but reduce the water and cooking time as needed for your rice variety. Basmati gives the light, separate grains typical of ghee bhat.



