Bagara Rice Recipe: A Hyderabadi Staple You Must Try

By Shreya Sarpal

June 22, 2025

Bagara rice, also known as bagara annam, is a rice delicacy prepared in Hyderabad. It is an aromatic dish made with rice, whole spices, fresh mint leaves and coriander leaves. Here’s a simple recipe to prepare this dish.

Ingredients

1 cup basmati rice 2 tbsp oil or ghee 1 thin-sliced onion 1 slice green chilli 2-3 cloves garlic, minced 1/2-inch minced ginger 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander leaves 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves 1 small bay leaf 1-2 cloves 1-inch cinnamon stick 2 cardamom pods 1/2 tsp cumin seeds 1/4 tsp turmeric powder 1 3/4th cups water Salt, to taste

Step 1

Wash and soak the basmati rice for 20-30 minutes, drain and set aside.

Step 2

Heat oil/ghee in a pot, add bay leaf, cloves, cinnamon, cardamon, cumin seeds and sauté until aromatic.

Step 3

Add sliced onions, green chilli, sauté until they turn brown, then stir ginger, garlic, turmeric, coriander, mint leaves and cook for 1 minute.

Step 4

Add drained rice, sauté for 1-2 minutes, then pour some water, add salt and bring to boil.

Step 5

Cover and cook until rice is tender and water is absorbed.

Step 6

Serve the bagara rice with raita!