Instant One-Pot South Indian Tomato Rice Recipe For A Speedy Lunch

By Rajlakshmi

February 27, 2026

It is a must-try recipe for those who love tangy and flavourful one-pot meals. The amalgam of tomato with rice is directly from the heavens, and you can easily cook it at home.

Ingredients

2 cups soaked Basmati rice 1 cup coconut milk 5 cardamom 1 cinnamon, 2 inches Bay leaves – 2 nos 1 tsp coriander powder ½ tsp red chilli powder ¼ tsp turmeric powder 1 onion, sliced 3 tomatoes, pureed 2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves 2 tbsp chopped mint leaves Green chillies Salt, as needed Ghee, as needed Oil as needed Water, as needed

Step 1

Heat oil in a pan. Once the oil is hot, add cardamom, cinnamon, and bay leaves and mix them well.

Step 2

Now add the sliced onions and mix them well. Cover the mixture and cook until soft. Add green chillies, slit and cook again.

Step 3

Now add tomato puree and salt. Cook it till the raw smell fades. Add turmeric, red chilly and coriander powders and fold in the mixture.

Step 4

Cover it and cook till the oil gets separated and floats on the top.

Step 5

Turn off the stove. Pour the tomato gravy into the vessel, which also contains the drained rice.

Step 6

Pour coconut milk and water. Mix them well. Add salt as per your taste. Cook in a rice cooker till the dish is ready to serve.

Step 7

If using a pressure cooker, cook for 2 whistles and put it on a low flame for 10 minutes after the whistles.