Name: Easy Fragrant Cardamom Rice (Sri Lankan Yellow Rice)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 cup basmati rice; 2 tbsp vegan butter; 2 garlic cloves; 1/4 tsp turmeric; 1/4 tsp roughly packed saffron; Approx 1 tbsp cardamom pods; Approx 2 tsp whole cloves; 2 cups water; Salt to taste

Jump to Recipe

Buttery and delicious, this cardamom rice looks fancy, yet it is so easy to make! Infused with whole cardamom pods, cloves, and a touch of golden turmeric, this aromatic yellow rice is a spin on a traditional Sri Lankan favorite. Vegan and gluten-free, this 20-minute dish pairs perfectly with curry and sautés and everything in between.

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A big gray tray with Yellow rice with cardamom and cloves.

This cardamom rice is so good that there have been many a time when I have served myself a large plate of it and gobbled it down without anything else. Buttery and incredibly flavorful, this rice is a vegan spin of the Sri Lankan yellow rice recipe my mom makes.

Growing up in Sri Lanka, every holiday, birthday, and celebration involved a large plate of piping hot, aromatic yellow rice. Usually, yellow rice was served with some curried eggplant, potatoes theldala (aka a dry curry), chicken curry, cutlets, boiled eggs, chutney, and some sambol (aka salad). But my mom’s version was so delicious, it could have been served straight up!

My mom’s yellow rice is so fragrant that when we visit her, and she has some cooking, we can usually smell it before she even opens her front door.

Traditional Sri Lankan Yellow Rice (also referred to as Kaha Bath)

My mom usually makes a traditional version of yellow rice with ghee or butter, curry leaves, whole cloves, cardamom pods, saffron, turmeric, and basmati rice.

My Spin On The Dish

This Cardamom Rice is my vegan spin on my mother’s recipe. While many people think “yellow rice” just means adding turmeric, the real secret to that complex flavor is a combination of whole green cardamom pods, cloves, and saffron. When toasted in vegan butter and simmered with the grains, they release an oil that makes every bite incredibly fragrant.

Why You’ll Love This Cardamom Rice Recipe

You only need 7 Simple Ingredients: Pantry staples like turmeric, garlic, and basmati rice.
Made in One-Pot in 20 Minutes: No fancy equipment needed.
Packed with Flavor: We use aromatic spices that result in a dish that tastes amazing.
Vegan and Gluten-free
Perfect Pairing: This rice is the ultimate “blank canvas” for spicy curries, roasted meats, or even a simple fried egg.

The Secret to the Best Cardamom Rice

When you’re searching for the perfect cardamom rice, the quality of your spices matters.

Green Cardamom Pods: We use the whole pods here. They provide a delicate, floral sweetness that ground cardamom just can’t replicate.
Turmeric AND Saffron: This duo gives the rice its iconic golden hue. While saffron adds a honey-like depth, turmeric provides the “vibrance” and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Basmati Rice: Long-grain basmati is essential for that light, fluffy texture where every grain stays separate.

Shashi’s Tip – if you can get your hands on some curry leaves, add about 4-5 to this recipe. They add just a hint of flavor and a ton of delightful aroma! As I couldn’t find any curry leaves at grocery stores near me, I opted to leave them out.

Ingredients

Basmati Rice: Always wash your rice until the water runs clear!

Vegan Butter: For that rich, buttery finish. I used vegan butter instead of real butter or ghee.

Green Cardamom Pods and Whole Cloves: These two add a warming, spicy undertone. You can usually find whole cloves and cardamom pods along with other spices at most grocery stores. However, if you cannot find them, I would urge you not to use powdered cloves and powdered cardamom. The flavors of the powdered versions are more intense, and they would not work well in this recipe. So, if you cannot find whole cloves and cardamom pods, leave them out.

Garlic Cloves: Finely chopped for a savory kick. I love garlic and chose to add some finely chopped garlic to this yellow rice. If you have some ginger garlic paste with you, use a teaspoon of this.

Turmeric and Saffron: That golden hue you see here is because of two spices. One of which is saffron. Now, saffron isn’t cheap, but I have been finding little mini jars with an equally mini-amount of saffron in them at stores like Sprouts and Trader Joe’s for around $7.00 to $8.00. Now that might not be that cheap – but you only need a little bit for this recipe. Saffron is one of those spices where a little goes a very long way. Turmeric powder is very similar in that regard. So, you will have saffron/turmeric on hand when you next need it. However, after saying all that, the saffron can be left out if not found, and this could be called turmeric rice.

Water

Salt to taste

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How to Make Fragrant Cardamom Rice

1. Prep the Rice

Place your basmati rice in a bowl and cover with water. Muddle the grains gently and drain. Repeat this process 3–4 times until the water is no longer cloudy. This removes excess starch and ensures your rice is fluffy, not sticky! By the way, remember to always wash your rice! You can also use jasmine rice or long-grain enriched white rice for this recipe. Just make sure to check cooking times, as they may vary depending on the type of rice you choose.

2. Sauté the Aromatics

Melt the vegan butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic, turmeric, saffron, cardamom pods, and whole cloves. Let them sizzle for about 60 seconds until their aromas are released.

3. Simmer and Steam

Add the washed rice to the pan and stir for a minute to coat the grains in the spiced butter. Pour in the water and bring to a boil. As soon as it boils, lower the flame to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10–14 minutes.

4. Fluff and Serve

Once the liquid is absorbed, turn off the heat and let the rice sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff gently with a fork, season with salt, and enjoy hot or warm!

Shashi’s Serving Tip: For a fancy presentation, add the cardamom rice to a serving platter. Then, add some chopped cashews and chopped fresh parsley to the top of it. Serve while hot.

What to Serve with This Dish

I just adore this rice and love serving it with:

Curries: Like Slow Cooker Salmon Curry, Zucchini Curry, pan-friend eggplant curry, broccoli curry, asparagus curry, harissa tofu curry, turkey curry, or Brussels Sprouts curry.
Chutneys: My Mango Chutney and pineapple chutney are delicious condiments to serve on the side.
Roasts: Perfect alongside roasted meats or roasted veggies.
If you love rice for breakfast, you could serve this yellow rice with a splash of coconut milk, a fried egg, and bell pepper sauté.

No matter what you pair with this rice, I am pretty sure you will enjoy it as much as I do.

A large platter of buttery garlic Yellow rice warm and delicious

More Spiced Rice Favorites:

Love Rice? Then check out these other rice recipes:

Rice Pilaf

Chicken Biryani with Figs and Nuts

Overhead photo of bowl with Chicken Fig Nut Biryani

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