Peanut Rice Recipe | Groundnut Masala Rice | Lunch Box Recipe with detailed photo and video recipe. A tasty and flavoured rice-based dish prepared with roasted peanut/groundnut and other spice mix. It is an ideal lunch box recipe for both kids and adults, and can be prepared easily in a jiffy during those busy mornings. Generally, it is served by itself without any side, but also tastes great with plain raita, dal
Peanut Rice Recipe | Groundnut Masala Rice | Lunch Box Recipe with step-by-step photo and video recipe. A simple and easy peanut-flavoured rice recipe, which is typically prepared with leftover rice for breakfast or lunch boxes. Even though the rice is termed as groundnut masala rice, it has a strong flavour of other spices, including sesame seeds and dal. The combination of these seeds makes it a unique and delicious rice recipe.
Previously, I had shared the capsicum rice recipe, which was a combination of masala/spice mix with veggies like capsicum and onions. The reason I am highlighting it is that the peanut rice is loosely based on it. I have almost used the same peanut masala or groundnut masala for this recipe, with a subtle variation to it. I even thought of adding finely sliced onions to it, but gave up the idea at the last moment. The main reason was to make it a no-onion, no-garlic recipe. Apparently, peanut rice is also served in a couple of south indian temples as nivedyam and prasadam. Therefore, I even wanted to keep it authentic and without any variation.
The recipe is extremely simple without many complicated steps, yet it includes some tips, recommendations and serving ideas for the peanut rice recipe. Firstly, I would highly recommend using dry cooked rice without any moisture for this recipe. Ideally, leftover cooked rice is optimal, but you can use freshly cooked rice by cooling it down. Secondly, you can prepare the spice masala mix well in advance and use it to mix with rice whenever you need it. But make sure to store them in a cool, dry place, like a refrigerator. Lastly, groundnut masala rice can be served as it is without any side, but it tastes amazing with fried papadams and fryums.
Finally, I would request you to check my other Rice Recipes Collection with this post of the peanut rice recipe. It includes recipes like coconut rice, tomato rice, bisi bele bath, chana rice, rajma pulao, puliyodharai and corn fried rice recipe. In addition, do not forget to visit my other similar recipe collections, like,
About Peanut Rice
Peanut Rice delivers a quick and flavorful meal. You roast groundnuts and spices for aroma. Then you grind them to a coarse masala. Next, you temper mustard, curry leaves, chilli, and asafoetida. You toss cooked rice with the masala and tempering. Morning cooks prepare it fast for lunch boxes. Leftover rice works well for this recipe. Basmati rice also suits the flavours. Al dente grains keep the dish from being sticky.
Moreover, the spice blend carries enough taste for a standalone meal. Still, you can serve it with cucumber raita or onion raita. Simple salads add freshness at the table. Dal fry or light vegetable curries pair well with a fuller plate. Cooks from Andhra kitchens celebrate this rice at home and in tiffin boxes. Over time, households across South India adopted it. Today, many families around India pack it for travel and work. Garnish with roasted peanuts and fresh coriander for crunch and colour. Finally, a squeeze of lemon lifts the aroma before serving.
Fun Fact:
In Andhra you will hear it as Verusenaga Annam or Palli Annam. Street vendors in Telangana and Karnataka often sell peanut rice alongside lemon rice and tamarind rice during festivals. Home cooks dry roast the spice mix and store it for quick lunch boxes on busy mornings.
Chef Pro Tips for Peanut Rice
Peanut Rice mixes roasted peanut masala with cooked rice. It suits quick lunch boxes.
- Peanut Roasting: Dry roast peanuts until deep golden and fragrant.
- Coarse Grind: Pulse peanuts with red chilli, cumin, coriander, and salt to a coarse mix.
- Fluffy Rice: Use cooled firm rice with separate grains.
- Tempering: Sizzle mustard, urad dal, chana dal, curry leaves, and asafoetida in hot oil.
- Toppings: Toss rice with the masala, add lemon juice, and garnish with coriander.
Video Recipe
Recipe Card for Peanut Rice
Peanut Rice Recipe - Lunch box recipe
Ingredients
For masala powder:
- 3 tbsp peanut
- 2 tsp chana dal
- 2 tsp urad dal
- 2 tbsp sesame
- ½ tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- 5 dried red chilli
- 2 tbsp coconut
For rice:
- 2 tbsp oil
- 2 tbsp peanut
- 1 tsp mustard
- ½ tsp cumin
- 1 tsp urad dal
- ½ tsp chana dal
- pinch hing
- 2 dried red chilli
- few curry leaves
- ½ tsp turmeric
- 2 tbsp cashew
- 4 cup cooked rice
- 1½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp coriander, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Firstly, in a pan, roast 3 tbsp peanuts on a low flame till they turn crunchy.
- Also, add 2 tsp chana dal, 2 tsp urad dal, 2 tbsp sesame, ½ tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander seeds and roast till the spices turn aromatic.
- Further add 5 dried red chilli, 2 tbsp coconut and continue to dry roast.
- Cool completely, and grind to a fine powder. Keep aside.
- In a kadai, heat 2 tbsp oil and roast 2 tbsp peanuts.
- Add 1 tsp mustard, ½ tsp cumin, 1 tsp urad dal, ½ tsp chana dal, pinch hing, 2 dried red chilli and a few curry leaves. Splutter the tempering.
- Add ½ tsp turmeric, 2 tbsp cashew and saute slightly.
- Now add 4 cup cooked rice, prepared masala powder, 1½ tsp salt. Mix well, making sure all the masalas are well combined.
- Further add 2 tbsp coriander and 2 tbsp lemon juice. Mix gently.
- Finally, enjoy Peanut Rice Recipe with Raita.
How to Make Peanut Rice with Step-by-step Photos
- Firstly, in a pan, roast 3 tbsp peanuts on a low flame till they turn crunchy.
- Also, add 2 tsp chana dal, 2 tsp urad dal, 2 tbsp sesame, ½ tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander seeds and roast till the spices turn aromatic.
- Further add 5 dried red chilli, 2 tbsp coconut and continue to dry roast.
- Cool completely, and grind to a fine powder. Keep aside.
- In a kadai, heat 2 tbsp oil and roast 2 tbsp peanuts.
- Add 1 tsp mustard, ½ tsp cumin, 1 tsp urad dal, ½ tsp chana dal, pinch hing, 2 dried red chilli and a few curry leaves. Splutter the tempering.
- Add ½ tsp turmeric, 2 tbsp cashew and saute slightly.
- Now add 4 cup cooked rice, prepared masala powder, 1½ tsp salt. Mix well, making sure all the masalas are well combined.
- Further add 2 tbsp coriander and 2 tbsp lemon juice. Mix gently.
- Finally, enjoy Peanut Rice Recipe with Raita.
Notes
- Firstly, make sure to use leftover rice; otherwise, there is a chance for the rice to turn sticky.
- Also, dry roast the peanuts well to get a rich, nutty flavour.
- Additionally, you can prepare the masala in large quantities and use it when required.
- Finally, Peanut Rice Recipe tastes great when prepared spicy.
tamrind we didnt use here…is it not needed or forgot to mention?
you can add if you prefer.
I would add more peanuts next time. Their flavour was pretty mild..
can we store peanut masala in fridge. if yes then for how many days.
saves good for months if using dry coconut.
Wow!! Thats a new recipe..will surely try