Kabuli Rice is an exotic pulao that is infused with aromatic spices and layered with sweetened carrots, raisins and silvered almonds. It is traditionally made with lamb but this easy recipe is made without meat and works wonderfully as a side dish.
What Is Kabuli Rice
Also called Afghani Pulao or Qabeli Palaw, this aromatic pilaf is the national dish of Afghanistan. Delicately spiced rice are layered with juicy lamb or beef and finished off with carrots, raisins and nuts.
My Kabuli rice recipe is meatless making this dish simpler that goes so well with meaty Eid dishes or as a delicious side in buffet dinners. I love pairing it with Pakistani dishes and the flavours gel along so beautifully.
This recipe of Kabuli Rice tastes very similar to the ones I have had in Afghani restaurants here but this is just my own recreation and I am not claiming it to be authentic in any way.
Type Of Rice
Most South Asian rice-based dishes are made with Basmati rice. But for this Afghani pulao I prefer to use Sella rice which is slightly harder in texture. The grains do not stick together making it also ideal for cooking if you are a beginner.
Sella is a parboiled variety of Basmati rice where the grains have been partially boiled and then dried. They also have a slight yellow tinge.
If you are using Sella you might need to soak it for longer like 2 hours. Feel free to use Basmati in this recipe if that is all you have.
Tips And Tricks
- Make sure to rinse the rice well till the water runs clear. This process removes most of the starch resulting in separate grains of rice.
- Soak your rice according to the package instructions since it might vary from brand to brand, for Sella rice it typically takes around 2 hours and for Basmati 15-30 minutes.
- Stir fry the raisins till they are soft and swell up and also make sure your carrots are not raw.
- I use chicken stock cubes to flavour the rice but if you want these Kabuli rice to be wholly vegetarian you can sub with vegetable stock cubes.
What To Serve It With
Pair these Kabuli Rice with a richly-flavoured Pakistani gravy or any kind of kabab will also taste great. Also an Afghani salad and some raita will make this meal more wholesome.
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More Rice Recipes
📖 Recipe
Easy Kabuli Rice (Afghani Pulao)
Ingredients
- 2 cups Sella rice
- ¼ cup cooking oil
- 1 big onion thinly sliced
- 2 chicken stock cubes
- salt as required
- 3 cups water
SPICE MIX
- 8 whole black pepper
- 2 black cardamom
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
TOPPING
- 3 tablespoon cooking oil
- 2 cups carrots matchstick cut
- ¾ cup raisins
- ¼ cup silvered almonds
- 2-3 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Wash and soak your rice in lukewarm water for 2 hours.
- Grind together the spice mix into a powder.
- In ¼ cup oil add the sliced onion. When it is golden-brown add 3 cups of water and chicken stock cubes.
- Bring the water to a boil, then put in the rice. On high heat, cover the pot and cook the rice for 2-3 minutes.
- Then lower the heat and add the spice mix. Add some salt at this point and taste. The broth should be slightly salty at this point
- When most of the water has evaporated, cover the pot, turn heat to low and let cook for 5-8 minutes till rice are fully done and tender.
- In a separate pan heat 3 tablespoon oil, add the carrots and fry them on medium-high heat for 2-3 mins. Then add the brown sugar and raisins. Fry till the raisins soften and fluff up. Then take this mixture out in a sieve and drain the oil.
- Put the rice in a platter and spread the carrot and raisin mix on top. Sprinkle wih silvered almonds and serve.
Video
Notes
- Do not grate or finely shred the carrots or they will get mushy. Matchstick cut carrots give a nice crunch and sturdier look even after cooking.
- Sella rice have a harder texture than Basmati rice and the grains do not stick while cooking. They also taste a little different than Basmati but you can substitute with Basmati if you want.
- To make this recipe wholly vegetarian you can sub with vegetable stock cubes.
Nutrition
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Bev says
My friend from Afghanistan prepared this dish at a dinner and I wanted to try to make it myself. This recipe was easy to prepare and so very tasty! My new favorite rice dish!
J says
Is there a spice I can purchase rather than making my own?
Qashang says
Hello, I haven't personally used any ready-made seasoning for Kabuli Pulao. Maybe you can find 'Shan Kabuli Rice' spice mix in your area.
Mishal Afzal says
Amazing! Instructions true to the recipe results! Thank you for this version so I can make this as a beginner and not feel intimidated!
Muni says
Thanks for the recipe! Can you use Basmati instead of Sella rice?
Qashang says
You can definitely use Basmati rice. It will taste slightly different as Sella is firmer in texture.
Aniqa says
This dish turned out great. Easy to make and delicious.
Qashang says
Yay glad you liked it!
Aniqa says
Loved this recipe. Easy to follow. Went very well with heavy meat dishes. Everyone loved it at the party.
Taylor says
I just made this for dinner. My family loved it!
Qashang says
Yay glad your family enjoyed it!