Mushroom Rice (Mushroom Pilau)

This is the perfect Mushroom Rice (Mushroom Pilau) Recipe if you are after a fluffy, vibrant, and aromatic rice dish to serve with your curry.

Fragrant and delicious, this Indian mushroom rice is ready in just 25 minutes.

And believe me, it's better than your favorite takeaway restaurants!

This Indian restaurant-style vibrant yellow mushroom pilau has a mild aromatic flavor and only takes 5 minutes to prepare.

The technique I use for preparing this mushroom rice dish is very similar to my Turkish Rice Pilaf (Sehriyeli Pilav) recipe.

I wash and soak the rice in cold water, fry the aromatics in butter (or olive oil), add the water along with the rice, cook, and rest before serving.

Same as Yellow Rice (Indian Turmeric Pilau Rice), this 1 pot dish is very simple, and straightforward yet extremely delicious.

Why This Recipe Works?

• Making this pilau rice with mushrooms only takes 5 minutes longer to make than regular boiled rice.

• It tastes much better and is cheaper than store-bought or takeaway rice!

• This dish is versatile. You can vary the spices and adjust them to your taste. Or you can add leftover chicken or lamb to turn it into a substantial meal.

• You can store the leftovers in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Ingredients and Substitutes

• Rice - Basmati is a fragrant long-grain rice variety that is ideal for dishes like biryani, fried rice, or other pilaf dishes. I prefer basmati rice for this recipe but any other long-grain rice will work. Make sure you don’t use a quick or easy cook or minute rice type as they might turn into a mash or sticky mess. 

• Mushroom - Chestnut mushrooms work great in this rice pilau as they tend to hold their shape much better than other mushrooms when cooked and retain their meaty bite. Alternatively, you can use white button mushrooms or cremini mushrooms.

• Onions - Use white, brown, or yellow onions. Shallots are also great for this recipe. Avoid using red onions as they might affect the color of your dish.

• Ghee - I prefer using ghee or clarified butter as they elevate the flavor of the rice. You can use vegetable oil or olive oil to make this dish vegan.

• Bay leaves – This aromatic leaf adds so much flavor to rice so try not to skip it. Remove them from the pan before serving.

• Turmeric - This spice gives the pilau rice its vivid golden color. Alternatively, you can use saffron infused in milk.

• Stock - It adds great flavor to the rice. Use Basic Homemade Vegetable Stock for the vegan option. Chicken Stock (Bone Broth) also works perfectly with pilaf dishes. Alternatively, you can use stock cubes or store-bought stock.

• Green Cardamom - You can add them whole to the pan or you can split them. Remove them from the pan before serving.

• Cinnamon stick - It adds extra aromatic flavor to this vibrant rice dish. Split it in half before adding it to the rice for extra cinnamon flavor.

• Salt - Adjust it to your taste. Add less salt if using store-bought stock or stock cubes.

How to Make Pilau Rice?

Mushroom Rice Pilau is easy to make and you can experiment with other pilaf alternatives once you’ve mastered the basics.

There are a few easy steps that you need to follow to achieve the best results:

Wash the rice under running cold water until the water coming from the rice is clear, and soak in cold water for 20 minutes.

This step is optional and you can skip it if you are in a hurry.

However, it totally worth the soaking for the perfect fluffy mushroom pilau rice.

Also, soaking the rice reduces cooking time!

Melt the ghee in a pan on medium heat and sauté the onions with garlic until translucent.

Add the mushrooms and sauté for another five minutes.

Stir in the cardamoms, turmeric, bay leaves, and cinnamon stick.

Sauté for 45 seconds, and keep stirring to avoid burning.

Pour in the stock and deglaze the pan.

Add the seasoning and adjust it to your taste.

Add the rice and stir just enough to mix the rice with other ingredients and close the lid.

Lower the heat and gently simmer the rice for 20 minutes without opening the lid.

Remove from the heat and keep the lid closed to rest the pilaf for about 6 to 8 minutes.

Fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving.

Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

Top Tips From the Chef

• Use basmati rice for this dish and avoid using easy cook rice.

• Wash the rice under cold running water until the water coming from the rice is completely clear.

• Soak the rice in cold water for 20 minutes if you have time.

• Use the right amount of rice to water ratio which might differ from the type of rice you are using. This recipe is for basmati rice only. Check the packaging for the right rice-to-water ratio if using different rice.

• Cook the rice on low heat and gently simmer it. Don’t open the lid or stir the rice while cooking. Let it rest for 6 to 8 minutes before opening the lid.

• Gently fluff the rice using a fork before serving.

What to Serve with Mushroom Pilau Rice?

Mushroom Pilau Rice is a delicious and flavorful dish that you can serve on its own or as a side dish with a variety of main courses.

Here are some options to consider:

Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry, Tandoori Chicken, Onion Bhaji (Onion Pakora), Onion Raita, Easy Chicken Handi Recipe, and Dal Palak (Spinach Dal).

There are many options to choose from when it comes to serving Mushroom Pilau Rice.

Feel free to mix and match to find the perfect combination for your taste buds.

Recipe FAQs

Related Recipes

For more delicious rice dishes why not try:

Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

I hope you enjoy the process of making this delicious and colorful Indian Mushroom Rice as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂 

Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!

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