19 persian rice recipes

Persian sweet rice (shirin polo) cooked in fresh orange juice with orange zest, shredded carrots, toasted almonds, and raisins. A fragrant, jewel-toned side dish for special occasions.

Traditional Persian tahdig rice with saffron, cinnamon, pistachios, golden raisins, and candied orange zest. Fluffy basmati on top, shatteringly crisp golden crust on the bottom.

Persian crusty rice (tahdig) with saffron, cinnamon, orange zest, pistachios, and golden raisins. A showstopping basmati rice with the prized golden crust broken over fluffy steamed grains.

Koofteh Tabrizi, oversized Persian meatballs packed with rice, fresh herbs, and leeks, then poached whole in a turmeric-tomato broth. A celebration dish from Iran's Azerbaijan region.

Persian chicken polo with basmati rice, dried apricots, raisins, and cinnamon layered and steamed together. A fragrant Iranian rice dish where the chicken and fruit sauce perfume every grain.

Persian-style pilaf with basmati rice, red lentils and sour cherries perfumed with turmeric and cumin, finished with a buttery golden crust. A sweet-tart, aromatic side or vegetarian main with real character.

Persian-style mandarine rice with saffron, julienned carrots, slivered almonds, and sultanas in a citrus syrup. Soaked rice baked under a jeweled mandarin and saffron glaze.

Lamb stew with chestnuts and pomegranate layers tender braised lamb with saffron, cinnamon, ground walnuts, and tart pomegranate juice. A jewel-toned Persian-style stew, sweet, sour, and savory, spooned over saffron rice.

Persian-style steamed basmati rice with a golden, crispy tahdig crust on the bottom. Just three ingredients, an overnight soak, and patience create the fluffiest rice you've ever had.

Persian lentil and greens khoreshe with spinach, parsley, cilantro, scallions, and turmeric simmered until tender. A fragrant Iranian stew served over basmati rice.

Sabzi Koofteh: Persian-style giant meatballs of ground beef, rice, split peas, mint, and watercress, simmered in a turmeric-tomato broth. Served with yogurt and pickles for a one-pot Middle Eastern dinner.

Polo havidge loobia is a Persian layered rice pilau with sweet carrots, kidney beans, cinnamon, and a crisp potato tahdig crust. Aromatic, vegetarian, and deeply comforting.

Persian pan kebabs made with seasoned ground beef, grated onion, and cumin, broiled in strips to mimic skewered kebabs. Serve with rice for an easy weeknight dinner.

Khoresht-e Fesenjan: chicken or lamb simmered in a rich, dark walnut and pomegranate sauce with saffron, cinnamon, and nutmeg. A beloved Persian stew served with rice.

A showstopping Persian jeweled rice (javaher polow) layered with saffron-glazed carrots, barberries, currants, pistachios, almonds, orange peel, and rose water. Topped with a golden tah dig crust.

Shereen Polo is a Persian jeweled rice pilau with saffron, julienned carrots, orange peel, almonds, pistachios, and rose water in sugar syrup. Served with crispy tahdig and a side of chicken stew.