I am sharing two methods: (1) In a pan which uses the cooked rice. (2) In an Instant pot (or pressure cooker) where raw rice is used. Both tastes extremely delicious, choose the one as per your preference. To keep this thakkali sadam authentic, I have made freshly ground masala (spice powder). It gives a fresh and unique flavor to the dish. If you are making this tomato rice very often on a regular basis then I would highly suggest making this masala in a big batch and store in a small airtight container. This way rice will be ready in a jiffy.

One of the readers has tried substituting the freshly ground masala with ready-made madras curry powder. She says rice came out very good. You can see in the comment below. I think this is the clever idea for a quick turn around.You can use bisi bele bath powder instead and I bet it tastes really good.

This tomato rice (the one made on the stove top in a pan) is adapted from “Dakshin: Vegetarian Cuisine from South India” cookbook. I have also tried tamarind rice from this book and I totally loved it. A must-have book, if you love south Indian food.

Stove Top Method:

How to make Tomato Rice? 

  1. Heat the oil in a pan on medium heat. Once hot add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
  2. Then add chopped onions, green chilies, and curry leaves. Sprinkle some salt to speed up the process.
  3. Cook till onion becomes light brown and soft.
  4. Add pureed tomato and remaining salt. Mix well.
  5. Cook till all the moisture from tomato evaporates and becomes a thick paste.
  6. Add prepared spice powder.
  7. Mix well and cook for few seconds.
  8. Add cooked rice.
  9. Mix gently till incorporated well and cook till the rice gets heated through.

Serving Ideas:

Serve tomato rice plain or with yogurt or raita (boondi raita, tadka raita). For some crunch, have some papadum or chips on the side.This is the perfect rice dish to pack into an adult’s or kids’ lunchbox. Also, pack yogurt or raita in a separate container to go with it. If making for kids then adjust or skip the chilies.

NOTE: ingredients amount and method are different for stove top & instant pot cooking. In the recipe card, I have mentioned for stovetop version only. For IP version, see below.

Ingredients for Instant pot tomato rice:

1 cup Basmati rice2 tablespoons Oil½ teaspoon Mustard seeds1 teaspoon Urad dal (split, skinless)1 teaspoon Chana dal (split bengal gram)1 tablespoon Cashew nuts, chopped, optional8-10 Curry leaves1 Green chili, slit1 cup Onion, sliced3 medium Tomatoes, PureedSalt, to taste1 ½ teaspoons Red chili powder2 teaspoons Coriander powder½ teaspoon Garam masala¼ cup Green peas, optional1 ¼ cups Water

How to make Instant Pot Tomato Rice?

Instant pot method is not a traditional one but the improvised version. Did you try this tomato rice recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Leave a review in the comment section below. Check out more south Indian rice recipesCurd rice // Sambar sadam // Ven pongal // Coconut milk rice // Sweet corn rice

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