Indian Fried Rice is an easy and straightforward recipe using leftover rice taking just 5 minutes. This particular recipe is made to a Gujarati style rice known as Vagharelo Bhaat, with rice, a simple vaghar and green chillies.

Indian fried rice in a large pan on the table. - 1
  • Vagharelo Bhaat Ingredients
  • How to make Indian Fried Rice
  • Serving Suggestion
  • Storage
  • Other Fried Rice Recipes

Indian style fried rice is known as Vagharelo bhaat in Gujarati or Fodni bhaat in Maharashtra. It is a great way to use leftover basmati rice or Jeera Rice and is so quick to make.

Indian fried rice is a naturally vegan dish and is gluten-free.

It has indian flavors unlike more commonly known fried rice recipes such as Thai fried rice.

​We love fried rice recipes such as Schezwan rice from Indo chinese cuisine which uses soy sauce.

Vagharelo Bhaat is our go-to recipe for leftover rice because it takes only a couple of minutes and needs few basic ingredients. It is mild in taste and is not spicy. My Mum tends to use mustard seeds, curry leaves and green chillies with just red chilli and turmeric powder.

When in the mood or have little more time on hands, she addes onion and garlic too.

Vagharelo Bhaat Ingredients

Full ingredients with measurements are available in the recipe card below at the end of this post

Leftover rice – frozen thawed rice works well too

Oil – olive oil or peanut oil some people like to use ghee

Black mustard seeds or cumin seeds.

Hing (optional)

Onion and garlic – finely chopped onion and minced garlic

Green chilli

Curry leaves – fresh, frozen or dried

Spices: Turmeric powder and Red chilli powder

Fresh cilantro

Optional – add chopped mixed vegetables (such as carrot, green peas) to make it a meal.

vagharelo bhaat garnished with fresh chopped coriander. - 2

How to make Indian Fried Rice

First add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, little oil, and pinch of salt in leftover cold rice, mix gently using a fork or spoon and leave it aside.

Heat large pan or large wok on medium-high heat.

turmeric powder, chili powder and salt added to the plain boiled basmati rice. - 3 In a hot oil onion, curry leaves and mustard seeds added in the frying pan. - 4 garlic and green chillies added to the sauteed onion in a pan. - 5 cooked Fried rice in a pan on the stovetop. - 6

Add oil, then add mustard seeds and hing. Once seeds splutter add the curry leaves and sliced onions and garlic

Add chopped green chili.

Cook this mixture for 30-45 seconds. Optionally adding mixed veggies also go in at this point and require longer cooking.

Tip in rice and quickly mix well.

Stir fry the rice on medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until piping hot. Turn off the heat.

Sprinkle finely chopped cilantro.

Serve immediately.

indian fried rice served in a black dinner plate next to a glass of water. - 7

Serving Suggestion

Vagharelo Bhaat can be eaten alone as a light lunch or as a side for Gujarati Kadhi .

I like to add yogurt or cucumber raita which adds a smooth, creamy element to the dry or textured spicy rice.

Storage

Once the rice has cooled to room temperature, it can be stored in an airtight container and placed in the fridge. Note that you have likely used leftover rice already so do not keep this fried rice in the fridge for too many days.

Reheat on the stove top or in the microwave.

Do not freeze if you used rice that was already defrosted once.

a plate of vagharelo bhat placed next to a pan of cooked rice on the table. - 8

Other Fried Rice Recipes

Thai Pineapple Fried Rice

Burnt Garlic Fried Rice

Tawa Pulao Rice

As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

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a plate of vagharelo bhat placed next to a pan of cooked rice on the table. - 9

Indian Fried Rice (Vagharelo Bhaat)

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pan or wok

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Leftover rice frozen thawed rice works well too
  • 3 tablsespoon Oil olive oil or peanut oil some people like to use ghee
  • 1 teaspoon Black mustard seeds or cumin seeds.
  • ¼ teaspoon Hing optional
  • ¼ cup Onion finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced or chopped
  • 2 small Green chilli chopped or slit
  • 1 sprig Curry leaves – fresh, frozen or dried
  • 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
  • 2 teaspoon Red chilli powder
  • 2 tablespoon Fresh cilantro

Instructions

  • First add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, little oil, and pinch of salt in leftover cold rice, mix gently using a fork or spoon and leave it aside.
  • Heat large pan or large wok on medium-high heat.
  • Add oil, then add mustard seeds and hing. Once seeds splutter add the curry leaves and sliced onions and garlic
  • Add chopped green chili.
  • Cook this mixture for 30-45 seconds. Optionally adding mixed veggies also go in at this point and require longer cooking.
  • Tip in rice and quickly mix well.
  • Stir fry the rice on medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until piping hot. Turn off the heat.
  • Sprinkle finely chopped cilantro.
  • Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

Nutrition

PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

a plate of vagharelo bhat placed next to a pan of cooked rice on the table. - 10

Indian Fried Rice (Vagharelo Bhaat)

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pan or wok

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Leftover rice frozen thawed rice works well too
  • 3 tablsespoon Oil olive oil or peanut oil some people like to use ghee
  • 1 teaspoon Black mustard seeds or cumin seeds.
  • ¼ teaspoon Hing optional
  • ¼ cup Onion finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced or chopped
  • 2 small Green chilli chopped or slit
  • 1 sprig Curry leaves - fresh, frozen or dried
  • 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
  • 2 teaspoon Red chilli powder
  • 2 tablespoon Fresh cilantro

Instructions

  • First add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, little oil, and pinch of salt in leftover cold rice, mix gently using a fork or spoon and leave it aside.
  • Heat large pan or large wok on medium-high heat.
  • Add oil, then add mustard seeds and hing. Once seeds splutter add the curry leaves and sliced onions and garlic
  • Add chopped green chili.
  • Cook this mixture for 30-45 seconds. Optionally adding mixed veggies also go in at this point and require longer cooking.
  • Tip in rice and quickly mix well.
  • Stir fry the rice on medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until piping hot. Turn off the heat.
  • Sprinkle finely chopped cilantro.
  • Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

Nutrition

PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

40 recipes to make with basmati rice.

Here is my collection of the best vegetarian recipes that you can serve with basmati rice. These recipes range from and work for white and brown basmati rice.

a collage of 8 different vegetarian dishes that you can serve with basmati rice. - 11
  • Dal/Lentils/Beans Recipes
  • Curry recipes
  • Kadhi (Indian and Pakistani Spiced Yogurt Based Curry)
  • Raita, Pickle, Chutney

Indian style Fried Rice goes great with creamy raita and lassi.

The nutty flavor makes it the perfect side dish for so many recipes.

I tend to eat Indian basmati rice with Indian food like dal and curry recipes but you can definitely serve it with a veggie chilli or a Moroccan tagine too!

You can also serve basmati rice as a side for any recipe calling for long-grain rice.

Dal/Lentils/Beans Recipes

A warming bowl of dal or beans and rice is so comforting and delicious with rice.

Tarka dal served in a karahi. - 12 Dishoom black dal served in a bowl topped with butter and cream - 13 Dal makhni or instant pot slow cooked dal makhni served in a bowl with a spoon - 14 whole masoor dal in a pan with serving spoon - 15 Mixed dal served with rice and roti in the plate. - 16 chana saag curry served in a small bowl garnished with onion slices - 17 A bowl of Authentic Chana masala in a plate next to naan and rice bowl - 18 cooked green lentils dal in a pan. - 19 Instant pot easy Gujarati chana dal served in a bowl with roti on the side plate - 20 Mug nu saak served with rice and salad in a bowl with a spoon - 21 A bowl of rajma masala placed on a round tray. - 22 Indian Fried Rice (Vagharelo Bhaat) - 23 An overhead shot of spinach chana dal served with a wooden spoon in a pan - 24 khatta mag served in a bowl on the dining table. - 25 Vaal nu shaak bowl placed on the table next to kitchen napkin. - 26 dhaba style dal fry served in a small bowl garnished with chopped fresh cilantro - 27 Indian Fried Rice (Vagharelo Bhaat) - 28 image of a small black kadai with yellow daal garnished with a oil tempering - 29 A bowl of rice placed near Gujarati dal pan. - 30 Indian Fried Rice (Vagharelo Bhaat) - 31 aloo chana masala served in a cast iron skillet - 32 kidney bean curry in a pan on the table. - 33 Red kidney bean and sweetcorn curry placed in a bowl next to naan and salads - 34 A bowl of instant pot chickpea coconut curry placed next to rice bowl. - 35 A bowl of kala chana nu shaak placed in a plate. - 36 A bowl of Gujarati Dal Dhokli placed on a plate. - 37 masoor dal in a serving bowl. - 38

Curry recipes

Indian Fried Rice (Vagharelo Bhaat) - 39 paneer kali mirch served in a copper serving bowl. - 40 Tofu Makhani or tofu butter masala in a pan with serving spoon. - 41 Tofu mango coconut curry served in a ceramic kadai with a spoon - 42 A bowl of paneer spinach kofta curry placed next to dinner plates on dining table - 43 Instant pot palak paneer served in a white dish with a servign spoon - 44 restaurant style paneer butter masala served in a metal bowl. - 45 A bowl of aloo tamatar ki sabji placed on a wodden board. - 46 Aloo gobi matar served with chapati and salad on the side on the dining table - 47 Indian Fried Rice (Vagharelo Bhaat) - 48 Navratan korma served in a kadai. - 49 Indian Fried Rice (Vagharelo Bhaat) - 50 Indian Fried Rice (Vagharelo Bhaat) - 51 Indian Fried Rice (Vagharelo Bhaat) - 52 Indian Fried Rice (Vagharelo Bhaat) - 53 aloo baingan in a pan garnished with freshly chopped coriander - 54 Aloo matar served in a big bowl with a serving spoon - 55 Fulavar bateta nu shaak in a serving bowl. - 56 a light airy image of a cream bowl filled with potato curry and served with naan on the side. there is a bowl of cubed butter in the corner - 57 Punjabi shahi paneer garnished with chopped coriander, saffron and cream - 58 sev tameta nu shaak served in a metal bowl with serving spoon - 59 A picture Niramish paneer served in a black serving bowl with a serving spoon - 60 Panch Phoran Paneer served in a serving bowl. - 61

Kadhi (Indian and Pakistani Spiced Yogurt Based Curry)

Kadhi is a yogurt based soup, sometimes called curry, and is perfect with basmati rice.

close up shot of a black bowl filled with white indian yogurt soup topped with fresh coriander or cilantro - 62 Indian Fried Rice (Vagharelo Bhaat) - 63 a bowl of kadhi placed next to roasted papad and rice bowl on the table. - 64

Raita, Pickle, Chutney

Fruit raita served in a bowl with a serving spoon. - 65 A female hand is serving cucumber raita using a spoon - 66 sweet lassi served two serving glasses - 67

As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

Don’t forget to follow me on social media using the buttons below – I can’t wait to see you all there!

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a collage of 8 different vegetarian dishes that you can serve with basmati rice. - 68

What To Eat with Basmati Rice

Equipment

  • Frying pan or kadai
  • Blender
  • Sharp knife
  • Pressure cooker

Ingredients

  • 1 Plain Basmati Rice
  • 1 Jeera Rice Indian Cumin Rice
  • 1 Indian Fried Rice
  • 1 Dal Makhani
  • 1 Chana Masala
  • 1 Dal fry
  • 1 Aloo Tamatar
  • 1 Tofu mango Curry
  • 1 Matar Paneer

Instructions

  • Prepare your perfect fluffy Basmati Rice or Jeera Rice.
  • Click on your favourite dal, beans or curry dish recipe link above in the post.
  • Read through and prepare the side dish by following the instructions given in the post in recipe card and video or step by step pictures.
  • Serve and enjoy basmati rice with delicious sides.

PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.