Coconut and Cardamom Zanzibar Pilau Rice

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-21 · Updated 2026-06-21

Fragrant pilau rice cooked with creamy coconut milk and aromatic cardamom pods, inspired by the spice island heritage of Zanzibar. This African-inspired rice and grain recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs basmati rice, coconut milk, water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 1.5 cups coconut milk
• 2 cups water
• 6 cardamom pods
• 1 stick (2 inches) cinnamon stick
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp ginger, grated
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 2 cups basmati rice under cold water until water runs clear, then soak in water for 20 minutes and drain.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 medium thinly sliced onion and sauté for 6-7 minutes until golden and caramelized.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon grated ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add 6 cardamom pods, 1 cinnamon stick, and 4 whole cloves to the pot, stirring to toast the spices for 30 seconds.
5. Step 5: Pour in 1.5 cups coconut milk and 2 cups water, then add the drained rice along with 1.5 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Stir once to combine.
6. Step 6: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until the rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
7. Step 7: Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff the pilau rice with a fork before serving.