East African Spiced Coconut Rice with Cardamom and Cloves

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-01 · Updated 2026-05-01

Fragrant basmati rice cooked in rich coconut milk with warming spices, a perfect side for any African-inspired dish. This African recipe, ready in about 45 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 260 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

• 1 1/2 cups basmati rice
• 1 1/2 cups coconut milk
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 5 whole, lightly crushed cardamom pods
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 small (2-inch) cinnamon stick
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 small, finely chopped onion
• 2 tbsp chopped for garnish fresh cilantro

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 1/2 cups basmati rice under cold running water until the water runs clear, then soak in water for 20 minutes and drain.
2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 small finely chopped onion, 5 crushed cardamom pods, 4 whole cloves, and 1 small cinnamon stick. Sauté for 3 minutes until the onion softens and spices are fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add the drained rice to the saucepan and stir for 2 minutes to coat grains with oil and spices.
4. Step 4: Pour in 1 1/2 cups coconut milk, 1 1/2 cups water, and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil over high heat.
5. Step 5: Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and let the rice rest covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving.