Spiced Tanzanian Pilau Rice with Cardamom and Cloves

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-02 · Updated 2026-06-02

Fragrant pilau rice infused with warm spices like cardamom and cloves, a beloved East African rice dish perfect for festive occasions. This African-inspired rice and grain recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs basmati rice, water, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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
• 3 1/2 cups water
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large, thinly sliced onion
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 1 inch piece, minced fresh ginger
• 6 green cardamom pods
• 5 whole cloves
• 1 (2-inch) cinnamon stick
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 medium, diced tomato

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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 pot over medium heat. Add 1 large thinly sliced onion and sauté for 6-7 minutes until golden and caramelized.
3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 inch minced fresh ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Stir in 6 green cardamom pods, 5 whole cloves, 1 (2-inch) cinnamon stick, 2 bay leaves, and 1 teaspoon ground coriander, toasting the spices for 1 minute.
5. Step 5: Add 1 medium diced tomato and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, cooking for 3 minutes until the tomato softens.
6. Step 6: Pour in 3 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil, then add the drained basmati rice. Stir once gently, cover tightly, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes until the rice is tender and water absorbed.
7. Step 7: Remove from heat and let the pilau rice steam covered for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork and serving alongside meat or vegetable dishes.