Easy tomato peas rice recipe | How to make one pot tomato rice

Tomato peas rice with step-by-step recipe and easy to follow quick video.

This is an easy vegan protein packed vegetarian rice with amazing flavors.

Easy one pot meal aromatic rice recipe. A dairy free and glutenfree rice recipe.

If you have overripe tomatoes and wondering what to do with it. Then here is the answer, all tomatoes will get cleared up.

I have added lots of tomatoes in this recipe to get the extra punch of flavors from tomato.

My kids love this rice, and it makes a great lunchbox recipe. I make this every fifteen day for breakfast or lunch.

There are quite a few tomato rice recipes prepared in different regions of India and outside.

This recipe requires tomato as the major ingredients and no other vegetables are used here.

Homemade biryani masala powder is added in this recipe. This gives nice aroma to the rice.

There are many of ways of making this recipe. The recipe given here is what I follow from many years.

Dice n Cook is a participant in Amazon Services LLC Associate Program. Hence this site may contain some of these links to Amazon.com. If you make a purchase through one of those links, Dice n Cook will receive a small commission from the purchase at no additional cost of you. Read the privacy policy here.

Check a quick video of this delicious Indian style tomato peas rice and try this dish in your kitchen. If you have enjoyed the video do subscribe to Dice n Cook youtube channel for more food videos.

Recipe ingredients

Tomatoes – As the recipe name says, tomato is the key ingredient. We use both puree and tomato pieces in this recipe.

Fresh green peas – Fresh green peas are used in this rice recipe.

Onion – I have used finely chopped red onion. Any onion like white or red ones can be used as per availability.

Ginger and garlic – A paste of ginger and garlic is used

Oil – Refined sunflower oil is used in this recipe.

Whole spices – Shahi jeera, bay leaves are used.

Spice masala powder – I have used homemade biryani masala powder.

Rice – I prefer to use basmati rice that is long grain rice.

Herbs – Mint and coriander leaves are used for aroma.

Last but not the least salt as per taste preference and water as required to cook.

Why will you love this vegan tomato peas rice?

• This is a one pot meal recipe.
• Easy to make
• Dairy free recipe
• Makes for a main course
• Glutenfree rice
• Healthy breakfast
• Nut-free rice recipe

How to make vegan tomato peas rice?

Step by step method to make tomato peas rice in one pot. Please check the recipe card for a quick video.

Preparation work:

If you are using dry peas, then soak it overnight in water. Drain and use them in the recipe.

Wash the rice nicely 3 to 4 times, until you get clear water. Soak rice for 30 minutes. Drain the water and use it in cooking this dish.

Making tomato peas rice:

Take a thick bottomed deep pan, heat oil and add shahi jeera. Fry well until you get nice aroma. Next add in bay leaves, fry well.

Add finely chopped onion, garlic and ginger paste. Fry well until you get nice aroma. Next add herbs- mint and coriander leaves. You can either use chopped ones or whole herbs. Fry well until they wilt.

Add tomato puree and tomato pieces. Fry well. This step is important in making a perfect tasty Indian tomato rice.

Here in this step, we must fry the mixture well until tomato puree thickens and pieces become mushy. This adds the tangy flavour to the rice. The mixture should become thick gravy consistency.

Next add fresh green peas to this, fry well till it coats. Add red chili powder as per taste. Fry again to mix everything.

To this mixture add required quantity of water, also add water drained rice.

Next add salt as per taste and finally add   masala powder. I have used homemade biryani masala powder. You can use any store brought ones or prepare homemade masala. Link for homemade biryani masala powder

Close with airtight lid and cook the rice. Stir the mixture in intervals. If you feel water is less or if rice is still not cooked, add little water, and cook again.

Water completely evaporates and do not immediately mix the rice, as it tends to break.

Fluff the rice with a fork and tomato rice is ready to be served

Which rice is best to make this dish?

Basmati rice is best to make tomato peas rice.

Basmati rice is aromatic and flavourful and balances well with tanginess of tomato. However, any rice works good with this recipe.

Let’s see how basmati rice is cooked perfectly in the next section.

How to cook basmati rice perfectly?

Cooking basmati rice is a bit trickly. More water makes the cooked rice sticky but if proper quantity of water is added, then you get perfectly cooked rice.

Washing the rice for three to four times and pre-soaking the rice for 30 to 40 minutes is also important to get a perfectly cooked basmati rice. This removes the starch from rice and helps the rice cook perfectly. 

To cook basmati rice always add two portions of water to one portion of rice.

After cooking the tomato peas rice leave the rice for 5 to 10 minutes as it is. This will allow the rice to take the flavors well.

Try to fluff the rice with a fork. If you mix it immediately, end up breaking the cooked rice into small bites.

Now we will check with the other key ingredient that is tomato.

What type of tomato to be used in this recipe?

In this recipe I have used fresh ripe tomatoes with less seeds. We call this as farm tomatoes locally.

The other tomatoes which are locally available have many seeds. I suggest not to use these.

If you are using homemade tomato puree, see the next section on how to make this tomato puree in your kitchen.

How to prepare tomato puree?

Tomato puree can be prepared at home. This easy ingredient can be made using fresh ripe tomatoes.

The number of tomatoes to make puree depends on size of tomatoes.

Make three to four small slits on ripe tomatoes, blanch or boil them in hot water.

After 5 to 10 minutes, the outer skin starts to peel. This indicates they are blanched well. Remove the tomatoes and cool them on kitchen counter.

Peel the skin and puree tomatoes. So here is our tomato puree to make Indian tomato rice recipe.

What type of peas to use in this recipe?

In this recipe, I suggest use fresh green peas, as they have a sweetish taste compared to dry green peas. This balances with tangy flavour of tomatoes.

If you cannot find green peas, check for substitutes in the coming sections.

How to cook rice in tomato puree?

Rice can be cooked in any liquid and in this rice recipe I have cooked in tomato puree and water. Rice when cooked takes up the tangy flavour from tomato.

Tomato peas rice is rich and delicious with aroma of biryani masala and tangy flavour of tomato.

What type of spices to use?

In this recipe, since we are using homemade masala powder, not much of whole spices are used.

In this rice, I use shahi jeera. These are nicely fried in oil to bring out the nutty flavour.

The other whole spice I have used in this recipe is bay leaves.

All the flavors are from homemade biryani masala powder. I have a detailed recipe with spices and its quantity on my blog.

I am here giving the link to the recipe. Homemade masala if fresh render freshness to any cooked rice. So, try to use fresh powder.

Serving suggestions

This rice can be served with any raita except the tomato raita.

Cucumber raita or plain yogurt with a dash of sugar also makes a great complementary addition to tomato peas rice.

This rice can be served with onion cucumber salad as well or any other salad of choice.

Recipe notes and tips

Use only ripe tomatoes to get the authentic taste of tomato peas rice.

Soak basmati rice in water for 30 minutes before you begin making the rice.

The tomato pieces and puree should cook well before adding water and rice.

Adjust biryani masala powder and red chili powder as per taste preference.

Do not mix the cooked tomato peas rice immediately. Initially use a fork to fluff the rice.

More such delicious Indian rice recipes to follow on blog

Instant Pot Rasam Rice

Chitranna (Lemon rice)

I hope you people enjoy and relish this tangy spicy tomato rice as much as we do!!!

If you happen to try this recipe, we love to hear your feedback. Please rate by clicking stars in the recipe card. Thank you!

Frequently asked questions

Can we use vegetable stock to make this?

Yes vegetable stock can be used instead of water to cook this rice dish.

How much time will it take for rice to cook?

The total time for cooking rice depends on the type of basmati rice and also depends on whether you have soaked in water or not.

Can we make this rice ahead?

Yes this rice can be made ahead of any party that is three to four hours. Warm up the rice before you serve it to your guests.

Can we refrigerate this rice?

I bet you will not be left with any rice to refrigerate; it is so tasty it will be finished at one go. My family do not like refrigerated rice, and they prefer fresh rice.

If you still have some leftover tomato peas biryani rice, you can refrigerate and reheat while you serve the rice.

Can we add any other vegetables to this?

I do not prefer adding any other vegetables to this rice dish. The tangy tomato and sweetish peas are the best combo.  

Can we make this with leftover rice?

Many of my readers ask me what to do with leftover plain rice. If you have the same question, then here is a perfect way to use the leftover rice.

Cook the tomato masala until it almost becomes dry. Add the leftover rice to this, mix gently and a super rice dish is ready.

I guarantee you no one will make out its from leftover rice.

Can we make this in pressure cooker?

Yes this can be made in pressure cooker as well. However, any method you follow, it’s a delicious combination of tomato, spices and green peas.

Follow all the steps till the end and pressure cook for one whistle. Wait till the cooker slowly releases the pressure. Remove the lid and fluff using a fork. Serve the pressure cooker tomato rice.

What is best brand biryani masala powder?

If you plan to use store brought biryani masala powder, I prefer MDH brand over others (this is locally available masala brand).

Substitutes

For shahi jeera – I have heard many of my readers say they don’t find shahi jeera in local markets. These are used in biryani masala for its strong flavours. However if you don’t find them use cumin.

For refined oil – If you want a non-vegan version, then use ghee instead of oil. The aroma of ghee makes the rice even more tasty. 

Ginger garlic paste – This can be substituted with finely chopped ginger and garlic pieces.

For tomato puree – Homemade tomato puree can be replaced with canned thick puree.

For fresh green peas – Green peas can be replaced with frozen peas or dry peas. Dry peas need to soaked overnight before use.

For biryani masala powder – Homemade biryani masala powder can be substituted with store brought ones. You can use garam masala if you don’t find biryani masala powder.

For basmati rice – Even sona masuri rice or brown rice can be used in this recipe. Adjust the water as per the rice used.

For red chili powder – If your biryani masala powder has red chilies, then do not add red chili powder.

Do not miss a recipe, sign up for updates from Dice n Cook

Pin it for later