8 Persian Rice Recipes That Marry Aromatic Flavor with Irresistible Texture

Persian Rice

This recipe by Chef John breaks down the processes that yield Persian rice's signature qualities: fluffy grains, the tahdig layer, and some bonus potato tahdig nestled on top. It's not quite how my grandmother makes it, but it's definitely worth trying.

Persian Sabzi Polo (Herb Rice with Fava Beans)

Packed with fresh herbs and lima beans, sabzi polo gets its name from its green hue. This dish is famously paired with fried fish (mahi sorkh shodeh) on Nowruz, the Persian new year, but it also works well with chicken or salmon. Don't pair this with a khoresht stew unless you want to break the Iranian dining code.

Kalam Polo (Persian Cabbage and Rice)

Kalam polo, a rice dish made with beef, vegetables, and herbs, is a traditional and aromatic Persian dish. To make a vegetarian version, simply omit the beef. Pair it with shirazi salad to round it out as a meal.

Lubia Polo (Green Bean Rice)

This one-pot rice dish is a weeknight staple in many Persian households. For a more authentic version of this dish, omit the jalapenos and replace the curry with saffron and turmeric.

Reshteh Polo (Persian Noodle Rice)

"Reshteh polo is a fragrant rice and noodle dish often served at Nowruz (Iranian New Year) for lunch or dinner," says creator and Bottom of the Pot author Naz Deravian. "You can purchase the roasted noodles from Iranian markets or online. The noodles in this dish symbolize good wishes for the new year."

Adas Polow (Persian Rice and Lentils)

"This is one of my husband's favorite foods! Good with some plain yogurt too," says community member Donnell Shariat. "The recipe takes practice but pays off since the procedure is a common one for Persian rice recipes."

Bahgali Polo

Bahgali polo, which translates to "beans and rice," sounds simple, but the dish goes far beyond those two ingredients. It's traditionally made with lamb and gets much of its robust taste from dried dill. This recipe is easily adaptable to suit a different type of meat or even no meat at all, but the one ingredient you can't omit is the yogurt.

Sabzi Polo (Green Herb Rice)

Bottom of the Pot author Naz Deravian's sabzi polo recipe includes some clever damage control in the form of a lavash tahdig, which helps keep the rice's herbs from burning. For best results, use a long-grain basmati rice.

More Inspiration

Pictured: Persian Saffron Chicken

• 14 Recipes for Nowruz, the Persian New Year
• 12 Best Persian Recipes to Add to Your Weeknight Rotation
• Our complete collection of Persian Recipes