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Persian Tahdig (Crispy Rice Recipe)

By Kevin

published Jun 05, 2023

5 from 7 votes

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This tahdig recipe is a beloved Middle Eastern dish that will change the way you look at rice forever. Fluffy, saffron-infused basmati rice is steamed atop a crispy crunchy layer of buttery rice. The whole dish then gets inverted to reveal the sensationally savory tahdig layer on top.

I first encountered this dish from a neighborhood Middle Eastern market in San Diego years ago. What was this crispy shard laying on top of my kebabs? One bite and it got me hooked for this special part of the rice served along side the Beef and Lamb Koobideh Kabobs!

Looking for a new way to jazz up your rice routine? This Persian recipe for tahdig (pronounced Ta-DEEG) is going to rock your world! Using only a handful of simple ingredients, we transform humble rice into a crispy, crunchy masterpiece. 

The technique used to make tahdig might be new to you, but don’t worry — you’ll get the hang of it in no time. Once you master this basic recipe, you can craft your own version!  There are Persian crispy rice recipes that include everything from fresh herbs and chopped veggies to pomegranate seeds, orange zest, and much more.

For more creative rice recipes, check out my Persian Saffron Rice with Apricot, Crispy Tachin Saffron Rice, or this Sizzling Rice Soup.

INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS 

• Basmati Rice – For a true Persian tahdig, stick with basmati rice for this recipe. 
• Ghee – Ghee, or clarified butter, has all the rich taste and texture of butter with the added bonus of having a higher smoke point. 
• Saffron – Adds a delicate floral flavor and beautiful golden color. For an affordable alternative that will still give you the golden hue, try a few pinches of turmeric powder.

HOW TO MAKE PERSIAN TAHDIG

1. Steep the Saffron. Grind the saffron to a powder using a mortar and pestle. Mix with ¼ cup warm water and set aside to steep and bloom. 

2. Wash & Soak the Rice. In a medium bowl, swish the rice with cold water and drain. Repeat until the water is clear. Then, soak the grains in a mixture of 5 cups cold water and 2 tablespoons salt for 30 minutes. 

3. Boil the Rice. Bring 12 cups of water to boil in a large stock pot or Dutch oven. Add ¼ cup of salt to the boiling water. Drain the soaked rice and transfer it to the pot, then boil it for about 4 minutes. Set a timer for 5 minutes as soon as you see the first rice grain rise to the top. 

4. Drain & Rinse. Drain the rice in a colander, quickly rinse with lukewarm water, and set aside.  

5. Melt the Ghee. Over medium-low heat, melt together 2 tablespoons of the ghee with the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of saffron water. Gently swirl the pan to coat the entire bottom and a bit up the sides. 

6. Build the Tahdig. It is time to work quickly! With the first sizzle of the oil, add enough rice to cover the entire bottom of the pan with a thin layer of rice. Use a spatula to pack down your freshly made tahdig layer.

7. Add the Rice. Gently pile the rest of the rice in a cone shape on top of the buttery layer, making sure to cover it completely. Carefully poke holes in the rice cones with the end of a wooden spoon. Increase the heat to medium, cover, and allow 10-12 minutes for the tahdig to set. 

8. Make Saffron Butter. As the rice cooks, melt the other 2 tablespoons of ghee or butter in a saucepan or microwave. Combine the melted butter with the rest of the saffron water and stir to mix. 

9. Drizzle & Drape. Remove the lid from the rice pot and drizzle the saffron butter mixture evenly over the rice. Then, carefully drape a kitchen towel over the top of the pot before securely replacing the lid. 

10. Reduce & Rotate. Turn the heat down to low and, if available, place a heat diffuser under the pot. Cook for 30 minutes, rotating periodically for even crisping. The top rice should be tender and fluffy with the tahdig layer being golden and crispy. 

11. Invert & Serve. Run a rubber spatula around the edges of the pot, then position a serving platter or tray over the pot. Quickly and confidently flip the pot upside down, listening for a swish sound as the rice releases.

TIPS AND TRICKS

• Use at least two cups of dry basmati. Tahdig rice will present the best if there is a larger amount of rice.
  
• Intermittently turn the pan. Turning the pan every 10 to 15 minutes while steaming will cause a more evenly browned entrée. Or, you can try a heat diffuser placed over the burner and under the pan.

• Cold water To help release the Persian crispy rice from the cooking pot, you can fill a sink with about one inch of cold water. Then, briefly set the bottom of the pot in the cold water.
  
  Alternatively, set it on a wet kitchen towel for a few minutes before removing the food.

What Do You Eat With Tahdig?

You can enjoy Persian crispy rice as a meatless entree or serve it as a side dish with all kinds of dishes. Here are a few recommended dishes to enjoy with your tahdig:

• Lamb Shawarma (Shredded) or Lamb Koobideh Kabob
• Persian Meatballs (Koofteh) or Palestinian Fish Kofta Meatballs
• Joojeh Kabob (Persian Chicken Kabob) or Pomegranate Chicken
• Stews like Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Dates or my Instant Pot Lamb Stew (Dal Gosht )
• Steamed Carrots with Yogurt Dressing or a Shirazi Salad

Can You Reheat Tahdig?

Yes! Store any leftover Persian crispy rice in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Once you are ready to enjoy it again, place it crispy side down in an oiled nonstick pan over medium heat. Heat it for a few minutes or until it is crispy on the outside and warm in the middle. 

What Pan Is Best for Tahdig?

For the best results, I recommend a large nonstick stock pot. 

It is possible to use a cast iron pot or Dutch oven if that’s what you have on hand. Just note that you might need to add a bit of extra butter or oil to prevent sticking.

Whichever pan you choose, briefly dipping the bottom of the pan in one inch of cold water before flipping will help with the release. Setting the pan on a cold wet towel for a few minutes will produce similar results.

Tahdig Variations

Want to give this traditional recipe a makeover? Adding herbs while cooking is a great way to bring new life to the dish. Another popular and delicious option involves stirring additional ingredients directly into the pot.

Or, add fun and flavor to the meal by including something else thin and crisp-able to the bottom of the pan before cooking. Try any of these options for an exciting new flavor and texture.

• Bread: Pieces of lavash, Khubz, or even flour tortillas like I use in my Sabzi Polo Recipe (Persian Herb Rice)
  
• Potatoes peeled and sliced to ¼-inch-thickness like I use in my Lubia Polo (Iranian Rice Dish)
  
• Cooked noodles
  
• Yogurt: Add plain yogurt to the pre-cooked grain and use it at the bottom of the pan for the toasted part
  
• Fresh herbs: Add finely chopped cilantro or parsley

Persian Tahdig (Crispy Rice Recipe)

5 from 7 votes

This recipe for Persian crispy rice, also known as tahdig, features a crispy buttery layer atop tender, fluffy basmati rice.

Servings: 6

Prep: 35 minutes mins

Cook: 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Total: 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

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Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 3 cups white basmati rice (See Note 1)
• ▢ Kosher salt
• ▢ 4 tbsp clarified butter or ghee
• ▢ 1 tbsp olive oil
• ▢ 1/4 tsp ground saffron steeped in 1/4 cup warm water

US Customary – Metric

Instructions 

• Using a mortar and pestle, grind the saffron threads to a powder and mix with the water to steep and bloom. Set aside.
• Place the rice in a medium bowl, and fill it with cold water. Gently wash the rice by swishing it around with your hand, then drain. Repeat until the water runs clear, about 5 times. Cover the rice with 5 cups cold water, 2 tablespoons salt, and stir. Soak the rice for at least 30 minutes.
• Fill a large stock pot or Dutch oven with 12 cups of water. Bring to a boil, and add 1/4 cup salt. Drain the rice (but don’t rinse) and add it to the pot. Stir once gently and boil 4 minutes (as soon as you see the first of the rice grains pop up), and set your timer for 5 minutes (See Note 2).
• Drain rice in a colander and give it a very quick rinse with lukewarm water. Set aside to drain completely. Wash and dry the pot, if using the same pot.
• Set the rice pot over medium-low heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter (or ghee), olive oil, and 1 tablespoon of the saffron water, and melt the butter (or ghee). Swirl the oil around so it evenly covers the bottom of the pot and a little up the sides, adding more butter and/or oil if needed. Work quickly now. As soon as the oil starts sizzling, with a spatula, add enough rice to fully cover the bottom of the pot in a thin layer. Pack down the rice with the back of a spatula. This is your tahdig layer.
• Gently spoon the rest of the rice over the tahdig layer in a cone shape, making sure the tahdig layer is covered with more rice. With the handle of a wooden spoon poke a few holes in the rice without hitting the tahdig layer, this allows the steam to escape. Turn up the heat to medium, cover, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes for the tahdig to set.
• While the tahdig sets, in a small saucepan or microwave melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter (or ghee) and add it to the remaining saffron water.
• Lift the lid and drizzle the butter saffron mixture over the rice. Drape a kitchen towel on top of pot to catch the condensation. Place the lid firmly back on the pot, making sure the kitchen towel edges are flipped up onto the lid on top.
• Reduce the heat to low (depending on your element), and place a heat diffuser under the pot, if you have one. Cook for 30 min­utes, rotating the pot a few times for even crisping, until the rice is tender and fluffy and the tahdig is crispy and golden.
• Run a rubber spatula around the inside of the pot. Place an appropriate-sized platter over the top of the pot and quickly and confidently flip the pot over. There should be a swish sound of the release of the tahdig. Alternately, you can scoop the rice, on to a platter. Gently remove the tahdig whole or in pieces, and serve it on the side.

Video

Notes

1. Basmati rice is a must for true Persian rice. Recipe adapted from Naz Deravian’s Bottom of the Pot.
2. What you’re looking for is a grain that is tender on the outside but still with a bite to it on the inside. This can take anywhere between 5 to 7 minutes, depending on the type of rice.

Nutrition

Calories: 446kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 830mg | Potassium: 106mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Persian

Author: Kevin

Have You Made This Recipe? Let Me Know on InstagramTag @keviniscooking or tag me #keviniscooking!