• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Vidhya’s Vegetarian Kitchen logo
  • Home
  • About
    • VVK Galleries
    • VVK YouTube Channel
    • VVK Mentions
    • Privacy & Copyright Policies
  • Recipes
  • Shop
    • Amazon Shop
    • Cookbooks
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Shop
  • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Lunchbox Recipes » Onion Rice | Vengaya Saadam

    Onion Rice | Vengaya Saadam

    Posted on September 21, 2018 · Last Updated on September 7, 2019 · By Srividhya G · 6 Comments

    171 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Reddit
    Jump to Recipe Card Watch Recipe Video
    Onion Rice Vengaya Saadam collage

    I am happy to share my all-time favorite variety rice today. It is the Onion Rice or Vengaya Saadam as we say in Tamil. A simple rice recipe prepared with onion and flavored with fennel seeds and garam masala. 

    Onion Rice Vengaya Saadam served in a beautiful composition

    Easy Rice Recipe

    I want to thank my mom for sharing this easy peasy rice recipe. I remember carrying it on my lunch box, and now the onion rice saga continues. And I still take it on my lunch box so does my husband and my son. We all love this simple rice that it needs only minimal spices and ingredients.

    The fennel seeds add all the magic and flavor to this rice. We need 2 tbsps of fennel for 1 cup of uncooked rice. I might sound a lot, but please do not skip that. I am sure you will love the flavor. But care should be taken while frying the fennel seeds. If the oil is too hot and if you cook for a long time, it might taste bitter. So always temper fennel seeds over medium-low heat.

    You can use leftover rice for this recipe, but I went with freshly made for today. Ensure the rice is cooled down completely. If I am packing for lunch, I make the rice overnight and allow it to cool. And in the morning I prepare the simple onion masala and mix the rice. That’s it.

    Onion Rice Vengaya Saadam with a side and a beautiful purple flower

    This onion rice is perfect for any day. When you are running out of vegetables or when the time is pressing, you can prepare this rice quickly. I made a quick video also. As the video had some external noise (still learning video), I had to make it as a tasty-style video. Here is my onion rice recipe under the variety rice meal plan. Please do subscribe to my channel and share your feedback.

    Onion Rice | Vengaya Saadam Recipe

    Ingredients:

    • Raw Rice – 1 cup
    • Water – 2 cups
    • Onion – 1 (chopped length-wise)
    • Oil – 1 tbsp
    • Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
    • Fennel seeds – 2 tbsp
    • Green chilies – 2
    • Bay Leaf – 1 (optional)
    • Garam Masala – 1 tsp heaped
    • Turmeric Powder – ½ tsp
    • Salt – 1.5 tsp
    • Chopped Cilantro – 1 tbsp

    Steps:

    • Cook the rice by adding two cups of water in your preferred way. You can use leftover rice also.
    • Heat the pan and add oil.
    • When the oil is hot, add the mustard seeds and fennel seeds. Saute for a minute and then add the chopped green chilies and the bay leaf.
    • Fry for 30 seconds and then add the onion, followed by garam masala and turmeric powder.
    • Mix well and then add the salt.
    • Cook this over low heat until the onion turns soft and translucent. (It takes approximately 5 minutes)
    • Turn off the heat and add the rice. Mix thoroughly without any lumps.
    • Then add the chopped cilantro. Mix well and serve it hot with onion raita or your favorite raita.

    Closeup on the healthy and delicious Onion Rice Vengaya Saadam

    Notes:

    • You can use any rice variety, be it sona masoori or basmati.
    • Also, adjust the salt and spices according to your preference.
    Pin Recipe Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Onion Rice | Vengaya Saadam

    A simple rice recipe prepared with onion and flavored with fennel seeds and garam masala.
    Prep Time30 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time45 mins
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: TamilNadu
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 232kcal
    Author: Srividhya G

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup Raw Rice
    • 2 cups Water
    • 1 Onion chopped length-wise
    • 1 tbsp Oil
    • 1 tsp Mustard seeds
    • 2 tbsp Fennel seeds
    • 2 Green chilies
    • 1 Bay Leaf optional
    • 1 tsp Garam Masala heaped
    • ½ tsp Turmeric Powder
    • 1.5 tsp Salt
    • 1 tbsp Chopped Cilantro

    Instructions

    • Cook the rice by adding two cups of water in your preferred way. You can use leftover rice also.
    • Heat the pan and add oil.
    • When the oil is hot, add the mustard seeds and fennel seeds. Saute for a minute and then add the chopped green chilies and the bay leaf.
    • Fry for 30 seconds and then add the onion, followed by garam masala and turmeric powder.
    • Mix well and then add the salt.
    • Cook this over low heat until the onion turns soft and translucent. (It takes approximately 5 minutes)
    • Turn off the heat and add the rice. Mix thoroughly without any lumps.
    • Then add the chopped cilantro. Mix well and serve it hot with onion raita or your favorite raita.

    Video

    Notes

    • You can use any rice variety, be it sona masoori or basmati.
    • Also, adjust the salt and spices according to your preference.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 959mg | Potassium: 142mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin C: 5.4mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 1.1mg

    I am not a nutritionist. The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It varies depending upon the product types or brands.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @vidhyasvegetariankitchen or tag #vidhyasvegkitchen
    For Video RecipesCheck out My YouTube Channel

    P.S. Make sure to follow me on my Pinterest for more healthy and delicious ideas!

    You will love these, too:

    • Vegan Red Kidney Beans Curry | Konkani Style Rajma Curry
    • Hakka Noodles | Veg Hakka Noodles
    • Mushroom Masala
    • Pearl Millet Gruel / Kambu Koozh
    • Instant Pot Kalkandu Sadam | Kalkandu Pongal
    Onion Rice Vengaya Saadam collage
    171 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Reddit

    Filed Under: Lunchbox Recipes, Variety Rice Tagged With: easy lunch box recipes, how to make onion rice, lunch box recipes, onion rice, variety rice, vengaya saadam

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Vijaya says

      January 30, 2021 at 7:56 pm

      Can this be tried with Brown rice or Quinoa?

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        January 30, 2021 at 10:30 pm

        Definitely. I have tried it with brown rice and millet so why not with quinoa?

        Reply
        • Vijaya Subbarao Turlapati says

          January 30, 2021 at 10:41 pm

          So is it the same procedure.. We cook millet/quinoa and then mix it like how you’ve said in the recipe?

          Reply
          • Srividhya G says

            January 30, 2021 at 11:02 pm

            Yes, that’s correct.

            Reply
    2. Dj says

      August 25, 2019 at 7:10 pm

      I had a question. R u using the thick fennel seeds? Not the flavored ones which you get in shops right?

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        August 25, 2019 at 7:15 pm

        Yes, the green ones. Not the flavored ones. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DP8QEDG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Vc0yDbZ6K8EAN

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome

    Author Vidhya smiling in the renovated kitchen

    Hello all, I am Srividhya, the person behind this blog. I firmly believe that the mouth is the way to the heart. My blog is all about vegetarian and vegan food with unique and exciting recipes from all over the world. From traditional, authentic recipes to fusion and eggless bakes, you can find it all here! Read more →

    Enjoy My Cookbooks

    Two cookbooks beautifully presented on the table

    Discover the diverse and delicious taste of South India, eggless recipes made in Instant Pot and other deliciousness! Find out more →

    Sign Up to Newsletter

    Must-Try Soup Recipes 

    • Vegan Miso Ramen Soup With Tofu
    • Easy Pumpkin Soup | Pumpkin Shorba
    • Vegan Mushroom and Wild Rice Soup | Instant Pot Wild Rice Soup
    • Broccoli Almond Soup (Instant Pot Method)

    As Featured On

    As seen on logo banner

    YouTube

    Follow me on YouTube for regular recipe videos and insights from my kitchen!

    Follow

    Disclosure

    VVK is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program - an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate VVK earns from qualifying purchases. Privacy Policy →

    Most Popular Posts

    • Sweet Corn and Steel Cut Oats Soup
    • Easy Cream Cheese Pasta with Broccoli
    • Aloo Masoor Dal | Potato With Red Lentils
    • Alu Diye Cholar Dal | Bengali-Style Lentils with Potatoes
    • Kollu Rasam | Horsegram Soup
    • Limonana | Mint Lemonade Recipe

    Explore Your Favorites

    15 + Mango Recipes

    25 + Easy South Indian Instant Pot Recipes

    10 + Must Try Vegetarian Pasta Recipes

    20 + Kids Friendly Lunch Box Recipes

    20 + Indian Lentils Recipes Made in Instant Pot

    Footer


    VVK is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program - Privacy Policy
    HOME | ABOUT | CONTACT US

    Footer

    ↑ Back to Top

    VVK horizontal logo

    About

    • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

    Cooking

    • Sign Up to Newsletter
    • All Recipes
    • My Cookbooks
    • My Amazon Shop

    VVK is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program

    Copyright © 2023 | VidhyasHomeCooking.com