This healthy pandan rice recipe is easy to make and very fragrant with the natural aroma of pandan leaves. It’s made with jasmine rice for a light vegan side dish that’s perfect for any meal. Create beautiful green rice with just 3 ingredients!
Tip: Use any leftover pandan leaves to make sticky rice pandan, coconut pandan jellyor Nam Bai Toey!
Pandan rice is made by cooking jasmine rice with the natural juice extracted from pandan leaves. This process gives the rice a delicate green color and a fragrant, aromatic flavor.
Can you make this recipe without pandan leaves?
Yes, you can still make pandan rice even without fresh pandan leaves! The best alternative is pandan extract or pandan flavoringwhich you can find at most Asian supermarkets.
Fresh leaves give the most natural aroma and color, but a few drops of pandan extract mixed with your cooking water will still create fragrant, green rice that’s just as delicious.
Ingredient Notes
You can find all the ingredients at your local Asian market or grocery store. Refer to the recipe card below for exact measurements!
- Pandan leaves
- Jasmine rice
- Water – Essential for blending pandan leaves and cooking the rice until fluffy.
How to cook pandan rice in rice cooker
Step 1: Blend pandan leaves with water in a blender to extract the pandan juice.
Step 2: Strain the mixture through a fine sieve or cloth, discarding the blended leaves and keeping the filtered juice.
Step 3: Add jasmine rice to your rice cooker pot and rinse it thoroughly until the water runs clear.
Step 4: Pour the filtered pandan juice into the rice cooker with the washed rice. For a more vibrant color, you can add a few drops of green food coloring or pandan essence (optional).
Step 5: Cook the rice as you normally would, ensuring you use the correct water level for your rice cooker or pot. Once done, fluff the rice and enjoy!
Serving ideas
In my family, we love pairing steamed pandan jasmine rice with grilled chicken or grilled pork.
It works perfectly with anything you’d normally serve with plain jasmine rice—whether that’s stir-fried dishes, curries, or even as a simple side to a fresh salad!
Storing tips
- Refrigerate: Allow the rice to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in the microwave: Add a splash of water to the rice, cover it, and microwave until hot and fluffy.
- Reheat on the stove: Place the rice in a saucepan with a small amount of water. Cover and heat on low, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
More side dishes you’ll love
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Healthy Pandan Rice Recipe
Easy and healthy pandan rice recipe: just 3 ingredients for a fragrant Thai side dish with jasmine rice and fresh pandan leaves!
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Blend pandan leaves with water in a blender to extract the pandan juice.
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Strain the mixture through a fine sieve or cloth, discarding the blended leaves and keeping the filtered juice.
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Add jasmine rice to your rice cooker pot and rinse it thoroughly until the water runs clear.
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Pour the filtered pandan juice into the rice cooker with the washed rice. For a more vibrant color, you can add a few drops of green food coloring or pandan essence (optional).
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Cook the rice as you normally would, ensuring you use the correct water level for your rice cooker or pot. Once done, fluff the rice and enjoy!
- Use the nutrition card in this recipe as a guideline.
Calories: 274kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 0.5g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 86mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg