Capsicum Rice | Bell Pepper Rice (Indian)

Bell Pepper Rice is a quick and flavorful Indian rice dish made with rice, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, herbs, and spices. It is naturally vegetarian, gluten-free, and can be made vegan. This delicious Capsicum rice recipe comes together in 30 minutes and is perfect for a weeknight dinner or lunchbox.

I'm sharing how to make easy Indian-style Bell Pepper Rice in the Instant Pot and a stovetop version with leftover rice.

One-pot meal, like this Bell Pepper Rice, is my preference for busy weeknights, lunchboxes, or meal prep! It is quick, easy, and flavorful. The best part is that it's made in the Instant Pot (pressure cooker), so cleanup is a breeze with fewer dishes.

This vibrant Indian rice dish is mainly composed of rice, peppers, onions, and tomatoes, making it one of the easiest and most delicious rice recipes you'll try.

Looking for more Instant Pot rice recipes? Try my Mexican rice and beans, and Paneer Matar Pulao. Both are hearty, satisfying, and full of flavor.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• About Bell Pepper Rice
• Recipe Ingredients
• How To Make Bell Pepper Rice in Instant Pot (Stepwise Photos)
• How to Make Bell Pepper Rice with Cooked Rice
• Serving Suggestions 
• Storage Instructions 
• Recipe Tips
• Easy Indian Rice Recipes
• Recipe Card

About Bell Pepper Rice

Bell Pepper Rice, also known as Capsicum Rice or capsicum pulao, is a simple, flavorful Indian rice dish made with bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, aromatics, and spices.

This hot bell pepper rice is simple to make with a few ingredients, but full of flavor. It's spicy, moist, and so delicious! You can easily customize it to your spice preference. It's vegetarian, gluten-free, and can be made vegan.

My one-pot capsicum masala rice recipe comes together in 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weekdays, lunchboxes, or meal prep. You can also use the same recipe with precooked or leftover rice to make a stir-fry bell pepper rice.

The crunchy, sweet bell peppers add texture and color, while the spices bring warmth and depth to this rice. I also added some green peas, but you can add other vegetables, such as carrots, corn, potatoes, green beans, cauliflower, or chopped greens like spinach or protein (tofu or paneer) to make it healthier.

This masala bell pepper rice is a wholesome rice dish that makes a delicious, comforting meal. Serve it with raita, pickle, or papad.

Recipe Ingredients

Rice: I use Basmati because it produces the best fluffy texture, but you can also use any long-grain rice.

Bell Peppers (Capsicum): I have used a mix of yellow, orange, green, and red bell peppers for vibrant color and natural sweetness. They add crunch and a mild peppery flavor to the dish. You can use just green bell peppers, too! Cut your bell peppers into medium-sized cubes, especially when making this rice in the Instant Pot.

Ghee/Oil - I highly recommend making this bell pepper rice in ghee to elevate the flavor. I typically use a mix of ghee and oil. Use oil if you want to keep it vegan. 

Whole spices: You will need cumin seeds, bay leaf, green cardamom, cloves, and one small piece of cinnamon.

Ginger Garlic: Use freshly grated or minced ginger garlic. Don't skip these, as they add tons of flavor. You can also use ginger garlic paste.

Green Chilies: I have also used green chilies in this recipe since they add a subtle kick that balances the sweetness of the peppers. You can adjust it to your taste preference.

Veggies: For the rice recipe, I used bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and green peas. Other vegetables, such as carrots, French beans, and corn, can also be added.

Spice powders: You need just the basic spices used in Indian cooking, such as turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, garam masala, and salt.

Cilantro: I like using cilantro leaves and thin, tender stems; they add flavor and freshness. I add the stems while cooking and use the leaves for garnish. Mint can also be used. You can also add fresh curry leaves with whole spices for added flavor.

Lemon Juice: Adds a final touch of brightness and combines all the flavors.

Please refer to the recipe card for exact ingredient measurements. 

How To Make Bell Pepper Rice in Instant Pot (Stepwise Photos)

Steps 1 to 4: Wash 1 cup of basmati rice 3-4 times or until the water runs clear.

5: Press Sauté (Normal setting) and let the Instant Pot heat up. Add oil and ghee; once it's hot, add the whole spices. Stir fry for a few seconds until fragrant.

6: Add onion and sauté till soft and golden brown.

7: Stir in the ginger, garlic, and green chili. Cook until the raw garlic smell goes away. If needed, deglaze with 1 to 2 tablespoons of water.

8: Add the tomato and cilantro stems (if using).

9: Stir in spices and salt and mix well.

10: If needed, deglaze with 1 to 2 tablespoons of water. 

11: Add bell peppers and green peas and mix to combine.

12: Add the washed and drained rice along with lemon juice.

13: Add water (adjust the amount according to the rice type) and gently mix everything. Cancel sauté mode. Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook (Manual) at High Pressure for 5 minutes.

14: After cooking is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then quick-release any remaining pressure.

15: Open the lid, fluff the rice gently with a fork.

16: Optional: close the lid and let the rice rest in the Instant Pot for 5-10 minutes for the perfect texture. Then garnish with cilantro. Bell pepper rice is ready to be served!

How to Make Bell Pepper Rice with Cooked Rice

You can also make this bell pepper rice with cooked or leftover rice. You will need 3 cups of cooked, completely cooled rice. The rest of the ingredients and recipe remain the same. 

Use a large wok or pan and follow the steps listed for the Instant Pot. Cook the bell pepper and peas with tomatoes until tender but crunchy, not mushy. Add the precooked rice to the savory mixture and toss gently to combine. Squeeze in the lemon juice and cilantro and serve hot.

Serving Suggestions 

Serve bell pepper rice with boondi raita or kachumber salad, lemon pickle, and papad.

Storage Instructions 

Leftover bell pepper rice can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water.

Recipe Tips

Use Basmati Rice: For the best texture and aroma, opt for basmati rice. It cooks perfectly fluffy in the Instant Pot.

How to cut a bell pepper: Cut the bell pepper into medium-sized cubes to retain its shape after pressure cooking.

Spice level: For a kid-friendly or less spicy version, reduce the amount of chili powder and green chilies as per taste preference.

Add more veggies: For more nutrition, add other veggies like carrots, beans, and potatoes.

Paneer capsicum rice: Add paneer cubes to the capsicum rice (pulao) recipe for an extra protein boost and a more filling meal. Alternatively, use tofu or chickpeas to keep it vegan.

Rest the Rice: After cooking, rest the rice in the Instant Pot for 5-10 minutes to create the perfect texture.

Chruncy add-ins: For crunch, you can also stir in roasted cashews, sesame seeds, or peanuts.

Easy Indian Rice Recipes

Tried this recipe? I'd love to know how it turned out! Please take a moment to leave a comment and rate the recipe. Your feedback helps others and means a lot to me. If you're on Instagram, tag me in your creations so I can see and share them. Thanks for being here and cooking with me! 

Recipe Card

Update Notes: This post was originally published on Sep 13, 2012, but it was republished in May 2025 with step-by-step instructions, new photos, tips, and a video.