Creamy Indian Rice Pudding with Leftover Rice
Don’t toss that leftover rice—turn it into a rich, creamy dessert that feels like a treat from a fancy café. Made with pantry staples and a touch of cardamom, this Indian-inspired rice pudding (also known as kheer) is the perfect way to turn last night’s rice into something decadent. It’s easy, frugal, and absolutely delicious.
Servings: 4
Calories: 436kcal
Cost: $3-$4
Equipment
- Nonstick sauté pan
- mixing spoon,
- Individual serving bowls or one medium glass dish
- Plastic wrap
Ingredients
- 1 cup leftover cooked white rice Long grain or Basmati preferred
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup canned coconut milk
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ cup white granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup golden raisins
- ⅓ cup chopped unsalted pistachios or almonds or cashews
Instructions
- In a large nonstick sauté pan, combine the cooked rice and whole milk. Heat over medium until it begins to boil gently.
- Lower the heat and let it simmer, stirring often, until it starts to thicken—about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream, coconut milk, sugar, and cardamom. Increase heat to medium and whisk constantly as it cooks for another 5–10 minutes, or until thick and creamy.
- Remove from heat. Stir in the golden raisins and pistachios.
- Spoon the pudding into individual dishes or one medium glass bowl. Press plastic wrap directly on the surface (this prevents a skin from forming). Chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
- Serve chilled or let it come to room temperature. Optional: sprinkle with extra nuts before serving for added crunch.
Notes
No cardamom? Try a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg instead—but the unique flavor of cardamom is worth keeping on hand.
Dairy-free version: Use full-fat canned coconut milk for both the milk and cream portions, or substitute your favorite dairy-free alternatives.
Not a fan of raisins? Leave them out or swap in chopped dried apricots, dates, or even a few chocolate chips for a fun twist.
Sweetness level: Feel free to reduce the sugar or replace it with honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar to suit your preferences.
Nutrition
Calories: 436kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 41mg | Potassium: 447mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 563IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 2mg
