Sylheti Rice Pudding
If you've got short-grain or basmati rice, cardamom powder and fresh coconut, cut into small cubes, you're most of the way to this vegetarian: about 55 minutes of cooking across 6 steps. Below: the ingredients split into pantry staples and a quick shopping list, a built-in serving scaler, and the method in 6 steps.
You'll mainly reach for pan and saucepan. At easy difficulty across 6 steps, it's a good one for a busy evening. As written, it's meat-free.
What you'll need
Shopping list (5)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
Diet: vegetarian — no meat or fish, based on every ingredient listed below.
Contains: Dairy
Allergen labels are informational and may not cover cross-contact; verify every package and consult a qualified professional for medical dietary needs. Diet labels are derived from the ingredient list on this page — how we verify diet and allergen labels.
Food-safety and allergen information is general, not medical advice. Follow current guidance from your local food-safety authority, verify product labels, and seek qualified advice for allergies or health conditions.
How to make it
- Rinse the rice in several changes of cold water until the water runs clear, then soak it for 20 minutes and drain well.
- Lightly grease a heavy-bottomed pan with the ghee to help prevent the milk from catching, then pour in the milk and bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring often.
- Add the drained rice and lower the heat, then simmer gently for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring frequently and scraping the base so the milk does not scorch, until the rice is very soft and the mixture has thickened.
- Stir in the sugar and continue cooking for 5 minutes until it dissolves and the pudding thickens further.
- Add the coconut cubes, raisins and cardamom powder, and simmer for another 3 to 4 minutes to let the flavours infuse.
- Remove from the heat and let the pudding rest for a few minutes to thicken; serve warm, or chill and serve cold, as you prefer.
You'll use: Pan · Saucepan
Ingredient substitutions
- Milk
- any unsweetened plant milk · ½ cup evaporated milk + ½ cup water
Tips & common questions
How long does Sylheti Rice Pudding take to make?
About 55 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 6 steps and 7 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of milk?
Try any unsweetened plant milk. See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
Is Sylheti Rice Pudding vegetarian?
Its ingredients contain no meat, fish or shellfish, so it is suitable for vegetarians. Check any cheese for animal rennet if that matters to you.
Related recipes
Adapted recipe — rewritten in our own wording from an open-licensed community cookbook, not yet independently kitchen-tested by Consomee. How we source, test & correct recipes.
Sylheti Rice Pudding is adapted by Consomee from the Wikibooks Cookbook, rewritten in our own wording and used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo: Syloti style kheer.jpg by AbuSayeed, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons. We add the serving scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure — how we source recipes.