THE TARKA GUIDE
How much rice do you need per person?
Plan for 75–100g of raw basmati per adult for a main rice dish like biryani, or 50–75g for a plain rice side alongside a curry.
Start with the cooking cue
For a main-course rice dish like biryani or pulao, plan for about 75–100g of raw (uncooked) basmati rice per adult serving — it roughly doubles in volume once cooked. For a side portion of plain steamed rice alongside a curry, 50–75g raw per person is usually enough.
Control heat and moisture
These amounts assume rice is served alongside meat, vegetables or lentils rather than being the only component of the meal — biryani and pulao already include meat mixed through the rice, so portions can run slightly smaller than a rice-only side dish would need. Adjust upward for guests eating rice as the main component of their plate, or downward if it is one of several dishes on the table.
Tarka note: Let aroma and texture confirm the clock. Timings vary with pan width and burner strength.
Adjust for your kitchen
It's easier to scale a rice dish by weight than by volume, since a cup of rice can pack down differently depending on the grain and how it's measured — a kitchen scale gives a more reliable per-person estimate than a measuring cup, especially when cooking for a group.
Questions cooks ask about this
How much rice should I cook for a large gathering?
Multiply the per-person amount (75–100g raw for a main rice dish) by the guest count, then round up slightly — biryani and pulao are usually welcome in seconds, and leftovers reheat well.
Does the amount change for children?
Roughly half an adult portion is a reasonable starting point for children, adjusted based on age and appetite.
Should I measure rice by cups or by weight?
Weight is more reliable, since a cup of rice can pack down differently depending on grain size and how firmly it is scooped.