Shirin Polo Recipe: Persian Jeweled Rice
Shirin polo — literally “sweet rice” — is Persian jeweled rice, studded with slivered orange peel, pistachio, almond, and barberries in a saffron-gold base. It’s a celebration dish, traditionally served at weddings and on Nowruz, prized as much for its color and texture as its flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 1/2 cup dried barberries (zereshk)
- 1/3 cup slivered pistachio
- 1/3 cup slivered almond
- Zest of 1-2 oranges, cut into thin slivers
- 2-3 tablespoons sugar
- A generous pinch of saffron, bloomed in a few tablespoons of hot water
- Oil or butter, salt, to taste
Instructions
- Rinse and soak the rice for at least 30 minutes, then parboil until still slightly firm in the center. Drain.
- Briefly blanch the orange zest slivers in water to remove bitterness, then simmer with the sugar and a splash of water until glazed and syrupy. Set aside.
- Rinse the barberries and sauté briefly in a little butter with a pinch of sugar — just enough to soften, not burn (they turn bitter if overcooked).
- Layer the rice in a pot with oil on the bottom, mixing in most of the barberries, pistachio, almond, and candied orange zest as you go, reserving a little of each for garnish.
- Drizzle the bloomed saffron water over the top, cover with a clean towel under the lid, and steam on low heat for 30-40 minutes to build a golden tahdig (crispy rice crust) on the bottom.
- Plate and scatter the reserved barberries, nuts, and orange zest over the top before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is shirin polo?
Shirin polo, or Persian jeweled rice, is a celebratory saffron rice dish studded with slivered orange peel, pistachio, almond, and barberries — traditionally served at weddings and on Nowruz.
Why is it called “jeweled rice”?
The bright red barberries, green pistachios, and golden candied orange peel scattered through the saffron rice look like scattered jewels — hence the English nickname.
Is shirin polo served with anything?
It’s most often served with roasted or braised chicken, though it’s rich enough to serve as a centerpiece on its own for a celebration meal.
What’s the difference between shirin polo and zereshk polo?
Zereshk polo features barberries as the star with saffron rice, usually served with chicken. Shirin polo adds candied orange peel, pistachio, and almond on top of the barberries for a sweeter, more elaborate “jeweled” version, reserved for bigger celebrations.
Shop the Ingredients
Get everything you need for authentic shirin polo from Goaldees (also searched as Goldis), shipped fresh, nationwide across the US. Shop dried fruits and nuts.
Curious about other Persian food terms? See our Persian food glossary.
Want the full rundown of Persian dried fruits — raisins, prunes, mulberries, and more? See our Persian Dried Fruits Guide.
Want the full rundown of Persian nuts — pistachios, almonds, walnuts, and more? See our Persian Nuts Guide.
Curious about the slivered (khalal) pistachios used to garnish this dish? See our Persian Pistachio Varieties guide.
