The Cauliflower Pulao (Gobi Pulao) recipe is an easy and flavorful pilaf prepared using cauliflower, green peas, and Indian spices in the Instant Pot Pressure cooker. You can serve this pulao with any raita or papad. Vegan, gluten-free, and ready in under 30 minutes.
A vegetarian Indian meal isn't complete until there's rice on the table. Pulao is the ideal food that is neither too heavy nor too light or bland, like plain basmati rice, making it the ideal substitute for people who don't like plain rice.
Cooking pulao at home is easy, and it makes a wonderful addition to the menu, even when you have company around. You may find a variety of pulao recipes if you search and explore. Take vegetable pulao, matar pulao, paneer pulao, beetroot pulao, and more varieties. Today, I am sharing a delectable recipe known as cauliflower peas pulao.
Cauliflower (gobhi) pulao is an incredibly simple, quick, and delectable pulao dish made with cauliflower florets and a few spices. It goes well with a serving of raita or plain yogurt.
If you like this recipe, then check out more Indian Cauliflower Recipes
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How to Make Cauliflower Pulao/Pilaf in Instant Pot
Take 3 cups of cauliflower florets, ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, ½ teaspoon red chili powder, ½ teaspoon garam masala powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
Mix well and marinate for at least 15 to 20 minutes. This step is optional. If you don't have time, you can directly add to the pot.
Press SAUTE mode on the Instant Pot. Add 2 tablespoons oil, and once it's hot, add the whole spices like:
Saute for 30 seconds until aromatic.
Add 1 medium onion (thinly sliced), 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste, and saute for 2-3 minutes until they turn soft and light brown in color – stir regularly.
Next, add 1 large tomato (finely chopped), and dry spices like ½ teaspoon red chili powder, ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon garam masala powder, and cook for another 2 minutes till tomatoes turn soft and mushy.
Then, add the marinated cauliflower, ½ cup green peas (frozen), salt, and 1.5 cups water. Make sure to Deglaze the bottom of the pot to remove any stuck bits and avoid BURN Alert.
Next, add 1 cup of rinsed basmati rice, salt and mix everything well.
Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes.
Wait for Natural Pressure Release (NPR). If you don't have time, then do a Quick Release (QR). Remove the lid away from you, add 1 tablespoon of lime juice, and garnish 2 tablespoons of coriander leaves.
Cauliflower peas pulao (gobi pulao) is ready. Serve with raita or plain yogurt.
Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method
- Follow the same steps as Instant Pot, close the lid, place a whistle, and cook for one whistle on medium flame. All other steps remain the same.
Serving Suggestions
Cauliflower pulav pairs wonderfully with plain yogurt, onion tomato raita, or vegetable curries, and kachumber salad on the side.
Tips & Notes
- You can use any kind of rice. But I prefer basmati rice for pulao.
- Marinating cauliflower is optional, it is mostly done to flavor up the cauliflower.
- Because cauliflower tends to cook very quickly, use larger florets in this recipe.
- Soaking basmati rice is optional. In this recipe, I didn't soak the rice, But if you have time, you can soak it for 15-20 minutes and reduce the water by ¼ cup.
- In the end, You can also add bread croutons and fried cashews, which add a nice taste and texture to the pulao.
Cauliflower Pulao/Pilaf (Instant Pot & Stovetop)
Ingredients
For Cauliflower Marination:
- 3 cups cauliflower florets (about 1 inch 15 florets)
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala powder
- teaspoon salt to taste
Whole Spices:
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 cloves
- 2 cardamom
- 1 teaspoon cumin (jeera) seeds
Other Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoon oil
- 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
- 1 medium onion thinly sliced
- 1 large tomato finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
- ½ cup green peas
- 1 cup basmati rice rinsed
- 1.5 cups water
- salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoons coriander leaves
Instructions
Instant Pot Method:
- Take cauliflower florets, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Mix well and marinate for at least 15 to 20 minutes. This step is optional. If you don't have time you can directly add to the pot.
- Press SAUTE mode on Instant Pot. Add oil and once it's hot add all the whole spices. Saute for 30 seconds till aromatic.
- Add sliced onions, ginger garlic paste, and saute for 2-3 minutes until they turn soft and light brown in color – stir regularly.
- Next add chopped tomatoes, dry spices like red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala powder, and cook for another 2 minutes till tomatoes turn soft and mushy.
- Then add the marinated cauliflower, green peas, salt, and water. Make sure to Deglaze the bottom of the pot to remove any stuck bits and avoid BURN Alert.
- Next add rinsed Basmati Rice, salt and mix everything well.
- Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes.
- Wait for Natural Pressure Release (NPR). If you don't have time then do a Quick Release (QR). Remove lid away from you, Squeeze some lime juice and sprinkle coriander leaves.
- Cauliflower Pulao (Gobi Pulao) is ready. Serve with raita or plain yogurt.
Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method:
- Follow the same steps and close the lid place a whistle and cook for 1 whistle on medium flame.
Video
Notes
Tips & Variations:
- You can use any kind of rice. But I prefer Basmati Rice for pulao.
- Marinating cauliflower is optional, it is mostly done to flavor up the cauliflower.
- Because cauliflower tends to cook very quickly, use larger florets in this recipe.
- Soaking basmati rice is optional. In this recipe, I dint soak the rice, But if you have time you can soak for 15-20 minutes and reduce water by ¼ cup.
- Increase or decrease spices accordingly to your preference.
- In the end, You can also add bread croutons and fried cashews, it adds a nice taste and texture to the pulao.
Nutrition
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Gary Kaetzel
I made this tonight and I love it!!!! With most abject and humble apologies, I added some chicken to it after pressure cooking. I'm honestly not mocking the vegetarianism of the original recipe but the chicken did make a good add to it! I posted my results on my FB page and on the Instant Pot Community page and both posts have a link back to this amazing recipe. Thanks for really hitting the spot tonight!!!! My absolute very very best wishes to you and yours!!!!
Bhavana Patil
Hi Gary, I am soo glad you liked this cauliflower pulao recipe.I sometimes add sauteed paneer for protein in this pulao. Thank you so much for sharing the link on your page.