Cauliflower Pulao (Gobi Pulao) recipe is an easy and flavorful Pilaf prepared using cauliflower, green peas, and 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.
Today I am sharing both Instant Pot and Traditional Indian Stovetop Pressure Cooker ways of making cauliflower pilaf recipe.
How to Make Cauliflower Pulao/Pilaf in Instant Pot
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 Peas Pulao (Gobi Pulao) is ready. Serve with raita or plain yogurt.
Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method
- Follow the same steps, close the lid, place a whistle and cook for one whistle on medium flame.
Tips & Variations to make Cauliflower Pulao Recipe
- 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 the 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.
More Cauliflower Recipes
- Cauliflower Coconut Curry
- Tandoori Cauliflower
- Cauliflower Fried Rice
- Gobi Manchurian
- Coconut Cauliflower Rice
- Aloo Gobi
More Instant Pot Pulao Recipes
Cauliflower Pulao/Pilaf (Instant Pot & Stovetop)
Ingredients
Measuring cup used 1 cup = 250 ml
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
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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