This Coconut Milk Pulao is a flavorful South Indian rice recipe made with coconut milk and few vegetables in the Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker. This is Vegan and Gluten-Free.
Coconut Rice is one of the easy go-to recipes on busy mornings for packing lunch boxes. It is easier if you already have cut vegetables and coconut milk at home.
I usually cut the vegetables the previous night. I also make coconut milk at home but you can use store brought coconut milk. This Pulao Recipe is also great for potlucks or picnics.
Today's recipe I am sharing is prepared in Instant Pot Electric Pressure cooker, however you can make dish in stove top pressure cooker or in a Pan.
For preparing this dish in a stovetop pan. Follow the same steps and close the lid and cook on low flame till all liquid is absorbed and rice is fluffy.
Coconut Milk has various health benefits such as stimulating weight loss and lowering cholesterol. It is tastier as all.
How to make Coconut Milk at home?
Blend ½ cup of shredded coconut (fresh or frozen) with 1 cup of warm water. Strain the coconut milk in a strainer or nut milk bag. Transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate.
You can save pulp for baked goods or add to poriyal, smoothies, or coconut curries.
How to make Coconut Milk Pulao in Instant Pot
Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add oil, once its hot add Bay leaf, whole spices, cumin, green chillies, curry leaves, ginger-garlic paste. Saute for 30 secs until aromatic.
Add sliced onion and saute until onions turn soft.
Then add the mixed vegetables and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Next add Coconut milk, water, washed Basmati Rice, salt and give a stir .
Close the lid on the pot. Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and set the timer to 5 minutes.
Do a NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE. Remove lid away from you, mix well and fluff with a fork or spoon.
Coconut milk pulao recipe is ready. Serve with Curry, Raita or plain yogurt.
Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method
- Heat a pressure cooker with oil on medium flame and once it’s hot add Bay leaf, whole spices, cumin, green chilies, curry leaves, ginger-garlic paste.
- Saute for 30 secs until aromatic.
- Then add sliced onions, cook until they turn soft and light brown in color - stir regularly.
- Add mix vegetables and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add Coconut milk, water, washed Basmati Rice, salt and give a stir.
- Close the lid place a whistle and cook for 2 whistles on medium flame.
- After 10 mins Fluff up the rice gently.
- Coconut milk Pulao is ready. Serve with Curry, Raita, or plain yogurt.
What to serve with Coconut Milk Pulav?
Coconut Milk Pulao can be served with dal/lentils, curry or raita.
Tips & Variations
- You can also add mint/pudina leaves and coriander leaves/cilantro to enhance flavor.
- Replace coconut oil with ghee if you are a vegan.
- You can use store brought coconut milk. If you don't get thick coconut milk, then use 1.5 cups of thin version and skip water.
More Instant Pot Rice Recipes
Instant Pot Coconut Milk Pulao (Coconut Milk Rice)
Ingredients
Measuring cup used 1 cup = 250ml
- 1-2 tablespoon coconut oil or any vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon cumin (jeera) seeds
- 1-2 bayleaf
- 2 cardamom
- 3 cloves
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
- 1 stalk curry leaves
- 3-4 green chilies
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 medium onion sliced thinly
- 1 cup mixed vegetables(carrot, french beans, green peas)
- 1 cup thick coconut milk
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup basmati rice rinsed
- salt to taste
Instructions
Instant Pot Method
- Press SAUTE mode on Instant Pot. Add oil and once it’s hot add Bay leaf, whole spices, cumin, green chilies ,curry leaves ,ginger-garlic paste. Saute for 30 secs until aromatic.
- Then add sliced onions,cook until they turn soft and light brown in color - stir regularly.
- Add mix vegetables and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add Coconut milk, water, washed Basmati Rice, salt and give a stir .
- Close the lid on the pot.Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and set timer to 5 minutes
- Do a NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE
- Remove lid away from you,mix well and fluff with a fork or spoon.
- Coconut milk Pulao is ready.Serve with Curry,Raita or plain yogurt.
Indian Pressure Cooker Method
- Heat a pressure cooker with oil on medium flame, and once it’s hot add Bay leaf, whole spices, cumin, green chillies ,curry leaves ,ginger-garlic paste.
- Saute for 30 secs until aromatic.
- Then add sliced onions,cook until they turn soft and light brown in color - stir regularly.
- Add mix vegetables and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add Coconut milk,water,washed Basmati Rice,salt and give a stir .
- Close the lid place a whistle and cook for 2 whistles on medium flame.
- After 10 mins Fluff up the rice gently.
- Coconut milk Pulao is ready.Serve with Curry,Raita or plain yogurt.
Notes
- You can also add mint/pudina leaves and coriander leaves/cilantro to enhance flavor.
- You can replace coconut oil with ghee/clarified butter.
- You can use store brought coconut milk.if you dont get thick coconut milk then use thin version and add 1.5 cups for this recipe and skip water.
- I have prepared this dish in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT
Nutrition
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Anonymous says
My guests loved this one for the rice was perfectly cooked. I made it in instant pot and the measurements 1cup rice: 1 cup coconut milk: 1/2 water worked very well with 6 minutes pressure cook and natural release worked great.
Bhavana Patil says
Thats great to hear, I am glad your guests liked it & thank you for the feedback 🙂 Have a great day 🙂.