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Home » Recipes » Rice & Grains

Coconut Milk Pulao (Instant Pot & Stovetop)

Jan 28, 2023. by Bhavana Patil. 4 Comments | This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Jump to Recipe

This Coconut Milk Pulao is a flavorful South Indian rice recipe made with coconut milk, vegetables, and a few spices in the Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker. Vegan and Gluten-Free.

instant pot coconut milk pulao served in a bowl with spices and salad on the side

Coconut Rice is one of the easy go-to recipes on busy mornings for packing lunch boxes. It is easier if you already have pre-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-bought coconut milk. This Pulao Recipe is also great for potlucks or picnics.

Today's recipe I am sharing is prepared in an Instant Pot Electric Pressure cooker. However, you can make the dish in a stovetop pressure cooker or a Pan.

Coconut Milk has various health benefits, such as stimulating weight loss and lowering cholesterol.

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Instant Pot Coconut Milk Pulao Recipe
  • Ingredients for Coconut Milk Pulao Recipe
  • How to make Coconut Milk Pulao in Instant Pot
  • Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method
  • Stovetop Pot Method
  • What to serve with Coconut Milk Pulav?
  • Tips & Variations
  • Storage Suggestions
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Coconut Milk Recipes
  • More Instant Pot Indian Rice Recipes
  • Instant Pot Coconut Milk Pulao (Coconut Milk Rice)

Why You'll Love This Instant Pot Coconut Milk Pulao Recipe

  • Ready in less than 20 minutes.
  • Easy, and one-pot dish.
  • Loaded with Vegetables.
  • It pairs well with curry, dal, or raita.
  • Great for potlucks, get-togethers, or kid's lunch boxes.
  • Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free.

Ingredients for Coconut Milk Pulao Recipe

You will require very few simple ingredients to make this easy coconut milk pulao recipe.

  • Rice: I have used Long grain white basmati rice for making this pulao.
  • Green chilies: I have used Thai green chilies for the heat.
  • Curry Leaves: Adds a great flavor to the dish. It's optional.
  • Ginger and garlic:  I have used a paste made from fresh ginger and garlic. You can also mince and add them.
  • Vegetables: I have used onions, carrots, beans, green peas, and green chilies. You can also swap for other vegetables like broccoli, and bell peppers.
  • Coconut Milk: You can use either homemade or store-bought full-fat coconut milk.
  • Oil: You can use any cooking oil.
  • Whole spices: I have used cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and cardamom in this recipe. If you don't have whole spices, add garam masala powder at the end.
  • Coriander leaves: for garnish.
coconut milk pulao ingredients

How to make Coconut Milk Pulao in Instant Pot

Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Heat oil (or ghee), add in the whole spices like cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. Saute for a few secs or till aromatic.

Next, add green chilies, ginger-garlic paste, and curry leaves. Saute for a few secs.

step to saute spices and chili collage

Add sliced onion and saute until onions turn soft and light brown.

Then add the mixed vegetables and cook for a minute.

step to saute onions and veggies collge

Next, add coconut milk, water, rinsed basmati rice, and salt. Give a quick stir.

step to add coconut milk, rice collage

Close the lid securely, and turn the vent to "SEALING". Select the PRESSURE COOK/MANUAL (High Pressure) setting and set the cooking time to 5 minutes.

When the instant pot beeps, do a quick pressure release before removing the lid.

Gently fluff up the rice with a ladle or fork.

tengina kai halu rice collage

The coconut milk pulao recipe is ready. Serve with curry, raita, or plain yogurt.

coconut milk pulao rice in the instant pot

Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method

  • Heat oil in a pressure cooker on medium flame, add in the whole spices like cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. Saute for a few secs or till aromatic.
  • Next, add green chilies, ginger-garlic paste, and curry leaves. Saute for a few secs.
  • Add sliced onion and saute until onions turn soft and light brown.
  • Then add the mixed vegetables and cook for a minute.
  • Next, add coconut milk, water, rinsed basmati rice, and salt. Give a quick 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.

Stovetop Pot Method

For preparing this dish in a stovetop pan. Follow the same steps, close the lid, and cook on low flame until all liquid is absorbed and the rice is fluffy.

instant pot coconut milk pulao served in a bowl with spices and salad on the side

What to serve with Coconut Milk Pulav?

Serve Coconut Milk Pulao with dal/lentils, curry, or raita.

Tips & Variations

  • Type of Rice: Coconut milk pilaf tastes best when long-grain basmati rice is used, but you can use any premium-quality short-grain rice. You may also use other grains like quinoa, millets, or brown rice.
  • Herbs: You can also add mint/pudina leaves and coriander leaves/cilantro to enhance flavor.
  • Vegan: Substitute ghee with coconut oil or any cooking oil, if you are a vegan.
  • Coconut Milk: You can use store-bought coconut milk. If you don't get thick (or full-fat) coconut milk, then use 1.5 cups of the thin version and skip the water.
  • Nuts: You can also add fried cashews and raisins to this rice to make it rich and delicious.

Storage Suggestions

Store: Leftover coconut milk pulao will keep well in the fridge for up to 2 days. Let it cool completely, and then store it in an airtight container.

Freeze: Cool down the rice completely and store it in the freezer-safe airtight container for up to 1 month.

Reheat: Sprinkle some water and reheat the coconut milk rice in the microwave or stovetop until it warms through.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 it to poriyal, smoothies, or coconut curries.

Can I make this rice without onion and garlic?

Yes, you can definitely skip onions and garlic.

Can I use frozen veggies for this coconut milk pulao?

Frozen veggies work really well.

Which brand of coconut milk is best for this rice?

I personally like Chaokoh, Thai Kitchen Organic, Aroy-D, and 365 Everyday Value Organic Coconut Milk brands.

More Coconut Milk Recipes

  • Chickpea Coconut Curry
  • Butternut Squash Curry
  • Tomato Rice
  • Coconut Rice
  • Zucchini Soup
  • Indian Creamed Spinach

More Instant Pot Indian Rice Recipes

  • Vegetable Biryani
  • Spinach Rice
  • Potato/Aloo Biryani
  • Beetroot Rice
  • Peas Pulao
  • Vegetable Pulao

If you’ve tried this easy coconut milk pulao recipe or any other recipe on Indianveggiedelight, then don’t forget to rate the recipe. You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see the latest recipes!

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instant pot coconut milk pulao served in a bowl with spices and salad on the side

Instant Pot Coconut Milk Pulao (Coconut Milk Rice)

Bhavana Patil
Coconut Milk Pulao is a flavorful South Indian rice recipe made with coconut milk and few vegetables in the Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker
4.84 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings: 2
Calories : 330
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Method: Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
Prep Time : 10 minutes
Cook Time : 10 minutes
Total Time : 20 minutes

Equipment

  • Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
  • Stovetop Pressure Cooker

Ingredients
  

  • 1-2 tablespoon coconut oil or any vegetable oil
  • 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 (canned or homemade)
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 cup basmati rice rinsed
  • salt to taste

Whole Spices

  • ½ teaspoon cumin (jeera) seeds
  • 1-2 bayleaf
  • 2 cardamom
  • 3 cloves
  • 1 inch cinnamon stick

Instructions
 

Instant Pot Method

  • Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Heat oil (or ghee), add in the whole spices like cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. Saute for a few secs or till aromatic.
  • Next, add green chilies, ginger-garlic paste, and curry leaves. Saute for a few secs.
    step to saute spices and chili collage
  • Add sliced onion and saute until onions turn soft and light brown.
  • Then add the mixed vegetables and cook for a minute.
    step to saute onions and veggies collge
  • Next, add coconut milk, water, rinsed basmati rice, and salt. Give a quick stir.
    step to add coconut milk, rice collage
  • Close the lid securely, and turn the vent to "SEALING". Select the PRESSURE COOK/MANUAL (High Pressure) setting and set the cooking time to 5 minutes.
  • When the instant pot beeps, do a quick pressure release before removing the lid.
    Gently fluff up the rice with a ladle or fork.
    tengina kai halu rice collage
  • The coconut milk pulao recipe is ready. Serve with curry, raita, or plain yogurt.
    coconut milk pulao rice in the instant pot

Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method:

  • Heat oil in a pressure cooker on medium flame, add in the whole spices like cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. Saute for a few secs or till aromatic.
  • Next, add green chilies, ginger-garlic paste, and curry leaves. Saute for a few secs.
  • Add sliced onion and saute until onions turn soft and light brown.
  • Then add the mixed vegetables and cook for a minute.
  • Next, add coconut milk, water, rinsed basmati rice, and salt. Give a quick 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

  1. You can also add mint/pudina leaves and coriander leaves/cilantro to enhance flavor.
  2. Substitute ghee with coconut oil, if you are a vegan.
  3. You can use store-bought coconut milk. If you don't get thick coconut milk, then use 1.5 cups of thin version and skip the water.
  4. I have prepared this dish in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT
 
Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 330kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 6gFat: 4.2gSodium: 603mgPotassium: 460mgFiber: 4.8gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2300IUVitamin C: 14.9mgCalcium: 400mgIron: 0.4mg
Keyword coconut milk pulao, coconut milk recipes, instant pot
Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @indianveggiedelight or #indianveggiedelight

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Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    March 10, 2021 at 12:24 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • Bhavana Patil says

      March 10, 2021 at 12:31 pm

      Thats great to hear, I am glad your guests liked it & thank you for the feedback 🙂 Have a great day 🙂.

      Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    November 16, 2022 at 1:27 am

    Hi today I tried ur recipe it was so yumm…my family loved it especially my kid.

    Reply
    • Bhavana Patil says

      November 16, 2022 at 11:16 am

      Hi, I am so happy to know your child liked it, made my day... Thank you for sharing your feedback.

      Reply

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