Soya Chunks Biryani or Meal maker biryani recipe is a perfect one pot dish which is healthy, flavorful and high in protein and can be prepared in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker or Stove Top just under 30 minutes.Soya biryani is a good lunchbox option for both kids and adults.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I can earn a small commission if you purchase through the link at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
I have made this easy biryani just with soya chunks but if you prefer you can add other vegetables with the biryani too.Considering the health benefits it offers, I try to include it in our diet often. You can prepare many dishes using soya chunks like soya chunks curry, soya chunks fried rice ,kurma ,nuggets etc.
Soya Chunks does not have flavor of its own, it has the tendency to absorb the flavors well. Today I am sharing with you an easy method to prepare Soya Chunks/Meal maker biryani using the Instant Pot pressure cooker.
WHAT IS SOYA CHUNKS?
Soya chunks are also known as meal maker or textured vegetable protein and is said to lower cholesterol levels, prevents heart diseases, reduces the risk of osteoporosis, controls hypertension, blood pressure etc.They look like meat, but are 100% vegetarian.
WHAT SOYA CHUNKS IS MADE UP OF?
According to Wikipedia , Soya chunks are made from defatted soy flour, a by-product of extracting soybean oil. It has a protein content which is equal to that of meat. It is quick and also easy to cook.
IS SOYA CHUNKS VEGAN & GLUTEN FREE?
Yes, soya chunks are both vegan and gluten free.
HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT SOYA CHUNKS BIRYANI STEP BY STEP
1.Take some Hot Water in a bowl and add salt. Take 1 Cup of Soya Chunks and Soak it in the hot water for 15 minutes till they soften and keep aside.
2.Press SAUTE mode on Instant Pot. Add oil or ghee and once it’s hot add all the whole spices ,green chilly. Saute for 30 secs.
3.Add sliced onions, ginger-garlic paste. Saute for 2-3 minutes until they turn soft and light brown in color – stir regularly.
4.Then add mint leaves, tomatoes ,cook till tomatoes are soft.
5.Add yogurt/curd, turmeric powder, biryani powder, garam masala and give a quick stir.
6.Add soaked soya chunks(squeeze excess water) and cook for 1-2 minutes.Keep stirring else masala paste may get burnt.
7.Add washed Basmati Rice, water, salt and give a stir .
8.Close the lid on the pot, and turn pressure valve from SEALING position.Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and set timer to 6 minutes.
9.After Pot beeps, wait for NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE(NPR).Remove lid away from you, garnish with Cilantro.
10.Pressure cooker Soya Biryani/Meal Maker recipe is ready.Serve with Raita or plain yogurt.
TIPS & VARIATIONS TO MAKE SOYA BIRYANI:
- Vegans can skip ghee and use any kind of vegetable oil.
- Vegans can skip yogurt and add juice of half lemon.
- You can use any vegetables of your choice like green peas, carrot, green beans along with soya chunks.
- Increase or decrease spices accordingly.
- You can also do a Quick Release(QR) once the Pot beeps if you less time.
- You can also Mix together soya nuggets, water and salt in a bowl and cook in the microwave for 2-3 minutes to save more time.
CHECKOUT MY OTHER INSTANT POT RICE RECIPES
INSTANT POT SOYA CHUNKS BIRYANI RECIPE CARD
★ DID YOU TRY THIS RECIPE? Don’t forget to give a ★ rating. Just click on the stars in the Recipe Card to rate!
Instant Pot Soya Chunks Biryani
Ingredients
- Measuring cup used 1 cup = 250 ml
- 1 cup basmati rice(long grain rice)
- 1 cup soya Chunks/granules i used nutrela brand,available in indian grocery store
- 1 large onion ,thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger-garlic
- 2 Slit Green Chilly
- 1 large tomato ,finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Biryani Masala Powder
- 1 teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 1/4 cup Mint leaves or (15-20 leaves)
- 2 tablespoon Yogurt (curd) or non dairy yogurt
- 2 tablespoon cooking oil or Ghee(clarified butter)
- 1.5 cups water
- salt, to taste
- 2 tablespoon cilantro (coriander leaves)
Whole Spices
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
- 2 cardamom
- 2 cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon cumin(Jeera Seeds)
Instructions
INSTANT POT METHOD
- Take some Hot Water in a bowl and add salt. Take 1 Cup of Soya Chunks and Soak it in the hot water for 15 minutes till they soften and keep aside.
- Press SAUTE mode on Instant Pot. Add oil or ghee and once it's hot add all the whole spices ,green chilly. Saute for 30 secs.
- Add sliced onions, ginger-garlic paste. Saute for 2-3 minutes until they turn soft and light brown in color – stir regularly.
- Then add mint leaves, tomatoes ,cook till tomatoes are soft.
- Add yogurt/curd,turmeric powder,biryani powder,garam masala and give a quick stir.
- Add soaked soya chunks(squeeze excess water) and cook for 1-2 minutes.Keep stirring else masala paste may get burnt.
- Add washed Basmati Rice,water,salt and give a stir .
- Press CANCEL button on Instant Pot.Close the lid on the pot, and turn pressure valve to SEALING position.
- Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and set timer to 6 minutes
- After Pot beeps,wait for NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE(NPR).
- Remove lid away from you,garnish with Cilantro.
- Soya Biryani is ready.Serve with Raita or plain yogurt.
INDIAN PRESSURE COOKER METHOD
- Take some Hot Water in a bowl and add salt. Take 1 Cup of Soya Chunks and Soak it in the hot water for 15 minutes till they soften and keep aside.
- In a Pressure cooker ,Add oil or ghee and once it's hot add all the whole spices ,green chilly. Saute for 30 secs.
- Add sliced onions,ginger-garlic paste. Saute for 2-3 minutes until they turn soft and light brown in color – stir regularly.
- Then add Mint leaves,tomatoes ,cook till tomatoes are soft.
- Add yogurt/curd,turmeric powder,biryani powder,garam masala and give a quick stir.
- Add soaked soya chunks(squeeze excess water) and cook for 1-2 minutes.Keep stirring else masala paste may get burnt.
- Add washed Basmati Rice,water,salt and give a stir .
- Cover the cooker with lid and cook for two whistles on medium flame.
- After 10 mins Fluff up the rice gently.garnish with coriander leaves.
- Soya Biryani is ready.Serve with Raita or plain yogurt.
Notes
- Vegans can skip ghee and use any kind of vegetable oil.
- Vegans can skip yogurt and add juice of half lemon.
- You can use any vegetables of your choice like green peas,carrot,green beans along with soya chunks.
- You can increase or decrease spices accordingly.
- You can also do a Quick Release(QR) once the Pot beeps if you less time.
- You can also Mix together soya nuggets, water and salt in a bowl and cook in the microwave for 2-3 minutes to save more time.
♥ We LOVE to hear from you If you make this recipe, please share your food photo with hashtag #indianveggiedelight on Facebook or Instagram, so we can see it and others can enjoy it too! Thank you ♥
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel for healthy & tasty video recipes. Looking for Instant Pot recipes, check out my Instant Pot Recipes board on Pinterest.
Pin It For Later
Can we double this recipe without altering the time in instant pot ?
Hi Poonam,yes we can double recipe with same time mentioned in the blog.
let me know if you have more questions.