Vegetable Rice Pulao/Pilaf - Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

Vegetable Pulao/Pilaf recipe is an easy one-pot rice dish made with rice, mixed vegetables, and mildly flavored with various whole spices in the Instant Pot pressure cooker or Stovetop. Pulao is also known as pilaf or pulav. The perfect recipe for lunch box, kitty parties, house parties, and potlucks can be made in under 30 minutes.

I have used some of my favorite veggies in this Vegetable Pulao/Pilaf Recipe, like carrot, green beans, green peas, and cauliflower. You can most definitely add whatever you like – mushrooms, broccoli, bell pepper, etc. 

Jump to:

• What is Pulao?
• Different methods of cooking Veg Pulao
• Why You'll Love This Instant Pot Veg Pulao Recipe
• Vegetable Pulao Ingredients
• How to Make Vegetable Rice Pulao in Instant Pot
• Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method
• Stovetop Pot Method
• What to serve with Vegetable Rice Pulao?
• Tips to make perfect Vegetable Rice Pilaf
• Variations
• Storage Suggestions
• Frequently Asked Questions
• More Pulao Recipes
• Easy Vegetable Pulao Recipe

What is Pulao?

Pulao is a fragrant Indian-style rice dish where rice is cooked with spices and loads of vegetables. In India, they make a variety of Pulao like Peas Pulao, Beetroot Pulao, Palak Pulao, Methi Pulao, Coconut milk pulao, etc. Pulao can be eaten as is or is mostly served with raita, pickle, and papad.

Different methods of cooking Veg Pulao

You can cook Vegetable Rice Pulao in various ways. With different cooking methods, the only thing you need to take care of is the rice-to-water ratio and the cooking time. Growing up in India, my Mom always made this recipe in an Indian Pressure Cooker. Below are there different methods of cooking Vegetable Pulao.

On Stovetop in a Vessel or Kadai – Make sure the vessel/Kadai should have heavy bottom because when rice is cooked, and all water evaporated, the heavy bottom prevents it from burning. Also, ensure the vessel or Kadai can be sealed well with a lid so that rice and veggies cook inside steam. This method also needs more water and time to cook compared to the pressure cooker method.

In a traditional Pressure Cooker on Stovetop –  Cooking in a pressure cooker is way easy and quicker than the above vessel method. Firstly you need to reduce the amount of water. Secondly is to adjust the cooking time so that the rice or veggies doesn’t turn mushy.

In Instant Pot (Electric Pressure Cooker) – This is my new favorite gadget in the kitchen, and I am in love with it. Vegetable pulao in the instant pot takes less than 10 minutes to cook pulao with fluffy, separate grain rice and perfectly cooked veggies.

Why You'll Love This Instant Pot Veg Pulao Recipe

• Ready in less than 30 minutes.
• Easy, and one-pot dish.
• Loaded with Vegetables.
• It pairs well with curry, dal, or raita.
• Great for potlucks, get-togethers, adults, or kid's lunch boxes.
• Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free.

Vegetable Pulao Ingredients

You will require simple ingredients to make this easy vegetable pulao recipe.

• Rice: I have used Long grain white basmati rice for making this pulao. You may also use medium-grain sona masoori rice, adjust the water as needed.
• Oil: You can use any cooking oil. For best results, use ghee.
• Green chilies: I have used Thai green chilies for the heat.
• Ginger and garlic:  I have used a paste made from fresh ginger and garlic. You can also mince and add them.
• Onion: Use thinly sliced onions.
• Vegetables: Used mixed veggies like carrots, beans, peas, cauliflower, and potato. You can also swap for other vegetables like broccoli, and bell peppers.
• Herbs: used fresh mint and coriander leaves.
• Whole spices: I have used cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise, and cardamom in this recipe. If you don't have whole spices, add extra garam masala powder.
• Lime Juice: juice of freshly squeezed lime juice.

How to Make Vegetable Rice Pulao in Instant Pot

Firstly, press SAUTE mode on Instant Pot. Heat oil or ghee, add all the whole spices, and saute for a few seconds.

Next, add onions, green chilies, and saute for 2-3 minutes until they turn soft and light brown - stir regularly.

Then add ginger-garlic paste and saute till the raw smell of ginger and garlic disappears.

Add mixed vegetables, mint leaves, and cook for a minute.

Next, add rinsed basmati rice, water, salt and mix everything well. Adjust seasoning at this stage. Deglaze the pot to remove any food particle stuck at the bottom of the pot.

Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes.

Once the Pot beeps, Quick Pressure Release. Remove the lid away from you, Squeeze some lime juice and add coriander leaves.

Vegetable Pulao/Pilaf recipe is ready. Serve vegetable rice pilaf with Raita or plain yogurt.

Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method

• Follow the same steps, as Instant Pot.
• Add basmati rice, 2 cups of water, salt and mix well. Close the lid, place a whistle and cook for 1 whistle on medium flame.
• After pressure has been released, naturally fluff up the rice gently. Squeeze some lime juice.
• Vegetable Pulao is ready. Serve with Raita or plain yogurt.

Stovetop Pot Method

• Follow the same steps, as Instant Pot.
• Add basmati rice, 2.5 cups of water, salt and mix well. Let everything come to a boil. Then reduce the flame to low and tightly cover the vessel with a lid. Cook on a very low flame until all the water has evaporated.
• Then switch off the flame and let it rest covered for at least 15 minutes. Fluff up the rice gently. Squeeze some lime juice.
• Vegetable Pulao is ready. Serve with Raita or plain yogurt.

What to serve with Vegetable Rice Pulao?

Serve Vegetable Pulao with cucumber raita or onion tomato raita, papad, and pickle. You can also serve with any kurma.

Tips to make perfect Vegetable Rice Pilaf

• Soaking basmati rice is not mandatory. 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. It makes the rice fluffy.
• Add slower-cooking vegetables like potatoes to the oil first and cook them for 2 minutes, then add faster-cooking vegetables like green beans, carrots, and peas. This helps all the veggies to cook evenly.

Variations

• Type of Rice: You can use any fragrant rice. I prefer using Basmati Rice for this pulao.
• Other vegetables: You may add other veggies like sweet corn, bell pepper, cauliflower, potatoes, and mushrooms to this recipe. I have used fresh vegetables. But may also use frozen vegetables.
• Protein: You can also add soy chunks, pan-fried paneer (cottage cheese), or crispy tofu to make paneer veg pulao and boost protein intake.
• Coconut Milk: You can also add ½ cup of full-fat coconut milk to enhance the pulao taste, but make sure to adjust the water accordingly. If you don't have coconut milk, you can also add regular whole milk.
• Bread Croutons: You can also add ghee-roasted bread croutons to add a nice taste and texture to the pulao.
• Nuts: You can also add roasted nuts like cashews to this pulao.

Storage Suggestions

Store: Leftover vegetable pulao will keep well in the fridge for up to 1-2 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 veg pilaf in the microwave or stovetop until it warms through.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Pulao Recipes

• Karnataka Style Veg Pulao
• Broken Wheat Pulao
• Beetroot Pulao
• Millet Pulao
• Peas Pulao
• Quinoa Pulao/Pilaf

If you’ve tried this easy vegetable rice pulao/pilaf 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!