Vegetable Rice Pulao/Pilaf Recipe (How to Make Easy Veg Pulao)
Vegetable Pulao is an easy one pot rice dish made with rice, mixed vegetables and mildly flavored with various whole spices
Servings 3
Calories 280kcal
Ingredients
Measuring cup used 1 cup = 250 ml
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1.5-2 cups mixed veggies (carrots, beans, peas, cauliflower and potato)
- 1 medium onion sliced thinly
- 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
- 2 green chillies finely chopped
- 2 tablespoon mint leaves
- 2 tablespoons coriander (cilantro) chopped
- 1.5 cups water depends on rice quality
- salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoon cooking oil ghee (clarified butter)
Whole Spices:
- 1 teaspoon jeera (cumin) seeds
- 2 bay leaf
- 2 cloves
- 2 cardamom
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
- 1 small star anise
Instructions
Instant Pot Method:
- Firstly, press SAUTE mode on Instant Pot. Add oil or ghee and once it's hot add all the whole spices and saute for a few seconds.
- Next add ginger-garlic paste, green chilies, and saute till the raw smell of ginger and garlic disappears.
- Add onions and saute for 2-3 minutes until they turn soft and light brown in color - stir regularly.
- Add mixed vegetables, mint, coriander leaves and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Then add the water and deglaze the pot to remove any stuck bits at the bottom of the pot.
- Next add rinsed basmati rice, salt and mix everything well. Adjust seasoning at this stage.
- Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes.
- Once the Pot beeps, wait for Natural Pressure Release (NPR). Remove lid away from you, Squeeze some lime juice.
- Vegetable Pulao is ready. Serve with Raita or plain yogurt.
Indian Pressure Cooker on Stovetop Method:
- Follow the process mentioned above until step 6.
- Add 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 release naturally Fluff up the rice gently. Squeeze some lime juice. Vegetable Pulao is ready. Serve with Raita or plain yogurt.
To cook in a Vessel on Stovetop Method:
- Follow the process mentioned above until step 6
- Add 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 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.
Notes
I have prepared this dish in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT
Tips to make perfect Veg Pulao
- 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 water by ¼ cup. Makes the rice fluffy.
- Add slower cooking vegetables like potatoes to the oil first and cook it for 2 minutes then add faster cooking vegetables like green beans, carrot, peas. This helps all the veggies to cook evenly.
Variations
- You can use any kind of rice. But I prefer Basmati Rice for this pulao.
- In this recipe, I have used fresh vegetables. But you can also use frozen vegetables too.
- You can also add bread croutons and roasted cashews to add a nice taste and texture to the pulao.
Nutrition
Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 55.2g | Protein: 6.2g | Fat: 4.1g | Saturated Fat: 3.1g | Sodium: 603mg | Potassium: 444mg | Fiber: 4.8g | Sugar: 3.2g | Vitamin A: 2200IU | Vitamin C: 14.9mg | Calcium: 400mg | Iron: 0.4mg