Pulao recipe – Also known as veg pulao, this vegetable pulao is a basic Indian style rice pilaf that is aromatic, delicious & super quick to make for a meal. This detailed step by step recipe post will teach you how to make pulao at home with basic pantry ingredients.
If you are new to cooking & wondering what this dish is, then these faqs may help you
FAQ
Pulao is a one pot rice dish made by cooking fragrant rice with aromatic spices, herbs, meat & sometimes stock.
Veg pulao is a variation of the basic Indian rice pilaf made by using mix vegetables as a key ingredient apart from basmati rice, herbs & whole spices.
Plain or sada pulav is made with just rice, herbs & spices. No veggies or meat is used in this. You can follow the same recipe shared below and make a plain pulao.
Veg pulao is one of the most common rice dishes that is often made in most Indian homes. It is also the one most commonly found on the menu for parties or celebrations served along with a yogurt raita.
There are a few different methods of making vegetable pulao recipe. I am sharing a simple Andhra style veg pulao recipe that we make at home.
This not only goes well for a regular or a special meal but is also great to pack in office & school lunch boxes.
Since this is the simplest of the Indian rice dishes made with very little preparation, it is super quick & ridiculously easy to make even for a party when you have a crowd.
Serving suggestions for veg pulao
This vegetable pulao can be served alone without any side dishes. However a basic Raita complements the meal. This boondi raita is our favorite.
For special occasions or when we have guests home, we serve vegetable pulao with a Salan or Shorba – Sherva.
Non-vegetarians can serve veg pulao with Egg curry or with Chicken curry or any grilled dishes like Kababs. However if you are short of time, just enjoy it with some plain Curd & papads.
Tips to make good pulao
- Always use good quality whole spices as it is the key to make a aromatic pulao.
- Do not skip fresh mint or pudina leaves as it the next key ingredient that infuses aroma to the veg pulao.
- Normally basmati rice is used to make vegetable pulao. But if you do not have, just use any other kind of rice. You will need to adjust the water as needed depending on the rice.
- For more aromatic veg pulao, you can make a paste of onions, ginger garlic, mint and all the whole spices. This paste can be made ahead and refrigerated. If you have this paste & mixed veggies ready in the fridge, then making vegetable pulao just takes less than 15 mins.
How to cook the best pulao
Though the ingredients used are the key to make a fragrant and delicious veg pulao, the cooking procedure also matters the most.
A perfectly cooked vegetable pulao should have fluffy, separate rice grains that are not sticky & not mushy yet fully cooked.
The dish must have a unique aroma of mint and whole spices like cinnamon, cardamoms & cloves. Here are the key pointers to cook the best veg pulao.
- Always wash the rice well for at least 3 times until the water runs clear. This reduces the starch from the rice grains which is the culprit to mushy & sticky veg pulao.
- Soak rice for at least 15 to 20 mins. When soaked rice grains absorb water and swell up to the maximum when cooked making them fluffy & perfectly cooked.
- If you are making plain pulao without veggies then you can roast the drained rice in ghee & spices. For vegetable pulao, I do not fry the rice as most times I have experienced the soaked rice grains break when fried with veggies.
- Rice to water ratio is the key to get fully cooked grainy pulao. Adjust the amount of water depending on the rice. Add water according to the cooking method opted by you. More details below in the recipe card.
Methods to cook pulao recipe
There are different methods I follow to make vegetable pulao. It can be made in a
- Pressure cooker – I have included the instructions in the recipe card
- Pot or pan – Instructions mentioned in the recipe card
- Electric cooker – Saute the spices, then the onions, ginger garlic, mint & vegetables in a small pan. Then transfer this to a electric cooker along with rice, salt and water. Cook as you would prepare normal rice with the same amount of water you use for regular cooking.
- Instant pot – Instructions below
How to make veg pulao in instant pot
I have been using instant pot for quite some time now for most of my cooking. This veg pulao recipe is one of the most made with fluffy, perfectly cooked, non-sticky rice grains each time. Here is how to do it.
- Press the saute button. Pour oil to the inner pot of instant pot. Saute the spices in the hot oil for 1 minute.
- Add onions and fry until transparent for 2 mins. Then fry ginger garlic paste just for 30 seconds.
- Next add in all the chopped veggies and mint. Saute for 2 mins. Add the drained rice (1 ½ cups) and salt.
- Pour 2 cups water and mix. Taste the salt level and add more if needed.
- Secure the lid of the instant pot. Pressure cook on high pressure for 5 mins. When done cancel & switch off.
- After 1 to 2 mins release the pressure manually with the help of a kitchen towel. Fluff up the vegetable pulao & serve with raita.
Variations of veg pulao recipe
There are so many different variations of making veg pulao. The basic one is made with mixed vegetables. I make vegetable pulao with most veggies & even with greens. If you are a health nut like me you may like to explore these options for fussy folks Carrot rice, Beetroot rice,
Palak rice, Methi rice .
There are also some vegetable pulao recipes made with precooked rice.
More popular Pulao recipes
Matar pulao
Chicken pulao
Tawa pulao
Pulao with coconut milk
Veg pulao recipe
Pulao recipe | Veg pulao
Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )
Ingredients for pulao recipe
- 1½ cups basmati rice (or any fragrant rice)
- 2 tbsp oil or ghee
- 1 medium onion thinly sliced
- 2 green chilies slit or as needed
- 1 to 1½ cups mix vegetables chopped (carrots, beans, peans, potatoes)
- salt as needed
- 2 ½ to 2 ¾ cups water (for the whistle method, 2.5 cups water)
- 3 tbsp mint (or pudina, finely chopped)
- 1½ tsp ginger garlic paste
Whole spices for veg pulao recipe
- 1 bay leaf (or tej patta)
- 1 star anise (or chakri phool)
- 1 strand mace (or javithri , large strand)
- ½ to ¾ tsp shahi jeera (or caraway seeds) (or jeera – cumin)
- 4 green cardamoms (or elaichi)
- 6 cloves (or laung)
- 2 inch cinnamon (or dalchini)
- 1 small piece nut meg (or jaiphal) (optional)
- ¼ tsp fennel seeds powder (or saunf powder – optional)
- 2 pinches stone flower (or dagad phool – optional)
Instructions
Preparation for veg pulao recipe
- Wash rice a few times until water runs clear. Soak it for at least 15 minutes. Drain off the water and set aside.
- Chop all the vegetables and slice onions. Chop pudina and slit green chilies. If making for kids skip or deseed for less spice.
How to make veg pulao
- Heat ghee or oil in a hot pan.
- Next add in the whole spices – bay leaf, star anise, mace, cumin, cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and stone flower.
- Fry them lightly in hot oil until they sizzle. Add the fennel powder (optional) if using.
- Saute onions until golden.
- Fry ginger garlic paste until the raw smell goes off.
- Add all the veggies and mint. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Pour water and add salt too. Taste the water, it has to be slightly salty.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil.
- Next add drained rice and stir.
How to make pulao in pressure cooker
- Cover the cooker with the lid. Then cook on a medium high flame for 1 whistle.
Making vegetable pulao in pot
- Cook on a medium heat until all the water evaporates. When the rice is still soggy, cover with a lid. Cook on a low flame for 4 to 5 mins until the rice is done fully.
- Switch off the stove.
- When the pressure goes down, remove the lid and fluff up the rice.
- Serve veg pulao hot or warm with a simple raita or gravy.
Video
Video recipe of veg pulao in pressure cooker
Notes
Notes for vegetable pulao recipe
Always use aged rice which gives fluffy and grainy pulao
You will need to adjust the quantity of water depending on the rice. If using normal rice, use more water. Stone flower or dagad phool makes the pulao very flavorful.
Nutrition
How to make veg pulao recipe
1. Add oil or ghee in a pressure cooker or pot. If making for lunch box, avoid using ghee. Add dry spices – bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, green cardamom, Shahi jeera, star anise, little piece of nutmeg and dagad phool (stone flower) mace as well. I also use 1/4 tsp saunf or fennel powder. For a less fragrant rice skip nutmeg, saunf and dagad phool.
2. When the spices begin to sizzle, add thinly sliced onions. And then slit green chilies too.
3. When the onions turn golden, then add freshly ground ginger garlic paste.
4. Saute well until the raw smell of ginger garlic disappears.
5. Add mixed veggies and chopped mint pudina. I use peas, beans and carrots most of the times. You can also use potatoes and a handful of cashews.
6. Next saute everything well until the mint smells good. Usually for 2 to 3 minutes. You can also add soaked drained rice now. And then saute for 2 to 4 minutes.
7. Add water and then salt as well. If you have sauteed rice in the previous step, i suggest adding hot water to cook otherwise rice grains may break.
Making vegetable pulao recipe
8. When the water comes to a rolling boil, add soaked drained rice.
9. Stir and cook the rice. There are a few different ways of cooking rice at this stage.
The first method of making veg pulao in pressure cooker is to cover the lid immediately after adding rice. And then cook on a medium high flame for one whistle. For aldente rice, Immediately I release the pressure of the cooker manually with the help of a spatula.
The second method is to cook on a medium flame until the water is almost evaporated. But it is still soggy or the rice is too wet. Cover and lower the flame completely. Then cook for 4 to 5 minutes. This method works good for both cooking in a pot or in a pressure cooker. When the pressure goes off, open the lid.
10. Mix everything well. Fluff up the rice with fork.
Serve veg pulao hot or warm with a gravy or raita.
Sushma Karkera says
What is the difference between pulav and biryani?
swasthi says
Hi Sushma,
curd and spice powders are not used in pulav. But biryani has both and is layered & cooked.
tabassum mubin says
Hi swathi ur dishes are so easy and yummy ..i always try ur recipes and no doubt they turn out to be yummy and lip smacking😜
swasthi says
Thank you so much Tabassum
Shakti Singh says
Thank you very much Swasthi, for such an easy and delicious home made recipe. I’m greatful to use your cooking methods.
swasthi says
Hi Shakti
You are welcome. Glad to know the recipes are useful.
Shabnam Punia says
Recipie for a delicious pulav 👍👍👍👍!!! First time tried and it turned out so yummy 😋😋
swasthi says
Thank you Shabnam
Gautam Dhyani says
The veg pulao recipe helped me to cook this dish for the first time and every one in the family loved it so much that they have requested me to cook it again!
Thanks for your help and sharing, Swasthi.
Best Wishes.
swasthi says
Hi Gautam,
You are welcome. So glad to know the pulao turned out good. Thanks a lot for the wishes.
Joji Yovel says
Wow first time.. it just came out superb.. loved it.. thank u
swasthi says
Welcome
Akshatha says
Hi Swasthi,
Tried Veg Pulao today. It was a hit!!! Thanks a lot.
Thanks again.
swasthi says
Hi Akshatha
You are welcome. Happy to know pulao turned out good.
Archie says
I make your vegetable pulao almost thrice a week. Turns out yummy. Thank you very much for easy recipes
swasthi says
Welcome Archie
So glad to know you liked it. Thank you for trying the recipes
Tanvi chavan says
Your recepies are too good. i make one dish almost everyday.
But why cant i print ur recepies??
Please make that option available
swasthi says
Hi Tanvi
Thank you so much for trying the recipes.
Yes currently we do not have a print option on the blog. Hope to include soon.
🙂
Yamuna says
Tried this very 👍. A big 👍 from my family. I also made veg kurma and curd rice from here. All of them were very good. 🙏
swasthi says
Hi Yamuna
Thanks for trying. Glad to know the food turned out good.
Swetha says
Thanks for this recipe. Came out beautiful and delicious
swasthi says
Welcome swetha
Rukhsaar says
Hi Swathi,
is there a way where you can post all healthy meals under 300 calories in one place?
it will be easier planning meals when on a diet. 🙂
also are the calories summary under each recipe accurate or estimations?
thanks.
swasthi says
You are welcome Rukhsaar,
I will try to do that. For any recipe the nutrition values mentioned are approximations and cannot be accurate or exact. Example- A tbsp of oil used by you may be different from what I have used for the recipe. They both may differ in the amount of calories or the entire nutrition profile may be different. The same holds true for every ingredient including veggies. So these nutrition tables can only be guidelines and never be accurate.
🙂
Hope this helps
Vaishali says
Hi swathi today tried paneer butter masala and it turned out very good everyone liked it. Thank you for the wonderful recipe.
swasthi says
Welcome Vaishali
Thanks for trying.
🙂
Aditi Lawande says
Hi Swasthi,
Just tried this recipe for veg pulao. …It turned out really so well…awesome aroma of the spices and ingredients….Thanks for this recipe…
swasthi says
Welcome Aditi,
Glad to know it turned out good. Thanks for the comment.
🙂
Dhiraj deshmukh says
I made it .. it was so yummy ..
Had tasty dinner for my wife and my daughter.. she said me papa u cook more tasty pulav than mumma..
swasthi says
Wow! That’s a great compliment. Glad to know the pulao turned out good. Thanks a lot for the comment. It made me happy.
shubhangi says
really yammi pulao recipe I have tried this really awesome and everyone appreciated
Sakshi says
Wow ????easy and fast !! a perfect mixture for non-chefs to cook nice and tasty love it # VEG PULAV ??
neha says
Thank you Swasthi. Very tasty recipe. Mint leaves add a great flavour.
Varshini says
This helped me in my project work.. Thank you so much…
Prakash Singh kshatriya says
Yammi
S.Aasritha says
V good…I will try
prabha rameshkumar says
Hai ur varieties of recipes very useful and tasiest
Siri says
Hi Swasthi,
I tried this recipe -Veg pulav. It turned out really well. Thank you for sharing awesome recipes.
I really have to appreciate your photography skills too. Kudos to your cooking and picturization of the cooking process. Keep rocking !!
Seem says
Hi Swasti, I tried this pulao this morning it came out so well and tasty…thank you.
swasthi says
Welcome Seema
Happy to know it turned out good. Thanks for writing
S Bhumi says
I ,I live to give feedback here ,the palao was so yummy .I tried today from dinner.its easy to cook and so tasty too.
swasthi says
Hey Bhumi
Sorry forgot to reply you. Thanks a lot for trying and sharing the feedback.
🙂
neha says
Thank you Swasthi for this tasty quick and healthy family recipe.
swasthi says
Welcome Neha
Shweta vyas says
Hi….cn u plz tell whch rice u hv used ??
It looks gr8
swasthi says
Hi Shweta
Thanks
I use lalquilla basmati – old malai i.e aged rice
Vanitha says
Hi Swasthi,
I tried this recipe and it turned out very well. Thank you so much.
swasthi says
Welcome Vanitha
Glad to know you liked it
PUSHPAT.D.SWAMY says
NIMMA ADIGE THUMBA SULABA MATTHU RUCHIYAGIDE
swasthi says
Thanks Pushpa avare,
Thumba santosha.
🙂
PUSHPAT.D.SWAMY says
MAAM I LOVE U R RECIPES. IT’S DELICIOUS.
swasthi says
Thanks a lot
Nithya says
It is easy to prepare
swasthi says
Thanks Nithya
Revathyshankar says
Hai.swathi.
really nice.am tried this puloa.my hubby was so happy.he askd u cooked ah..oooh nooo..it very nice..and can i use coconut milk for this dish..for water.
swasthi says
Hi Revathy,
Happy to know you all liked the pulao. Yes you can use thin coconut milk. You can also check this coconut milk pulao with little difference.
Akanksha Mishra says
I cooked Pulao. it was so delecious. thanks for your recipi ……
swasthi says
welcome Akanksha
ruby sin says
I love it fabulous
swasthi says
Thanks Ruby
Vivienne says
I LOVE your recepies!!! I would like to be able to print them if there was a Print button available.
swasthi says
Thanks a lot Vivienne
Currently there is no print option enabled due to plagiarism problems. Kindly seek your co-operation.
Rekha badhe says
Awesome recipe s mam ..I will try to my.home
swasthi says
Thanks Rekha
Rupa Das says
Thank u so much… your recipe makes my cooking delicious…
swasthi says
Welcome Rupa
Glad to know you liked it
Prasanthi says
If in pressure cooker how many whistles?
swasthi says
1 whistle on a medium flame
Sanket Sawant says
Maam I like your all recipes. And
Always try at my home.
Thank you.
swasthi says
Welcome Sanket
Glad to know you like the recipes. Thank you for trying
Kabita Mandal says
This type of recipies are so delicious . It helps me to cook very well .because before I could not cook but I can cook very well . Sooo thank u …
swasthi says
welcome Kabita
supriya says
Hi swasthi Pualo tasted good . Very mild flavour . Veggies taste good in this way I keep trying recipes from ur blog . Thank u so much for the tasty recipes …..
swasthi says
Hi Supriya
You are welcome. So glad you made it good. Thanks a ton for all the comments and share.
🙂
anju says
Thank u so much for making it so easy
swasthi says
welcome Anju
Aparnasrinivas says
Hi Swathi,
Ur recipies are really awesome n easy to make
swasthi says
Hello Aparna
Thank you. Glad to know you liked it.
Hari says
Yours has become my favorite blog. Thank you.
swasthi says
welcome Hari
Thanks a ton
🙂
Anonymous says
easily understandable…..awesome…
swasthi says
Thank you
Harshi says
I prepared this pulao today. It came out so good. My husband is very happy 🙂
Thanks Swasthi
swasthi says
Welcome Harshi
So glad to know it came out good. Thanks for the feedback
Anonymous says
I like it
swasthi says
Thank you
pooja says
Hi
Swasthi
I loved your recipes
swasthi says
Hi Pooja
Thank you
monisha says
Hey Swasthi thanks a ton for this awesome blog and simple recipes. you rock love your recipes. your pulao is made every alternate day at home for office lunch box. love your different pulao recipes too. trying them one after the other. thanks a lot again.
swasthi says
Hello Monisha
Glad to know you. Happy to know you try recipes often from the blog. Appreciate your comment and feedback. You are welcome and thanks for the feedback
🙂
Mr.S says
I was bored eating bread and jam every day, and i was bored, so exactly cooked this the way its shown in the picture (i didn’t even read the recipe just looked at the pictures and placed everything in the same order given). My mom asked me what i had for dinner, i said pulao, she returned with a question “where did you buy it?”, I replied,” No, I cooked it myself”.
* a minute of silence *
“Are You Alright beta? is something wrong?” , Me:”No no no, everything is fine”
* a minute of silence again *
“Aah, You monkey, i thought you were telling the truth, what kind of jam did you use?”. Me:”No, mom i really cooked pulao !”
Mom:”really?” Me:”YES! I swear”
* two minutes of pause*
Then she hung up the phone. !!
swasthi says
Hi,
Thanks for the nice lovely comment.
Indeed it is one of the best comment for my recipes in the recent days.
You are very expressive and have a wonderful way of putting words together.
Enjoyed reading it very much. Thanks for your time to write back here. Really appreciate!
🙂
rukshini says
very good
swasthi says
Thank you
Nirmala says
Your RECIPES super
swasthi says
thanks Nirmala
sahana says
Love ur recipes, made this tonight .awesome and very nice
swasthi says
Thanks Sahana, glad to know it came out well
kamalesh says
thanks for the reciepe.
swasthi says
welcome kamalesh
SARITA SADANA says
Thank you so much. I made butter chicken at home yesterday. It was so amazing that my husband and kids commented that it is so tasty and better then any star hotel. It was really simple and yummy. Thanks again. ??☺️☺️
swasthi says
Welcome Sarita
So glad to know you all liked it. Thanks for the feedback
Shakki says
Very nice
swasthi says
Thank you
ruby says
Thanks For Recipe…. Nice
swasthi says
welcome
Balaji says
Do we need to add any special masala powder?
swasthi says
No masala powder is needed. If you have saunf, you can powder it and use
Mona says
Delicious simple tasty made it thank you
swasthi says
Welcome Mona
Thanks for the feedback. Glad you made it nice
Anusha says
Tried this very nice
swasthi says
Thanks
Humaira says
Made this for eid with murgh makhani. Very delicious. Thanks
swasthi says
Welcome Humaira. Thanks for the feedback
Nalini says
Made this for a small party with paneer butter masala sooji halwa, all turned out yummy. Thanks a lot
swasthi says
Welcome Nalini,
I am happy to know pulao and other dishes too turned out good.
Thanks for the feedback
Piyali says
These one pot dishes are such a huge relief especially on those days when you are in no mood for elaborate cooking. What I love most about your Blog is how clearly and with beautifully clicked pictures you explain each and every step of making the dish. I also love the food you cook. Each and every dish of yours is a visual treat. Just like this Puloa which looks oh so yummy. A must try for sure.
swasthi says
Hi Piyali,
Yes they are a huge relief and i do make regularly for lunch. Thanks for the compliments. Have a good day
Saranya J says
Tried it, Came out Awesome..
swasthi says
thanks saranya