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Home >> Recipes >> Rice Recipes

Pulao recipe | How to make veg pulao | Vegetable pulao (Pulav recipe)

By swasthi , on June 16, 2020, 200 Comments, Jump to Recipe

Pulao recipe – stovetop & instant pot versions with step by step photos & video. Veg pulao or vegetable pulao is a basic Indian style rice pilaf that is aromatic, delicious, healthy & super quick to make for a meal. This detailed step by step recipe post will teach you how to make pulao recipe at home with basic pantry ingredients. You can use either a pot or a cooker.

veg pulao recipe , vegetable pulao recipe

If you are new to Indian cuisine, these faqs may help you

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What is pulao?

Pulao is a one pot rice dish made by cooking fragrant basmati rice with aromatic spices, herbs & sometimes stock. There are many kinds of pulao recipes made in India like vegetable pulao, Matar pulao, tawa pulao, Coconut milk pulao, zarda pulao, kashmiri pulao & Chicken pulao.

This veg pulao recipe is one of the basic dish made often in many Indian homes. It is also the one most commonly found on the menu for parties, buffets & celebrations served along with a yogurt raita.

There are a few different methods of making vegetable pulao recipe. Each region has a different way of making it. I am sharing a simple generic veg pulao recipe that we make at home. It tastes super delicious & is very fragrant.

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.

Preparation

Rinse 1½ cups basmati rice a few times until the water runs clear. Then soak it and set aside for at least 15 to 20 mins. Meanwhile prepare the veggies. If you want you can also make a fine paste of ginger, garlic, green chilies and mint leaves.

How to make veg pulao

1. Add 2 tablespoons oil or ghee to a cooker or pot. Add whole spices –

  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 inch cinnamon
  • 4 cloves
  • 4 green cardamom
  • ½ to ¾ teaspoon shahi jeera or jeera
  • 1 star anise (optional, but recommended)
  • 1 pinch nutmeg (optional)
  • little dagad phool (stone flower) (optional)
  • 1 small strand mace (optional)
sauteing pulav spices in ghee for veg pulao recipe

2. When the spices begin to sizzle, add one thinly sliced onions. And then 1 to 2 slit green chilies. Saute them well.

frying onions till golden

3. When the onions turn golden, add 1½ teaspoon ginger garlic paste.

sauteing ginger garlic in oil to make veg pulao recipe

4. Saute well until the raw smell of ginger garlic disappears. Do not burn.

sauteing spices or masala in oil

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 split cashews or softened soya chunks if you like.

addition of mixed veggies
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6. Next saute everything well until the mint smells good. Usually it takes about 2 to 3 minutes.

sauteing vegetables to make vegetable pulao recipe

7. Pour 2½ cups water if making in cooker and then add ½ teaspoon salt as well.

If cooking in a pot, pour 3 cups water.

addition of salt water to make vegetable pulao recipe

Making vegetable pulao recipe

8. Bring the water to a rolling boil, then add soaked & drained rice. Ensure there is no water in the rice, otherwise the veg pulao will turn mushy.

addition of soaked rice for veg pulao recipe
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9. Stir gently and taste test the water. If needed add more salt.

If making in pressure cooker: Cover the lid and cook veg pulao in pressure cooker on a medium high flame for one whistle. For al dente rice, Immediately I release the pressure of the cooker manually with the help of a spatula.

If cooking in a pot, cover the pot with the lid. Cook on a low flame until the water is absorbed and rice is cooked completely. Perfectly done veg pulao in a pot should have no more moisture at the bottom and the rice should be fully done. Once done, turn off the stove and cover the pot. Let it rest for 10 mins so the rice grains turn fluffy.

cooked vegetable pulav in pressure cooker

10. Gently mix everything with a spatula or fluff up the rice with a fork.

Garnish vegetable pulao made in cooker

Serve veg pulao hot or warm with shorba or raita.

veg pulao recipe vegetable pualo pulav recipe

Serving suggestions

This vegetable pulao can be served alone without any side dishes. However a basic Raita compliments 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 recipe

  • Spices: Always use good quality whole spices as it is the key to make a aromatic veg pulao. You can also crush the spices lightly & use to release the aroma.
  • Herbs: Do not skip fresh mint or pudina leaves as it the next key ingredient that infuses aroma to the veg pulao.
  • Rice: 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.
  • Pulao masala: For more aromatic veg pulao, you can make a paste of onions, ginger garlic, mint, cinnamon and cardamoms. 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.

  • Rinsing: Always rinse 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.
  • Soaking: 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.
  • Frying rice: 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.
  • Ratio: 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

  1. Pressure cooker – I have included the instructions in the recipe card
  2. Pot or pan – Instructions mentioned in the recipe card
  3. 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.
  4. Instant pot – Instructions below

Variations

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.

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pulao recipe veg pulao vegetable pulao

Pulao recipe | Veg pulao recipe | Vegetable pulao | pulav recipe

Veg pulao is a delicious & flavorful dish made with basmati rice, mix vegetables, spices & herbs. This quick flavorful veg pulao recipe post shares instructions for instant pot, regular cooker & pot methods.
Pin Recipe Print Recipe

For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Servings3
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )

  • 1½ cups basmati rice (aged rice)
  • 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
  • salt as needed
  • 2 ½ cups water for pressure cooker ( 2¾ cups for pot, 1¾ cups for Instant pot)
  • 1½ teaspoons ginger garlic paste

Vegetables & herbs

  • 1 medium onion thinly sliced
  • 2 green chilies slit or as needed
  • 1 medium carrot (¾ cup chopped)
  • 4 medium french beans (½ cup chopped to 1 inch)
  • ½ cup green peas
  • 1 small potato cubed (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons mint (pudina, finely chopped) (or coriander leaves)

Whole spices for veg pulao

  • 1 bay leaf (tej patta)
  • ¾ teaspoon shahi jeera (caraway seeds) (substitute cumin seeds)
  • 4 green cardamoms (elaichi)
  • 4 cloves (laung)
  • 2 inch cinnamon (dalchini)
  • 1 star anise (chakri phool) (optional, but recommended)
  • 1 strand mace (javithri, optional)
  • 1 pinch nut meg (jaiphal) (optional)
  • 2 pinches stone flower (dagad phool – optional)
  • ½ teaspoon fennel seeds powder (saunf powder – optional)
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Instructions

Preparation

  • Add basmati rice to a bowl and rinse it a few times until water runs clear. 
  • Soak it for at least 20 minutes. After 20 mins, drain off the water completely and set aside. 
  • While the rice soaks, rinse carrots, beans, peas, potatoes, onions, chilies & mint leaves.
  • Peel the carrots and potatoes. Nip off both the ends of beans and chop all of them to bite sized pieces.
  • Slice onions and slit green chill. Fine chop the mint leaves. (If you want you can also make a fine paste of ginger garlic, green chilies and mint.) Set all of these aside.

How to make veg pulao recipe

  • Heat 2 tablespoons ghee or oil in a hot pot or pressure cooker.
  • Add all the whole spices & saute for 30 to 60 seconds or until they begin to sizzle.
  • Fry onions & chilies until onions turn golden. 
  • Next saute 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. 
  • If cooking in pot, cover and cook on a low heat until all the water is absorbed and the rice grains are cooked. When the rice is done, turn off the stove. Cover and let the veg pulao rest in the pot for 10 to 15 mins. This helps the rice grains to become fluffy.
  • If making in pressure cooker, cover the cooker with the lid. Then cook on a medium high flame for 1 whistle. 
  • Switch off the stove. When the pressure releases, remove the lid and fluff up the veg pulao rice with a fork. 
  • Serve veg pulao hot or warm with a simple raita or gravy.

Instant pot pulao

  • Press SAUTE button on the instant pot. Pour ghee or oil to the inner pot. Saute the spices in the hot oil for 30 seconds.
  • Fry onions & green chilies 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. Press CANCEL button.
  • Pour 1¾ cups water and mix. Taste the salt level and add more if needed.
  • Scrape the bottom gently with the spatula to release any bits of food stuck. This prevents a burn notice. Secure the instant pot with the lid.
  • Press PRESSURE COOK button (high pressure) & set the timer for 5 mins. Position the steam release handle to sealing.
  • Instant pot beeps when it is done. Let the pressure release naturally for 5 mins.
  • Release the rest manually by moving the steam release handle from sealing to venting with a spoon.
  • Fluff up the vegetable pulao with a fork & serve with yogurt raita.
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Notes

Notes for vegetable pulao recipe
  • Always use aged rice which gives fluffy and grainy pulao.
  • If using frozen mix veggies, use 1.5 cups.
  • 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.
  • adding too much mace or nutmeg can make your pulao bitter.

Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.

For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.

Video

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Pulao recipe | Veg pulao recipe | Vegetable pulao | pulav recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 510 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 51mg2%
Potassium 382mg11%
Carbohydrates 92g31%
Fiber 6g25%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 4620IU92%
Vitamin C 12.7mg15%
Calcium 74mg7%
Iron 2.2mg12%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!

© Swasthi’s Recipes

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Pulao recipe | How to make veg pulao | Vegetable pulao (Pulav recipe)
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Pulao recipe | How to make veg pulao | Vegetable pulao (Pulav recipe)
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About swasthi

I’m Swasthi shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthis recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Advertisement
  2. Ankitha says

    March 29, 2019

    Hi,
    I am a novice in cooking. Still your recipes make everything easy and yeah, good taste is guaranteed at the end. I have tried all types of pulao you have mentioned so far and everything turned out good.
    Thanks and keep sharing good recipes like this!

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      March 29, 2019

      Hi Ankitha
      So happy to know the recipes are helpful. Thanks a lot for trying. Sure I will keep sharing more recipes.

      Reply
  3. Sangeeta says

    March 25, 2019

    4 stars
    Fantastic recipe! Turned out really well. Family loved it. Swasthi, I’d like to point out that in your Instant Pot instructions, you’ve missed mentioning green chilies. Also, the quantity of water in instructions differs from that in the ingredient list. Other than that, everything is perfect! Thanks for this yummy recipe.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      March 25, 2019

      Hi Sangeeta,
      You are welcome. Happy to know your pulao turned out good. Thanks for the mention about the green chili. I will update it. Instant pot requires lesser water compared to the regular pressure cooker and pot method. So it differs. I will be more clear in the instructions. Thanks again.
      🙂

      Reply
  4. Sushma Karkera says

    March 18, 2019

    What is the difference between pulav and biryani?

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      March 19, 2019

      Hi Sushma,
      Pulao in general is made without curd and spice powders. It is a quick dish usually made in one pot.But biryani has both curd & spice powders. It is more often made with meat and is layered & dum cooked. Both are completely different.

      Reply
    • Syed says

      March 23, 2019

      Biryani is made with nonveg like mutton chicken etc without nonveg it is not biryani it is pulao. Vegetable or no vegetable spicy or not it is only pulao without nonveg

      Reply
  5. tabassum mubin says

    February 18, 2019

    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?

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      February 20, 2019

      Thank you so much Tabassum

      Reply
  6. Shakti Singh says

    February 11, 2019

    5 stars
    Thank you very much Swasthi, for such an easy and delicious home made recipe. I’m greatful to use your cooking methods.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      February 13, 2019

      Hi Shakti
      You are welcome. Glad to know the recipes are useful.

      Reply
  7. Shabnam Punia says

    January 30, 2019

    5 stars
    Recipie for a delicious pulav ????!!! First time tried and it turned out so yummy ??

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      January 30, 2019

      Thank you Shabnam

      Reply
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  9. Gautam Dhyani says

    January 13, 2019

    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.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      January 13, 2019

      Hi Gautam,
      You are welcome. So glad to know the pulao turned out good. Thanks a lot for the wishes.

      Reply
  10. Joji Yovel says

    December 16, 2018

    5 stars
    Wow first time.. it just came out superb.. loved it.. thank u

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      December 16, 2018

      Welcome

      Reply
  11. Akshatha says

    November 18, 2018

    5 stars
    Hi Swasthi,

    Tried Veg Pulao today. It was a hit!!! Thanks a lot.

    Thanks again.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      November 19, 2018

      Hi Akshatha
      You are welcome. Happy to know pulao turned out good.

      Reply
  12. Caroline says

    October 19, 2018

    Cooking food.

    Reply
  13. Archie says

    August 31, 2018

    5 stars
    I make your vegetable pulao almost thrice a week. Turns out yummy. Thank you very much for easy recipes

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      August 31, 2018

      Welcome Archie
      So glad to know you liked it. Thank you for trying the recipes

      Reply
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  15. Yamuna says

    July 4, 2018

    4 stars
    Tried this very ?. A big ? from my family. I also made veg kurma and curd rice from here. All of them were very good. ?

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      July 4, 2018

      Hi Yamuna
      Thanks for trying. Glad to know the food turned out good.

      Reply
  16. Swetha says

    June 13, 2018

    5 stars
    Thanks for this recipe. Came out beautiful and delicious

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      June 13, 2018

      Welcome swetha

      Reply
  17. Rukhsaar says

    May 18, 2018

    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.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      May 18, 2018

      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

      Reply
  18. Vaishali says

    March 31, 2018

    4 stars
    Hi swathi today tried paneer butter masala and it turned out very good everyone liked it. Thank you for the wonderful recipe.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      April 3, 2018

      Welcome Vaishali
      Thanks for trying.
      🙂

      Reply
  19. Aditi Lawande says

    March 26, 2018

    5 stars
    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…

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      March 26, 2018

      Welcome Aditi,
      Glad to know it turned out good. Thanks for the comment.
      🙂

      Reply
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  21. Dhiraj deshmukh says

    March 24, 2018

    5 stars
    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..

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      March 24, 2018

      Wow! That’s a great compliment. Glad to know the pulao turned out good. Thanks a lot for the comment. It made me happy.

      Reply
  22. shubhangi says

    December 4, 2017

    5 stars
    really yammi pulao recipe I have tried this really awesome and everyone appreciated

    Reply
  23. Sakshi says

    November 20, 2017

    5 stars
    Wow ????easy and fast !! a perfect mixture for non-chefs to cook nice and tasty love it # VEG PULAV ??

    Reply
  24. neha says

    November 6, 2017

    5 stars
    Thank you Swasthi. Very tasty recipe. Mint leaves add a great flavour.

    Reply
  25. Varshini says

    September 25, 2017

    5 stars
    This helped me in my project work.. Thank you so much…

    Reply
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