Vegetable Pulao
Indian rice pilaf with vegetables — basmati rice cooked in spiced broth with mixed vegetables. One-pot, vegetarian, and quick (30 minutes total). Less elaborate than biryani but equally satisfying.
Prep Time
13 min
Cook Time
28 min
Servings
4
Calories
450 cal
🛠 Interactive Recipe Tools — Use them right here on this page
Smart Servings Scaler
- Rice1 ½ cups
- Carrot1 medium
- Peas½ cup
- Onion1 medium
- Yogurt½ cup
- Ginger1 tsp
- Garlic3 cloves
- Garam Masala1
- Bay Leaves1
All quantities scaled automatically from 4 servings.
Ingredients
Makes 4 servings · Use the Servings Scaler above to adjust
- Rice1.5 cups
- Carrot1 medium
- Peas0.5 cup
- Onion1 medium
- Yogurt0.5 cup
- Ginger1 tsp
- Garlic3 cloves
- Garam Masala1
- Bay Leaves1
Instructions
- 1
Rinse 2 cups of basmati rice three times until water runs clear. Soak 20 minutes, then drain.
- 2
Heat 3 tablespoons ghee in a heavy pot. Add whole spices: 1 bay leaf, 4 cardamoms, 4 cloves, 1-inch cinnamon, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds. Sizzle 30 seconds.
- 3
Add 1 sliced onion, cook 8 minutes until golden. Add 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste, cook 1 minute. Add 2 cups mixed chopped vegetables (cauliflower, carrots, peas, beans). Cook 4 minutes.
- 4
Add the drained rice, 1.5 teaspoons salt, ½ teaspoon turmeric. Stir gently for 1 minute to coat each grain.
- 5
Pour in 3.5 cups of hot water. Bring to a strong boil, immediately reduce heat to lowest setting. Cover tightly.
- 6
Cook 18 minutes without lifting the lid. Rest off heat 10 minutes. Gently fluff with a fork. Serve with raita and pickle.
Watch how to make Vegetable Pulao
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💡 Expert Tips
- 1.Soak the rice 20 minutes. Even cooking and separate grains.
- 2.Brown the onions. 8 minutes minimum for proper sweet base.
- 3.Hot water, not cold. Cold shocks the rice.
- 4.Don't lift the lid. Trapped steam is what cooks the pulao.
🔬 Why It Works
Vegetable pulao is a rice pilaf — rice cooked in measured liquid with whole spices and aromatics. Sautéing rice in spiced fat before adding water coats each grain. The fixed cook-and-rest time (18 + 10 minutes) produces perfectly cooked basmati. The variety of vegetables provides color and texture against the fragrant rice.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Nutrition Facts
Per serving (recipe makes 4 servings)
* Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are estimates.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (recipe makes 4 servings)
* Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are estimates.
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