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    Veg Pulao Recipe

    Last Updated On: Apr 8, 2025 by Aarthi

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    Veg Pulao Recipe with step by step pictures. Delicious vegetable pulao made with rice, vegetables, spices, coconut milk or water. In this blog post I have shared 3 ways of making vegetable pulao and different methods of cooking it.

    Veg Pulao (3 ways)

    I love making pulao, most of the time i make it like a one pot meal. I prepare the masala, add rice directly in it and cook together. But this one is little different, the rice is cooked separately and masala is done separately and finally both are tossed well. This taste so yummy with some raita or any curries.

    Table of Contents

    • About Veg Pulao (Pulav)
    • Version 1: Veg Pulao with Cooked Rice
    • Version 2: Veg Pulao with Coconut Milk
    • 📖 Recipe Card
    • Pulao Recipe | Veg Pulao Recipe | Vegetable Pulao Recipe | Pulav (3 ways)
    • Version 3: Veg Pulao Recipe (Pressure Cooker Method)
    • Veg Pulao Recipe Video
    • Veg Pulao Recipe in Electric Rice Cooker
    • Veg Pulao Recipe in Instant Pot
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
    • Serving Suggestions for Veg Pulao Recipe
    • Tips & Tricks

    About Veg Pulao (Pulav)

    Pulao, Pulav, Pilaf  or pilau is a rice dish made with adding spices and other ingredients such as vegetables or meat. Pulao is one of the most popular lunch box dish as well.

    Vegetable Pulao is one of the easy and healthy recipe you could ever make. This pulao is such a delicious addition to your lunch menu. As it is so easy to make and take less than 30 mins. This is a delicious pulao which is filled with lots of vegetables.

    Veg pulao recipe which taste so delicious and is very easy to make. This pulao is one of the easiest recipe you could make. This takes just few minutes to make. The freshly ground garam masala gives nice flavour and kick to the pulao. Serve it with any raita and you will be done.

    This makes a great lunch box recipe too. Check out 11 Easy Pulao Recipes

    Similar Recipes,
    Jeera Pulao
    Soya Pulao
    Shahi Pulao
    Jeera Veg Pulao
    Beetroot Pulao

     

    Version 1: Veg Pulao with Cooked Rice

    Vegetable pulao can be made numerous ways. This version of making veg pulao used cooked basmati rice. This is a great way to use up leftover cooked rice. Vegetables are added along with spices into the dish which gives it a fresh aroma and taste. Finally this pulao is finished with a sprinkle of black pepper.

    Preparation Time : 10 mins
    Cooking Time : 25 to 30 mins
    Serves: 2 to 4

    Ingredients for veg pulao

    • Basmati Rice - 1 cup
    • Salt to taste
    • Water - 2 cups

    For Masala:

    • Butter - 2 tblspn
    • Onion - 1 large chopped finely
    • Green Chillies - 3 chopped
    • Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 tblspn
    • Carrot - 1 large size chopped
    • Beans - 6 chopped
    • Peas - 1 cup  (i used frozen)
    • Salt to taste
    • Garam Masala Powder - 2 tsp
    • Black Pepper Powder - 1 tsp
    • Coriander leaves a handful

    Whole Spices:

    • Shahi Jeera / Black Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
    • Fennel Seeds / Saunf / Sombu - 1 tsp
    • Cinnamon / Pattai - 3 cm piece
    • Cardamom / Yelakai - 4
    • Cloves / Krambu - 4
    • Bay Leaf - 1

    How to Make Veg Pulao (Using Cooked Rice)

    COOKING RICE:

    Wash and soak rice for 30 mins. Now add salt to it and add in 2 cups of water. Bring this to a boil, simmer the flame and cook covered for 10 to 15 mins till rice is cooked. Now fluff the rice and spread it on a big plate and let it cool.

    SAUTEING VEGETABLES FOR PULAO

    Heat butter in a large kadai. Add in whole spices and let them sizzle. Add in onions, chillies and salt. Saute for 2 to 3 mins. Add in ginger garlic paste and saute for a min. In goes all the veggies and toss well. Cook this till the veggies are done. Now add in salt and garam masala powder. Mix well. 

    MIXING IN THE RICE & FINISHING THE PULAO

    Add in cooked rice and toss well. Add in pepper, coriander leaves and mix well. Serve

     
    Pictorial:
     
    Start by cooking the rice..Take basmati rice in a sauce pan
     
     
    cover with water and let it soak for 30 mins..Then add in salt

     

    heat it up and bring it to a boil

     

    Cover and simmer and cook for 10 mins till rice is completely done

     

    fluff the rice gently

     

    spread it in a big plate and cool it completely

     

    Take your other ingredients

     

    In a big kadai..Add in butter

     

    add in all the whole spices

     

    let them sizzle

     

    add in onions and chillies

     

    saute them well

     

    add in ginger garlic paste

     

    saute for a min more

     

    add in your chopped veggies

     

    add salt

     

    mix well

     

    cook this till veggies are cooked

     

    add in garam masala powder

     

    mix well

     

    now the masala is done

     

    add in rice

     

    toss well

     

    add in coriander leaves

     

    freshly ground black pepper powder

     

     

    mix well

     

    Serve hot
     
     
     

    Version 2: Veg Pulao with Coconut Milk

     

    This is a spiced up vegetable pulav which is perfect for a spice lover like me. This pulao has a spicy taste to it and it has an addition of coconut milk in them which makes it even more delicious. If you love a milk coconut aroma in your rice then this is for you. Coconut milk makes the rice softer and taste similar to restaurant style veg pulao.

     

     

    📖 Recipe Card

    Pulao Recipe | Veg Pulao Recipe | Vegetable Pulao Recipe | Pulav (3 ways)

    Veg Pulao Recipe with step by step pictures. Delicious vegetable pulao made with rice, vegetables, spices, coconut milk or water. Popular rice dish made with lots of vegetables, spices and basmati rice.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 361kcal

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups Basmati Rice
    • 1 Carrot chopped
    • 10 Beans chopped
    • 1 Green Peas
    • 1 Onion chopped
    • 1 Potato chopped
    • 1 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
    • ½ cup Cilantro chopped
    • ½ cup Mint Leaves chopped
    • ½ cup Yoghurt
    • Salt to taste
    • 1 tbsp Ghee or Oil
    • 1 cup Coconut Milk
    • 2 cups Water

    Spices 1:

    • 1 tsp Coriander powder
    • 1 tsp Chilli powder
    • 1 tsp Turmeric powder
    • 1 tsp Garam masala powder

    Spices 2:

    • 1 Cinnamon
    • 4 Cardamom
    • 1 tsp Cumin seeds

    Instructions

    • Soak Basmati rice for 30 mins. Drain and set aside.
    • Heat ghee or oil in a heavy bottom pan.
    • Add in spices 2 ingredients and sauté for 1 min. Now add in onions and fry for 1 min.
    • Now add in spice 1 ingredients and fry for 30 sec. Now add in all the vegetables and mix well.
    • Add in cilantro and mint leaves and mix well. Pour in curd and give a stir.
    • Now add in the drained rice and mix well. Pour in 2 cup of water and 1 cup of milk(measure water and milk from the same cup you measured the rice)and mix well.Season with salt.
    • Bring this to a boil. Cover the pan with a lid and simmer it for 15-20 mins.
    • Now switch off the flame and let it rest for 5 more mins.
    • Fluff up with a fork and serve with raita.

    Video

    YouTube video

    Notes

    Veg Pulao in Electric Rice Cooker

    • Wash and soak basmati rice for 30 mins. This makes the rice grains softer which make the rice cook faster and makes the basmati rice long. Drain and set aside.
    • Heat oil and ghee in a pot. Add whole spices and let it sizzle.
    • Add in onions and chillies. Saute till golden. Add in ginger garlic paste and cook for 1 min
    • Add in vegetables and toss well. Cook for 3 mins or so. Add spice powders and mix well.
    • Add in rice, water and mix well. Bring it to a boil.
    • Now put the bowl in your electric rice cooker and switch on it. Cook till done.
    • Once done, fluff it up and serve with raita.

    Veg Pulao in Instant Pot

    • Set instant pot mode to saute.
    • Heat oil in the pot of instant pot. Heat oil and ghee in a pot. Add whole spices and let it sizzle.
    • Add in onions and chillies. Saute till golden. Add in ginger garlic paste and cook for 1 min
    • Add in vegetables and toss well. Cook for 3 mins or so. Add spice powders and mix well.
    • Add in rice, water and mix well. Bring it to a boil.
    • Now cover with lid and set it to pressure cook for 5 minutes. Let the pressure release manually.

    Serving Suggestions for Veg Pulao

    Pulao can be served with any curries. It can be served with any spicy gravies like paneer butter masala, kashmiri dum aloo or simple curd, raita and pickle. Pulao is traditionally pretty mild so it can take up any spicy curries.
    • Paneer butter masala
    • Punjabi Dum Aloo
    • 10 Min Paneer Curry
    • Mushroom Masala
    • Onion Raita
    • Carrot Raita

    Tips & Tricks

    • When cooking pulao in pressure cooker. Don't add too much water. Else it may get mushy.
    • And cooking in pressure cooker can be tricky. So follow the guidelines.
    • Soaking rice is important for biryani or pulao. It gives the grain to stay individual without sticking to each other and also keeps them fluffy.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servings | Calories: 361kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 44mg | Potassium: 447mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2075IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @yummytummyaarthi or tag #yummytummyaarthi!
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    Pictorial:

    Take all your ingredients..You need some coconut milk and water for cooking the rice..
     
     
     
    heat some ghee in a cooking pot
     
     
    add in whole spices
     
     
    now onions
     
     
    add in ginger garlic paste
     
     
    add in powdered spices
     
     
    mix well
     
     
    add in veggies
     
     
    and mix well
     
     
    add in herbs

     

    and some curd
     
     
    add in rice
     
     
    and mix well
     
     
    pour in water
     
     
    and coconut milk
     
     
    mix well..Don't forget to add salt..
     
     
    bring it to boil
     
     
    cover and simmer
     
     
    till done..

     

    Serve
     

    Version 3: Veg Pulao Recipe (Pressure Cooker Method)

    Making veg pulao in a pressure cooker is one of the most easy way of cooking it. All you have to check is the level of water:rice ratio which you use for veg pulao.

    INGREDIENTS FOR PRESSURE COOKER VEG PULAO

    • 2 tbsp ghee
    • 1 piece cinnamon stick
    • 4 green cardamom
    • 2 cloves
    • 1 tsp fennel seeds
    • 1 large onion chopped finely
    • 3 green chillies finely chopped
    • 2 tbsp ginger garlic paste
    • 1 tsp turmeric powder
    • 1 tsp garam masala powder
    • Salt
    • 1 cup basmati Rice
    • 1 carrot chopped
    • 5 beans chopped
    • 1 potato peeled and chopped
    • 1 ¼ cup water

    PRESSURE COOKER VEG PULAO COOKING METHOD

    • Wash and Soak basmati rice in water for 30 mins.
    • Heat ghee in a pressure cooker, Add whole spices and let them sizzle.
    • Add in onions and chillies. Saute till golden. Add in ginger garlic paste and cook for 1 min.
    • Add in vegetables and toss well. Cook for 3 mins or so. Add spice powders and mix well.

    • Add in rice, water and mix well. Bring it to a boil.
    • Cover and pressure cook for 1 whistle. Leave to simmer for 5 mins then turn off the stove.
    • Let the pressure escape by itself. Open the cooker and fluff up the rice.
    • Serve.

    Veg Pulao Recipe Video

    YouTube video

    Pictorial:

    1)Heat ghee in a pressure cooker.

    2)Add in whole spices

    3)Add in finely chopped onions

    4)Add in green chillies

    5)Add in ginger garlic paste

    6)Saute for a min.

    7)Add in turmeric powder

    8)Mix well

    9)Add in chopped vegetables

    10)Mix well

    11)Add in little garam masala powder and mix well.

    12)Add in soaked rice.

    13)Add in water

    14)Mix well

    15)Add in salt.

    16)Bring it to a boil

    17)Cover and pressure cook for 1 whistle.

    18)Fluff up the rice and serve.

     
     

    Veg Pulao Recipe in Electric Rice Cooker

    • Wash and soak basmati rice for 30 mins. This makes the rice grains softer which make the rice cook faster and makes the basmati rice long. Drain and set aside.
    • Heat oil and ghee in a pot. Add whole spices and let it sizzle.
    • Add in onions and chillies. Saute till golden. Add in ginger garlic paste and cook for 1 min
    • Add in vegetables and toss well. Cook for 3 mins or so. Add spice powders and mix well.
    • Add in rice, water and mix well. Bring it to a boil.
    • Now put the bowl in your electric rice cooker and switch on it. Cook till done.
    • Once done, fluff it up and serve with raita.

    Veg Pulao Recipe in Instant Pot

    • Set instant pot mode to saute.
    • Heat oil in the pot of instant pot. Heat oil and ghee in a pot. Add whole spices and let it sizzle.
    • Add in onions and chillies. Saute till golden. Add in ginger garlic paste and cook for 1 min
    • Add in vegetables and toss well. Cook for 3 mins or so. Add spice powders and mix well.
    • Add in rice, water and mix well. Bring it to a boil.
    • Now cover with lid and set it to pressure cook for 5 minutes. Let the pressure release manually.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    What is difference between biryani and pulao?

    Biryani is made using the draining method of cooking, whereas pulao is made through the absorption method. Pulao is made so many different ways and cooked in so many different methods too. Biryani usually is more flavourful and heavy on spices than a pulao.

    Is Veg Pulao good for health?

    pulao has lots of vegetables and less usage of ghee than biryani. So it is much healthier.

    What goes with pulao?

    pulao can be served with any spicy gravies like paneer tikka masala, lahori aloo or simple curd, raita and pickle.

    What is the best rice for Pulao?

    Basmati rice is best rice for pulao. If you are using any other type of rice you might need to adjust the water level accordingly.

    Serving Suggestions for Veg Pulao Recipe

    Pulao can be served with any curries. It can be served with any spicy gravies like paneer butter masala, kashmiri dum aloo or simple curd, raita and pickle. Pulao is traditionally pretty mild so it can take up any spicy curries.

    • Paneer butter masala
    • Punjabi Dum Aloo
    • 10 Min Paneer Curry
    • Mushroom Masala
    • Onion Raita
    • Carrot Raita

    Tips & Tricks

    • When cooking pulao in pressure cooker. Don't add too much water. Else it may get mushy.
    • And cooking in pressure cooker can be tricky. So follow the guidelines.
    • Soaking rice is important for biryani or pulao. It gives the grain to stay individual without sticking to each other and also keeps them fluffy.
    • Rice Recipes
    • Briyani
    • Pulav
    • Lunch

    If you have any questions not covered in this post and if you need help, leave me a comment or mail me @[email protected] and I’ll help as soon as I can.

    Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter for more Yummy Tummy inspiration.

    IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE OR ANYTHING FROM YUMMY TUMMY, MAKE SURE TO POST IT AND TAG ME SO I CAN SEE ALL OF YOUR CREATIONS!! #YUMMYTUMMYAARTHI AND @YUMMYTUMMYAARTHI ON INSTAGRAM!

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    Aarthi

    About Aarthi

    Over the past few years I’ve been on a mission to find and create recipes that I can make from scratch. I hope you enjoy the recipes on this blog as they are tried and true from my kitchen to yours!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Uma

      at

      Nice pulao aarty. I love it with any raita. Wonderful preparation with useful stepwise picture.

      Reply
    2. Tina

      at

      This does look like a tasty rice dish! I can understand why it was such a hit at your house. Spices one & two definitely makes this one flavorful dish. Great post-yum!

      Reply
    3. Junia

      at

      this looks delicious!!! you have some great recipes here, esp. vegan and gluten free friendly!

      Reply
    4. Sumee

      at

      Looks awesome.. My method is almost the same. BTW I think your spice 1 and 2 are switched. :o)

      Reply
    5. sangee vijay

      at

      very tasty and yummy pulav...lovely recipe thanks for sharing!!

      Reply
    6. Neha

      at

      Hey...I make it exactly the same way but calls it tahairi...It's my fav...

      Reply
    7. Dzoli

      at

      I love creamy rice in a dish like this.Great array of spices here;)

      Reply
    8. Becky

      at

      Aarthi,
      This dish looks sounds so good with all of those spices and veggies. I love your tutorial and pics.

      Reply
    9. Torviewtoronto

      at

      delicious flavours looks wonderful

      Reply
    10. Amy

      at

      This looks delicious! I love all of the veggies and spices you have included here in the pilaf!

      Reply
    11. Julie

      at

      Love the veggies and spices.

      Reply
    12. Lyndsey

      at

      This looks like a great lunch to me. so yummy!

      Reply
    13. Amina Khaleel

      at

      vegetable pulav looks absolutely delicious.. as always fabulous presentation..

      Reply
    14. Sharmilee! :)

      at

      Feeling hungry now seeing ur pulao...yummy with raita

      Reply
    15. Premalatha Aravindhan

      at

      wow delicious combo,pass it here:)

      Reply
    16. Vidhya

      at

      Your Pulao looks so wonderful.

      Reply
    17. Kaveri

      at

      Wonderful pulao...looks very yum

      Reply
    18. RAKS KITCHEN

      at

      My kid's favorite! Wonderful recipe!

      Reply
    19. Aruna Manikandan

      at

      I too prepare the same way, some times i replace milk with coconut milk 🙂
      pulav looks spicy and delicious dear 🙂

      Reply
    20. Balakrishna Saraswathy

      at

      I just made pulav with just green peas for my daughter's lunch box...looks so yummy and filling for the tummy too:)..perfect one pot meal

      Reply
    21. S.Menaga

      at

      one of my fav pulao..looks very tempting!!

      Reply
    22. Nisa Homey

      at

      I also make pulao and biriyani in cooker...yours looks so yummy.

      Reply
    23. Suja

      at

      Tasty and yummy pulao,looks wonderful..

      Reply
    24. Care's Kitchen

      at

      Now THAT is what I call a side dish! This is just gorgeous! Thanks for all your hard work that goes into your posts - they're just wonderful!

      Reply
    25. Poornima Nair

      at

      Great dish for potlucks...looks great!

      Reply
    26. anthony stemke

      at

      Gorgeous pulao, cannot wait to try it.

      Reply
    27. Ruxana Gafoor

      at

      yummy veg.pulao

      Reply
    28. Anonymous

      at

      Very nice...looks very tempting

      Reply
    29. Anonymous

      at

      I just love ur all receipes...wonderfulll..

      Reply
    30. Anonymous

      at

      Nice simple easy recipe. .thank you very much.

      Reply
    31. Mumtaz begum

      at

      Is their any substitute for curd

      Reply
    32. Aarthi

      at

      @Mumtaz begumjust add another tomato instead of curd

      Reply
    33. Rajesh Kumar

      at

      nice food ! I like it .I have never eaten this type of roll.It is very testy and delicious.Online Order Food

      Reply
    34. Shivani

      at

      What is the other Option if you don't want to put milk.
      Thanks

      Reply
    35. Aarthi

      at

      @Shivaniu can add water instead

      Reply
    36. Ambika Rathnam

      at

      Any particular reason for using milk?? Thanks

      Reply
    37. Aarthi

      at

      @Ambika Rathnamit gives nice flavour and taste

      Reply
    38. Bags by Tropical Inspirations

      at

      Hi Aarthi,
      The spice 1&2 in the method don't correspond with the pictorial. I followed the text n it was slightly wrong; nevertheless dish turned out fine. U might want to edit?:) just thought I shd point it out in case those new to cooking get confused.

      Cheers!

      Reply
    39. Aarthi

      at

      @Bags by Tropical Inspirationsedited it

      Reply
    40. Anonymous

      at

      Is it coconut milk?

      Reply
      • Aarthi

        at

        No it is normal cows milk

        Reply
    41. divya prakash

      at

      Good receipe iam allergy to milk can I add water

      Reply
    42. justswad

      at

      I've tried this recipe a month ago, it turned out so good! Loved the tips. I'm cooking this again today for my parents. thank you .

      Reply
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    Hi, I'm Aarthi!

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