Instant Pot Vegetable Biryani
A delicious Veg Biryani made in Instant Pot. Biryani is usually served with Raita or Salna as a Main Course in Indian Cuisine
By now, the readers of the blog and my dear family) would know my love for kitchen friendly gadgets that save time, fuel and cost, yet are efficient. While the pressure cooker can never be replaced in an Indian Kitchen, the IP (Instant Pot) comes pretty close with so many settings. Amongst the Instant Pot recipes tried out – this biryani was highly liked by one and all for a leisurely Sunday Brunch. If you like One Pot meals like these, why don’t you check out this super delish, No onion, no garlic Allahabad ki Tehri (Veg Tehri)
Paired with Raita and salad with Roasted papad, it was a sellout success with the kids going for seconds.
Tips to make a great Instant Pot (IP) Vegetable Biryani
Does it come close to the real deal ? The aromas and texture are especially great with this IP method. Of course, nothing can replace the Dum method and layering. But this comes pretty close.
Is this spicy ? Well, as we made it for my little one too, we kept the spice level low.
What veggies can be used? Basically Cauliflower, potato, beans, carrots and peas can be used. Additionally Soya can be used too to replicate mock meat texture , but we didn’t add.
Can this be made without ghee ? A good biryani relies heavily on flavour. If you aren’t vegan, don’t skip the ghee for it adds oomph and aroma.
Can I skip the Birista (fried onions) in this recipe? Fried Onions or Birista elevates this dish, would highly recommend NOT to skip it.
Do we need only Basmati Rice for biryani? I made use of locally sourced “Biryani rice” which resembled Basmati (bot not so heavy on the wallet). You can use short grained rice, but we prefer long grained for the North Indian (this) style of Biryani. For the South Indian style Dindigul Thalapakatti Biryani, we prefer short grained rice.
Other Biryani varieties you might like on the blog:
Middle Eastern Machboos
Andhra Style Uluva Chaaru Biryani (Horse gram broth biryani)
Shahi Qabooli Veg Biryani
Let’s get to make Instant Pot Vegetable Biryani
Prep time – 30 mins , Cook time in IP (depends on the method used) – 20 mins ; Serves – 4 to 5 generously
What you need to make the Instant Pot Veg Biryani
- 2 cups Basmati rice (or any long grained rice)
- 1/4 cup warm milk (to soak the saffron)
- 4 strands saffron
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups Mixed Veggies (I used Beans, Cauliflower, potato, Carrots)
- 1/2 cup Fried Onions (Homemade Birista) – recipe coming up soon
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 2 Onions
- 2 green chillies (adjust to taste)
- 1 inch ginger
- 4 garlic pods
- 1 inch cinnamon
- 1 Green Cardamom
- 1 Black Cardamom
- 2 bay leaf
- 1.5 tsp Cumin seeds (jeera)
- 2 cloves
- 2 tsp ghee- skip for vegan and sub with 2 tsp oil extra
- 1/4 cup Mint leaves (sorted and washed)
- 1/4 cup Coriander leaves (sorted and washed, chopped coarse) – opt.
- 2 tsp Biryani Masala
- 1 tsp Garam Masala
- 1 TBSP Coriander powder
- 1 tsp Red Chilli powder
- 1/2 cup Yoghurt
- 3 TBSP Oil (any neutral oil)
How to make Instant Pot Vegetable Biryani
Prep work:
- Wash the rice 3-4 times till the water turns clear. Soak it in water for minimum 20 mins.
- Make a paste of the onions, green chillies, garlic and ginger without adding any additional water.
- In the meanwhile, wash and chop the veggies (keep the veg chunks fairly large for a nice bite).
- Soak the potato chunks in water till used.
- Soak the saffron strands in the warm milk while the veggies are being chopped
- Wash mint and coriander leaves
- Assemble all the ingredients for the recipe from the list given above.
- Follow the video for the detailed instructions along with tips and tricks on how to make this.
- Head to the video embedded here for the method.
- Refer the Video below for a detailed recipe and step by step instructions. If you are visiting our channel for the first time, please don’t forget to hit like ???? and subscribe to our channel ❤️. We appreciate your love and would eagerly wait to hear from from you on how we can bring your favourite dishes to our channel too ! Thanks a ton ????????
Cooking the Instant Pot (IP) Vegetable Biryani
- Set IP to SAUTE mode.
- Once hot, add oil +ghee (reserving a bit for later), add the whole spices
- Saute for 30 seconds
- Add the onion paste and saute for 2-3 mins till raw smell disappears.
- Now add the spice powders + salt. Saute for another 2 minutes till it coats the onions evenly.
- Add the veggies one by one into the Instant Pot.
- Saute the veggies well till the masala coats it evenly.
- Add the washed and drained mint (and coriander if using) leaves, reserving a few till the end
- Add the washed and drained rice and gently mix, taking care not to break the grains.
- Now add the yogurt and gently mix so the yoghurt is covered with the masala
- Add the rest of the mint leaves now
- Add half the saffron soaked milk and gently mix
- Tip in the rest of the ghee and oil now
- Top with half of the birista and the rest of the saffron milk now
- Add water as required . Mix gently
- Top with the rest of the birista
- Deglaze the pan really well
- Cancel SAUTE mode.
- Set to PRESSURE COOK (LOW) for 5 mins
- Once Pressure drops, do a quick release
- When the pin falls, wait for 4-5 more mins and open the lid.
- Fluff up the biryani with a fork / light ladle.
- Serve hot / warm with some raita / papad on the side.
Instant Pot Vegetable Biryani
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Knife
- Wet Blender
Ingredients
- 2 cups Basmati rice or any long grained rice
- 1/4 cup Milk Warm milk (to soak the saffron)
- 4 strands Saffron
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 2 cups Mixed Veggies I used Beans, Cauliflower, potato, Carrots
- 1/2 cup Fried Onions Homemade Birista – recipe coming up soon
- 2 Onions
- 2 Green Chillies adjust to taste
- 1 inch Ginger
- 4 Garlic pods
- 1 inch Cinnamon
- 1 Green Cardamom
- 1 Black Cardamom
- 2 Bay leaf
- 1.5 tsp Cumin seeds jeera
- 2 cloves
- 2 tsp Ghee clarified butter – skip for vegan and sub with 2 tsp oil extra
- 1/4 cup Mint Leaves sorted and washed
- 1/4 cup Green coriander leaves sorted and washed, chopped coarse – opt.
- 2 tsp Biryani Masala
- 1 tsp Garam Masala
- 1 TBSP Coriander Powder
- 1 tsp Red Chilli Powder
- 1/2 cup Yoghurt
- 3 TBSP Oil any neutral oil
Instructions
- Make a paste of the onions, green chillies, garlic and ginger without adding any additional water.
- In the meanwhile, wash and chop the veggies (keep the veg chunks fairly large for a nice bite).
- Soak the potato chunks in water till used.
- Soak the saffron strands in the warm milk while the veggies are being chopped
- Wash mint and coriander leaves
- Set IP to SAUTE mode.
- Once hot, add oil +ghee (reserving a bit for later), add the whole spices
- Saute for 30 seconds
- Add the onion paste and saute for 2-3 mins till raw smell disappears.
- Now add the spice powders + salt. Saute for another 2 minutes till it coats the onions evenly.
- Add the veggies one by one into the Instant Pot.
- Saute the veggies well till the masala coats it evenly.
- Add the washed and drained mint (and coriander if using) leaves, reserving a few till the end
- Add the washed and drained rice and gently mix, taking care not to break the grains.
- Now add the yogurt and gently mix so the yoghurt is covered with the masala
- Add the rest of the mint leaves now
- Add half the saffron soaked milk and gently mix
- Tip in the rest of the ghee and oil now
- Top with half of the birista and the rest of the saffron milk now
- Add water as required . Mix gently
- Top with the rest of the birista
- Deglaze the pan really well
- Cancel SAUTE mode.
- Set to PRESSURE COOK (LOW) for 5 mins
- Once Pressure drops, do a quick release
- When the pin falls, wait for 4-5 more mins and open the lid.
- Fluff up the biryani with a fork / light ladle.
- Serve hot / warm with some raita / papad on the side.
Video
Instant pot vegetable biryani has come out too good with each grains separate. Would love to eat anytime. Will try this for weekend brunch.
thanks Narmadha. do try !
Vegetable Biryani sounds absolutely flavorful and aromatic especially with all the spices going in. Your instant pot version makes the work so easy.
Thank u, Poonam. yes the IP takes most of the load from baby sitting the biryani !
Kalyani, your Biryani in Instant Pot has come out amazing. Each grain is separate. It’s really a quick and simple way of preparing Biryani.
Thanks a ton, Preethi 🙂
Irresistible biriyani. Our favourite one pot meal. This must be vert tasty with so many spices gone into it. Instant pot makes cooking easier.
thanks shobha ji. yes the IP makes it perfect everytime !
Add this to your list when I visit you next . The rice grains look so perfectly cooked and fluffy . A garma garam bowl of this Biryani right away and my tummy will bless you 🙂
done madam. aa jao pehle 🙂
Vegetable Biryani looks nice and delicious. Perfectly made with each and every rice grain fluffy.
thank you, Renu!
Vegetable biryani is an all-time favourite. Love how it has turned out in the Instant Pot, with each grain separate. Looks very flavourful, and is tempting me to dig in!
thanks much, priya !
A biryani that can be made in an instant, now that sure has caught my attention. Like how the we don’t have to half cook the rice as we do when making in a pan or normal pot. The vegetable biryani must be so flavourful and aromatic with all the spices and fresh herbs.
yes mayuri. thanks.. This is quite an easy yet delicious biryani made in IP
I love IP as it makes one pot cooking so easy and fuss free. The biryani looks so scrumptious with that beautiful khila khila rice grains. Love to have it with some raita or even plain curd.
This Vegetable biriyani looks so flavorful with the combination of many spices. Also I can say the fried onions also give a great taste to the biriyani. Great recipe.
thanks Anu. yes, Fried onions bring out a LOT of flavour to the biryani
Instant pot vegetable biryani looks very inviting, onion masala paste adds good taste to biryani. Perfect biryani for parties and lunch box.
thanks Sujata!
Instant pot vegetable biryani looks so inviting. I can imagine the aroma. Loved this quick and easy to make, delicious, flavourful and vegetable loaded one pot meal.
Vegetable biryani in Instant pot looks so delicious and tempting . Love this fuss free recipe. Fried onions make it even more appealing.
thanks, P !!! oh yes, the fried onions are a must have in this biryani Preethi
Making biryani in instant pot is a quick way to make this dish.Kalyani, It looks delicious and makes a tasty meal by itself.
thanks Jayashree.
Instant pot byriyani is such a comfort. Feels like we did a lot of work when really it is very little wash up yet end up with the fluffiest rice and the most aromatic lunch ideas.
you got that secret, right Seema ❤️❤️ moderate effort with fantastic results..
wow, love biryani anytime !!! this delicious Veg Biryani that too made in Instant Pot looks awesome …Fried onions are making it more tempting
thank you
The instant pot has become such a rage since you can make anything in it. I love your version of the vegetable biriyani. It is so easy to make yet makes an amazing weekend meal…
Instant Pot surely makes life a breeze, Rafee !
Your biryani looks so delicious. Your rice has really puffed up so well. Love the addition of mint in your recipe. The Instant Pot certainly makes cooking so much easier.
IP definitely makes it easier Mina !