Dive into Easy Vegetable Biryani, a fragrant, colorful one-pot dish bursting with Indian spices. This Flavorful Vegetarian Biryani is perfect for weeknights or festive feasts. Enjoy this simple recipe for a spiced vegetable rice that’s hearty and wholesome!
Why You’ll Love Easy Vegetable Biryani
- Vibrant Flavors: Easy Vegetable Biryani shines in this simple recipe.
- One-Pot Ease: Minimal cleanup for this one-pot Indian dish.
- Quick Prep: Ready in under an hour for this flavorful vegetarian biryani.
- Customizable: Add veggies or protein to this spiced vegetable rice.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for all with this one-pot Indian dish.
Ingredients for Easy Vegetable Biryani
Here’s what you’ll need for this one-pot Indian dish (serves 4):
For the Rice:
- 1 ½ cups (300 g) basmati rice, rinsed and soaked 20–30 minutes
- 4 cups (960 ml) water
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp oil or ghee
- 1 bay leaf
- 2–3 green cardamom pods
- 3 cloves
- 1 small cinnamon stick
For the Vegetable Masala:
- 2 tbsp oil or ghee
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 medium tomato, chopped
- 1 ½ cups mixed vegetables (carrot, beans, peas, potato)
- ¼ cup chopped mint leaves
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- ½ cup (120 g) plain yogurt (dairy or plant-based)
- 1 tsp biryani masala or garam masala
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- Salt to taste
Optional Garnishes:
- Fried onions
- Saffron strands in 2 tbsp warm milk
- Toasted cashews or raisins
Equipment
- Heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
- Rice strainer or colander
- Chopping board and knife
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Spatula or spoon
- Small bowl (for saffron milk)
Ingredient Tips
- Rice: Basmati for aroma in this flavorful vegetarian biryani.
- Vegetables: Fresh or frozen for this spiced vegetable rice.
- Yogurt: Adds creaminess to this one-pot Indian dish.
- Spices: Freshly ground for this simple recipe’s depth.
- Garnishes: Fried onions for this flavorful vegetarian biryani’s crunch.
Directions for Easy Vegetable Biryani
Let’s create this delicious one-pot Indian dish!
Cook Rice
I boil 4 cups water in a pot with ½ tsp salt, 2 tsp oil, 1 bay leaf, 2–3 cardamom pods, 3 cloves, and 1 cinnamon stick. I add 1 ½ cups soaked rice, cook until 80% done (grains slightly firm), drain, and set aside for this simple recipe.
Prepare Masala Base
I heat 2 tbsp oil in a deep pot, add 1 tsp cumin seeds to sizzle, sauté 1 sliced onion until golden, stir in 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste for 1–2 minutes, then add 1 chopped tomato, ½ tsp turmeric, ½ tsp chili powder, 1 tsp biryani masala, and salt for this spiced vegetable rice.
Cook Vegetables
I add 1 ½ cups mixed vegetables, ¼ cup mint, and ¼ cup cilantro, stirring to coat. I cover and cook on low 5–7 minutes until tender for this flavorful vegetarian biryani.
Layer and Steam
I stir in ½ cup yogurt, simmer 2–3 minutes, layer rice over vegetables, sprinkle with saffron milk or fried onions, cover tightly, and cook on low 10–12 minutes. I rest 10 minutes, fluff, and serve for this Easy Vegetable Biryani.
Nutrition
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: ~45 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Calories: ~350 kcal per serving
- Macros per Serving: 55g carbs, 8g protein, 10g fat
Variations for Easy Vegetable Biryani
Try these twists on this one-pot Indian dish:
- Paneer: Add sautéed paneer for this flavorful vegetarian biryani.
- Tofu: Use tofu for a vegan spiced vegetable rice.
- Mushrooms: Add umami to this simple recipe.
- No Onion/Garlic: Skip for a sattvic flavorful vegetarian biryani.
- Brown Rice: Use cooked brown rice for this one-pot Indian dish.
Serving Ideas:
- Pair with Food and Tips’ cucumber raita for a cool spiced vegetable rice meal.
- Serve with Food and Tips’ onion salad for a flavorful vegetarian biryani.
- Enjoy with Food and Tips’ mint chutney for a one-pot Indian dish.
Storage
I store this spiced vegetable rice in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days or freeze for 1 month. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of water or microwave for this simple recipe.
Serving Tips
- Presentation: Serve Easy Vegetable Biryani in a wide bowl for a flavorful vegetarian biryani.
- Garnish: Add fried onions for this one-pot Indian dish’s charm.
- Pairing: Enjoy with Food and Tips’ papadums for a spiced vegetable rice meal.
- Portion Size: 1–1 ½ cups per person for a satisfying serving.
- Occasions: Perfect for weeknights, festive feasts, or meatless meals.
FAQs About Easy Vegetable Biryani
Here are answers to common questions about this flavorful vegetarian biryani:
Can I use regular rice?
Long-grain rice works, but basmati is best for this spiced vegetable rice.
Is it spicy?
Mild; adjust chili powder for this one-pot Indian dish.
Can I make it vegan?
Use plant-based yogurt and oil for this simple recipe.
Can I use an Instant Pot?
Yes, use rice setting with less water for this flavorful vegetarian biryani.
How to make it richer?
Add ghee or cashews for this spiced vegetable rice.
Try More Quick Dinners
- Honey Sriracha Chicken: A Sweet & Spicy Dinner Recipe
- Orange Chicken Fried Rice Bowl
- Crispy Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
Conclusion
Easy Vegetable Biryani is a fragrant, hearty dish packed with vibrant spices. This simple recipe delivers a comforting flavorful vegetarian biryani for any occasion. Enjoy this spiced vegetable rice that’s quick, wholesome, and delicious!
Easy Vegetable Biryani
Ingredients
For the Rice:
- 1 ½ cups 300 g basmati rice, rinsed and soaked 20–30 minutes
- 4 cups 960 ml water
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp oil or ghee
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 –3 green cardamom pods
- 3 cloves
- 1 small cinnamon stick
For the Vegetable Masala:
- 2 tbsp oil or ghee
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 medium onion thinly sliced
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 medium tomato chopped
- 1 ½ cups mixed vegetables carrot, beans, peas, potato
- ¼ cup chopped mint leaves
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- ½ cup 120 g plain yogurt (dairy or plant-based)
- 1 tsp biryani masala or garam masala
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp red chili powder adjust to taste
- Salt to taste
Optional Garnishes:
- Fried onions
- Saffron strands in 2 tbsp warm milk
- Toasted cashews or raisins
Instructions
Cook Rice
- I boil 4 cups water in a pot with ½ tsp salt, 2 tsp oil, 1 bay leaf, 2–3 cardamom pods, 3 cloves, and 1 cinnamon stick. I add 1 ½ cups soaked rice, cook until 80% done (grains slightly firm), drain, and set aside for this simple recipe.
Prepare Masala Base
- I heat 2 tbsp oil in a deep pot, add 1 tsp cumin seeds to sizzle, sauté 1 sliced onion until golden, stir in 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste for 1–2 minutes, then add 1 chopped tomato, ½ tsp turmeric, ½ tsp chili powder, 1 tsp biryani masala, and salt for this spiced vegetable rice.
Cook Vegetables
- I add 1 ½ cups mixed vegetables, ¼ cup mint, and ¼ cup cilantro, stirring to coat. I cover and cook on low 5–7 minutes until tender for this flavorful vegetarian biryani.
Layer and Steam
- I stir in ½ cup yogurt, simmer 2–3 minutes, layer rice over vegetables, sprinkle with saffron milk or fried onions, cover tightly, and cook on low 10–12 minutes. I rest 10 minutes, fluff, and serve for this Easy Vegetable Biryani.
Notes
- Soak basmati rice for at least 20 minutes to ensure fluffy texture.
- Do not overcook vegetables—they should remain slightly firm.
- Use fresh mint and coriander for best aroma.
- Let biryani rest before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Add paneer, tofu, or mushrooms for protein variation.
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