Description
Fragrant and colorful, this easy Vegetable Biryani is a one-pot meal packed with basmati rice, mixed vegetables, warming spices, and herbs. Perfect for weeknight dinners, festive feasts, or meatless Mondays, it’s a simplified take on a classic Indian favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Rice:
- 1½ cups basmati rice (rinsed and soaked for 20–30 minutes)
- 4 cups water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons oil or ghee
- 1 bay leaf
- 2–3 green cardamom pods
- 3 cloves
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- For the Vegetable Masala:
- 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 medium tomato, chopped
- 1½ cups mixed vegetables (carrot, beans, peas, potato)
- ¼ cup chopped mint leaves
- ¼ cup chopped coriander (cilantro)
- ½ cup plain yogurt (dairy or plant-based)
- 1 teaspoon biryani masala or garam masala
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- Salt to taste
- Optional Garnishes:
- Fried onions (birista)
- Saffron strands soaked in warm milk
- Toasted cashews or raisins
Instructions
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add salt, oil, bay leaf, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. Add soaked rice and cook until 80% done. Drain and set aside.
- In a deep pot, heat oil. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle. Add sliced onions and sauté until golden. Stir in ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1–2 minutes.
- Add chopped tomatoes and cook until soft. Stir in turmeric, chili powder, biryani masala, and salt.
- Add mixed vegetables, mint, and coriander. Stir to coat in spices. Cover and cook on low for 5–7 minutes.
- Lower heat and stir in yogurt. Simmer for 2–3 minutes. Spread cooked rice on top in an even layer. Add saffron milk, fried onions, or nuts if using.
- Cover tightly and cook on low for 10–12 minutes. Turn off heat and rest 10 minutes before fluffing and serving.
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.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One Pot
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: Vegetable Biryani, Easy Biryani Recipe, Biryani with Vegetables, Vegetarian Indian Recipes, One Pot Biryani