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Home » Entree » Rice Recipes

Published: Dec 5, 2018 · Modified: Mar 11, 2022 by Sandhya Ramakrishnan · This post may contain affiliate links

Simple Vegetable Biriyani - One Pot Vegan Meal

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Simple Vegetable Biriyani, is a quick one pot recipe that can be eaten as is as a meal or as a part of the lunch menu. This is Vegan recipe that is great for lunch boxes.

Simple Vegetable Biriyani, like the name says is the easiest one pot meal that you could make for lunch boxes or for a weekend spread. You make it for 2 or for 10, the recipe is pretty straight forward.

Vegetable Biriyani in a plate and a casserole

There are days when I make the elaborate Biriyani by marinating the vegetables, making my own spice mix and so on. But that does not work for the everyday cooking.

Store Bought Biriyani Masala

As much as I am always insisting on making your spice mix, I also keep a box of store bought masala box in my pantry. This is not just for Biriyani, but also for Pav bhaji and Chana Masala. There are days when all of sudden the boys ask me to make Pav bhaji for dinner. Those are the times when the store bought spices really help.

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I use the store bought Biriyani masala exclusively in my mornings when I am packing their lunch boxes. This recipe gets all 4 of us through for the day and it does not even need any fancy side dishes. We just need a simple cucumber raita or even plain yogurt works great.

Biriyani in a plate with fork

This is also one way I can get an assortment of vegetable in my kid's meal. Ever since I have started using the Instant Pot, I don't make it on the stove top anymore. But not everyone has instant pot and hence I made this last weekend on stove top. I do not have pictures for the instant pot method yet and I will edit the recipe when I make it next time. In the mean time, I have the recipe written out on the Instant pot procedure.

Can I make a different version of Biriyani?

Absolutely!! You don't have to always use assorted vegetables to make Biriyani. You could use just one vegetable (seasonal) and still enjoy the flavor. I make Instant Pot Tomato Biriyani very often using fresh homegrown tomatoes from my garden. One other Biriyani that we really enjoy is the Cabbage Biriyani. I love the crunchiness of the cabbage along with the spices. 

I served it last weekend as a part of my meal that has Matar paneer, Avocado Paratha and this Simple Vegetable Biriyani. My theme for BM this week is Meal time dishes and this is my second recipe under this theme.

Ingredients to make Simple Vegetable Biriyani - Serves 4

  • Basmati Rice - 1 cup
  • Mixed vegetables - 1 ½ cups (chopped)
  • Onion - 1 (thinly sliced)
  • Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
  • Fennel seeds - 1 tsp
  • Bay leaf - 2
  • Cinnamon - 1 inch piece
  • Cardamom - 2
  • Turmeric powder - ½ tsp
  • Red chili powder - 1 tsp
  • Biriyani Masala (I used store bought) - 2 tsp
  • Salt - to taste
  • Ghee / Oil - 2 tablespoon (skip ghee if making it vegan)
  • Water - 1 ¾ cup
How to make Vegetable Biriyani

Step by step process

Stove top Method -

  • Wash and soak the rice for about 30 minutes if possible. If not, soak it before you start chopping vegetables to give it about 10 minutes.
  • In a heavy bottom pan, heat oil and or ghee if using. Add the whole spices; cumin seeds, fennel seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon and cardamom. Let it fry for about 30 seconds.
  • Now add the sliced onion and saute until translucent.
  • Add the rest of the chopped vegetables - I used bell pepper and carrot. We can use potatoes, peas, green beans, cabbage and cauliflower as well. I see this recipe as a good way to use the little bit of leftover vegetable that I have in the refrigerator.
  • Saute the vegetables for couple of minutes and then add the turmeric powder, red chili powder and the biriyani masala.
  • Give it a quick stir and then add the drained rice. Mix it gently and let it all fry for about 30 seconds.
  • Add the water needed along with salt to cook the rice and mix well.
  • Let the mixture come to a boil and then simmer the flame and cover the pot with the lid. Let it cook on the lowest flame until the rice is completely cooked. This takes about 10 to 12 minutes. Check the rice in between to see if it is cooking.
  • Do not mix it too often as you will break the long rice pieces. When all the water has been absorbed and the rice appears cooked, turn off the flame and fluff it lightly with fork. Let it sit for few more minutes covered.
Step by step method to make Vegetable Biriyani
  • Serve warm with raita and or plain yogurt.

Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker Method -

  • Wash and soak the rice for about 30 minutes if possible. If not, soak it before you start chopping vegetables to give it about 10 minutes.
  • In the inner pot of the instant pot, add the oil and or ghee. Turn the pot on saute mode.
  • When the pot displays hot, add the whole spices; cumin seeds, fennel seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon and cardamom. Let it fry for about 10 seconds.
  • Now add the sliced onion and saute until translucent.
  • Add the rest of the chopped vegetables - I used bell pepper and carrot. We can use potatoes, peas, green beans, cabbage and cauliflower as well.
  • Give it a quick stir and then add the drained rice. Mix it gently and let it all fry for about 15 seconds.
  • Add the water needed along with salt to cook the rice and mix well.
  • Turn off the instant pot and close the lid. Now turn it back on Manual setting and set it to 6 minutes with the vent closed.
  • Once the timer goes off, wait for 10 minutes and then release the pressure by turning the seal to vent position.
  • The biriyani is now ready to serve!
Simple Vegetable Biriyani with matar paneer and avocado paratha

More Biriyani recipes

  • Simple Cabbage Biriyani | Spiced Cabbage Rice
  • Instant Pot Tomato Biriyani
  • Vegetable Biriyani – Easy One Pot Meal
  • Cauliflower Dum Biriyani | Gobhi Dum Biriyani

Raita to serve with Biriyani

  • Vendakkai Pachadi | Okra Raita | Air-Fried Okra In Yogurt
  • Palak Pachadi | Spinach Raita
  • Mullangi Pachadi | Mooli Raita | Spiced Yogurt With Radish
  • Aloo Raita | Potato Raita Recipe

 If you made this recipe and liked it, give a star rating on the recipe card or let me know in the comments below. You could also share it with me on Instagram using #MyCookingJourney and tagging me @sandhya.ramakrishnan. You could follow me and my recipes on Facebook |Instagram | Pinterest | twitter

Simple Vegetable Biriyani

Simple Vegetable Biriyani

Simple Vegetable Biriyani, is a quick one pot recipe that can be eaten as is as a meal or as a part of the lunch menu. This is Vegan recipe that is great for lunch boxes.
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Lunch Recipes, Main Course, Rice Dishes
Cuisine: Indian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Sandhya Ramakrishnan

Ingredients

  • Basmati Rice - 1 cup
  • Mixed vegetables - 1 ½ cups chopped
  • Onion - 1 thinly sliced
  • Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
  • Fennel seeds - 1 tsp
  • Bay leaf - 2
  • Cinnamon - 1 inch piece
  • Cardamom - 2
  • Turmeric powder - ½ tsp
  • Red chili powder - 1 tsp
  • Biriyani Masala I used store bought - 2 tsp
  • Salt - to taste
  • Ghee / Oil - 2 TBSP skip ghee if making it vegan
  • Water - 1 ¾ cup

Instructions

Stove top Method -

  • Wash and soak the rice for about 30 minutes if possible. If not, soak it before you start chopping vegetables to give it about 10 minutes.
  • In a heavy bottom pan, heat oil and or ghee if using. Add the whole spices; cumin seeds, fennel seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon and cardamom. Let it fry for about 30 seconds.
  • Now add the sliced onion and saute until translucent.
  • Add the rest of the chopped vegetables - I used bell pepper and carrot. We can use potatoes, peas, green beans, cabbage and cauliflower as well. I see this recipe as a good way to use the little bit of leftover vegetable that I have in the refrigerator.
  • Saute the vegetables for couple of minutes and then add the turmeric powder, red chili powder and the biriyani masala.
  • Give it a quick stir and then add the drained rice. Mix it gently and let it all fry for about 30 seconds.
  • Add the water needed along with salt to cook the rice and mix well.
  • Let the mixture come to a boil and then simmer the flame and cover the pot with the lid. Let it cook on the lowest flame until the rice is completely cooked. This takes about 10 to 12 minutes. Check the rice in between to see if it is cooking.
  • Do not mix it too often as you will break the long rice pieces. When all the water has been absorbed and the rice appears cooked, turn off the flame and fluff it lightly with fork. Let it sit for few more minutes covered.
  • Serve warm with raita and or plain yogurt.

Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker Method -

  • Wash and soak the rice for about 30 minutes if possible. If not, soak it before you start chopping vegetables to give it about 10 minutes.
  • In the inner pot of the instant pot, add the oil and or ghee. Turn the pot on saute mode.
  • When the pot displays hot, add the whole spices; cumin seeds, fennel seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon and cardamom. Let it fry for about 10 seconds.
  • Now add the sliced onion and saute until translucent.
  • Add the rest of the chopped vegetables - I used bell pepper and carrot. We can use potatoes, peas, green beans, cabbage and cauliflower as well.
  • Give it a quick stir and then add the drained rice. Mix it gently and let it all fry for about 15 seconds.
  • Add the water needed along with salt to cook the rice and mix well.
  • Turn off the instant pot and close the lid. Now turn it back on Manual setting and set it to 6 minutes with the vent closed.
  • Once the timer goes off, wait for 10 minutes and then release the pressure by turning the seal to vent position.
  • The biriyani is now ready to serve!

Video

Tried this recipe?Mention @Sandhya.Ramakrishnan or tag #MyCookingJourney!
« Arachuvitta Vathal Kuzhambu With Sundakkai And Drumstick
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. theunknowncall says

    September 01, 2019 at 2:18 pm

    Look like delicious. I will make it. Thank you!!

    Reply
  2. Meenu says

    August 28, 2019 at 1:54 am

    Nice and easy recipe to do in the busy morning 😊 could you please mention the name of store bought biryani masala?? Thanks 😊

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      September 12, 2019 at 10:28 am

      Thanks! I have used Shaan and everest masala.

      Reply
  3. Srivalli Jetti says

    December 31, 2018 at 6:43 am

    Biryani looks so colourful and inviting Sandhya, too good!

    Reply
  4. Chef Mireille says

    December 27, 2018 at 4:43 pm

    5 stars
    biryani looks so colorful and inviting and with all those spices - definitely I would enjoy this biryani for sure!!!

    Reply
  5. Suma Gandlur says

    December 18, 2018 at 9:56 pm

    I remember buying the biryani masala in my initial cooking days. Your biryani looks colorful and very inviting.

    Reply
  6. harini says

    December 15, 2018 at 6:57 am

    5 stars
    Looks colorful and yumm, Sandhya. Perfect for a leisurely meal.

    Reply
  7. Swati says

    December 14, 2018 at 11:51 pm

    5 stars
    Your Biryani looks so scrumptious so rich in flavors!! I recently bought Instapot, have to try this soon in it!! thanks for sharing the recipe!!

    Reply
  8. Sushma Pinjala says

    December 14, 2018 at 12:25 pm

    I love one pot meals. Biryani has turned out so good.

    Reply
  9. Maria says

    December 06, 2018 at 11:07 am

    Look like delicious. I will make it. Thank you!!

    Reply
  10. Priya Suresh says

    December 06, 2018 at 6:32 am

    Such a colourful and eye catching one pot meal, prefect meal for a get together or for a sunday meal. Lovely dish there.

    Reply
  11. Veena Krishnakumar says

    December 05, 2018 at 11:54 pm

    5 stars
    Wow sandhya. Now it is time for you to adopt me. This looks lovely. Drooling looking at pics

    Reply
  12. Gayathri Kumar says

    December 05, 2018 at 11:07 pm

    5 stars
    Love that spread so much Sandhya. The biryani sounds so simple to make and loaded with veggies, this is a nice way of feeding kids with vegetables.

    Reply

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Sandhya

I am Sandhya Ramakrishnan, author, recipe developer and photographer in this journey! 'My Cooking Journey' is all about family friendly Vegetarian and Vegan recipes from around the World with focus on Indian cuisine.

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