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Indian veg biryani in a serving bowl
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5 from 1 vote

Effortless Instant Pot Vegetable Biryani

Instant Pot Vegetable Biryani - Quick and easy recipe to prepare healthy veg biryani with all the authentic flavors.  
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Lunch / Dinner
Cuisine: Indian, Indian Inspired
Diet: Gluten Free, Low Fat
Servings: 5
Calories: 418kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Rice Preparation

Vegetables

  • 2 cups cauliflower florets around 2" size
  • 2 small carrots peeled and diced into 1-2" size
  • 1 small red bell pepper cut into 1-2" size
  • 1 cup green beans cut into 1-2" size
  • 2 medium potatoes diced into 1-2" size
  • 2 medium onions sliced
  • 1 medium tomato cut into 1-2" size
  • 2-3 garlic cloves finely chopped
  • 1" ginger finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil (or ghee)
  • pinch of saffron

Spiced Yogurt

  • ¾ cup low-fat yogurt
  • 2 ½ tablespoon biryani masala
  • cup fresh mint leaves chopped divided
  • cup fresh cilantro leaves chopped divided
  • salt

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl soak rice in warm water along with spices mentioned under 'rice preparation' for about 20-30 min.
  • Meanwhile in a small bowl mix yogurt with biryani masala, half of the fresh herbs, and salt. Save some herbs to use at the end.
  • Then in another large bowl combine all the cut vegetables like cauliflower florets, carrot, bell pepper, green beans, and potatoes. Add the prepared yogurt mixture and combine well to coat all the veggies with yogurt and spices evenly.
  • Heat oil or ghee on high saute mode in the Instant Pot.
  • Add sliced onions and cook them until caramelized for about 6-8 min.
  • Add chopped garlic and ginger and cook them for about a min.
  • Then add marinated vegetables and saute them for 2-3 min.
  • Now add water from the soaked rice and mix well with vegetables. Then add soaked rice and gently mix to make sure the water covers the rice.
  • Top it up with chopped tomatoes,  fresh mint, fresh cilantro and a few strands of saffron.
  • Finally, put the lid and cook the rice on manual LOW PRESSURE for 5 mins (make sure the valve is in seal position). Once done turn off the Instant Pot and then quick release the pressure and steam. Keep the rice covered for another 20-30 min (this will help to develop the flavors).
  • Serve warm.

Notes

  1. Adding spices while soaking will make the rice more flavorful.
  2. In this recipe, I used regular yogurt. However, you can also use greek yogurt. If you decide to use greek yogurt instead make sure to add an additional ½ cup water to the rice. This is because greek yogurt has very less retained water compared to regular yogurt.
  3. After quick releasing the pressure keep the valve on vent position to avoid building up steam again and overcooking the rice. 

Nutrition

Calories: 418kcal