Easy Vegan Biryani Recipe
This Easy Vegan Biryani is a flavorful and wholesome one-pot meal featuring aromatic basmati rice, a medley of fresh vegetables, and fragrant Indian spices. Perfectly cooked in a skillet, it offers a comforting and satisfying vegan option inspired by traditional biryani, making it an ideal dish for any meal.
- Author: rami
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Vegan
Vegetables and Legumes
- 1 medium red or yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and sliced diagonally
- 1 yukon gold potato, peeled and chopped small
- 1 cup cauliflower florets
- 1/2 cup frozen green peas
- 1/2 cup frozen green beans
- 15 ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup golden or regular raisins (optional)
Spices and Seasonings
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup water
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups basmati rice, rinsed well
- Prepare Ingredients: Chop all vegetables, drain and rinse chickpeas, and combine all spices into a small bowl. This step ensures the cooking process is organized and smooth.
- Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add sliced onion and cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes until translucent.
- Add Ginger and Garlic: Stir in minced ginger and garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, releasing their aromatic flavors.
- Add Water and Vegetables: Pour in 1/4 cup water to prevent burning of garlic and ginger. Add carrot, potato, cauliflower, frozen peas, green beans, chickpeas, and raisins if using. Stir to combine all ingredients well.
- Spice the Mixture: Add garam masala, turmeric, coriander, cumin, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to coat all vegetables and chickpeas with the spices evenly.
- Add Broth and Rice: Pour in the 4 cups of vegetable broth and add the rinsed basmati rice. Stir well to mix everything uniformly. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer: Once boiling, cover the skillet and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let cook for 15-20 minutes until the rice has absorbed the liquid and is fully cooked.
- Rest and Fluff: Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Cover the pan again and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the texture to settle.
- Serve: Serve the biryani hot with optional garnishes such as chopped cilantro and sliced almonds. Pair with vegan raita and naan bread for a complete meal. Enjoy!
Notes
- Rinsing the basmati rice thoroughly removes excess starch, helping to achieve fluffy grains.
- Feel free to customize vegetables according to availability and preference.
- The raisins add sweetness, but can be omitted for a more savory biryani.
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity for desired spice level.
- Covering the skillet properly during cooking helps trap steam and cook rice evenly.
- Letting the biryani rest after cooking enhances the texture and flavor melding.
Keywords: Vegan Biryani, Easy Biryani Recipe, One-pot Indian Biryani, Vegan Indian Food, Basmati Rice Recipe, Healthy Vegan Dinner