Instant Pot Pav bhaji is the Instant Pot version of the famous Mumbai Street Food Pav Bhaji. It has a thick mixed vegetable Curry called the bhaji. We serve the bhaji along with Dinner Rolls, Onions, Cilantro along with Lemon wedges and butter.
Street foods always have a special place in India. There are so many varieties. Right from the popular Golgappas, Kathi Rolls, Chaat, and whatnot. Almost all Indian Street foods are popular and available in all parts of the world these days.
Out of all the Streetfoods, the Pavbhaji has a special place. Especially the pushcart vendors selling poping hot pavbhaji's near the beach has a special place. They are cheap and in the best taste.
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What is Pav bhaji
Pav Bhaji is a famous Street food from India that has its origin in the Juhu beach of Mumbai. Pav Bhaji translates to 'Pav' means buns and, 'Bhaji' is a medley of curried vegetables. It is considered the King Of Street Foods in India.
Now it is that famous and you may find them in all parts of the world. Everyone should at least try this famous street food from India at least once in their lifetime.
Pav bhaji in instant pot
The recipe is easily adaptable in Instant Pot too. Traditionally it is done on the stovetop. However, these days we go for Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker. This is mainly for saving time and no babysitting the bhaji.
Just add stir in the veggies to the Instant pot and quickly cook the veggies. The cooked vegetables are then mashed and cooked with the spice powders and the bhaji is ready easily in the Instant Pot.
Pav bhaji ingredients
The List of ingredients for pav bhaji might appear long. But it is only different vegetables and then the basic spices and butter.
Butter - We add lots of butter to the bhaji. Do not reduce this. This gives a lovely flavor altogether to the bhaji
Ginger, Garlic, Chilli - Add in crushed ginger, garlic, and minced green chili for a lovely flavor
Onion - Add finely chopped red or white onions
Tomato - Add ripe juicy tomatoes
Vegetables - We are adding a lot of vegetables to Pav bhaji. Cauliflower, Beans, carrot, Fresh Green Peas, Capsicum, Beetroot. Adding beetroot gives a lovely red color to the bhaji.
Kashmiri Red Chili Powder - This again gives a lovely color to the bhaji without much spiciness.
Pav Bhaji Masala - pav bhaji secret ingredient is this delicious spice powder. I usually go for the store-bought Pav bhaji Masala. Everest and MDH are my favorite brands. They are available in most of the super Markets.
Coriander Leaves & Onion - We garnish the pav bhaji with a generous amount of coriander leaves and finely chopped onions
Lemon - We add a dash of lemon juice while serving the pav bhaji
Pav Buns - We need Dinner Rolls or Pav Buns to serve along with the bhaji. They are also available in supermarkets or you can go with homemade Ladi Pav or dinner rolls. If you are not able to source them you may also serve them along with bread.
Kasoori Methi - They give a nice and unique flavor to the bhaji.
FAQ's
Is Pav Bhaji Vegan
We have Butter in Pav Bhaji and hence it's not vegan. You may add vegan butter in Pav Bhaji as a replacement. I do not recommend skipping butter as it is an important ingredient in Pav bhaji.
How to make Homemade Pav Bhaji Masala
Pav Bhaji Masala is available in almost all Asian or Indian Supermarkets. I usually use the store-bought masala. However, you can make your spice mix. Pav bhaji masala has Coriander seeds, Cumin seeds, Cloves, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Fennel seeds, Amchur powder, Pepper powder
What is the best type of bread to serve the bhaji?
Use any type of un-sweetened bread to serve the Pav Bhaji. I like Whole Wheat bread too at times. You can also try Dinner Rolls,Ladi Pav, Burger buns, Potato buns, or any unsweetened bread.
How to cook pav bhaji without pressure cooker? We usually cook the Bhaji in an Instant Pot or Pressure cooker. If in case you want to cook on a stove or an open pan. First, you can steam the veggies till they are soft and mashable. And then in a heavy-bottomed follow the same process. The pav bhaji gets cooked up beautifully.
How to make Pavbhaji in Instant Pot
How to Prepare Bhaji
Switch on the Instant Pot in saute mode. Once it turns on, add in 3 tbsp of butter and 1 tbsp of oil. Let the butter melt.
Add in 1 tbsp of ginger, 1 tbsp of garlic, and 1 green chili minced. Saute for few secs and then add in 1.5 cups of finely chopped onions. Saute till they are soft and pink.
Next, add in 1 cup of finely chopped bell pepper. Saute for a minute.
Next, add in 2 cups of chopped tomato. Cook till they are soft.
Next, add in all the remaining vegetables. I am adding 1 cup of Cauliflower florets, 1 cup of fresh or frozen green peas. ⅓ cup of carrots, ⅓ cups of beans, and ¼ cup of beetroot.
Combine everything together and add in 1.25 cups of water. Now Close the Instant Pot. Move the Pressure value to the sealing position.
Select the Pressure cook option and set 10 mins in high pressure. Wait for a natural pressure release and then open the Instant Pot.
Switch on the Instant Pot in Saute mode once again. To the Instant Pot add in the required salt, 1 tbsp of Kashmiri Red Chilli powder, 4 tbsp of Pav bhaji Masala.
Now add in 1 tbsp of butter and then add ½ cup of Finely chopped Coriander leaves and then crush in 1 tsp of Kasoori Methi between your palms and add it to the Instant Pot. Cook till the Pav bhaji becomes slightly thick. Finally, drizzle in 1 tbsp of Lemon Juice and switch off the Instant Pot. Bhaji is now ready.
Prepare the Pav Buns
Heat a pan, add in 1 tbsp of butter, and let it melt. Sprinkle in some Pav bhaji Masala.
Slice the Pav buns in the middle and then toast the Pav buns on all the sides. Until the puns become golden and the Pav buns are ready.
How to serve Pav Bhaji ?
We usually serve Bhaji in a large quantity. Take the Bhaji generously in a big serving bowl. Always serve the bhaji hot. To the hot bhaji add-in, a dollop of butter and then sprinkle in finely chopped Onions and Cilantro, followed by a dash of Lemon Juice along with the butter-toasted Pav Buns. Serve with more chopped onions and lemon wedges on the side.
Storage Suggestions
Pav Bhaji stays good in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can freeze the bhaji for a month. Also, the bhaji tastes the best the next day with the flavors getting in. You can store the bhaji but always use fresh Pav buns while serving. Toast the buns in butter just before you are serving.
More Indian Street Foods
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📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Pav Bhaji
Standard 1 cup measures 240 ml
Equipment
- Instant Pot 6 Qz
- Potato Masher
Ingredients
- 5 tbsp Butter
- 1 tbsp Oil
- 1 tbsp Ginger crushed
- 1 tbsp Garlic crushed
- 1 Green Chilli Minced
- 1.5 cup Onion chopped
- 1 cup Capsicum chopped
- 2 cup Tomato chopped
- 1 cup Cauliflower florets
- 3 Potato approximately 1 cup
- ⅓ cup Beans
- ⅓ cup Carrot
- ¼ cup Beetroot
- 1 cup Green Peas
- 1¼ cup Water
- 5 tbsp Pavbhaji Masala
- 1 tbsp Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp Kasoori Methi
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- ½ cup Coriander Leaves
For Serving
- 10 Pav Bun or Dinner Roll
- Butter as needed
- Lemon as needed
- Onion to garnish
- Coriander leaves to garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Bhaji in Instant Pot
- Switch on the Instant Pot in saute mode. Once it turns on, add in 3 tbsp of butter and 1 tbsp of oil. Let the butter melt.
- Add in 1 tbsp of ginger, 1 tbsp of garlic, and 1 green chili minced. Saute for few secs and then add in 1.5 cups of finely chopped onions. Saute till they are soft and pink.
- Next, add in 1 cup of finely chopped bell pepper. Saute for a minute.
- Next, add in 2 cups of chopped tomato. Cook till they are soft.
- Next, add in all the remaining vegetables. I am adding 1 cup of Cauliflower florets, 1 cup of fresh or frozen green peas. ⅓ cup of carrots, ⅓ cups of beans, and ¼ cup of beetroot.
- combine everything together and add in 1.25 cups of water. Now Close the Instant Pot. move the PRessure value to the sealing position.
- Select the Pressure cook option and set 10 mins in high pressure. Wait for a natural pressure release and then open the Instant Pot.
- Switch on the Instant Pot in Saute mode once again. To the Instant Pot add in the required salt, 1 tbsp of Kashmiri Red Chilli powder, 4 tbsp of Pav bhaji Masala.
- Now add in 1 tbsp of butter and then add ½ cup of Finely chopped Coriander leaves and then crush in 1 tsp of Kasoori Methi between your palms and add it to the Instant Pot. Cook till the Pav bhaji becomes slightly thick. Finally, drizzle in 1 tbsp of Lemon Juice and switch off the Instant Pot. Bhaji is now ready.
Prepare the Pav Buns
- Heat a pan, add in 1 tbsp of butter, and let it melt. Sprinkle in some Pav bhaji Masala.
- Slice the Pav buns in the middle and then toast the Pav buns on all the sides. Until the puns become golden and the Pav buns are ready
Assemble and Serve Pav bhaji
- Take the Prepared Pav bhaji is a serving bowl. To this add in a dollop of butter and sprinkle in some chopped onions and coriander leaves. Finally, drizzle in some lemon juice and serve along with the toasted Pav buns. Serve with more chopped onions and lemon wedges on the side.
Video
Nutrition
Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist , the nutrition value provided here is an estimate.
It will vary based on the quantity and brands of the products used.
Pam Greer
This is so rich and flavorful! My whole family loves it!
Tavo
I love vegetable curries, and although I make Indian curries often, I had not come across Pav Bhaji. It was so easy to make and packed so much flavor! I will definitely be making this one-pot curry often!
Kristen
This was delicious! Will definitely make it again!