Instant Pot Vegetable Biryani

Enjoy a restaurant-style Biryani with a side of Boondi raita in just 40 minutes, thanks to this easy recipe.

What is Biryani

There are many theories about the origin of ‘Biryani’ (pronounced bee-riya-nee). It is believed to have originated in Persia and was brought to India by the Mughals around the 16th century.

The word Biryani is derived from the Persian word Beriyan, which means ’to fry or roast’ before cooking, and Birinj, the Persian word for rice. So, one can say that Biryani is an Indian version of ‘fried rice’. Traditionally, Biryani is assembled with alternate layers of marinated vegetables (or meat) and long grain basmati rice, seasoned with biryani masala that includes garam masala, coriander, and cumin, almond other spices. It is topped with fried onions, fresh herbs, saffron, and ghee.
The cooking vessel is then sealed with wet dough, creating an airtight environment for cooking, called Dum. In this easy vegetable biryani recipe, I mimicked that ‘Dum’ cooking style in my Instant Pot, which uses a consistent medium heat to cook the rice and vegetables.

How to Make Instant Pot Vegetable Biryani

Thanks to the pressure cooker, you can make this restaurant-style biryani in just 40 minutes, most of which is hands-off cooking time. Let’s take a look at what we need to make veg biryani.

Ingredients- Notes & Substitutions

Rice: Long-grain basmati rice is key to a good biryani. They get soft and fluffy after cooking and hold their shape really well. Look for this in an Indian store or ethnic food aisle of large supermarkets. I use Kohinoor XL for biryani. Ghee: Good quality ghee adds an iconic aroma to the biryani. I prefer to use homemade ghee, but any good-quality store brand will work great. Fried Onions: Caramelized onions are a key ingredient in biryanis. It takes about 10-12 minutes to brown them on the saute setting. If you’re in a rush, feel free to use store-bought fried onions and make this biryani in just 30 minutes. Make sure to check their expiration date as stale onions can spoil the taste of the dish. Aromatics: Like many classic Indian dishes, this one also uses fresh ginger, garlic, serrano chili, and fresh cilantro to give a beautiful fragrance to the rice. You can also add a bay leaf to add to the flavor. Saffron is another flavor builder in biryani. To extract the best taste and color, we soak it in warm milk for a few minutes. Yogurt: Plain yogurt adds a creamy and slightly tangy flavor in this recipe. If using Greek yogurt instead, add 3 tablespoons instead. Spices: We need common Indian spices like cumin seeds, turmeric powder, coriander, cumin, garam masala, Kashmiri red chili, and salt to flavor this biryani. To make it mild, substitute red chili powder with sweet paprika. Vegetables: We’re using potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers here. To ensure even cooking, cut the potatoes and carrots in a consistent size, about ½-inch. Scroll below and read more about customizing the vegetables.
Paneer (Optional): Paneer is optional, but adds protein to this recipe making it a balanced one-pot meal. Make your own by using this easy homemade paneer recipe, or use your favorite brand. Scroll to the recipe card for a detailed list of ingredients and quantities.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here are the detailed steps with pictures for making Vegetable Biryani in Instant Pot.
Prep: Rinse the rice and soak it for 15 minutes while you chop vegetables. After 15 mins, rinse and drain the rice. Step 1: Saute aromatics and vegetables

Saute onions and green chilies in ghee (or oil) on Saute mode. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring in between till they become light golden brown. Remove half the onions and keep them aside. (pic 1)Add cut vegetables, chopped cilantro, and saute for 2 mins. (pic 2)Add ginger and garlic paste, and saute for another minute. (Pic 3)Add the spices and beaten yogurt. Stir well and use the yogurt to deglaze the pan and scrape off any brown bits at the bottom of the pot. (pic 4)

Step 2: Add rice and pressure cook

Cancel Saute. Add drained rice, cubed paneer, and water. Stir and gently push the rice under the water. (pic 5)Spread the saffron-milk mixture over that. Top with reserved caramelized onions and chopped herbs. Top with the remaining 1 tablespoon of ghee or oil. (pic 6 & 7)Close lid and pressure cook at Manual/Pressure Cook for 6 mins at LOW pressure. (pic 8)

Step 3: Release pressure and fluff biryani

After cook time is done, carefully release the pressure manually. Open the lid after the pin has dropped. (pic 9)Using silicone mitts, remove the stainless steel insert from the base and place it on a heat-resistant surface (I place it on the stove). This prevents the biryani from overcooking. Let it sit uncovered for 5 mins, which helps evaporate excess moisture. After 5 mins, fluff the biryani gently with a fork. Serve warm with your favorite raita (yogurt dip). (pic 10)

What to Serve with Vegetable Biryani

The combination of Biryani and Raita (yogurt dip) is a match made in food heaven! The cool and refreshing yogurt adds a contrast to the warm spices in the rice and ends up balancing the flavors really well. Enjoy this biryani with a side of Boondi raita, Cucumber Raita, or Avocado raita. Serve it with crisp papad and pickle to complete this Indian comfort food. For a Vegan Biryani, skip the yogurt and pair it with papad, pickle, and a simple garden salad dressed with salt, pepper, and fresh lemon drizzle.

Customize the Vegetables

You can customize the vegetables to your liking, but pick vegetables that can withstand a 6 minute pressure cooking time. Root vegetables, like parsnips, white carrots, beetroot, and sweet potato would work great. Green beans and corn are other great options. I wouldn’t recommend zucchini or squash as they turn to mush in that time. If picking cauliflower, cut the florets in roughly 2-inch pieces, so they hold their shape.

Recipe Tips & Notes

Start with long grain basmati rice, it makes a huge difference in texture and presentation. I use Kohinoor XL.Soak the rice for 10-15 minutes. Any longer and I find the Biryani to be mushy. You can suit your taste and soak for up to 30 mins if you prefer the rice super soft.Using low pressure is key in this recipe. Since vegetables tend to over cook in pressure cooking, low pressure prevents that and maintains a nice texture for vegetables.Adding paneer is totally optional, but highly recommended. It adds protein to this dish and makes it a well balanced meal. You can use homemade or buy it from an Indian grocery store. If you have store-bought fried onions on hand, skip the onion saute step in the beginning and use that instead. Quickly releasing pressure is the ideal option, it prevents the rice and vegetables from over cooking, but if you want to avoid the high pressure release, wait 5 minutes and then manually release it. Removing the stainless steel insert after cooking also prevents the rice and vegetables at the bottom from over cooking.Letting the biryani sit uncovered for 5 minutes helps evaporate any excess moisture. This leads to a light and fluffy biryani. Saffron is a key ingredient in Biryani. It adds a nice floral aroma and crimson color to the rice. However, if you do not have in on hand, you can skip it. To prevent the ‘burn’ sign, remember to deglaze the pot really well after browning the onions.