This instant pot vegetable pulao is a delightful one pot rice dish that is super flavourful. Serve it with some yogurt raita or with a curry. It is perfect.
Vegetable Pulao is made pretty regularly in my home. Always made with the fragrant Indian basmati rice, it is flavoured with whole spices, ghee (use olive oil/coconut oil if vegan) and has loads of vegetables.
This is a satisfying one-pot meal if you just add some protein of choice to it while cooking.
Rice comes out well cooked yet fluffy, and this dish will work as a perfect side for any meal.

You may also like Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli, Instant Pot Kheer or Rice Pudding.
Tips for Making the Perfect Instant Pot Vegetable Pulao
- Use basmati rice for making your pulao. It is fragrant and delicious.
- Soaking basmati rice before cooking makes it fluffy with separate grains. Although, I have cooked basmati rice without pre-soaking when in rush and it still comes out quite good.
- Use whole spices for their rich, fragrant taste.
- Saute the onions well till they are rich golden brown as they leave a nice sweet caramelised flavour in the pulao.
- Use vegetables that have been evenly cut and cook in the way mentioned so that they don’t get overcooked.
- Use any vegetables of choice. I generally just peek in the fridge and use what’s available.
Stepwise Pictures
Wash and soak basmati rice in water for about 15 - 30 minutes.
In the instant pot, turn on the Saute mode. Add 1 tbsp. ghee (or use coconut oil for dairy free), let it melt.
Add the whole spices and fry for 30 seconds.
Add 1 chopped onion and sliced green chillies, fry till onions are golden brown.
Add ¼ tsp. salt to facilitate faster browning. After onions are golden brown, add 1.5 tsp. ginger garlic paste and saute for 3 minutes while stirring.
Add in the chopped veggies and saute for 2 minutes more while stirring.
Now add 2 and ¼ cups of water and bring to a rolling boil.
Add ½ tsp. garam masala (optional) at this stage. Take soaked and drained rice and add to the boiling water. Mix well and taste the water.
It should taste salty. If not add some more salt. This will ensure that your pulao is salted properly.
Now set Instant Pot on pressure cooker mode and time for 6 minutes.
After pressure cooking is done and it beeps, cool for 4 minutes naturally after which release steam manually.
Open the instant pot and lightly fluff the rice. Your vegetable pulao is ready. Garnish with cilantro leaves. Enjoy with yogurt raita.
Pressure cooking:
Repeat the sauteeing process in pressure cooker just like you did in Instant pot. Pressure cook for one whistle and let the pressure release naturally. Serve hot.
You can make it covered in a pan as well. You will need to add more water and cook till the rice is done.
Here's the recipe card:
📖 Recipe Card
Instant Pot Vegetable Pulao
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups basmati rice washed and soaked for 30 minutes
- 1 onion sliced or chopped
- 1 tbsp. ghee or coconut oil for dairy free
Whole spices
- 3 cloves
- 1 cinnamon
- 3 cardamom
- 1 black cardamom
- 1 tsp. cumin seeds
- 3 green chillies sliced
- 1 tsp. Salt
- ½ tsp. Garam masala optional
- 2 cups chopped vegetables beans, carrots, peas, potato
- 1.5 tsp. ginger garlic paste
Instructions
- Wash and soak basmati rice in water for about 15 - 30 minutes.
- In the instant pot, turn on the Saute mode. Add 1 tbsp. ghee (or use coconut oil for dairy free), let it melt.
- Add the whole spices and fry for 30 seconds.
- Add 1 chopped onion and sliced green chillies, fry till onions are golden brown.
- Add ¼ tsp. salt to facilitate faster browning. After onions are golden brown, add 1.5 tsp. ginger garlic paste and saute for 3 minutes while stirring.
- Add in the chopped veggies and saute for 2 minutes more while stirring.
- Now add 2 and ¼ cups of water and bring to a rolling boil.
- Add ½ tsp. garam masala (optional) at this stage. Take soaked and drained rice and add to the boiling water. Mix well and taste the water.
- It should taste salty. If not add some more salt. This will ensure that your pulao is salted properly.
- Now set Instant Pot on pressure cooker mode and time for 6 minutes.
- After pressure cooking is done and it beeps, cool for 4 minutes naturally after which release steam manually.
- Open the instant pot and lightly fluff the rice. Your vegetable pulao is ready. Garnish with cilantro leaves. Enjoy with yogurt raita.
Pressure cooking:
- Repeat the sauteeing process in pressure cooker just like you did in Instant pot. Pressure cook for one whistle and let the pressure release naturally. Serve hot.
- You can make it covered in a pan as well. You will need to add more water and cook till the rice is done.
Notes
2. Soaking basmati rice before cooking makes it fluffy with separate grains. Although, I have cooked basmati rice without pre-soaking when in rush and it still comes out quite good.
3. Use whole spices for their rich, fragrant taste.
4. Saute the onions well till they are rich golden brown as they leave a nice sweet caramelised flavour in the pulao.
5. Use vegetables that have been evenly cut and cook in the way mentioned so that they don’t get overcooked.
6. Use any vegetables of choice. I generally just peek in the fridge and use what’s available.
Nutrition
If you liked the recipe, please leave a star * rating. Thanks.
You may also try Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas.
Helen says
This looks great! Love how quick and easy it is in the Instant Pot, and so tasty with all those spices.
Rachna says
Thanks Helen
Danielle says
This came out so delicious! The seasonings were just perfect and I loved the versatility.
Rachna says
Thanks Danielle
Michele says
This was delicious and so easy to make in the Instant Pot. Thank you!
Rachna says
Glad to hear, Michele.
Tayler says
One pot meals are my go to during the busy week, so I can’t wait to give this a try! Thanks for sharing!
Rachna says
You're very welcome, Tayler.
Louise says
This turned out beautifully! I'm vegan so swapped in olive oil for the ghee and it turned out perfect. The house smelt amazing while cooking it, and it was the perfect extra dish to go with a yummy dahl recipe I was trying out.
Rachna says
That's wonderful to hear, Louise.
Juliane says
I love this! I can wait to try it with my mom this time. <3
Rachna says
That's lovely! Thank you.