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    Home » Entrées

    The Best Vegan Biryani

    Published: Apr 13, 2021 · Modified: Sep 30, 2021 by Kristen Wood

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    Disclaimer: You will find affiliate links for the products I use and love on this blog. I will earn from any purchases you make from these links, but it is at no extra cost to you. I appreciate your support!

    vegan biryani recipe pin
    vegan biryani recipe pin

    This super easy and delicious Vegan Biryani is bursting with Indian-inspired flavors. It can be made on the stovetop or the Instant Pot pressure cooker! Naturally gluten-free.

    hands holding a wooden teak bowl filled with vegan biryani

    My Indian food love affair continues with this Indian-inspired take on Vegan Biryani! This aromatic rice dish has been family fave of ours for years and can also be found in my cookbook The Vegetarian Family Cookbook. It is fabulous on its own, served alongside other Indian dishes or topped off with a favorite condiment or two. The veggies and other ingredients in this recipe offer a taste journey like no other. Enjoy!

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    Jump to:
    • 📋 Recipe Features
    • 🔪 How to Make Vegan Biryani
    • 🍽 How-to Serve
    • ♨️ Recipe Tips and Substitutions
    • 💭 FAQ
    • 🍲 More Indian-Inspired Recipes You Might Like
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    📋 Recipe Features

    • Can be made on the stovetop or the Instant Pot, for ease and convenience.
    • Makes great meal prep food. Can easily be made ahead of time, reheated and enjoyed as leftovers.
    • Great on its own as a main dish, as a side dish alongside other Indian dishes, or topped off with some favorite condiments and garnishes.
    • Naturally gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, soy-free.
    hands holding a teak bowl filled with indian veg biryani sitting on burlap

    🔪 How to Make Vegan Biryani

    1. Saute onion, garlic, ginger and jalapeno in a pan for five minutes over medium-high heat.
    2. Add the cashews and toast for 2 minutes.
    3. Add the peppercorns, salt, cumin, green cardamom, garam masala, sugar, coriander, paprika and cloves. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
    4. Add the uncooked basmati rice and toast for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
    5. Add the peas, carrot, potato, cilantro, bay leaves and water. Give it a stir and turn the heat to high. Bring to a boil, cover with a lid, reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed. Remove the bay leaves and fluff with a fork before serving. Enjoy!

    (Note: See the full recipe card toward the bottom of the post for full ingredients, instructions and pressure cook instructions.)

    a peach table topped with little wooden bowls filled with exotic spices

    🍽 How-to Serve

    • Serve as is. Scoop into bowls and dig in!
    • Top off with even more vegetables - roasted or steamed.
    • Serve as a side dish alongside a curry and some naan bread.
    • Top off with yogurt, mango chutney, fresh cilantro, hot sauce and/or a protein such as tofu.

    ♨️ Recipe Tips and Substitutions

    • Biryani is traditionally made with some whole spices and does pack a special flavor punch when doing so, but if you do not have whole spices on hand, you can substitute with ground as follows: 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom.
    • Basmati is the traditional rice of choice for biryani, but Jasmine or any short or long grain white rice will work well. Brown rice will work, too, but keep in mind cooking times will differ (40 minutes on stovetop vs 20 for white).
    • I highly recommend that you do not skip the cumin seeds! They really contribute to the overall flavor.
    a teak bowl sitting on a burlap sack filled with vegan biryani indian rice dish surrounded with small wooden bowls of spices

    💭 FAQ

    Can I store and reheat this biryani?

    Yes! Once cooked Vegetarian Biryani is cooled, store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to one week. To reheat, place a portion in a skillet or pot on the stovetop over medium heat and cook, stirring frequently until warmed throughout.

    Is this dish spicy? Can I omit the jalapeno pepper?

    Despite the addition of the jalapeno, this biryani recipe isn't all that very spicy. I find the jalapeno adds a subtle bite of heat and a nice depth of flavor more than anything. But if you are sensitive to spice and would like to omit, you can do so and still achieve very similar results!

    a top shot view of a bowl filled with vegan biriyani

    🍲 More Indian-Inspired Recipes You Might Like

    Spicy Coconut Red Lentil Dal

    Gluten-Free Buckwheat Naan Bread

    Creamy Aubergine Curry

    a burlap sack topped with teak bowl filled with instant pot biryani

    📖 Recipe

    Vegan Biryani (Gluten-Free)

    This super easy and delicious Vegan Biryani is bursting with Indian-inspired flavors. It can be made on the stovetop or the Instant Pot! Naturally gluten-free.
    4.96 from 45 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Course: Entrées
    Cuisine: Indian
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Author: Kristen Wood

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons oil of choice we like coconut or avocado
    • 1 onion chopped
    • 4 garlic cloves minced
    • 1 1-inch piece of fresh ginger root minced or grated
    • 1 jalapeño pepper minced
    • ¼ cup raw cashews roughly chopped
    • 9 black peppercorns
    • 2 teaspoons sea salt or pink salt
    • 1 ½ teaspoons cumin seeds
    • 5 green cardamom pods crushed and contents emptied
    • 1 teaspoon garam masala
    • 1 teaspoon coconut sugar or granulated sweetener of choice
    • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
    • 2 cups basmati rice or any white rice
    • 1 cup green peas fresh or frozen
    • 1 carrot finely chopped
    • 1 white or yellow potato peeled and finely chopped
    • ½ fresh cilantro chopped
    • 2 bay leaves dried
    • 4 cups water 2 cups for Instant Pot method
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    Instructions

    Traditional Stovetop Method

    • In a large pot over medium-high heat, combine the oil, onion, garlic, ginger and jalapeno. Saute for 5 minutes or until the onion becomes translucent.
    • Add the cashews and toast for 2 minutes.
    • Add the peppercorns, salt, cumin, cardamom, garam masala, sugar, coriander, paprika and cloves. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
    • Add the uncooked rice and toast for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
    • Add the peas, carrot, potato, cilantro, bay leaves and water. Give it a stir and turn the heat to high. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed. Remove the bay leaves and fluff with a fork before serving. Enjoy!

    Instant Pot Method

    • Press the saute function button on your electric pressure cooker. Add oil, onion, garlic, ginger and jalapeno. Saute for 5 minutes or until the onion becomes translucent.
    • Add the cashews and toast for 2 minutes.
    • Add the peppercorns, salt, cumin, cardamom, garam masala, sugar, coriander, paprika and cloves. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
    • Add the uncooked rice and toast for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
    • Add the peas, carrot, potato, cilantro, bay leaves and 2 cups of water.
    • Place the lid on your pressure cooker and close the vent. Press the Rice function button or set to manual low pressure for 12 minutes.
    • Allow the pressure to naturally release for 2 minutes. Press cancel and open the vent. Open the lid and fluff the biryani with a fork before serving. Enjoy!

    Notes

    This recipe can also be found in my cookbook The Vegetarian Family Cookbook.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 555kcal | Carbohydrates: 100g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 1202mg | Potassium: 633mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2915IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 3mg

    Equipment

    Basmati Rice
    Cumin Seeds
    Raw Cashews
    Have you tried this recipe?Please Rate + Comment Below!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sara Welch says

      March 24, 2022 at 12:11 pm

      5 stars
      What a delicious and flavorful recipe! I love Indian food; looking forward to giving this a try! Looks too good to pass up, indeed!

      Reply
      • Kristen Wood says

        March 24, 2022 at 12:15 pm

        Thank you! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Tavo says

      March 24, 2022 at 10:59 am

      5 stars
      I love Biryani and this vegan option was spot on! Fantastic!

      Reply
    3. Dana Sandonato says

      March 24, 2022 at 10:50 am

      5 stars
      This was so hearty and cozy and delicious! Already can't wait to make it again.

      Reply
    4. Andrea says

      January 19, 2022 at 10:49 pm

      5 stars
      What a fantastic dish! I'm so excited to add this to my meatless Monday dishes. The flavor is absolutely perfect!

      Reply
    5. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

      January 19, 2022 at 8:21 pm

      5 stars
      This is absolutely delicious! I love that it’s such a crowd pleaser for the whole family

      Reply
    6. Gail Montero says

      January 19, 2022 at 7:28 pm

      5 stars
      I love Indian food and biryani is one of my favorites! I love that it's so easy to make in the instant pot! Yum, too.

      Reply
    7. Danielle Wolter says

      January 03, 2022 at 4:41 am

      5 stars
      I cannot wait to try this. I haven't ever made a biryani before but have really wanted to . This sounds like an awesome recipe - can't wait for the weekend!

      Reply
    8. Savita says

      January 03, 2022 at 2:44 am

      This vegan version of biryani sounds amazing. Can't wait to try it out.

      Reply
    9. Andrea says

      January 02, 2022 at 8:04 pm

      5 stars
      What amazing flavors in this biryani. It will be a hit on meatless Monday at my house.

      Reply
    10. Kate Hahnel says

      January 02, 2022 at 5:22 pm

      5 stars
      This is one of the best biryani recipes I have ever made! My rice was so fragrant, fluffy, and delicious. Thank you!!

      Reply
    11. Colleen says

      January 02, 2022 at 4:41 pm

      5 stars
      We love biryani, and this version was delicious. I will make it again, thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    12. Lucy says

      December 27, 2021 at 4:11 am

      5 stars
      This biryani is packed full of flavour and spices! Such a quick, easy and comforting meal, thank you.

      Reply
    13. Dannii says

      December 27, 2021 at 1:12 am

      5 stars
      I love ordering this when we order a takeaway. This vegan version looks delicious and really simple too

      Reply
    14. Sumit says

      December 26, 2021 at 11:22 pm

      Biryani are my all time favourites. Will try this recipe soon. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    15. Anjali says

      December 26, 2021 at 11:03 pm

      5 stars
      I absolutely love biryani and your vegan version was so hearty and flavorful that no one in my family missed the meat! Yum!

      Reply
      • Kristen Wood says

        December 27, 2021 at 12:14 pm

        I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing. 🙂

        Reply
    16. veenaazmanov says

      December 26, 2021 at 6:29 pm

      5 stars
      Bursting with flavors and vegan. Very interesting. Cant wait to try your recipe.

      Reply
      • Kristen Wood says

        December 26, 2021 at 7:10 pm

        Thank you!!

        Reply
    17. Irina says

      December 26, 2021 at 6:03 pm

      5 stars
      We are in love with Basmati and always look for new recipes. I made the biryani today: it was yummy and delicious!!! I will be making it again for sure. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Kristen Wood says

        December 26, 2021 at 7:10 pm

        I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing! 🙂

        Reply
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    About Kristen Wood

    Hi! I'm Kristen -- a mama, photographer, recipe developer and author of The Vegetarian Family Cookbook, Hot Sauce Cookbook for Beginners and Fermented Hot Sauce Cookbook. I enjoy sharing both wildly creative and ridiculously practical gluten-free vegetarian recipes that are approachable for all. Everything you see here is infused with a bit of nature, magic and good health.

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