Vegetable Biryani

This vegan vegetable biryani is fragrant, flavourful, and perfect for pairing with all your favourite Indian curries! It’s loaded with vegetables, so you can make a meal of it or serve it as a side dish.

On the whole, Indian cuisine tends to be very vegan friendly, but there’s a hidden dairy ingredient in many popular dishes: ghee. When I was a vegetarian, I loved vegetable biryani, but now that I’m vegan, I have to forego the restaurant version and make it myself. But that’s okay! Because this vegan vegetable biryani is delicious.

If you haven’t had it before, vegetable biryani is an Indian dish made with rice, vegetables, spices, and herbs. The name is derived from the Persian word “birian,” which means “fried before cooking.” This refers to the way in which the spices and vegetables are cooked together in a pot before adding the rice. The combination of flavours creates a mouthwatering, aromatic one-dish meal that is sure to please everyone at the dinner table. 

To really bring out the flavors in this dish, try using freshly ground spices. This will enhance the flavour of the biryani and give it some authentic Indian flair!

Notes on ingredients

Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.

• Olive oil – You can use vegetable oil or canola oil in place of olive oil.
• Raw cashew pieces
• Yellow onions – White onions are fine, too.
• Garlic 
• Ginger – Use fresh ginger root, not ground. The flavour is much stronger!
• Cinnamon stick
• Cloves
• Bay leaves
• Ground coriander
• Garam masala
• Cayenne pepper – You can use less for a milder vegetable biryani, or omit it.
• Star anise
• Turmeric – Ground turmeric gives biryani its signature golden colour.
• Green bell pepper
• Cauliflower florets 
• Russet potato – You can substitute another potato variety if you’d like.
• Salt 
• Peas – Not a fan of peas? Try swapping them out for edamame or chickpeas.
• Plain unsweetened vegan yogurt – Use store-bought or homemade vegan yogurt.
• Coconut milk – Use full-fat coconut milk here.
• Vegetable broth – I use my homemade vegetable broth from veggie scraps.
• Basmati rice – Rinse this well, until the water runs clear.
• Cilantro 

How Is Basmati Rice Different from Regular Rice?

Basmati rice is a type of long-grain rice commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines. It has a nutty aroma (some say it smells like popcorn!), and when cooked, it becomes light and fluffy. It’s much more flavourful than your standard white or brown rice, so it’s the preferred choice when making vegetable biryani.

How to Make Vegan Vegetable Biryani

Once you’ve gathered all of your ingredients, making vegetable biryani is a breeze! Here’s what you’ll need to do.

Prepare. Warm a teaspoon of oil in a large pot or Dutch oven set over medium heat.

Toast the cashews. Add the cashew pieces to the heated oil and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown. Transfer the toasted cashews to a small bowl or plate.

Cook the onions, garlic, and ginger. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the pot and add the onions. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until just softened. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for a minute or two, or until fragrant.

Bloom the spices. Add another tablespoon of oil to the pot, along with the cinnamon stick, cloves, bay leaves, coriander, garam masala, cayenne pepper, star anise, and turmeric. Cook for about a minute, or until the spices are fragrant.

Cook the vegetables. Stir the potato, bell pepper, cauliflower, and salt into the pot. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, stirring often. Remove the lid and stir in the peas. If you’re using the vegan yogurt, stir it in at this point and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the rice. Stir the rice, broth, and coconut milk into the pot. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.

Finish. Sprinkle the toasted cashews and fresh cilantro over the biryani and serve warm.

Tips for Success

These tips will help you make sure your vegetable biryani turns out perfect!

• Rinse the rice before cooking it. This will make it less sticky and more fluffy once cooked.
• Keep a close eye on the spices. Don’t walk away from the stovetop when you’re blooming the spices. You want them toasted and fragrant, not burnt!
• Don’t turn up the heat. Simmer the rice over low heat and check once in a while to make sure the liquid hasn’t cooked off. Add more broth if needed.

Variations

Vegetable biryani is the kind of versatile dish that can be easily customised to your tastes. Here are a few ideas for changing things up:

• Use other vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, or mushrooms.
• Toss in some chickpeas, tofu, or tempeh for a boost of protein.
• Add dried fruit like raisins, chopped apricots, or currants for a sweet twist.

Serving Suggestions

I love serving this vegetable biryani as part of a full vegan Indian feast. Serve it alongside:

• Vegan Mulligatawny Soup
• Vegan Butter Chicken (With Tofu!)
• Easy Chickpea Tikka Masala
• Vegan Garlic Naan

How to Store

Vegetable biryani can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat it in the microwave, or in a skillet over low heat.

Can This Recipe Be Frozen?

Yes, vegetable biryani can be frozen. Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container or zip-top freezer bag and freeze it for up to 3 months. To serve, allow the biryani to thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat according to the instructions above.

More Vegan Rice Dishes

• Vegan Instant Pot Risotto
• Congri (Cuban Rice and Black Beans)
• Vegan Arancini Fried Rice Balls (With Air Fryer Option)
• Jamaican Rice and Peas

Enjoy friends! If you make this vegetable biryani, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!