Beetroot pulao is a delicious and nutritious dish with beets, basmati rice, and Indian spices.
It is an easy-to-make, one-pot meal with health benefits that can be prepared in minutes.
It's one of the rice recipes you can prepare with a stovetop pressure cooker or an instant pot pressure cooker. I used an Instant Pot in this recipe, which turned out great!
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Also known as Beetroot Rice, this dish has a beautiful pink hue, making it visually appealing. If you are tired of preparing the same old "beetroot poriyal" with this vegetable, it's time that you give this new recipe a shot.
My kids like anything with beets I have prepared like beetroot chutney, beet cutlets, and roasted beets. This recipe adds yet another dish to the beets list.
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Why you will love this recipe
- It's easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.
- This dish has a beautiful color that would grab anyone's attention
- Beetroot pulao is an incredibly nutritious and delicious meal. It's the best way to add nutrition to your weekday meals.
- The Instant Pot method means you can whip up this meal quickly. Cooking time is less than 30 minutes.
- If you use the Instant Pot, it's super easy to clean up after dinner - no mess, no fuss!
- You can serve it as a side or as a main dish.
- Beetroot pulao can be served with any side dish, such as cucumber raita, plain almond yogurt, salad, or curries. It is perfect for picnics, potlucks, and lunches too!
- Beetroot pulao is a great way to add more veggies to your diet. Plus, it's high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
So why not give this delicious and healthy dish a try? You won't regret it!
Ingredients
- Beets
- Basmati rice
- Garam masala and other spices
- Ginger and garlic
- Cumin seeds
- Whole spices
See the recipe card for a list of ingredients and quantities, plus recipe instructions. You can find the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Instructions
Soak basmati rice for 10 minutes.
Turn on the saute mode and set it to normal heat. Add two teaspoons of oil. When it's hot, add cumin seeds and crushed cardamom.
Saute until the cumin seeds start to sizzle. Add chopped garlic, onion, and grated ginger. Saute until the onion turns translucent.
Add spices like garam masala, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt, and saute for 10 seconds.
Add grated or shredded beet. Mix well. Add soaked and drained basmati rice and 2 ½ cups of water. Give a nice stir.
Press cancel to stop sauteing when the raw smell disappears.
Close the lid and bring the pressure valve to the sealing position.
Press the pressure cook button and set a timer for 4 minutes on high pressure.
After the timer expires, do a natural pressure release.
Remove the lid, add chopped cilantro(if desired), and lightly fluff rice with a fork.
Enjoy the beetroot rice recipe with vegan raita.
Top tips
- For best results, use basmati rice and not any other variety.
- Make sure to soak the rice before making the beetroot pulao.
- You can add more spices like green chili if you prefer it spicy.
- Mix in a teaspoon of lemon juice if the dish turns out too spicy for your liking.
- If you have time, let the cooked rice rest for 5 minutes before serving. This will help in fluffing up the rice.
- Add nuts or dried fruits like raisins for extra flavor and texture if you want to get creative.
- Add fresh peas or carrots along with the beets as a variation.
- Do not use whole beet greens for this recipe. You only need the root, not the stem or leaves for this recipe.
- Do not use the quick release button if you are cooking it on high pressure for 4 minutes.
- You can also use your favorite curry powder or biryani masala powder instead of adding all the spices individually. This will save time and make the process even easier!
Variation
- Adding green peas or potatoes makes this beetroot pulao even more delicious and nutritious.
- Instead of whole garam masala add coriander powder, cumin powder, a small cinnamon stick, and a bay leaf.
- Add ½ cup diced tomatoes and two green chilies for spicy beetroot pulao.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can certainly make the dish ahead of time. It will stay fresh and tasty for up to three days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat it on the stove or in the microwave before serving.
Yes, beetroot pulao is a great option for lunch boxes. It's packed with nutrition and can be prepared quickly. Plus, it tastes delicious when served cold or at room temperature!
Yes, you can definitely eat the whole spices from the pulao. They add a nice flavor to the dish and are totally safe to consume. You can also remove them before serving!
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📖 Recipe
Beetroot Rice Pulao Instant Pot
Equipment
Process Shot
Check above for step-by-step pictures (most of my recipes include pictures)
Ingredients
- 3 teaspoon coconut oil
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 2 green cardamoms
- 1 teaspoon ginger - grated
- 2 garlic cloves - chopped
- 1 cup onion - chopped
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- 2 cups beets - grated
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 2 ½ cup water
- 1 ½ teaspoon himalayan pink salt
- ¼ turmeric powder
Instructions
- Soak basmati rice for 10 minutes.2 cups basmati rice
- Turn on the saute mode and set it to normal heat. Add oil. When it's hot, add cumin seeds and crushed cardamom.3 teaspoon coconut oil, ½ teaspoon cumin seeds, 2 green cardamoms
- Saute until the cumin seeds start to sizzle.
- Add chopped garlic, onion, and grated ginger. Saute until the onion turns translucent.2 garlic cloves, 1 cup onion, 1 teaspoon ginger
- Add spices like garam masala, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt, and saute for 10 seconds.½ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon garam masala, ¼ turmeric powder, 1 ½ teaspoon himalayan pink salt
- Add grated or shredded beet. Mix well. Add soaked and drained basmati rice and 2 ½ cups of water. Give a nice stir.2 cups beets
- Press cancel to stop sauteing when the raw smell disappears.
- Close the lid, and bring the pressure valve to the sealing position.
- Press the pressure cook button and set a timer for 4 minutes on high pressure.
- After the timer expires, do a natural pressure release.
- Remove the lid, add chopped cilantro(if desired), and lightly fluff rice with a fork.
- Enjoy the beetroot rice recipe with vegan raita.
Notes
- For best results, use basmati rice and not any other variety.
- Make sure to soak the rice before making the beetroot pulao.
- You can add more spices like green chili if you prefer it spicy.
- Mix in a teaspoon of lemon juice if the dish turns out too spicy for your liking.
- If you have time, let the cooked rice rest for 5 minutes before serving. This will help in fluffing up the rice.
- Add nuts or dried fruits like raisins for extra flavor and texture if you want to get creative.
- Add fresh peas or carrots along with the beets as a variation.
- Do not use whole beet greens for this recipe. You only need the root, not the stem or leaves for this recipe.
- Do not use the quick release button if you are cooking it on high pressure for 4 minutes.
- You can also use your favorite curry powder or biryani masala powder instead of adding all the spices individually. This will save time and make the process even easier!
YOUR OWN NOTES
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
Geralt Rogen
Such a wonderful dish that is mighty tasty and beautiful. Thanks for the recipe
Uma Raghupathi
Thank you for your feedback, Geralt.