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    Home » Rice » Biryani & Pulao » Achari Vegetable Pulao

    Achari Vegetable Pulao | Instant Pot Recipe

    Published: Nov 3, 2022 by Pavani · 16 Comments

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    Achari Vegetable Pulao is a spicy and scrumptious dish. Achar aka Indian pickle and whole pickle spices add an amazing flavor to this recipe. I also add mix vegetables and chickpeas to make a wholesome dish.

    This is a great one pot meal perfect to make on weeknights. I make this dish in an Instant pot or pressure cooker for a quick and easy meal. Serve with some raita, or plain yogurt and enjoy!!

    White bowl with Achari vegetable Pulao with a cilantro sprig on top

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    Table of contents

    • About the recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • You might also like
    • Recipe Card

    About the recipe

    I love 'One Pot Dishes'. They are easy to make, very convenient and only 1 dish to clean. This spicy and delicious achari vegetable pulao recipe fits the bill perfectly.

    Being a south Indian many of my one pot dishes revolve around 'rice'. I have quite a few rice recipes on the blog. This achari veg pulao is a spicy and scrumptious recipe. Whole pickle spices like mustard, fennel, fenugreek and nigella seeds add a ton of flavor along with actual pickle.

    White bowl with achari vegetable pulao with a jar of pickle in the background

    Veg achari is quite a popular restaurant style side dish. So, if you are wondering what is Achari? It means that the dish is cooked with pickling spices to give the dish a spicy and scrumptious.

    This achari veg pulao recipe uses the same pickling spices and achar idea, but makes it a complete meal by cooking with rice. Adding the achar right into the dish while cooking, uniformly flavors the whole dish. Usually pickles are served with a dish and not in a dish, so that makes this dish spicy and very flavorful.

    Glass jar with spicy tomato chutney

    Chickpeas and mixed vegetables to add protein and make the dish more substantial. I usually use homemade pickles like this tomato nilava pachadi, but you can use your favorite store bought pickle as well.

    Instant pot makes this recipe so quick and easy. Serve with simple yogurt or raita and enjoy!!

    Ingredients

    For the details of the exact quantities of each ingredient and the list of ingredients needed, check the printable recipe card below.

    Here are the ingredients you need to make this achari vegetable pulao:

    • Achar/ pickle:
      • Use any of your favorite mildly spicy or extra spicy achar in this recipe.
      • I always have a jar of my mom's tomato pickle in the fridge and I use that in here. It is not very hot but definitely has a spicy kick.
      • A spoon of Andhra mango pickle (avakaya) would make this veg pulao extra spicy and absolutely delicious.
      • You can also use store bought or homemade pickle/ achar masala. Vaishali has an easy Methia Masala recipe to make right at home.
    • Pickling spices:
      • fennel
      • fenugreek
      • mustard
      • nigella
      • cardamom pods
      • asafetida (hing)
    Spiced needed for the recipe placed in white bowls - Fennel, fenugreek, mustard, nigella, cardamom
    • Rice - I love using basmati rice for its flavor and texture. But you can use any medium or long grain rice. Also feel free to substitute basmati with either brown rice or other whole grains like quinoa or millets.
    • Onion, green chilies and ginger+garlic paste.
    • Mix vegetables - I use frozen mix which has carrot, green beans, green peas and corn. Feel free to use other veggies like cauliflower, baby corn, peppers (any color), cabbage etc.
    • Chickpeas - replace with other protein like kidney beans, black eyed peas, paneer or tofu.
    Required Ingredients for achari pulao - mixed vegetables, rice, chickpeas and chutney

    Instructions

    For the detailed instructions on how to make the recipe with exact timings, check the printable recipe card below.

    Here is how to make Instant pot vegetable pulao with achar/ pickle:

    Rinse and drain the rice and soak in water in a medium bowl.

    In a pressure cooker or an instant pot (on sauté mode), heat ghee and add fennel seeds, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, nigella seeds, cardamom, cumin seeds and asafoetida. Cook till the seeds start to sputter and get fragrant, about 1 minute.

    Add the onions and ginger-garlic paste; cook till they turn lightly browned around the edges. Stir in the mixed vegetables, chickpeas, turmeric, chili powder, garam masala and salt.

    4 panel photo showing the sautéing of onions, vegetables in an instant pot.

    Add achar/ chutney and mix well to combine all the ingredients. Cook for 1 minute. Stir in the rice and mix well. Cook on medium flame.

    Add water, cilantro and mix well. Pressure cook for 2 whistles. If using the Instant Pot, cancel the sauté mode and press the pressure cook/ manual mode and cook on high for 5 minutes.

    Allow the pressure release naturally before opening the lid. Gently fluff the rice and serve hot.

    4 panel photo showing the addition of achar, rice and water to Instant pot.

    Expert Tips

    • Instead of achar/ pickle with oil, you can use 1~2 tablespoons of pickle masala to this vegetable pulao.
    • Feel free to use your favorite veggies. Cauliflower, baby corn, peppers (any color), cabbage etc. are all great options.
    • Replace chickpeas with other protein like kidney beans, black eyed peas, paneer or tofu.
    • Brown rice or quinoa or millets are great alternates to use instead of basmati in this recipe.
    • Store leftover achari pulao in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 1 month.
    • You can also make achari biryani or avakai biryani by adding avakaya pachadi to veg biryani recipe.

    You might also like

    Here are a few more quick and easy rice recipes that you might like:

    • Cheesy Italian style Fried Rice Recipe
    • How to make Jollof Rice with Brown Rice | Vegan Recipe
    • Vegetable Dum Biryani in Slow Cooker
    • Mix Vegetable Bhath
    White bowl with Achari veg pulao.

    Recipe Card

    Achari Vegetable Pulao Recipe

    Spicy and delicious Achari Vegetable Pulao. It is flavored with achar aka spicy Indian pickle and whole pickle spices. Great one pot meal!!
    Author: Pavani
    Print Pin Rate
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    Prep Time: 10 mins
    Cook Time: 30 mins
    Total Time: 40 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Indian, north indian
    Servings: 6 Servings

    Ingredients

    • 1½ cups Basmati Rice, soaked for at least 15 minutes
    • 2¾ cups Water
    • 2 tablespoons Ghee
    • 1 teaspoon Fennel seeds
    • 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
    • 1 teaspoon Fenugreek seeds
    • 1 teaspoon Nigella seeds
    • 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
    • 2 Cardamom pods
    • ½ teaspoon Asafoetida (hing)
    • 1 Large Onion, thinly sliced
    • 1 teaspoon Ginger-garlic paste
    • 2 cups Mixed vegetables (chopped carrots, green beans, cauliflower etc)
    • 1 cup Chickpeas, boiled
    • ½ teaspoon Turmeric
    • ½ teaspoon Red Chili powder
    • ½ teaspoon Garam masala
    • To taste Salt
    • 2 tablespoons Achar/ Pickle (I used some homemade tomato pickle, but any other achar would also work)
    • ¼ cup Cilantro, finely chopped

    Instructions

    • Rinse and drain the rice and soak in water in a medium bowl.
      1½ cups Basmati Rice, soaked for at least 15 minutes, 2¾ cups Water
    • In a pressure cooker or an instant pot (on saute mode), heat ghee and add fennel seeds, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, nigella seeds, cardamom, cumin seeds and asafoetida. Cook till the seeds start to sputter and get fragrant, about 1 minute.
      2 tablespoons Ghee, 1 teaspoon Fennel seeds, 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds, 1 teaspoon Fenugreek seeds, 1 teaspoon Nigella seeds, 2 Cardamom pods, ½ teaspoon Asafoetida (hing), 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
    • Add the onions and ginger-garlic paste; cook till they turn lightly browned around the edges, about 3~4 minutes.
      Stir in the mixed vegetables, chickpeas, turmeric, chili powder, garam masala and salt. Cook for 2~3 minutes.
      1 Large Onion, thinly sliced, 1 teaspoon Ginger-garlic paste, 2 cups Mixed vegetables (chopped carrots, green beans, cauliflower etc), 1 cup Chickpeas, boiled, ½ teaspoon Turmeric, ½ teaspoon Red Chili powder, ½ teaspoon Garam masala, To taste Salt
    • Add achar/ chutney and mix well to combine all the ingredients. Cook for 1 minute. Stir in the rice and mix well. Cook on medium flame for 1~2 minutes.
      2 tablespoons Achar/ Pickle (I used some homemade tomato pickle, but any other achar would also work)
    • Add water, cilantro and mix well. Pressure cook for 2 whistles. If using the Instant Pot, cancel the saute mode and press the pressure cook/ manual mode and cook on high for 5 minutes.
      ¼ cup Cilantro, finely chopped
    • Allow the pressure release naturally before opening the lid. Gently fluff the rice and serve hot.

    Video

    Notes

    • Instead of achar/ pickle with oil, you can use 1~2 tablespoons of pickle masala to this vegetable pulao.
    • Feel free to use your favorite veggies. Cauliflower, baby corn, peppers (any color), cabbage etc. are all great options.
    • Replace chickpeas with other protein like kidney beans, black eyed peas, paneer or tofu.
    • Brown rice or quinoa or millets are great alternates to use instead of basmati in this recipe.
    • Store leftover achari pulao in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 1 month.
    • You can also make achari biryani or avakai biryani by adding avakaya pachadi to veg biryani recipe.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 324kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 46mg | Potassium: 359mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3199IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cooks_hideout or tag #cookshideout!

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    Comments

    1. Srivalli

      December 03, 2016 at 8:40 am

      The pulao has surely such a lovely texture and feel..making it so filling with veggies and chickpea sounds so interesting..

      Reply
    2. Suma Gandlur

      December 03, 2016 at 1:41 pm

      This flavorful pulao looks so inviting with that perfectly made rice where each grain is standing apart.

      Reply
    3. Priya Suresh

      December 03, 2016 at 1:52 pm

      Omg, this achari vegetable pulao is just inviting me, alluring one pot meal.

      Reply
    4. Ruxana

      December 05, 2016 at 3:51 am

      Perfect and a yummy pulao

      Reply
    5. srividhya

      December 05, 2016 at 11:44 am

      interesting. I have tons of lemon pickle. I should try this with that. great share.

      Reply
    6. Vaishali Sabnani

      December 05, 2016 at 12:36 pm

      I like all the ingredients going into this pulao..it must be really delicious. Perfect Sunday lunch.

      Reply
    7. sapana

      December 06, 2016 at 12:42 pm

      This pulao looks very delicious with all those yummy ingredients going in.

      Reply
    8. Harini

      December 14, 2016 at 1:01 pm

      Super idea to use a pickle in this rice.

      Reply
    9. Carrie Robinson

      July 13, 2020 at 8:31 am

      5 stars
      This looks like the perfect side dish! Yum! 🙂

      Reply
    10. PATRICIA A CONTE

      July 13, 2020 at 8:35 am

      5 stars
      I love rice dishes, and the spices in this one sound super-fragrant and delicious! And so easy to make using the Instant Pot!

      Reply
    11. Angela

      July 13, 2020 at 9:04 am

      5 stars
      This recipe looks amazing and sounds so flavorful. I will definitely be looking for the spices mentioned so that I can try it at home.

      Reply
    12. Pam Greer

      July 13, 2020 at 9:07 am

      5 stars
      I love finding new instant pot recipes, especially meatless ones for easy weeknight meals! This recipe is perfect!

      Reply
    13. Mahy

      July 13, 2020 at 9:14 am

      5 stars
      Fabulous veggie pulao that I definitely need to try ASAP. One of the best recipes I've seen to date!

      Reply
    14. Sharon

      July 13, 2020 at 9:31 am

      5 stars
      The variety of spices creates such flavor! And I love being able to use frozen veggies.

      Reply
    15. Ashley Marie Lecker

      July 13, 2020 at 9:57 am

      5 stars
      I love all the seeds to season the rice and the chickpeas! This is such a flavorful and delicious recipe. I like this as a side when we are grilling.

      Reply
    16. Natalie

      July 15, 2020 at 10:12 am

      5 stars
      Great dinner option. I absolutely love how easy this recipe is, and family friendly. I must save this and give it a try.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Pavani! the cook in this hideout. Cook's Hideout is all about delicious vegetarian dishes from India and also from around the world. Here you will find recipes that are easy AND tasty to make.

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