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    Home » Rice » Biryani & Pulao » Kerala Vegetable Biryani

    Kerala Vegetable Biryani Recipe | Vegetarian

    Published: Jan 17, 2015 · Modified: Jun 13, 2020 by Pavani · Leave a Comment

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    This Kerala Vegetable Biryani is packed with flavor and vegetables. Cooked in Kerala style with coconut milk and spices, this dish is sure to wow everyone.

    White baking pan with rice topped with nuts, raisins and herbs

    I love biryanis. I love making them and eating them. It is that love that made me try quite a few varieties from all over India. Being a Hyderabadi, I have a delicious Hyderabadi Biryani recipe that is a sure hit every time I make it.

    Kerala Style Cooking:

    So in my quest to try other biryani recipes, I have a variation from Kerala that is packed with flavor and tons of veggies. In typical Kerala style, the veggies in this recipe are cooked in coconut milk and lots of spices. They are then layered with spiced basmati rice and cooked covered for the flavors to mingle.

    The addition of fried raisins and cashews in the garnish adds a sweet nuttiness to the biryani. Fried curry leaves are added as garnish along with cilantro and mint which gives a nice Kerala or South Indian touch to this dish.

    White Plate with Kerala Vegetable Biryani

    How to make Kerala Veg Biryani:

    The process and ingredient list is a little long, so give yourself some time. But it is going to be totally worth it at the end. I have broken down the recipe into layers here:

    First make the Rice Layer:

    Boil 3~4 cups of water along with the spices and salt. Add the rice and boil for 6~7 minutes or until the rice is 70~80% cooked. Drain and set the rice aside until ready to use.

    Make Vegetable Layer:

    • Heat oil in pan, add cardamom, cloves and cinnamon stick. Fry till the spices get fragrant, about 30 seconds.
    • Add the onions and cook till they start turning lightly browned around the edges. Add the ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 minute.
    • Next add the potatoes and mixed vegetables. Add the coconut milk and all the spices. Cover and cook till the veggies are cooked through, about 10~15 minutes.
    • Once the veggies are cooked, add the lemon juice, stir well and set aside.

    Prep the Garnish:

    • Heat oil in pan, add the cashews, curry leaves and raisins. Fry till cashews turn golden and raisins plump up. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
    • In the remaining oil, add the sliced onions and fry on medium flame, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden and crisp.

    To Assemble:

    • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a baking dish with cooking spray.
    • Layer half the veggie mixture in the bottom of the pan followed by half of the rice. Sprinkle half of the chopped herbs and fried onions. Finally top this with the remaining vegetables, rice, herbs and fried onions in that order.
    • Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20~30 minutes.
    • Alternately this can be cooked in a heavy bottom pan on the stove top.

    Notes:

    • Vegetable layer can be made up to 2 days ahead of time. Make sure to store in an airtight container in the fridge.
    • It is best to eat biryani hot right out of the oven. But leftovers can be stored for up to 2 days and reheated in the microwave until warm before serving.
    • This Kerala Vegetable Biryani can be made on the stove top too. Use a heavy bottom pan. Layer half the veggie mixture in the bottom of the pan followed by half of the rice. Sprinkle half of the chopped herbs and fried onions. Finally top this with the remaining vegetables, rice, herbs and fried onions in that order. Cover tightly with a aluminum foil and a tight fitting lid and cook for 15~20 minutes on medium-low flame.
    • Serve with a simple raita for a filling meal.
    Vegetarian Kerala Biryani

    Kerala Vegetable Biryani (Vegetarian Recipe)

    This Kerala Vegetable Biryani is packed with flavor and vegetables. Cooked in Kerala style with coconut milk and spices, this dish is sure to wow everyone.
    Author: Pavani
    Print Pin Rate
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time: 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 1 hour hr
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: kerala, south indian
    Servings: 4 Servings

    Ingredients

    For the Rice:

    • 1½ cups Basmati Rice
    • 1 Bay leaf
    • 3 Cardamom pods
    • 3 Cloves
    • 1" Cinnamon piece
    • To taste Salt
    • 2 tsp Oil

    For the Vegetable Layer:

    • 2 tbsp Oil
    • 2 Cardamom pods
    • 1" Cinnamon Stick
    • 4 Cloves
    • 2 Large Onion, thinly sliced
    • 1 tsp Ginger-garlic paste
    • 1~2 Green Chilies, slit
    • 1 Medium Potato, peeled and diced
    • 1½ cups Mixed Vegetables (I used frozen mixed vegetables, but any veggies like carrot, green beans, green peas, cauliflower, peppers etc can be used)
    • 1 cup Coconut Milk
    • ½ tsp Ground Coriander
    • ½ tsp Ground Fennel
    • ½~1 tsp Red Chili powder (adjust as per taste preference)
    • ¼ tsp Black Pepper powder
    • ¼ tsp Turmeric
    • 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
    • ¼ cup Mint leaves, finely chopped
    • ¼ cup Cilantro leaves, finely chopped
    • To taste Salt

    For Garnish:

    • 2 tbsp Oil
    • 1 Large Onion, thinly sliced
    • 3 tbsp Cashews
    • 10~12 Curry leaves
    • 2 tbsp Raisins
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions

    To make the rice layer:

    • Boil 3~4 cups of water along with the spices and salt. Add the rice and boil for 6~7 minutes or until the rice is 70~80% cooked. Drain and set the rice aside until ready to use.

    To make the Vegetable Layer:

    • Heat oil in pan, add cardamom, cloves and cinnamon stick. Fry till the spices get fragrant, about 30 seconds.
    • Add the onions and cook till they start turning lightly browned around the edges. Add the ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 minute.
    • Next add the potatoes and mixed vegetables. Add the coconut milk and all the spices. Cover and cook till the veggies are cooked through, about 10~15 minutes.
    • Once the veggies are cooked, add the lemon juice, stir well and set aside.

    Prep the Garnish:

    • Heat oil in pan, add the cashews, curry leaves and raisins. Fry till cashews turn golden and raisins plump up. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
    • In the remaining oil, add the sliced onions and fry on medium flame, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden and crisp.

    To Assemble:

    • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a baking dish with cooking spray.
    • Layer half the veggie mixture in the bottom of the pan followed by half of the rice. Sprinkle half of the chopped herbs and fried onions. Finally top this with the remaining vegetables, rice, herbs and fried onions in that order.
    • Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20~30 minutes.
    • Alternately this can be cooked in a heavy bottom pan on the stove top.*

    Notes

    • To cook on the stove top: Use a heavy bottom pan. Layer half the veggie mixture in the bottom of the pan followed by half of the rice. Sprinkle half of the chopped herbs and fried onions. Finally top this with the remaining vegetables, rice, herbs and fried onions in that order. Cover tightly with a aluminum foil and a tight fitting lid and cook for 15~20 minutes on medium-low flame.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cooks_hideout or tag #cookshideout!

    More Biryani Ideas:

    Each region in India has a different style of cooking. So, all of the various biryanis I have tried have different spice and ingredient combinations. Here are a few interesting biryani recipes that you might like.

    • Makhani Paneer Biryani
    • Vegetable Biryani in Slow Cooker
    • Dal Biryani
    White baking dish with Kerala Vegetable Biryani

    More Biryani & Pulao

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      Chettinad Vegetable Biryani Recipe
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      Qabooli Biryani Recipe
    • Achari Vegetable Pulao | Instant Pot Recipe
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      Methi Chana Pulao | Instant Pot Recipe
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    Comments

    1. Varadas Kitchen

      January 17, 2015 at 2:56 pm

      No one is fond of the well done bottom layer in my house so baking works best for me. I love the look of the garnish on the biryani.

      Reply
    2. Nivedhanams Sowmya

      January 18, 2015 at 4:03 am

      delicious and flavorful biriyani!!! so loving it...

      Reply
    3. vaishali sabnani

      January 18, 2015 at 4:07 am

      Instantly book marked...and this shall be on my SundayLunch menu for the coming week. I am loving the fried cashews, raising and curry leaves...wow the aroma of the Biryani must have been amazing...fantastic choice Pavani.

      Reply
    4. Sandhya Ramakrishnan

      January 19, 2015 at 4:07 pm

      Love ll those garnishes and I can almost smell the biriyani here!

      Reply
    5. Srivalli

      January 20, 2015 at 9:33 am

      Pavani, you have got a winner there..such beautifully done biryani...I am sure I am going to enjoy your series..

      Reply
    6. Rafeeda AR

      January 20, 2015 at 11:54 am

      If there is one biriyani I have not tried, then that's with vegetables, then I will have to make a side to make my folks at home... but seeing ur biriyani, I am so tempted to make them soon... looks so aromatic...

      Reply
    7. Srividhya Gopalakrishnan

      January 20, 2015 at 9:43 pm

      Love the idea of nuts in biriyani.

      Reply
    8. Priya Suresh

      January 21, 2015 at 5:59 am

      U are pulling me to make this briyani very soon, i second vaishali, am in love with that toppings, soooo irresistible.

      Reply
    9. sushma

      January 21, 2015 at 4:20 pm

      Looks colorful and delicious biryani.

      Reply
    10. Harini-Jaya Rupanagudi

      January 22, 2015 at 2:20 am

      Stunning pictures for the already tempting Biryani, Pavani.

      Reply
    11. sneha datar

      January 22, 2015 at 10:30 am

      A colorfull and flavorful briyani , loved it.

      Reply
    12. Jayanthi Sindhiya

      January 28, 2015 at 10:58 am

      Your pictures make me so hungry ( I just had lunch!..) Biryani looks excellent!!

      Reply
    13. Archana Potdar

      January 30, 2015 at 3:15 pm

      Pavani I have not had my evening snack and I am starving. your pics rae not helping me. Drooooooooooooooooooooooling.

      Reply
    14. info

      November 28, 2015 at 4:02 am

      "Wow, great blog article.Really thank you! Veg Biryani

      Reply
    15. Julia Roberts

      November 28, 2015 at 4:59 am

      Wow! very nice. looking so delicious. Thank you so much for sharing.south indian vegetarian restaurant

      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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