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    Home » Instant Pot Recipes » Pav Bhaji | Instant Pot Pav Bhaji

    Pav Bhaji | Instant Pot Pav Bhaji

    Posted on November 19, 2020 · Last Updated on February 14, 2025 · By Srividhya G · 31 Comments

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    instant pot pav bhaji with text overlay

    Learn how to make the bhaji(mixed-vegetable curry) for the famous Indian Street Food, Pav Bhaji, in an electric pressure cooker/Instant Pot and stovetop pressure cooker.

    overhead shot of instant pot pav bhaji served in white bowl place on white plate

    This lip-smacking spicy mixed-vegetable curry served along with dinner rolls, also known as pav, is a perfect party pleaser recipe and perfect for a weekday brunch, lunch, or dinner.

    Jump to:
    • What is Pav Bhaji?
    • Pav bhaji masala
    • Veggies used for the bhaji
    • Tips for making perfect restaurant-style pav bhaji
    • Serving suggestions
    • How to Make Pav Bhaji (Instant Pot Method)
    • How to prepare the bhaji in the stove-top pressure cooker?
    • Recipe Notes
    • More recipes with pav buns
    • 📖 Recipe

    Pav Bhaji is one of our favorite recipes. We love it for any meal. Actually, we can have chaat dishes for brunch, lunch, or dinner. When I made the masala puri, I served it for our dinner.

    What is Pav Bhaji?

    As mentioned before, pav bhaji is a popular Indian street food famous in Mumbai, Maharashtra. 

    Pav means dinner rolls, and bhaji is nothing but a spicy mixed-vegetable curry where the vegetables are mashed thoroughly. We usually serve the piping hot bhaji topped with a dollop of butter along with pav buns or the dinner rolls. Pav and bhaji are inseparable, and it is always known as pav bhaji. 

    Pav bhaji masala

    Let me be honest here. I have never made Pav Bhaji masala from scratch and have always relied on store-bought pav bhaji masala. I have tried both MDH and Everest brands of masala, and I like them both. There are several other brands too, and you can find them easily in Indian groceries and on Amazon online. The spice level might vary depending upon the brand, so you should adjust it according to your preference. 

    For this recipe, I went with the MDH masala. As kiddo can handle spicy food, I started increasing the spice level a bit. Here I have used 1.5 tbsp bhaji masala and 1 tbsp of red chili powder. It is slightly on the spicier side. You can always adjust it according to your preference. 

    You can add a small jaggery piece, which balances out the flavor even though I haven’t added jaggery for this recipe.

    close up shot of pav bhaji placed on a white bowl with a spoon inside

    Veggies used for the bhaji

    And coming to vegetables, apart from onions and tomatoes, I usually add some carrots, peas, potatoes, and cauliflower along with bell peppers. I always love to add colored bell peppers to make the dish more colorful.

    Coming to potatoes and cauliflower, I have tried using equal measures of potatoes and cauliflower. I have also tried using more potatoes than cauliflower. Do not overload your bhaji with veggies, though. 

    Tips for making perfect restaurant-style pav bhaji

    • I love that bright red-colored pav bhaji, and I add some tomato paste and Kashmiri red chili powder for the same. I have included 1 tbsp of store-bought tomato paste and ½ tbsp Kashmiri red chill powder in this recipe. The tomato paste is entirely optional. 
    • Don’t skimp on the butter. Use a generous amount while toasting the pav buns and also while serving the bhaji.
    • As always, fresh ingredients adds its magic. I always use fresh ginger and garlic instead of the ginger-garlic paste. Trust me, folks, it makes a huge difference. 
    • You cannot find a pav bhaji plate without a lime/lemon wedge and some onions. Don’t miss them. Add some butter and lemon/lime juice just before serving. Along with onions, I love to include some bell peppers as it adds a nice crunch. 
    • I use my hand-blender or the immersion blender to mash the veggies. No, I don’t puree my veggies. I blend them coarsely. 
    • Do not add more than 1 cup of water while making the curry. Mashing the veggies helps to thicken the gravy but don’t add more than the required amount of water.
    close up shot of pav bhaji placed on a white bowl

    Serving suggestions

    Usually, bhaji is served hot with a dollop of butter and some lime wedges, diced/sliced onions, and the toasted pav buns. You can use store-bought pav buns, or you can make it at home as well. I have the wheat pav buns recipe on my blog.

    You can find eggless pav buns in Indian Stores, or you can buy the dinner rolls from a bakery. 

    Pav bhaji is more like Indian sloppy Joes, the vegetarian version of the sloppy joes. 

    square image of pav bhaji served on white plate

    Now let’s see the pav bhaji recipe.

    How to Make Pav Bhaji (Instant Pot Method)

    • Set the Instant Pot in saute mode, and after 30 seconds, add the oil and 1 tbsp of butter. Let the butter melt and when the oil is hot, add the finely chopped onion, garlic, and ginger. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes.
    sauteing onions, ginger and garlic
    • Mix 1 tbsp of tomato paste with ⅓cup of water without any lumps. Add this tomato paste water, chopped tomatoes, pav bhaji masala, salt, and red chili powder.
    adding tomato paste and spices
    • Mix well and cook this mixture for 5 minutes.
    cooking tomatoes
    • Now add all the veggies – potatoes, peas, cauliflower, carrots, and bell peppers. 
    adding veggies
    • Add the remaining ⅔ cup of water and mix well. 
    adding veggies and water
    • Turn off the Instant Pot. Close the Instant Pot. Make sure the vent is in the sealing position. Select manual/pressure cook and set the time to 5-minutes at high-pressure mode. When the cooking is complete, let the pressure release naturally. Carefully open the lid after releasing the pressure, and here is how the bhaji looks. It might be a little watery, and that’s ok. As we blend and cook, it will thicken.
    cooked pav bhaji
    • Using a hand blender, blend the bhaji coarsely.
    blend the pav bhaji coarsely
    • Mix well and set the Instant Pot back in saute mode. Let it cook for two to three minutes. Then add the chopped cilantro and more butter. Mix well and turn off the Instant Pot.
    add butter and cilantro

    How to prepare the bhaji in the stove-top pressure cooker?

    • Heat a pressure pan or cooker and heat the oil and butter in the cooker. When it is hot, add the onion, garlic, and ginger and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. 
    • Mix 1 tbsp of tomato paste with ⅓cup of water without any lumps. Add this tomato paste water, chopped tomatoes, pav bhaji masala, salt, and red chili powder. Mix well and cook this mixture for 5 minutes.
    • Now add all the veggies – potatoes, peas, cauliflower, carrots, and bell peppers. Add the remaining ⅔ cup of water and mix well. 
    • Pressure cook for three whistles and let the pressure release naturally. Using a hand blender, blend the bhaji coarsely. You can also use a potato masher and mash the veggies. Mix well and let it cook for two to three minutes.
    • Now add the chopped cilantro and more butter. Mix well and turn off the heat.

    Cook the pav buns

    • Heat the tawa or griddle and add little butter. 
    • Cut the pav buns horizontally and open the buns. You can leave the edges intact or cut them into two halves. Toast the pav buns on both sides. Pav buns are now ready.

    Serving the pav bhaji

    • Plate the toasted pav buns with the prepared bhaji. Add some extra butter to the bhaji and garnish it with finely chopped cilantro. Serve it along with some lemon/lime wedges (or drizzle some lemon juice) and with chopped onion-bell pepper mix.
    instant pot pav bhaji served in white bowl and on a white plate with a side of bhaji on the side

    Recipe Notes

    • You can adjust the veggies according to your preference and what you have in your refrigerator. 
    • The tomato paste is entirely optional. It adds a slightly tangy flavor and also helps with the bright red color. 
    • Adjust the veggies as per your preference. Do not overload your bhaji with veggies, though. 
    • Adjust the salt and pav bhaji masala and the red chili powder as per your preference. 
    • I did not use any turmeric powder or Kasuri methi in this recipe. Some recipes call for Kasuri methi, but I have always tried without it. 
    • Also, I don’t add garam masala or any cumin seeds. (

    More recipes with pav buns

    • Vada Pav
    • Misal Pav
    • Dabeli Sandwich looking extra inviting and served with pomegranate seeds on a white plate
      Dabeli | Dabeli Sandwich

    PS:  If you try this pav bhaji, please don’t forget to comment and rate this recipe. If you have any questions, please leave a comment, and I will get to it A.S.A.P.  Make sure to follow me on my Pinterest for more healthy and delicious ideas! Follow me on Instagram or join my Facebook Group for more gardening and recipe updates! You can also sign-up for my newsletter for weekly updates.

    📖 Recipe

    square image of pav bhaji served on white plate
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    5 from 2 votes

    Pav Bhaji | Instant Pot Pav Bhaji

    Learn how to make the bhaji(mixed-vegetable curry) for the famous Indian Street Food, Pav Bhaji, in an electric pressure cooker/Instant Pot and stovetop pressure cooker.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time30 minutes mins
    Total Time45 minutes mins
    Course: Brunch, Entree, lunch
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 416kcal
    Author: Srividhya G

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker
    • Tawa or Griddle

    Ingredients

    Measurement Details: 1 cup = 240ml; 1 tbsp=15ml; 1tsp=5ml;

    For the bhaji

    • 2 tbsp oil you can reduce it to 1 tbsp
    • 2 tbsp butter divided
    • 1 onion finely chopped, approx 200 grams, set aside 1 tbsp to garnish
    • 2 garlic roughly grated
    • 1- inch ginger peeled and roughly grated
    • 2 tomatoes chopped, I used big ones approx 230 grams
    • 1 tbsp tomato paste optional, but I highly recommend
    • ⅓ cup carrots chopped
    • ¼ cup peas if using frozen thaw it to room temperature
    • 250 grams potatoes peeled and chopped
    • 250 grams cauliflower
    • 1 cup bell peppers approx 120 grams, divided ( I used ¾ cup for the bhaji and used the remaining for garnishing)
    • 1.5 tbsp pav bhaji masala or to taste
    • ½ tbsp Kashmiri red chili powder or to taste
    • 1.5 tsp salt or to taste
    • 1 cup water divided ⅓ cup + ⅔ cup
    • 3 tbsp cilantro finely chopped

    For Pav

    • 12 dinner rolls/pav buns or as required
    • 2 tbsp butter or as required to toast the buns

    To garnish

    • 1 tbsp onion finely chopped + few onion slices
    • 1 lemon cut into in small wedges
    • 1 tbsp butter optional
    • ¼ cup bell pepper finely chopped
    • 2 tbsp cilantro finely chopped

    Instructions

    • Set the Instant Pot in saute mode, and after 30 seconds, add the oil and 1 tbsp of butter. Let the butter melt and when the oil is hot, add the finely chopped onion, garlic, and ginger. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes.
      sauteing onions, ginger and garlic
    • Mix 1 tbsp of tomato paste with ⅓cup of water without any lumps. Add this tomato paste water, chopped tomatoes, pav bhaji masala, salt, and red chili powder.
      adding tomato paste and spices
    • Mix well and cook this mixture for 5 minutes.
      cooking tomatoes
    • Now add all the veggies – potatoes, peas, cauliflower, carrots, and bell peppers.
      adding veggies
    • Add the remaining ⅔ cup of water and mix well.
      adding veggies and water
    • Turn off the Instant Pot. Close the Instant Pot. Make sure the vent is in the sealing position. Select manual/pressure cook and set the time to 5-minutes at high-pressure mode. When the cooking is complete, let the pressure release naturally. Carefully open the lid after releasing the pressure, and here is how the bhaji looks. It might be a little watery, and that’s ok. As we blend and cook, it will thicken.
      cooked pav bhaji
    • Using a hand blender, blend the bhaji coarsely.
      blend the pav bhaji coarsely
    • Mix well and set the Instant Pot back in saute mode. Let it cook for two to three minutes. Then add the chopped cilantro and more butter. Mix well and turn off the Instant Pot.
      add butter and cilantro
    • Heat the tawa or griddle and add little butter. Cut the pav buns horizontally and open the buns. You can leave the edges intact or cut them into two halves. Toast the pav buns on both sides. Pav buns are now ready. Plate the toasted pav buns with the prepared bhaji. Add some extra butter to the bhaji and garnish it with cilantro. Serve it along with some lemon/lime wedges and with chopped onion-bell pepper mix.
      square image of pav bhaji served on white plate

    Notes

    • You can adjust the veggies according to your preference and what you have in your refrigerator. 
    • The tomato paste is entirely optional. It adds a slightly tangy flavor and also helps with the bright red color. 
    • Adjust the veggies as per your preference. Do not overload your bhaji with veggies, though. 
    • Adjust the salt and pav bhaji masala and the red chili powder as per your preference. 
    • I did not use any turmeric powder or Kasuri methi in this recipe. Some recipes call for Kasuri methi, but I have always tried without it. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 416kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 1173mg | Potassium: 515mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 3104IU | Vitamin C: 80mg | Calcium: 182mg | Iron: 4mg

    I am not a nutritionist. The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It varies depending upon the product types or brands.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @vidhyasvegetariankitchen or tag #vidhyasvegkitchen
    For Video RecipesCheck out My YouTube Channel

    Update Notes: This recipe was originally posted in 2015 but now updated with new pics, the Instant Pot method of making pav bhaji, more tips, and recipe cards with nutrition.

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    Filed Under: Blogging Marathon, Breakfast / Tiffins, Gravy, Instant Pot Indian Recipes, Instant Pot Recipes Tagged With: Blogging Marathon, How to make Bhaji, how to prepare pav bhaji, kids friendly pav bhaji, maharashtra recipes, Maharashtrian, Pav Bhaji, pav bhaji recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sankalp Packaged Foods says

      September 22, 2023 at 1:18 am

      Its amazing dish recipe you have shared . This recipe provides instructions on how to make pav bhaji in an Instant Pot or stovetop pressure cooker a yummy and delicious. pav bhaji beloved fast food of every indian. you enjoy make at home and order at a restaurant. its such a wonderful pav bhaji recipe making process in this article.

      Reply
    2. Radhika Sharma says

      October 19, 2021 at 9:27 pm

      Thank you for reminding me of my favorite Sunday breakfast, Pav bhaji. But I couldn’t make it that perfect whenever I tried myself.

      I liked your cooking instructions, significantly adding the chopped cilantro and more butter. I remember eating my favorite Indian dish a few months ago at best restaurants in Chandigarh. Thank you for inspiring me.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        October 20, 2021 at 6:42 am

        Thanks.

        Reply
    3. Mireille Roc (@ChefMireille) says

      October 04, 2015 at 10:07 pm

      I made this before for previous BM theme and loved it but of course I took the difficult route and made the pav too. regardless this is a dish I would love to dig into…again

      Reply
    4. Suma Gandlur says

      September 28, 2015 at 9:33 am

      That is one popular and delicious combo you have got there. Love it.

      Reply
    5. themadscientistskitchen says

      September 23, 2015 at 8:11 am

      Love pav bhaji a lot. You have reminded me that I have not made it in ages.

      Reply
    6. Gayathri Kumar says

      September 20, 2015 at 2:05 am

      Pav Bhaji looks absolutely delicious and inviting…

      Reply
    7. Pavani says

      September 18, 2015 at 2:55 pm

      Such a classic dish from Mumbai. Your pav bhaji looks yummy.

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        September 18, 2015 at 8:48 pm

        Thanks Pavani

        Reply
    8. Srivalli says

      September 15, 2015 at 1:59 am

      Very nice presentation..I love Pav bhaji..

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        September 15, 2015 at 2:26 pm

        Thanks a lot Valli

        Reply
    9. Sandhiya says

      September 14, 2015 at 9:43 am

      Our family fav too.. Loved your version of bhaji..

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        September 14, 2015 at 8:14 pm

        Thanks Sandhiya

        Reply
    10. Harini says

      September 12, 2015 at 8:09 pm

      Our fav go-to dinner these days.

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        September 12, 2015 at 9:02 pm

        :-) Thanks

        Reply
    11. Priya says

      September 11, 2015 at 11:29 pm

      My all time favourite, just can take my eyes from ur spread..

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        September 12, 2015 at 1:41 pm

        :-) Thanks Priya

        Reply
    12. Sneha datar says

      September 10, 2015 at 3:00 am

      Delicious wish I could get that plate to have the pav bhaji now.

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        September 10, 2015 at 6:59 am

        Thanks Sneha. I wish I could send some

        Reply
    13. cookingwithauntjuju.com says

      September 09, 2015 at 5:21 am

      Your recipe has all of the veggies I like – really looks and sounds good :)

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        September 09, 2015 at 8:52 am

        Thanks Juju :-)

        Reply
    14. CHCooks says

      September 09, 2015 at 3:52 am

      I love Pav Bhaji :) This post is tempting me to make it tonight :)

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        September 09, 2015 at 8:52 am

        :-) :-) Are you making it?

        Reply
    15. cookingwithsapana says

      September 08, 2015 at 11:03 am

      I love pav bhaji and your pictures tempted me to make some now.

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        September 08, 2015 at 2:41 pm

        Do it yaar.. :-) Thanks

        Reply
    16. Padma says

      September 08, 2015 at 9:21 am

      My favorite nicely made…

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        September 08, 2015 at 2:40 pm

        Thanks Padma

        Reply
    17. Vaishali Sabnani says

      September 08, 2015 at 6:46 am

      Every one has their own way of making Pav Bhaji . This is one special Maharashtrian dish which is relished by all.

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        September 08, 2015 at 2:40 pm

        Yup. Thanks Vaishali

        Reply
    18. usha says

      September 08, 2015 at 6:36 am

      Though I have eaten Pav Bhaji many times at various places, never taste it in Bombay during my few trips to the city.

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        September 08, 2015 at 2:40 pm

        me too. :-(

        Reply
    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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