With its rich blend of spices, fragrant basmati rice, and tender vegetables, it’s no surprise that this dish has gained popularity worldwide. Traditionally, Biryani is a non-vegetarian dish made with meat. I agree to be sent email.
However, with the growing trend towards plant-based diets, the demand for vegan options has increased. On that note, I am sharing the one and only recipe you will need for Vegan Dum Biryani, and I show how you can make this mouth-watering dish at home. If you like similar vegan biryani recipes, check out my Instant Pot veg biryani and aloo biryani recipe!
Why I love this
I have always been fond of Vegetable Dum Biryani. Its rich and savory flavors make it the perfect comfort food. Being vegan, I wanted to recreate this dish without compromising taste or authenticity. After several trials and adjustments, I finally perfected my recipe for Vegan Dum Biryani. This dish is not only delicious but also versatile. You can use any vegetable or protein alternatives, making it a great option for those with dietary restrictions. Special occasions call for special dishes, and this veg biryani recipe is perfect for gatherings with friends and family. It’s a crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone wanting more.
Ingredients
Basmati rice: This long-grained, fragrant rice is essential for making Biryani. Veggies: The mixture of vegetables includes carrots, cauliflower florets, green beans, green peas, and carrots. Spice Mix: The spice mix includes star anise, green cardamom, mace, bay leaves, cloves, cumin seeds, red chili powder, garam masala, turmeric powder, and saffron. Yogurt/ curd: To keep this recipe vegan, you will need a plant-based yogurt substitute. For that, I use plain almond milk yogurt. Onion Saffron strands Kewra water or rose water Fresh mint Spice powders- red chili powder, turmeric powder and garam masala
How to make this
Step 1: Preparing rice
Soak the basmati rice in water for at least 15 minutes.
Step 2: Preparing vegetables
Placa a big bottom pan over medium-high heat. Add oil, and once hot, add the thinly sliced onions. Fry them until they become golden brown. Place it aside. Add yogurt and cook for a few minutes until well combined.
Step 3: Dum biryani assembly
Repeat until the rice and vegetable mixture are done. I got 3 layers of rice and 3 layers of the vegetable mixture. Pour kewra water or rose water all over. Place a moist, clean cloth to seal the rim. You can also use aluminum foil to seal the utensil. ( I used foil) Put the lid on. Cook 10 - 15 minutes on Dum/ low flame(dum cooking). After that, turn off the heat and do not open the lid for another 5-7 minutes. Enjoy your veg dum biryani with vegan raita.
Storage and reheat
Store the Biriyani in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It takes 2-3 minutes to reheat in the microwave or 5-6 minutes to reheat on the stove in medium-low heat. In a large pan, bring adequate water to boil. Add the rinsed and soaked rice into the boiling water along with some salt. Boil it for 7 – 8 minutes and turn off the stove. Drain all excess water.
Serving suggestion
Garnish with cashews, raisins, and fried onions. Serve hot with vegan raita, mirchi ka salan, or Vegetable korma.
Top tips
Use a 1:1 ratio for rice and water for the instant pot or 1:3 for the stove pot. The cooking time during “dum” can vary slightly depending on the thickness of your utensil. So you can be the best judge for that. A perfect biryani must not burn at the bottom or be moist either. You can add plant-based protein alternatives like tofu or chickpeas for added texture and flavor. Aged basmati rice works best for this dish, as it is less starchy and cooks into individual grains without getting mushy. Instead of all the listed spices, you can use 1 ½ tablespoons of biryani masala, which you can find in any Indian grocery store. Instead of adding saffron to the rice, you can add saffron milk (saffron strands soaked in oat milk) while assembling the vegan biryani.
Related recipes
Aloo Biryani - Instant PotInstant Pot Vegetable BiryaniDum Aloo Instant PotVegan Raita For Biryani And Pulao
Just subscribe to my newsletter for more delicious vegan recipes such as this sent directly to your inbox. Follow me on social media Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
📖 Recipe
