If there’s one takeout-inspired recipe you have to try, it’s this Easy Vegan Biryani. It’s an ultra-flavorful rice dish made in one pot with vegetables and Indian spices. This simplified version substitutes the effort, but not the flavor!
Quick and easy vegetarian biryani recipe
This virtually hands-off, one-pot Easy Vegan Biryani recipe is a must-try for dinner. It’s a simplified and veganized version of the traditional South Asian dish but is just as fragrant and aromatic as the classic. Make it yourself to find out why it’s one of the most popular takeout dishes!
A more authentic biryani recipe involves multiple steps, resulting in an ultra-flavorful pot of rice mixed with spices, aromatics, and meat. This easy biryani recipe is much more simple. It’s vegan-friendly and made with a medley of frozen and fresh vegetables, Indian spices, and, of course, rice. It all comes together in about 30 minutes, leaving you with a beautiful meal for weeknight dinners or a takeout-inspired feast!
What is biryani?
Biryani is a mixed rice dish from South Asia (it’s very popular throughout Afghanistan, Iran, India, and Pakistan). Although the ingredients and flavors can vary from region to region, most biryani recipes feature rice, spices, aromatics, and meat. The deep layers of flavors and vibrant spices make biryani one of the most popular takeout dishes.
The traditional way of cooking biryani can involve a lot of steps and time, like marinating meat, parboiling rice, browning onions, and preparing saffron-infused milk. This easy vegan biryani (which is far from traditional) skips the extra time, uses simple ingredients, and is easy to prepare in one pot.
Ingredients needed (with substitutions)
- Basmati rice – Because it just wouldn’t be a biryani recipe without the rice! If you don’t have basmati, you can use another long-grain rice.
- Onion, ginger, and garlic – These aromatics provide the dish with a beautiful baseline of flavor.
- Vegetable medley – You can use fresh or frozen vegetables. I used a mix of carrots, cauliflower, peas, and green beans.
- Potatoes – White or yellow potatoes often make an appearance in biryani but aren’t always included. I used Yukon gold potatoes but Russet or red potatoes would work just as well.
- Chickpeas
- Raisins – These are optional but add a nice sweetness to each bite.
- Spices – You need garam masala, turmeric, coriander, cumin, cayenne, and cinnamon. Try not to substitute or omit any of these spices as they’re necessary for the robust and aromatic flavor profile.
- Vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper
- Water
How to make easy vegan biryani
Find the complete instructions with measurements, temperatures, and cook times on the recipe card below.
Saute the onion in an oiled skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s soft and translucent, add the ginger and garlic. Pour the water, vegetables, chickpeas, raisins, and spices into the skillet and stir well.
Pour in the vegetable broth and rice. Stir, then bring it up to a boil. Cover with a lid and leave the mixture to cook until the rice is soft and has absorbed all of the liquid.
When it’s ready, take off the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Put the lid back on and let it sit for a few more minutes. Serve the biryani with cilantro and sliced almonds on top, then enjoy!
Serving suggestions
Vegan raita or vegan naan bread is a must on the side of biryani! Use the bread as a replacement for utensils to scoop up the rice and veggies, and to soak up every last bit of those beautiful flavors.
If you’re pairing it on the side of a vegan Indian-inspired takeout night, be sure to make my red lentil dahl, tikka masala, or roasted curried cauliflower recipes as well.
Want more vegan Indian-inspired recipes?
Easy Vegan Biryani
Ingredients
Onion, ginger and garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium red or yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup water
Vegetables
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and sliced diagonally
- 1 yukon gold potato, peeled and chopped small
- 1 cup cauliflower florets
- 1/2 cup frozen green peas
- 1/2 cup frozen green beans
- 15 ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup golden or regular raisins, optional
Spices
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Broth and rice
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups basmati rice, rinsed well
Instructions
- First, prepare all your ingredients. Chop all the vegetables, drain the beans and add all spices to a small bowl. This will make cooking a breeze.
- Warm the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the onion and cook until translucent, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes.
- Add the ginger and garlic and sauté for 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Add the water and stir so the garlic and ginger don't burn. Add the vegetables, chickpeas and raisins, if using, and stir well.
- Now add the spices, salt and pepper and stir well, coating the vegetables.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and add the rinsed rice. Stir well, bring to a boil, then cover and turn the heat down to medium-low. Cook for 15-20 minutes, until the rice is cooked.
- Fluff the rice with a fork, then re cover the pan and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Serve with chopped cilantro and sliced almonds, if desired. Enjoy! Serve with vegan raita and naan bread.
Notes
- Leftovers will keep for up to 5 days in a covered container in the refrigerator, making it perfect for meal prep. It can also be frozen.
Nora, GET OUT!!! Another bomb recipe! Never made a bad Nora Cooks recipe! Easy, health, and (most importantly) DELICIOUS!!!
Hi Hannah! So glad you love the recipe! Thanks for your stellar review and feedback!
Easy to make and tastes amazing! Will definitely make again.
Hi Alex. I’m glad you loved the recipe! Thanks for your wonderful feedback and review!
Another delicious recipe full of flavor that my whole house loves! Thanks Nora!
You bet, Karen! Thanks for your awesome review! I’m so glad you loved the biryani! Happy cooking to you!
Delicious and so easy! Thank you!!!! Just fyi there is a typo in step 6 (says them instead of then)
Thank you! I’ll fix the little typo. 🙂
I used up frozen veggies I had on hand and air fried tofu cubes that were tossed in soy sauce, nutritional yeast, and corn starch before frying. This recipe was so simple, tasty, and easily customizable!
Yumm, sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipe experience, and for your positive comments! Happy cooking!
This was so moreish, I had to put the pan away after our third helping to save us from ourselves. I forgot the potato (LOVE rice with potatoes), so “unfortunately” I will have to make the dish again this weekend.
Haha, what a wonderful problem to have! Thanks so much for your fantastic review!
Hi Nora, does it matter if I use instant rice or rice that takes longer? Trying to decide what rice to buy
For this recipe, you don’t want to use instant rice. You want to get basmati rice, or another white rice if you can’t find basmati. But not instant.
This recipe is great! I made it oil free by dry sauteing the onion. I added small amounts of water when they started sticking. Next time, I will add even more veggies! Thanks for such a wonderful, flavorful recipe.
You are most welcome, Barbara! I’m thrilled you loved the biryani! Thanks for your sharing your awesome feedback!
Omg this dish is amazing. I was googling vegan recipes and I am so glad I came across this delightful dish. It smelled and tasted amazing and eaten by all the family! Trying to share the link with friends now also. So thank you. Love to find new recipe ideas and this was a definite winner 🏆 🥇
I’m glad you found it as well! Thanks for sharing your fantastic feedback! Happy cooking!
Another win from Nora!! Absolutely delicious!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful review and feedback!
Hi Nora! Could you make this in an instant pot? How would you time the settings? I find that when I cook rice on the stove it is never fully cooked or burns easily. I don’t think the pans I have lids for seal well enough.
I haven’t tried it but I’m sure it would work. I would follow similar instructions only doing all the sauteing in the Instant Pot, then seal and cook for 6 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally, then remove the lid and stir.
This is so good, and easy! But how spicy should it be? I’ve made it twice and found it too spicy but maybe my taste buds are changing!
So glad you like it, Katie! The cayenne can add some heat, but it shouldn’t be too spicy. Feel free to reduce the amount to 1/8 teaspoon or omit it if it’s still too hot 🙂
Tasty, I’m sure I’ll make this again in variations, thanks! ?
I noticed that you mention cinnamon in the longer text, but it’s not included in the recipe, maybe a mistake?
Thanks for catching that! Yes, there should be cinnamon listed in the ingredients, I have added it now. Glad you enjoyed the recipe, thank you!
This was so easy and tasty! Will definitely make again!
I’m happy that you loved the recipe, and found it easy1 Thanks for sharing your feedback!
Is there a way to make this without cooking the rice with it? I understand that the rice will be more flavorful if cooked together, but I’m trying to use up some brown rice I have, which takes much longer to cook.
Sure, you can cook the rice in the broth in a separate pot on the stove instead of cooking it with the rest of the ingredients.
Wonderful recipe, even the carnivore enjoy it. Second time making it and it is wonderful. The spice blend is out of this world
Delicious! Just made this for the 2nd time. It was delicious the first time, but even better this time!! This time I used fresh (orange) cauliflower, fresh broccoli and frozen peas. ? Luckily, we have leftovers.
Thanks, Nora, for all of your delicious recipes. Your website is frequently my first go to for new recipes, and recipes I want to make again.
Hi Ann. Thank you for using my recipes! I’m so glad you are loving them! Thanks for your wonderful feedback! Happy cooking!
Great Flavors!!! Being curry lovers I added approx 1-2 T of curry & omitted the coriander (not my fave). we could taste all the delicious flavors of this regional recipe. ALL 7 adult family members – vegan & otherwise – recommended I make this a ‘Go To” recipe.
Hi Barbie. Thanks for your wonderful feedback! I’m glad the biryani was a hit with your family, and will be one of your go to recipes! Happy cooking!
I tried adding the curry powder this time, and it was even more delicious. Thanks for the suggestion.
Omg! That Biryani Rice was the best. My girlfriend is from India and makes that for me all the time.I have to say your recipe was equally as good as hers and hers is wonderful. I love that you share all of your wonderful recipes with the public.I have said this before to you …You have a talent for creating quilt free food that tastes wonderful..I am a fan for life..Thank you
Hi Diana. Your feedback is wonderful, and means a lot to me. It is encouraging to know that you love my recipes! I love creating and sharing easy and delicious recipes! Thank you for sharing your feedback and review!
This was so tasty. Tastes just like the ones I used to get at Indian restaurants.
I’m so glad you loved the recipe! Thank you for sharing your wonderful feedback!
Yasssss! Yet another win from Nora! This will be in the dinner rotation from now on. Perfectly seasoned. Delicious and nutritious. Easy, and you can use whatever vegetables you have on hand. (I had mushrooms, asparagus and cauliflower in mine.) Those raisins were the most delicious little surprise. I’ve never put them in a savory recipe before, and now I know what I’ve been missing!
Hi Jen. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! Your vegetables in your biryani sound delicious! I’m so glad you loved the recipe!
I love this, and most of your recipes!
Thanks ?
I am so thrilled you love the recipe! Thank you for your feedback, and for using my recipes! Happy cooking!
As wonderful and delicious as all of your recipes have been!!! ??
Thank you sooo much !
You are welcome! I am so glad you love it! Thank you for sharing your fantastic feedback!
This looks SO YUMMY! I want to make it this weekend.
Both the recipe and the plate itself are beautiful. ALL your photos are gorgeous, Nora.
THANK YOU so much for inspiring me (sadly, I’m not an intuitive cook) to make some of my favorite restaurant dishes and flavors with such healthy, colorful ingredients.
Hi Terre. Thank you for your kind encouragement! I just love creating easy and delicious recipes, and taking pictures of them! Isn’t the color of these foods just delicious! I know you will enjoy the biryani! Thank you for sharing such positivity!
It tastes as yummy as it looks. Trust me. You must make this. Bonus: it looks just as pretty at home as it does on the website.
Thank you for your fun and wonderful feedback! I’m glad you loved the recipe!