Looking for a quick and flavorful rice recipe you can whip up in minutes? This Instant Pot Peas Pulao is light, fragrant, and packed with simple spices that turn everyday rice into something special. Made with basmati rice, green peas, and a handful of pantry spices, this pulao is perfect for weeknight dinners, lunchboxes, or even as a side dish for parties. The best part? It comes together in just 20 minutes from start to finish!
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This recipe was originally published in April 2020 and has been updated with new instructions, video and pictures.
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Instant Pot Peas Pulao – A Simple Comfort from My Childhood
Some recipes aren’t just food. They are memories served on a plate. For me, peas pulao is one of those dishes. My mom used to pack this fragrant rice for me and my brother in our school lunchboxes. Some days she would toss in soya chunks or granules for extra protein, and other times she added sweet carrots for a pop of color. No matter what little twist she gave it, opening that lunchbox always felt like a warm hug from home. Now, I make the same dish in my Instant Pot, and it still tastes like comfort—simple, flavorful, and ready in minutes.
What is Peas Pulao / Matar Pulao?
Peas pulao is a delicious Indian rice and peas recipe. It uses whole spices and pairs well with a lot of different curries. Peas pulao is a vegan comfort food as long as you use oil instead of ghee. It uses cumin seeds and bay leaves for a smokey flavor that the whole family will love.
Pulao is a complete wholesome dish and can be relished without any side dish, but when you are planning something special and want to make your meal even more delicious, then serve it Lip smacking delicious Rajma ( Kidney bean curry) , Bhindi masala, Fresh homemade yogurt
How do you make Peas Pulao in an Instant Pot? Step by step recipe
- Start with the oil and spices.
- Switch on the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add oil, then drop in the bay leaf, cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, cardamoms, and black peppercorns. Let them sizzle until aromatic.
- Add the sliced onions and sauté until they turn soft and lightly golden. Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and cook for another minute.
- Add peas, rice, salt, garam masala, coriander powder, and green chilies. Mix everything well so the rice is coated in the flavors.
- Pour in water (about 1 ¾ cups for 1 cup rice).
- Stir once, then add mint if you like.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set it to manual pressure for 5 minutes.
- Once cooking is done, perform a quick release. Fluff the rice gently with a fork and sprinkle fresh cilantro on top.
- Serve the pulao hot with cooling yogurt on the side or pair it with your favorite dal for a wholesome, comforting meal.
Simple Comfort
Peas pulao turns ordinary rice into a warm hug that fills your heart and belly.
Tips to make Best Peas Pulao
- Use long grain basmati rice or Jasmine rice to make matar Pulao.
- Before starting to cook, rinse the rice in a strainer at least 3 to 4 times. This helps remove some of the starch and any other debris to help prevent the “burn” warning on the Instant Pot.
- Prior to serving, use a fork to fluff the rice.
- By adding the oil or ghee, you are helping prevent the rice from sticking together while the peas pulao cooks.
- Use frozen or fresh peas. If you use canned peas, make sure you rinse them off well before cooking them.
- You can add roasted cashews, fried paneer, soya chunks, or tofu cubes to make a filling dish.
How long can I store Peas Pulao in the refrigerator?
You can store peas pulao for up to a week in the refrigerator. Before storing, allow the rice to cool a bit after cooking. Then put the peas pulao in an airtight container. It is the perfect make ahead meal for busy families. If you prefer, you can store the peas pulao in several smaller, airtight containers to give to your family as lunch for school or work.
Top Tip
Before starting to cook, rinse the rice in a strainer at least 3 to 4 times. This helps remove some of the starch and any other debris to help prevent the “burn” warning on the Instant Pot.
Related
If you love this recipe, you would love other rice recipes
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Best Peas Pulao Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion/ thinly sliced
- ¾ cup green peas -freash/frozen
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup Basmati Rice or Jasmine rice
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon Cumin seeds
- 1 tablespoon oil or ghee
- 1 Bay leaf
- 5-6 Whole Black peppercorns
- 2 cardamoms
- 1 inch Cinnamom stick
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon corriander powder
- chopped cilantro leaves
- handful mit leaves ( optional)
- 2 green chilies
- 1 teaspoon Ginger /Garlic paste
Instructions
- Rinse the rice and keep it aside.
- Press SAUTE mode on Instant Pot. When HOT add oil or Ghee into the inner pot of the Instant pot.
- Add in the bay leaf, cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, cardamoms, and black peppercorns.
- Add the sliced onions and sauté until they turn soft and lightly golden. Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and cook for another minute.
- Add peas, rice, salt, garam masala, coriander powder, and green chilies. Mix everything well so the rice is coated in the flavors.Pour in water .
- Close the lid on the pot, and turn the valve from VENTING to SEALING position.
- Press CANCEL button and set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and set timer to 5 minutes
- Do a QUICK RELEASE (QR)
- Open the lid and gently fluff up the rice with a fork
- Peas pulao is ready, serve with yogurt or any Indian curry
Video
Notes
- Use long grain basmati rice or Jasmine rice to make matar Pulao.
- Before starting to cook, rinse the rice in a strainer at least 3 to 4 times. This helps remove some of the starch and any other debris to help prevent the “burn” warning on the Instant Pot.
- Prior to serving, use a fork to fluff the rice.
- By adding the oil or ghee, you are helping prevent the rice from sticking together while the peas pulao cooks.
- Use frozen or fresh peas. If you use canned peas, make sure you rinse them off well before cooking them.
- You can add roasted cashews or fried paneer or tofu cubes to make a filling dish.
Nart | Cooking with Nart says
This looks very healthy and easy to make. Never tried anything like it but will give it a go!
Sharon says
This is a great rice dish with lots of flavor and easy to make in the instant pot! A great side dish for lots of main meals.
stephanie says
I've never tried Peas Pulao, excited to make it and try it for the first time,
Scarlet says
This peas pulao sounds like a delicious side dish with almost any protein. Yum!
Lauretata says
Nice side dish! We can cook it for the whole family as we have a one year old baby that wouuld definitely love this! We will pin this for another day.
Sisley White says
It was so easy to make and tasted incredible. Thank you!
Nikki says
Definitely trying this for my daughter who loves peas and rice. Love that it’s made in the Instant Pot too!
Allison says
Can I use brown basmati rice? Would it be the same cooking time?
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Alison, yes you can. Use brown basmati rice. The time would change 15 minutes pressure cook. Water ratio remains the same. Hope this helps.
A says
Why quick release for the peas pulao and for basmati rice you do natural release?
Soniya Saluja says
Hi A, it's totally up to you if you want to quick release or natural release your rice recipes.