Craving Pav Bhaji? This one pot recipe brings real Mumbai flavor with both Instant Pot and stovetop methods. I am sharing easy steps, expert tips, a secret ingredient that street side vendors use and fixes for common mistakes included!
Pav Bhaji is a popular street food from Mumbai made of a spicy, buttery mix of mashed vegetables served with soft, toasted bread rolls called pav.
Growing up in Mumbai, Pav Bhaji was one my favorites. Just the aroma of the buttery pav and spicy bhaji from the streets called my name, however my fondest memories of enjoy Pav bhaji are from Shiv Sagar. It was a special part of childhood.
This recipe brings that same authentic Mumbai street flavor right to your kitchen. Whether you use the Instant Pot for a quick fix or the stovetop for the classic touch, I've shared all my best tips so you can make pav bhaji that tastes just like the real thing.
Jump to:
Ingredient Notes
The full list of ingredients and quantities is in the recipe card. Here are just some of my personal ingredient notes for you.
- Vegetables: Potatoes, cauliflower, green bell peppers, carrots , peas. Try to use freshly cut veggies rather than the frozen veggies for a more authentic taste. If you don't have all the veggies use what you have but potatoes are an essential.
- Tomatoes: Use ripe red juicy tomatoes. When I am crunched on time, I have also used tomato paste or a plain marinara sauce and trust me nobody will even know they were used.
- Onions: Red and yellow, either are fine.
- Ginger & Garlic: I recommend using fresh ginger garlic rather than the store bought simply because it will not be as potent in flavor.
- Pav Bhaji Masala: My top two picks are MDH or Everest.
- Beetroot: This is the secret ingredient the street vendors use for that rich color. This when used in the right proportion will give you that perfect color that is served on Mumbai streets.
- Butter: If you have access to Amul Butter, that would be my first preference atleast for this recipe, or else any butter is fine.
- Pav: Making Pav at home is super easy, check out our Ladi Pav recipe.
How to make Pav Bhaji in Instant Pot
- Preparation: Soak Red Chillies for atleast 20-30 mins. While these soak chop the vegetables. Bigger chunks or finely diced, doesn't matter as it will all be mashed in the end. Garlic Paste: Blend some garlic cloves with water to make a paste.
- Turn on Saute mode. Add some oil and allow it to heat.
- One hot, add butter and allow it to melt. Then add the cumin seeds, and allow them to splutter.
- Next add the onions and saute until golden brown.
- Then add the garlic paste and chilli paste and stir util aromatic.
- Add some red kashmiri chili powder, it will help give a nice color, followed by ginger paste. stir until aromatic.
- Next add the tomatoes followed by salt and cook until they soften.
- Add the pav bhaji masala, followed by potatoes, bell peppers, carrots, cauliflower, peas and beet. Stir them all into the onion tomato mixture.
- Add water and close the lid and pressure on normal for 10 minutes, followed by a natural pressure release.
- Once done, using a masher mash the bhaji into a consistency you like.
- Prepare the tempering by heating some oil and butter. Add the garlic paste and cook until aromatic. Lastly add the kashmiri red chilli powder, stir and pour the tempering on the bhaji. Garnish with cilantro.
- Serve hot with a dollop of butter & butter toasted Pav.
How to make Pav Bhaji on Stove Top
For those of you who don't have an Instant Pot, it's very easy to make this on your stove top.
- Everything remains the same except, step no 8 where you will add water to your wok, cover and cook the until soft. This will take about 20 minutes. Once done, follow steps 9 and allow it to simmer for 10 minutes followed by step 10.
Anvita's Top Tip
- I always make sure to cook the masala well. Half-cooked masala makes bhaji taste raw.
- I don't mash too much. You want the bhaji smooth but not gluey.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | What Happens | How to Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Veggies not soft | Bhaji will be lumpy | Boil properly or pressure cook |
| Didn't use butter | You will miss the street side flavor | Add at least a spoon of butter |
| Too much water | Thin, watery curry | Simmer longer till thick |
| Raw tomatoes | Sour taste | Cook them till soft & oily |
| Over-mashing | Sticky bhaji | Mash gently, leave some pieces |
More street foods of India
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Authentic Mumbai Pav Bhaji (Instant Pot & Stove Top)
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Craving Pav Bhaji? This one pot recipe brings real Mumbai flavor with both Instant Pot and stovetop methods. I am sharing easy steps, expert tips, a secret ingredient that street side vendors use and fixes for common mistakes included!
Ingredients
2 tbsp oil
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 onion, chopped
2 medium sized potatoes, peeled and chopped
3-4 juicy tomatoes, chopped
1 capsicum, chopped
10 cauliflower florets
1 carrot chopped
¼ beetroot, chopped
¾ cup peas
1 tsp ginger paste
1 tsp garlic paste
5 garlic cloves
3 whole red chillies
2 tsp kashimiri red chili powder
2 tbsp pav bhaji masala
1.5 cups water
salt to taste
cilantro to garnish
lemon wedge
For Tadka
1 tbsp oil
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp garlic paste
1 tbsp kashmiri red chili powder
Instructions
-
- Preparation: Soak Red Chillies for atleast 20-30 mins. While these soak chop the vegetables. Bigger chunks or finely diced, doesn't matter as it will all be mashed in the end. Garlic Paste: Blend some garlic cloves with a tablespoon water to make a paste. Red Chilli Paste : Blend the soaked rec chillies with a couple tablespoon of water.
- Turn on Saute mode. Add some oil and allow it to heat.
- One hot, add butter and allow it to melt. Then add the cumin seeds, and allow them to splutter.
- Next add the onions and saute until golden brown.
- Then add the garlic paste and chilli paste and stir util aromatic.
- Add some red kashmiri chili powder, it will help give a nice color, followed by ginger paste. stir until aromatic.
- Next add the tomatoes followed by salt and cook until they soften.
- Add the pav bhaji masala, followed by potatoes, bell peppers, carrots, cauliflower, peas and beet. Stir them all into the onion tomato mixture.
- Add water and close the lid and pressure on normal for 10 minutes, followed by a natural pressure release.
- Once done, using a masher mash the bhaji into a consistency you like.
- Prepare the tempering by heating some oil and butter. Add the garlic paste and cook until aromatic.
- Lastly add the kashmiri red chilli powder, stir and pour the tempering on the bhaji. Garnish with cilantro.
- Serve hot with a dollop of butter & butter toasted Pav.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Indian Street Food
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Indian
Jessica Formicola says
I love Instant Pot meals! This looks incredible!
Lucy Parissi says
I love Pav Bhaji and your description of it as a mash-up of vegetables. It's seriously tasty and a great way to use up leftover veggies from the fridge.
DeliciousLittleBites says
I have just recently discovered my love of indian food, other than curry, so I am super excited to try this recipe! I am a potato addict!
Stephanie says
I've never heard of Pav Bhaji but if it involves buttery, garlicky, and spicy then I'm all in. What a yummy dish that I would love to try.
Mary Bostow says
O God! What a great recipe! I want to try it immediately! Looks very tasty! Yes, this is the perfect recipe for me. THANK YOU!
Joan says
This is my kind of meal, looks super delicious.Why do I have to be on a diet?
Nichole says
My husband would love this chili! He loves Indian spices and we have an Indian market closeby, so I'll need to look for those chilis!
Christina Holmes says
I love indian food!! I actually had this dish at a party that was thrown by a friend of mine. So flavorful!
Ani Jethwa says
Hi this is a great idea. I have tried it too but have one concern. How much water do you add to veggies in IP? Thanks!
Kerri Wigle says
This looks amazing! I NEED an instant pot.
Dannii says
We are loving our instant pot at the moment and this is something new for us to try too. Love the colour!
Soniya Saluja says
Go for it Dannii, it’s hard not to fall jn love with this one. Sure to tabtalize your tastebuds.
Morgan Eisenberg says
Pav Bhaji Pizza??? BRB, going to the grocery store for ingredients.
Soniya Saluja says
Oh ya, i often make that for my son. When we eat Pav bhaji he will want his Pav Bhaji Pizza.
Stacie says
I've never heard of pav bhaji before, but I can't wait to make it! All those ingredients sound so good.
Soniya Saluja says
It’s a popular street food from Mumbai. Hope you get around trying it.
kim says
What a delicious recipe! Loving the flavors in this one!
Soniya Saluja says
Yup, its a bomb of flavors of sure.
Jillian says
This looks so tasty! Just in time for upcoming Game Day!
edytahannas says
This looks like such a flavorful dish. I'd like you to serve it for me now. I'm so hungry! I guess I'll be making it soon 🙂
Soniya Saluja says
Sure thing. It’s a popualr street food from the streets of Mumbai. When you try it, it’s hard not to like it. Hope you like it.
simplyvegetarian777 says
I am so trying this recipe. Had no idea that there are so many Pav Bhaji recipe variations. Super
Soniya Saluja says
Go for it Sonal, you won’t be disappointed at all. Would love your review after you try it.
Xoxo
Elizabeth Weitz says
Wow! This looks absolutely divine! Such a unique and fun dish!
Anvita says
It’s a very popular dish from Mumbai, India. Hope you consider trying it.
Chad says
oh i love love love pav bhaji! I had it a few years ago and have been wanting to cook it since. I can't wait to try it, thank you so so much.
Chad
www.mosaicslab.com
TheBellyRulesTheMind says
Chad,
Oh really! there you go, hope you try it and share your review with us.
Bethany Stout says
This looks amazing. A lot of great information also, I love learning about other cultures and their foods. I will def. be trying this out. Thanks for sharing
TheBellyRulesTheMind says
Thanks Bethany, Hope you get around try it, it's a very popular dish from India and is everyone's favorite for a reason.
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes says
Oh delicious - I am so excited to try this soon. I can imagine it tastes absolutely delicious 🙂
TheBellyRulesTheMind says
Go for it Alexandra, you won't be disappointed at all.
Alexandra Bunker says
We love Indian food in our little household and this looks absolutely delicious. I'm saving this for our Friday meal 🙂
TheBellyRulesTheMind says
If you love Indian food Alexander, then you have to try Pav Bhaji. It's a very popular street food from India and is everyone's favorite. So I hope you consider making it.
annick says
i love indian food! nothing better than a warm hearty indian dish on a cold day ❤️
TheBellyRulesTheMind says
Annick,
It's perfect for this kind of weather. A warm heart bowl of lipsmackingly delicious veggies served with warm dinner rolls.
Joanna says
Your recipe made me so hungry! I do love Indian food but I have never had pav bhaji before. Interesting fact that you add beetroot for the color. I'll remember that.
TheBellyRulesTheMind says
Joanna, if you love Indian food, then this is a must-try. Hopefully it will tantalize your tastebuds.
AlwaysCarryOn.com says
What a great recipe - so easy to follow, and sounds delicious! Will definitely have to give this a go 🙂 x
TheBellyRulesTheMind says
Yup it's easy peasy, nothing fancy. all you need is one seasoning and the rest our veggies. Hope you get around trying it.
Sara Welch says
I love colorful food, and this is no exception! Adding to my recipe list; thanks for sharing!
Yeah Lifestyle says
This dish sounds so flavourful and delicious! I really must get an Instant Pot, it would make mealtimes a lot easier and a lot more interesting.
ChelseaMamma says
I love indian food although not been brave enough to cook from scratch - this looks amazing though
Jasmine - LoveLifeLaughMotherhood says
i dont think i've ever tried pav bhaji. but it looks really good!
Dennis K. Littley says
Your Instant Pot Pav Bhaji looks colorful and delicious! Oh I'd love to give this one a try. The Instant Pot sounds like it's a pretty useful thing to have.
Sophia says
I love the Instant pot it can do amazing things can't it. This recipe looks great.
Chelle Dizon says
I always love learning easy to make Instant Pot recipes just like this. I haven’t heard if this Instant Pot Pav Bhaji but It sounds really appetizing.
Catherine Santiago Jose says
Amazing food with really a great side dish. Looks very yummy and delicious to eat, will definitely try this at home. Thank you for sharing this incredible recipe from country.
Lorilea says
I am always looking for new pot meals!! This looks like one to try!
oxfordmomma says
This looks so good! I also really love that you added serving suggestions. Sometimes it's so hard to figure out what to serve with a new recipe.
Julie says
I love all the different variations you can make with this dish. And it’s spicy too? Yum!
Preet says
I love finding a new recipe to try. I’m always so scared I am going to mess it up somehow. This looks easy enough for me though. Thanks!
Monidipa Dutta (@MonidipaDutta51) says
I love pav bhaji like any thing. Mumbai made me fall in love with it, but I have never of the pot thing. I will pass on this recipe to my relatives.
nbosken says
I love Indian food, but have never attempted it at home. I could definitely use this to try making some recipes at home! It looks wonderful!
Aloh Che says
Amazing and tasteful recipe girl. Definitely would give this a try ASAP.
Neha Mheta says
Looks so delicious ! well explained. My favorite dish.
Pam says
I love a dish that's packed with flavor and also full of nutrition. This one checks those boxes nicely!
Dannii says
I haven't heard of this before, but it looks amazing. Anything with loads of garlic and ginger in is good with me.
jack says
This pav bhaji recipe looks amazing and is packed with flavours and so fresh!
Scarlet says
I love being introduced to new things so thanks for this pav bhaji recipe! I love that it is full of veggies and looks so healthy!