Coconut Milk Pulao is a quick and flavourful one-pot recipe. Made using fresh vegetables, basmati rice, minimal spices and coconut milk, this pulao is perfect for a busy day or lunchbox. If you like a mild pulao, you are sure to love this one. Let’s see how to make this delicious Pulao in Instant Pot or Stovetop Pressure Cooker.
Coconut Milk Pulao
Most of us look for easy one-pot recipes that are quick to make but taste delicious. This Coconut Milk Pulao is definitely one of those. Coconut Milk adds a lovely aroma and flavour to this simple Pulao. You can also make this for a potluck or when you have guests over.
Basically, Pulao is a popular Indian Rice dish where fragrant rice is cooked with mild spices and vegetables. Usually, Pulao is mild with just a handful of spices. Which makes it kid-friendly as well. Also, this recipe is loaded with vegetables. You can add any vegetables of your choice or even Soya Chunks, Paneer to this rice to make it more wholesome and nutritious.
My husband loves this Pulao. He always says, it takes him back to his childhood and tastes so close to what his mom used to make. She was an amazing cook and I am sure she would have been proud of what I am doing if she was here today. He says his mom adds a couple of whole garlic cloves to this Pulao which makes it very flavourful. You could try doing that too!
If you have no time to make coconut milk at home, just use store-bought coconut milk. Instead of fresh vegetables, you can also use a cup of frozen vegetables for this recipe. Makes the whole process simple. Today, I have made this recipe in Instant Pot. But, I am sharing the stovetop recipe here as well.
This flavourful Coconut Milk Pulao is,
Easy to prepare in less than 30 minutes
Simple Recipe with minimal Ingredients
Omit ghee to make it Vegan
Mild in taste and kid friendly
Perfect One Pot Recipe
Flavourful with the addition of coconut milk
Nutritious and Loaded with Vegetables
Apt for lunchbox, busy weekdays or a potluck
Can use store bought coconut milk and frozen veggies as well
Perfect to make in Instant Pot or Stovetop Pressure Cooker
Ingredients Required
Basmati Rice – I have used Basmati Rice because it adds more aroma and flavour. You can use any other rice or millet of your choice. Water quantity and cooking time may vary accordingly.
Coconut Milk & Water – Have used thick , store bought coconut milk. You can use homemade too.
Assorted Vegetables – I have used green peas, beans & carrot. You can use fresh or frozen vegetables.
Ghee/Oil – Ghee adds a lovely flavour to Pulao. Use oil to make this recipe Vegan.
Whole Spices – Bay Leaf, Cinnamon, Cloves, Cardamom, Star Anise, Stone Flower and Fennel Seeds. Use cumin seeds if desired. Skip what is not available and use the rest.
Onion – I have used Thinly Sliced Pink Onion
Ginger, Garlic & Green Chilli – Have used freshly minced ginger, garlic & green chillies. You can use readymade ginger garlic paste too. Since we are not adding any other masala to this pulao, the spice is mainly from green chillies only.
Mint & Coriander Leaves – For the beautiful aroma and flavour
Salt – Of course, no dish is complete without the right amount of salt!
Step by Step Instructions to make Coconut Milk Pulao in Instant Pot
Wash & Soak Basmati Rice for 15 minutes.
Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Once hot, add ghee / oil.
Add the whole spices – Bay Leaf, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Clove, Star Anise, Fennel Seeds & Stone Flower. Saute for a minute till a nice aroma comes.
Add thinly sliced onion and saute for a minute.
Next, add in the freshly minced ginger, garlic and green chillies. Saute till a nice aroma comes.
Now, add the mixed vegetables, mix and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Add finely chopped coriander & mint leaves. Saute for 30 seconds.
Next, add washed, soaked and drained Basmati Rice, salt and give a stir without breaking the rice.
Add coconut milk & water. Mix well and check for salt.
Close the lid. Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and set timer to 5 minutes.
Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release automatically for 10 minutes. Release the remaining pressure manually.
Open the lid and leave it for 5 minutes. Garnish with coriander leaves, gently fluff it with a fork and serve.
How to make this Rice in Stovetop Pressure Cooker
Heat a pressure cooker with ghee/oil on medium flame. Once hot, add Bay leaf, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Clove, Star Anise, Fennel Seeds & Stone Flower. Now, add thinly sliced onion and saute for a minute.
Next, add in the freshly minced ginger, garlic and green chillies. Saute till a nice aroma comes. Now, add the mixed vegetables, mix and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Add finely chopped coriander & mint leaves. Saute for 30 seconds.
Add coconut milk & water. Now, add required amount of salt and mix well.
Once it starts boiling, add soaked and drained Basmati rice. Check for salt.
Close the lid , place a whistle and cook for 3 whistles on medium flame.
Let the pressure release naturally. Open and leave it for 5 minutes. Garnish with coriander leaves, gently fluff it with a fork and serve.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this delicious Pulao along with any Raita.
You can also serve it along with Dal or any Veg Gravy. Try my Green Peas Masala, Bhindi Masala or Chana Masala for this Pulao.
Tips
To make it vegan, just substitute ghee with your choice of oil.
Use your choice of vegetables. Some suggestions are cauliflower, potato, capsicum, sweet corn, mushroom. You can also use frozen vegetables in place of fresh vegetables. Soya Chunks, Paneer can also be added to this Pulao.
You can add garam masala powder for a different taste.
Add green chillies according to your taste and preference.
Can add a couple of whole garlic cloves instead of mincing it. Makes the rice more flavourful.
Basmati rice gives a lovely flavour to this pulao. Use any other rice or millet of your choice. Soaking Time, cooking time and water quantity may vary.
After the pulao is cooked, let it rest for at least 5 minutes before fluffing it with a fork. It will make sure the grains do not break while fluffing it. Make sure you fluff it gently. Do not mix it too much.
More South Indian Rice Recipes
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Coconut Milk Pulao in Instant Pot & Stovetop
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Stovetop Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 cup Basmati Rice
- 1 cup Vegetables chopped, fresh or frozen
- 1 Onion thinly sliced
- 1 cup Thick Coconut Milk fresh or canned
- 1/2 cup Water
- Salt as needed
- 3 small Green Chillies use according to your spice level
- 1 inch Ginger
- 3 cloves Garlic
- Coriander Leaves a handful, finely chopped
- Mint Leaves a handful, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp Ghee/Oil
Whole Spices
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 2 Cardamom
- 2 Cloves
- 1 inch Cinnamon
- 1 Star Anise
- 1/2 tsp Stone Flower
- 1 tsp Fennel seeds
Instructions
To make this Pulao in Instant Pot
- Wash & Soak Basmati Rice for 15 minutes.
- Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Once hot, add ghee / oil.
- Add the whole spices. Saute for a minute till a nice aroma comes.
- Add thinly sliced onion and saute for a minute.
- Next, add in the freshly minced ginger, garlic and green chillies. Saute till a nice aroma comes.
- Now, add the mixed vegetables, mix and cook for another 2-3minutes.
- Add finely chopped coriander & mint leaves. Saute for 30 seconds.
- Next, add washed, soaked and drained Basmati Rice, salt and give a stir without breaking the rice.
- Add coconut milk & water. Mix well and check for salt.
- Close the lid. Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK(High Pressure) and set timer to 5 minutes.
- Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release automatically for 10 minutes. Release the remaining pressure manually.
- Open the lid and leave it for 5 minutes. Garnish with coriander leaves, gently fluff it with a fork and serve.
To make this Pulao in Stovetop Pressure Cooker
- Heat a pressure cooker with ghee/oil on medium flame. Once hot, add Bay leaf, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Clove, Star Anise, Fennel Seeds &Stone Flower.
- Now, add thinly sliced onion and saute for a minute.
- Next, add in the freshly minced ginger, garlic and green chillies. Saute till a nice aroma comes.
- Now, add the mixed vegetables, mix and cook for another 2-3minutes. Add finely chopped coriander & mint leaves. Saute for 30 seconds.
- Add coconut milk & water. Now, add the required amount of salt and mix well.
- Once it starts boiling, add soaked and drained Basmati rice.Check for salt.
- Close the lid , place a whistle and cook for 3 whistles on medium flame.
- Let the pressure release naturally. Open and leave it for 5minutes. Garnish with coriander leaves, gently fluff it with a fork and serve.