Pav Bhaji Instant Pot Instructions

Pav Bhaji Instant Pot recipe

Pav Bhaji is Mumbai's most beloved street food: a thick, spiced vegetable mash served with toasted dinner rolls. The Instant Pot makes it faster and easier than the stovetop version, and you still get the same depth of flavor. 8 minutes on high pressure, a quick mash, and it is ready to serve.

This recipe uses the Kay's Curries Pav Bhaji Kit, which includes dried vegetables and a spice blend. You provide the vegan butter / butter or oil, water, and dinner rolls.
What You Need

  • 1 Kay's Curries Pav Bhaji Kit
  • 2 tbsp vegan butter, butter, or oil
  • 2 cups water
  • Dinner rolls or hamburger buns for serving

Prep time: 2 minutes
Cook time: 8 minutes (plus natural release)
Serves: 2 

Instructions:

Step 1: Saute
Set the Instant Pot to Saute mode on the Less setting. Add 2 tbsp vegan butter, butter, or oil and let it melt.

Step 2: Add the kit and water
Add all the ingredients from the kit packet including the spice blend. Pour in 2 cups of water. Stir to combine.

Step 3: Pressure cook
Cancel Saute mode. Close the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Set to Pressure Cook, High Pressure, 8 minutes.

Step 4: Natural release and mash
Allow the Instant Pot to release naturally. Once complete, open the lid and mash all the ingredients using an immersion blender or a masher until you reach your preferred texture.

Step 5: Serve
Serve immediately with lightly toasted dinner rolls or hamburger buns. Garnish with freshly chopped onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Tips

  • An immersion blender gives a smoother, more traditional street food texture. A potato masher gives a chunkier version. Both work.
  • Toast the rolls lightly in a pan with a little butter / vegan butter before serving. That is the traditional way and it makes a real difference.
  • Leftovers thicken as they cool. Add a splash of water when reheating and stir well.
  • This recipe is written for the 2-serve bag. 

Serving suggestion

Serve with lightly toasted dinner rolls or hamburger buns. Garnish with freshly chopped onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

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