Pav Bhaji is a wonderful one-pot meal. It’s also a great way to get the kids to eat their veggies. Since it is all mashed up, what they can’t see. A great make ahead or take to potlucks, this street-food from the Mumbai beaches has come a long way.
Ingredients:
Potatoes – 3 cups, diced small
Cauliflower – 2 cups, finely chopped
Frozen Green Peas – 1 cup
Carrots – ½ cup, diced small
Salt – 1 tsp (to taste)
Haldi(Turmeric) – ¼ tsp
Water – 2 cups
Oil – 1 Tbsp
Butter – 1 Tbsp
Jeera (Cumin Seeds) – ½ tsp
Hing (Asofoetida) – pinch
Red Chili Powder – ¼ tsp (to taste)
Onion – 1 medium, finely chopped
Garlic – 2 tsp, minced
Ginger – 2 tsp, minced
Tomato – 1 medium, chopped
Tomato Sauce – ½ cup (1/2 of 8 oz. can)
Pav Bhaji Masala – 2 tsp (to taste)
Dhania Powder – 1 tsp
Lemon Juice – ½ tsp (to taste)
Cilantro – 5 sprigs, chopped (for garnishing)
Method:
1. In a pressure cooker, add Potatoes, Cauliflower, Green Peas, Carrots, Salt, Haldi and Water – Mix well.
2. Pressure cook for 1 whistle and remove pressure after 2 minutes (To remove pressure, hold cooker under cold running water in sink).
3. Heat Oil and Butter in a non-stick pan.
4. Add Jeera and allow it to sputter.
5. Add Hing and Red Chili Powder.
6. Add Onions, Garlic and Ginger – stir well.
7. Cook until Oil starts to separate.
8. Add Tomatoes and Tomato Sauce and mix well.
9. Cook until Oil starts to separate again.
10. Add Pav Bhaji Masala and Dhania Powder – mix well and cook for 1 minute.
11. Add Vegetables and lightly mash.
12. Add Lemon Juice and adjust Salt/Chili Powder/Pav Bhaji Masala.
13. Cook for 5 minutes. Garnish with Cilantro, chopped raw Onions, Green Chillies and a squeeze of Lime juice.
Tips:
Watch the video for a microwave version.
Serve with toasted hamburger buns or potato rolls.
Sprinkle some finely chopped onions on the bhaji when serving.
Add a little pat of butter to the bhaji when serving….mmmm! (…only if your cholesterol isn’t through the roof!)
Hi, Anuja, cooking is something really close to my heart after reading this recipe of pav bhaji, i will surely going to make this for my family, since lock down is still going so as family we eat together and enjoys the meal. last thing i will surely going to subscribe your channel after this
Thank you so much!
Looks like you have a blog too. All the best!
I see some variation in the ingredients compared to what I usually make (like dhaniya powder and jeera). Will try next time. Lately i have been using slow-cooker to make pav-bhaji.
Hi Pravina,
Let us know your feedback!
Happy Cooking!
I see some variation in the ingredients compared to what I usually make. Will try next time. Lately i have been using slow-cooker to make pav-bhaji.
Hi
Im having a little informal gathering of 6-8 friends. I want to make Pau bhaji, however they are coming straight from work to my house too.too. Im not sure if pau bhaji on its own will be enough . What other dishes can i make that will go with pau bhaji , so friends have variety and choice. Also when they arrive i don’t want to just be stuck in the kitchen all evening. so what do you suggest I make ?
I will offer dessert, but I want to know what other snacks or dishes ( rice , daal.etc) I should make to accompany the pau bhaji
Thanks
H
xx
Hi Hema,
Honestly, Pav Bhaji is a meal by itself and it is a filling and a very satisfying one at that. And trust us, when there is Pav Bhaji, no one is going to even look at Daal/Chawal so save yourself the trouble and make pleanty so everyone gets their fill 🙂
Do some salad along with it if you must and let the Pav Bhaji shine in it’s glory 🙂
Hi thanks for that. How many people does your recipe serve? and if i serve it on its own say for 8 people what would be the quantities?
Regards
Hema
Hi Hema,
Since you are serving just this, I would say 4…so double up on the recipe for your 8 ppl.
Have fun 🙂
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Thanks for the ever classic pav bhaji. I followed this recipe but left out cauliflower since I didn’t have it. The dish came out really well.
Great recipe!! I boiled two cubed potatoes, cauliflower, peas, and carrots, then mashed it in the boiling water. I aldo included green bell pepper with the onion and sautéed it together. I did have to add quite a bit of pav bhaji masala and salt, but that is all up to the individual. Squeeze some fresh lemon and it is the perfect pav bhaji. My family could not stop talking about it.
Hi there!
I LOVE pav bhaji in general and am constantly on the go trying out different kinds of pav bhaji. I was looking for a good recipe to make pav bhaji for my american friends and this looke like a great recipe! I like your improvisation using chopping instead of mashing the potatoes.
I;m going to try it out tomorrow and tell you more specifically what works and does not! thanks! You have a very good understanding of the recipe. 🙂
hi ladies,
i tried this recipe and loved it very much. thank you!
Hi hetal and anuja,
Thks so much for the recipe. I made this for supper and realized there is not much protein in this, so I grated extra firm tofu and toasted it in a pan till the slightly golden brown and all tofu seems dry and separate. Added it before switching off the stove to the bhaji. I couldn’t taste tofu in it. Yum.
I always visit your site before googling for a recipe.
Could you post a recipe for dinner rolls(pav). Whole grain if possible. Thanks 🙂
Panna
please tell me how do i make the breads for 10-15 people as iam making this for the party….
Hi Shobana,
You can butter all of the buns and broil them in the oven.
I havent tried this recipe yet; but have tried a few other from your website. They all turned out great. I love how simple and yet how delicious most of your recipes are. Do you recommend any perticular brand of Pav Bhaji masala?
Hi Mithila,
I end up switching brands because I can’t remember which one I’ve bought before :). I think MDH makes a pretty good one.
Please advise how many people your measure will serve….I am looking to cook large scale for approx 125 people…please advise approx vegetable quantities please.
Many thanks
Hi Manisha,
This recipe will serve approximately 4-6 people. We have never made it for so many people but you can just multiply the ingredients out to the number you need. Good luck!
Hi Guys,
Was just trying this out when I noticed/realized that the proportions are totally off! The video is different from the ‘recipe’. Can you please update the text (recipe) to be more accurate.
Thanks,
Angie
whats the best way to wash mushrooms ? most easily so that its perfectly clean…….
Hi Fazal,
You can quickly hold them under running water and gently brush off the dirt with your hands. Try not to hold them upside down so that the water will not go into the caps…it will make your mushrooms soggy.
you should have added some orange food colour to give it that traditional and vendor buyed look…….
Hi Fazal,
We try not to add artificial color…its not really healthy.
do the potatoes have to be boiled like in samosas u no how u hav to boild them and peel well is this process required to make pav bhaji or just normal raw potato???
do the potatoes have to be boiled like in samosas u no how u hav to boild them and peel well is this process required to make pav bhaji or just normal raw potato???
Hi Pavandeep,
The method for making pav bhaji varies for person to person. Some people boil potatoes and add them in later. In our recipe, we used raw potatoes and pressure cooked them with the other veggies.
Hi
Just wanted to know what you mean by tomato sauce. Is it tomato puree or MAGGI tomato sauce, coz I used the maggi one in your jalfrezi recipe and it turned out too tangy.
Kindly let me know.
Thanks.
Hi Shilpi,
We get tomato sauce in small 4 ounce cans here in the US. It is thicker than tomato puree you would make at home. It is not the same as Maggie tomato sauce.
Thanks Hetal
Hi Hetal,
I am thinking about to make Pav-bhaji on my son’s b’day. Can I make Bhaji one day in advance and keep it in the fridge? Can you please give me some idea that which other food I can make one day in advance. Thanks
Hi Bhumi,
Absolutely! Made the bhaji ahead of time and just heat the buns at the time of serving. You can even make things like Ragda Patties ahead of time.
Thanks Hetal, even Ragda Patties is also good idea.
Thank you so much.
i am sorry i just type something wrong.i wanted to say that i love your website very much.thanks
hi hetal n anuja,
myself payal from untited kingdom.i just want to say that i like your recipes the way you are making it.i always check your recipe first before i make it.your website is so helpful to make different kind of food.i just live it.so guys good luck n keep cooking.
Hi Payal,
Thanks so much for the kind words!
Hello
Great recipe!
I have a question: a young family member is moving. I want to give him some frozen food so that it travels as solid without too much leakage.
I was thinking of freezing some bhaji in sandwich bags, so that they will travel well for a short flight.
Do you think that should work?
Thanks a lot! 🙂
I noticed that the measurement for tomatoes and paste is different in the video & textual instructions ..
Hi, I like your recipes even though i’ve not really tired making them but they sound wonderful. I really hope to make some of these dishes one day but I am limited on the spices I have at home. I hope to have all spices one day lol. But this recipe I was wanting for a long time but I didnt’ kno the name of it. I remember eating this 1 time in oman and all I knew it was mashed vegetables cooked in pressure cooker but it was soooo delicious and I HATE vegetables so this deffinately is a winner. Thats what I love about indian cooking they kno how to make vegetables taste soo good. You guys really inspire me
Thankyou Girls……yummy recipe….even my mum in law said….v nice…..imagine:)…..hahaha
Quick question, the video and the listed ingredients have different measurements. Which is correct? How many people will the bhaji serve based on listed ingredients?
Thanks a lot.
Hi,the dish turned out superbly,my children loved it.They r ur huge fans.It was easy,quick and very delicious to taste.Thank u ^^
Hello,
I jus want to know that why should we add masala after tomatoes get cooked and before adding sabji…
why can’t we add before and after?
Thanking you in advance…
you guys are awesome…i truly believe in ur receipe..
I just discovered your website and videos and LOVE YOU GUYS! You both have a beautiful presence on camera and explain things just perfect for the american-born cook. I am most impressed with the precision and clarity of your recipes and demonstrations. You are a DREAM for the burgeoning indian home chef. Why aren’t you on food tv yet with your own show???
Hi Mona,
Thanks for the compliments 🙂
hello
instead of pav bhaji masala i used sambhar masala as that was the only thing available on hand n it turned out so nice!!
Hi Merel,
Sounds delish… glad you enjoyed it 🙂
hi hetal n anuja,
i tried the recipe sterday and came out just superb. we enjoyed it a lot… just the same taste we used to have in chat shops in chennai, india.Thanks for ur recipe.
since i didn’i have green peas i used half the amount of lima beans.
as u ladies said, the pav bhaji masala makes a great difference in the taste and the lime juice…WOW
keep up ur great work .
saveetha
hi..
i tried ur recipe yesterday..but mine turned out tangy…y is that so.. i made the foll changes
1.I used half capsicum ,2 Oninons, 2&half tomato(grated).
hi anuja & hetal,
I m inviting 40 peoples for my son’s b’day.Can u please tell me the quantity of ingredients require?
thank you
Hi Priti,
The recipe will serve approx 6 – 8 adults. You should probably 6 times the given recipe. You may have some left over but it’s always better to have a little more than to run short. If you have kids, you can count 2 kids per 1 adult serving. Good luck!
ohhh thats a gre8 idea.thanks Hetal…but how long i ve to broil it in oven
Broil until light brown (usually abt 5 mins). Remember to keep an eye on it because it will burn very fast. Broiling will make it brown but not crispy and dried out.
Hi Hetal and Anuja,
am inviting friends for dinner and planning to make bhaji- pav, dabeli etc. But confused for Pav. As i dnt want to get involved in cooking when all frnds come, what should i do with pav, should i cook all pav little bit in advance and then later put it in oven when they all come?
dont have any idea plz suggest
Hi Kt,
The best thing you can do is to pre-butter the pav and keep them and then when you are ready to eat, you can broil them all at once in the oven. The taste is a little different, but for a big party, it seems to be the most efficient way.
Hi,
I tried this recipe and tasted fine but I couldnt get the texture as shown in the video.My food processor chops it very fine.How small should the veggies be?Mine were almost mashed after they got cooked.Is it supposed to be so?Also could using less water to cook the veggies help?
Hi Anuradha,
The food processor should only be pulsed a few times to get the desired consistency. If you leave it on, it will definitely over chop the veggies. Since they will further cook down on the stove, they should not be so fine.
Tried your Bhaji with roti one day and it was one yummy meal. I will surely make this again.Thank you for the recipe.
Hi Shubha,
You can basically triple all of the the ingredients. That will serve 24 (it’s good to have a little extra for parties, just in case. And, pav bhaji is great as a left over the next day as well :).
We have given measurements for potatoes/cauliflower in cups for this recipe because every potato and cauliflower is of a different size. If I were to guess, I would say about 1 to 1 1/2 cauliflower and 10 – 12 large potatoes. This is just a guideline, but please use your cup measure to be sure.
Hello,
I would like to make this dish for my kids birthday. I have 20 adults. Can you tell me how many whole potatoes and cauliflower will I need? I am assuming twice the amount for the other ingredients since its feeds 8 people approximately.
Hi Sneha,
This pav bhaji recipe will serve 8 people. If you’re thinking about dessert, try the mango ice cream. It’s really easy to make and your friends will enjoy it. Good luck!
hey there,
great recipes. i was trying to watch your pav bhaji recipe but, it stoping and going.
was wondering how many people the recipe will serve. i am having friends over to celebrate india day and would like to make it. thanks
sneha
Hello! The recipe looks really good, but was just wondering about the ingredients written below the recipe and said in the video.
the video doesn’t have carrots, green peas are 2 cups, pav bhaji masala is 4tsp and tomato sauce is full can as opposed to half of the can written.
want to try the recipe but was wondering which ingredients to follow, the one said in the video or the one written below the recipe?
Anuja and Hetal,
My first Indian dish, (that I cooked). It came out great, and the directions plus the video made it very easy to prepare. I’ll know better how to adjust the spices next time to my own liking, but it was still a wonderful recipe.
Thanks,
Wally
i tried this dish. it came out really well. everyone enjoyed it a lot. please do update ur website with many more dishes and also have a request for you , that can u please video the the eggless cake with how to put frosting on it and laso need the recepi for eggless fruit cake.
yummy i cooked it on weekend and it’s really good
Thank you, Mangala. I am glad you and your friend enjoyed it.
Every compliment and feedback makes our day, so thank you.
I had invited a friend over for lunch and cookied Pav Bhaji. It turned out really well – thanks to you for the compliments I got for the dish.
Pav Bhaji Masala is available at any Indian store and highly recommend you use it.
We are so glad it came out well and you enjoyed it.
Visit your local Indian store and get some Pav Bhaji Masala…trust us, it will be well worth it.
This is a delicious dish, thanks, I cooked it last night, we enjoyed it a lot, even I did not use PavBhaji Masala (I don’t have that spice at the moment) is there any substitute? and finally this easy dish became better when my husband added lime juice of real lime at the top of the chopped onions mmmmmm
Haruko, I make pav bhaji masala at home. Here is the recipe http://www.grouprecipes.com/9948/pav-bhaji-masala.html