Fragrant, comforting, and easy to serve as a complete meal, Instant Pot Beetroot Rice (Beetroot Pulao) is a vegetarian Indian, South Indian main course made with basmati rice, onion, and beetroot in about 25 minutes. The recipe lays out the ingredients and each cooking step clearly, so you can adjust seasoning, texture, and serving size for your own kitchen.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Cook time: 10 minutes
  • Total time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 2
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Indian, South Indian

Ingredients

  • 1 cup basmati rice
  • 1 medium onion (thinly sliced)
  • 1 cup beetroot (grated)
  • 1/2 cup green peas ((i used frozen))
  • 3 green chili
  • 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 stalk curry leaves
  • 2 tablespoons mint leaves (optional)
  • salt (to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons coriander leaves (chopped)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1.5 cups water ((depends on rice quality))
  • 2 tablespoons oil

Whole Spices

  • 1 teaspoon cumin (jeera seeds)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 cloves
  • 1 stick cinnamon
  • 2 cardamom

Dry Spices

  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala (or biryani masala)
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder

Method

Instant Pot Method:

  1. Firstly, press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add some oil, and once it heats up, add a bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cardamom, cloves, curry leaves, and cumin seeds. Sauté for about 30 seconds until the spices are fragrant and aromatic.
  2. Then add green chilies, ginger-garlic paste, and saute for another minute until the raw smell goes away.
  3. Then add sliced onions, Saute for 2-3 minutes until translucent - stir regularly.
  4. Add green peas, grated beetroot, and cook for another 2 minutes.
  5. Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, biryani powder, or garam masala, and mix well.
  6. Then add rinsed basmati rice, water, salt, and give a stir.
  7. Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes.
  8. Once the pot beeps, Wait for natural pressure release (NPR) for 10 minutes.
  9. Finally, carefully remove the lid, garnish the beetroot rice with fresh coriander leaves and a squeeze of lime juice.
  10. Beetroot rice made in the Instant Pot pressure cooker is ready to enjoy. Serve it with raita or yogurt for a complete meal.

Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method:

  1. Follow the same steps as that Instant Pot, close the lid, place the weight, and cook for 2 whistles on medium flame. Let the pressure release naturally.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.