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–+ servings
Beet pulao in a stainless steel pan
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5 from 15 votes

Beetroot Rice Pulao (Instant Pot & Stovetop)

Beetroot Rice is a vibrant and flavorful South Indian dish in which beetroot is cooked with warm spices and rice to create a colorful, comforting meal. You can make it in the Instant Pot or stovetop in less than 30 minutes. Pair with yogurt, raita, or a simple salad.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: beetroot pulao, beetroot rice
Diet: Gluten-free, Nut-free, Vegan
Method: Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
Servings: 4
Author: Meeta Arora

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Basmati Rice
  • 2 cups Water for stovetop. Use 1 1/4 cup for instant pot
  • 1 tablespoon Ghee or Oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon Cumin seeds (Jeera) you can also use mustard seeds
  • 1/2 tablespoon Ginger paste
  • 1/2 tablespoon Garlic paste
  • 1/2 Onion thinly sliced
  • 1 Beetroot cut into small pieces or grated
  • 1/2 cup Green peas
  • 1-2 teaspoon Lime or Lemon juice

Whole Spices (optional)

Spices

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Place the rice in a small bowl and gently wash the rice until the water runs mostly clear. Soak in water for 20 minutes.

Stovetop Method

  • Heat oil and ghee in a large pan or dutch oven over medium heat. Add whole spices,and saute for 30 seconds.
  • Add the onions and sauté until they are translucent, about 3 minutes while stirring frequently. Add ginger and garlic and saute for another minute.
    sauteed onions to cook beetroot rice
  • Add the beets, green peas, and spices. Give it all a good stir.
    add green peas and spices into the pan to cook beetroot rice
  • Add the rinsed rice and 2 cups of water to the pot.
    add rice and water into the pan to cook beetroot rice
  • Bring to a boil, then simmer, cover and cook on low heat until the rice is cooked and all the water is absorbed. (If using a stovetop pressure cooker, cook for 1 whistle)
    boil beetroot rice until cook
  • Fluff the rice with a fork or stir gently with a ladle. Add lemon juice and enjoy the pulao!
    beetroot rice cooked in a pan

Instant Pot Method

  • Start the instant pot in sauté mode and heat it. Add ghee, cumin seeds and whole spices and sauté them for 30 seconds until the cumin seeds change color.
    saute cumin seeds and whole spices in the instant pot to cook beet pulao
  • Add the sliced onions, ginger, garlic, and sauté for 3 minutes.
    saute onion in instant pot to cook beet pulao
  • Add the beets, green peas, and spices. Mix well.
    sauteed ingredients for beet pulao in instant pot
  • Add the rinsed rice and 1 1/4 cups of water to the pot. Stir the ingredients in the pot. Close the lid with the vent in the sealing position. 
  • Change the Instant Pot setting to pressure cook mode for 4 minutes at high pressure.
  • When the instant pot beeps, do a 10 minute NPR. This means let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then release the pressure manually.  
  • Add the lemon juice and fluff the rice.
    Cooked beet pulao in instant pot
  • Beet Pulao is ready. Enjoy with homemade yogurt or raita.
    Closeup shot of beet pulao on a white plate

Video

Notes

Whole Spices: Adding whole spices is optional.  You can enjoy this beet pulao even if you don't have all the whole spices in your pantry.
Veggies: I added green peas along with the beets, as that is what I had at hand.  Other possible options to add are potatoes, bell peppers, carrots and edmame.  

Nutrition

Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 613mg | Potassium: 215mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 229IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg