Name: Easy Vegan Biryani Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 medium red or yellow onion, thinly sliced; 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger; 5 cloves garlic, minced; 1/4 cup water; 1 medium carrot, peeled and sliced diagonally; 1 Yukon gold potato, peeled and chopped small; 1 cup cauliflower florets; 1/2 cup frozen green peas; 1/2 cup frozen green beans; 15 ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed; 1/2 cup golden or regular raisins, optional; 2 teaspoons garam masala; 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric; 1 teaspoon coriander; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper; 4 cups vegetable broth; 2 cups basmati rice, rinsed well

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 70 reviews

If you’ve ever wanted to dive into the rich, fragrant world of Indian cuisine without fuss, you’re going to love this Easy Vegan Biryani Recipe. It’s packed with veggies, fragrant spices, and hearty chickpeas—all coming together in one pot to create a satisfying meal that even meat-eaters will rave about. Whether you’re a biryani novice or just looking for a plant-based twist on a classic, this recipe is honestly fan-freaking-tastic and super doable on a weeknight or weekend.

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Why This Recipe Works

Simplicity Meets Flavor: Uses a handful of pantry staples to build layers of fragrance and taste without complicated steps.
One-Pot Convenience: Everything cooks together, making cleanup a breeze and flavor meld beautifully.
Adaptable to Your Pantry: You can swap in whatever veggies or beans you have, making it flexible and budget-friendly.
Nourishing and Filling: Chickpeas and veggies provide great protein and fiber to keep you energized and satisfied.

Easy Vegan Biryani, vegan Indian dinner, plant-based biryani, healthy vegan rice dish, quick vegan meal - A black round cast iron pot with red handles is full of a colorful mix of cooked rice and vegetables. The dish has three main layers: the bottom and middle layers are mixed with yellowish rice grains that look soft and fluffy, dotted with green peas, chunky light orange carrot slices, yellow potato pieces, cauliflower florets, and beige chickpeas. The top layer has more whole vegetables and dark raisins scattered around, adding texture and color contrast. The pot sits on a white marbled surface with a white and beige striped cloth beneath it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Easy Vegan Biryani Recipe brings together a balance of aromatic spices, hearty vegetables, and fluffy basmati rice that’s perfect for absorbing all those flavors. Plus, the chickpeas add a lovely protein boost, which makes it great for a full meal. Here are some quick tips on the key ingredients you’ll be using:

Easy Vegan Biryani, vegan Indian dinner, plant-based biryani, healthy vegan rice dish, quick vegan meal - Flat lay of fresh red onion thinly sliced with deep purple and white layers, peeled orange carrot slices cut diagonally showing vibrant texture, pale yellow Yukon gold potato chunks with smooth skin, creamy white cauliflower florets with natural curvy shapes, bright green frozen peas and green beans adding crisp freshness, light beige chickpeas with a round, matte surface, small golden raisins scattered for a touch of sweetness, fresh ginger root with knobby, light brown skin and fibrous texture, and plump garlic cloves with papery white skin arranged naturally in clusters, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Onion, ginger, and garlic: The classic aromatic base that builds depth and a slightly sweet undertone when caramelized.
Carrot and potato: These add texture and natural sweetness, plus they soak up the spices beautifully.
Cauliflower florets: A great vegan way to bulk up the dish with some bite and subtle earthiness.
Frozen green peas and green beans: Convenient veggies that add pops of color and fresh flavor.
Chickpeas: Protein-packed and hearty, they make this dish super filling and satisfying.
Golden raisins (optional): A tiny sweet surprise that balances the spice—definitely worth trying, but skip if you’re not into sweet-savory combos.
Garam masala and spices: This fragrant spice mix plus cumin, coriander, turmeric, and cinnamon create that unmistakable biryani warmth.
Vegetable broth: Infuses the rice with rich flavor as it cooks, way better than plain water.
Basmati rice: The long, fragrant grain that soaks up every flavor bite after bite.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love that this Easy Vegan Biryani Recipe is a fantastic canvas for personalization. Sometimes I toss in some fresh chopped mint or cilantro at the end to brighten it up. Other times, I like warming it with a bit more cayenne pepper if I’m craving some heat. Feel free to experiment and make it your own!

Add nuts: Toasted cashews or sliced almonds add a wonderful crunch and nuttiness that takes the biryani to the next level—I always sprinkle some on top before serving.
Swap veggies: Feel free to use whatever’s in your fridge—bell peppers, zucchini, or even pumpkin work well!
Make it gluten-free: Since this is rice-based, it’s naturally gluten-free. Just double-check your broth to avoid hidden gluten.
Richer flavor: For a creamier twist, you can stir in a few tablespoons of coconut milk at the end—it’s surprisingly delicious.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Vegan Biryani Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients Like a Pro

I always start by prepping everything before I heat the pan—that means thinly slicing the onion, mincing fresh ginger and garlic, chopping the veggies, and measuring out the spices into a small bowl. This trick keeps the cooking smooth and stress-free, so you don’t have to scramble later trying to find things.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

Heat the olive oil on medium-high, then add the sliced onion. Cook, stirring often, until translucent and just starting to brown, about 5 minutes. This step releases sweetness and builds the biryani’s base flavor. Then stir in minced ginger and garlic—cook just about a minute until fragrant, but no longer or they’ll burn.

Step 3: Add Veggies, Spices & Chickpeas

Pour in a splash of water to keep things from sticking while you add your carrots, potatoes, cauliflower, green peas, green beans, and rinsed chickpeas. Toss in those golden raisins if you’re using them too. Sprinkle all your spice mix, salt, and pepper evenly, and give everything a good stir so all veggies get coated in that fragrant blend. This is when the kitchen starts smelling incredible, trust me.

Step 4: Pour in Broth and Rice Then Simmer

Pour in the vegetable broth and add the well-rinsed basmati rice. Stir to combine, then bring it all to a boil. Cover the pan, reduce heat to medium-low, and let it gently simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid. Avoid the temptation to lift the lid too often—that steam is key!

Step 5: Finish and Fluff

Once your timer goes off, fluff the biryani gently with a fork to separate the grains and toss everything together one last time. Cover again and let it sit for 5 minutes off the heat for flavors to meld even better. Then, you’re ready to dive in!

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Vegan Biryani Recipe

Rinse Rice Thoroughly: Washing basmati rice removes excess starch and prevents it from turning mushy—this step is key to fluffy rice.
Don’t Skip the Water Splash: Adding a bit of water when sautéing garlic and ginger avoids burning while unlocking their flavors perfectly.
Patience on Simmering: Keep the pot covered and avoid stirring during cooking to let rice steam properly for that perfect texture.
Fresh Herbs at the End: Stir in freshly chopped cilantro or mint right before serving for a burst of brightness that livens the whole dish.

How to Serve Easy Vegan Biryani Recipe

Easy Vegan Biryani, vegan Indian dinner, plant-based biryani, healthy vegan rice dish, quick vegan meal - A close-up of a decorative plate with a gold and black outer rim, filled with a layered mix of yellow rice, orange carrot slices, chickpeas, small green beans, potatoes, and light yellow cauliflower pieces. The top layer is scattered with dark raisins, sliced almonds, and fresh green cilantro leaves, adding texture and vibrant colors to the dish. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface with some fresh cilantro on the side and a small bowl of sliced almonds visible in the corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping this biryani with a handful of toasted sliced almonds and chopped fresh cilantro—it adds crunch and freshness that feels so indulgent but super simple. Sometimes I add a wedge of lemon on the side for a little zesty splash that brightens every bite.

Side Dishes

This biryani pairs beautifully with a cooling vegan raita made from coconut yogurt, chopped cucumber, and mint. Naan bread or even simply some crispy papadums round out the meal nicely—perfect for scooping up all those flavorful grains.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I love serving this Easy Vegan Biryani Recipe layered in a pretty glass casserole dish so guests can see the colorful veggies peek through. Garnishing with edible flowers and extra cilantro turns it into a showstopper centerpiece that everyone asks about!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover biryani keeps really well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I find flavors intensify after a day or two, so it often tastes even better the next day—great for making ahead and lunchbox packing!

Freezing

I’ve frozen this biryani successfully in portion-sized freezer bags or containers. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. The texture holds up nicely, making it super convenient for meal prep or busy weeks.

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm leftovers on the stovetop with a splash of water or vegetable broth to revive moisture and prevent sticking. You can also microwave it—just cover loosely and stir occasionally for even warming.

FAQs

Can I make this Easy Vegan Biryani Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Since biryani is primarily rice-based, it’s naturally gluten-free. Just make sure your vegetable broth doesn’t contain any gluten additives, and you’re good to go.
What can I substitute if I don’t have basmati rice?

Basmati rice is preferred for its aroma and fluffiness, but jasmine rice can work in a pinch. Avoid short-grain rice as it tends to be stickier and doesn’t yield the same texture.
How spicy is this vegan biryani? Can I adjust the heat?

The recipe has a gentle warmth from the cayenne but isn’t overpowering. You can easily dial up or down the spice by adjusting the cayenne amount to suit your taste.
Can I add other proteins besides chickpeas?

Yes! If you eat vegetarian but not vegan, paneer or tofu cubes work nicely. For vegan options, extra cooked lentils or tempeh pieces can be stirred in for variation.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Vegan Biryani Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s the perfect balance of comfort and excitement—warm spices without overwhelming complexity, nutritious ingredients that keep me full, and a one-pot formula that fits my busy life. I can’t recommend trying it enough, whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or friends. Once you get a taste of that fragrant, vibrant biryani, I bet you’ll be making it time and again!