Pav Bhaji is a popular and traditional Indian street food dish. It is a creamy vegetable gravy that is typically served along with buttery soft pav buns. The butter and the special pav bhaji masala used in the vegetable gravy make the dish unique and flavorful. The recipe I have shared here explains how to make a Pav Bhaji at home with easy step-by-step instructions. The post also consists of a detailed video for making the cooking process easy and simple. This pav bhaji is one of the easy-to-make snack dishes and it is an absolute treat for parties, dinner, or get-togethers.
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What is Pav Bhaji?
Pav Bhaji is one of the popular Indian street food dishes from Mumbai, Maharashtra. In Marathi, the term Pav means soft dinner rolls or buns and bhaji is a vegetable dish. Hence the dinner rolls served along with spicy and tangy vegetable gravy is known as Pav Bhaji.
This dish was initially served for Mumbai textile workers as a quick and filling lunch meal. But now this Indian fast food is popular across the globe for its tempting flavor and taste. You could find this dish in most of the restaurants, street food stalls, and hostels canteens across India and abroad.
Sharing this post brings me the nostalgic memories of India where I have used to enjoy this dish back from my clinic once in a while. Even though the dish is eaten as a snack, the combination of veggies and buttery soft buns makes me skip dinner tonight. Yes, the combination of pav and bhaji makes a great meal as they are filling that is equal to a dinner.
This pav bhaji is easy to make dish only thing is you need a little time to chop the veggies. The creamy, and mildly spiced gravy topped with butter and served with butter toasted pav bun is true heaven. Not to mention, adding a lot of onions and coriander leaves to garnish makes the dish taste to the next level. So making this dish at home is not difficult at all to enjoy with your family and friends.
Ingredients
The ingredients you will need to make this dish is pav and bhaji. Pav is nothing but soft eggless dinner rolls that is usually available in most Indian grocery stores.
For the Bhaji (gravy)
- Vegetables - I have used potatoes, carrot, beet root, peas, and green bell peppers for the veggie options. You can also use cauliflower and broccoli for more flavors
- Pav Bhaji Masala - It is a special blend of masala available mostly in Indian grocery stores and you have got so many brands that works well for this recipe. You can also make your own masala which I will share the recipe below in a separate section
- Tomatoes - Tomatoes makes the base for this gravy which give you the tangy flavor to the bhaji. And you could also use canned tomato paste or chunks for the same results
- Butter - Using generous amount of butter gives that exotic taste and flavor to the dish and I recommend to be little generous for this particular recipe unless you don't have concern to use it. Make sure to keep an eye for salt if you are using salted butter.
- Kasoori methi and coriander leaves - These herbs gives a rich aroma and taste and delivers the authentic flavor as well
Not having access to Pav buns? then you could also use the following bread instead.
- Burger buns
- Dinner rolls
- Regular white bread
- Sandwich Bread
Slightly toast any of these bread in butter and enjoy the dish.
How to make Pav Bhaji?
This Pav bhaji shared here is a typical street food made with a generous amount of butter. The veggies and tomatoes are initially pressure cooked and then sauteed in onion, bell pepper, and pav bhaji masala gravy. You can also use vegan butter or oil for making a vegan-friendly version of this recipe.
I have used beetroot for glowing red color while street food vendors use red food color to achieve the same. After the bhaji is ready and I have toasted the pav buns in butter with little bhaji gravy until crisp. Then finally delicious dish is served with a lot of coriander leaves, lemon wedges, and chopped onions.
Let's see how to make this lip-smacking dish with detailed step-by-step instructions below:
1. Cooking Veggies
- To cook the veggies, first, pour oil and add cumin seeds, pav bhaji masala, and tomatoes into the pressure cooker. Give it a quick stir and add potatoes, carrots, beetroot, green peas, and salt.
- Pour water and give a good mix. Close the lid of the pressure cooker with its regulator on(whistle) and cook the veggies for 3 whistles.
- Allow the pressure to release naturally and then open the lid. Now with a food masher, mash all the veggies until it turns smooth and creamy. It is okay to have tiny chunks of veggies. Now reserve this veggie for later use
2. Making Bhaji
- To make the bhaji, add a generous amount of butter, onions, and green bell peppers. Saute both the ingredients until it turns soft
- Add in the ginger-garlic paste, Kashmiri chili powder, pav bhaji masala, salt, Kasoori methi, coriander leaves, and lemon juice, and give it a good mix
- Now add half a cup of water and bring it to a boil. Once the water starts to boil, mix in the mashed veggies that we have reserved in the previous step. Give it a good mix
- Allow the bhaji to absorb all the flavors from the masala and herbs. It may take approximately 10 minutes. And now the delicious gravy is ready and let see how to toast the pav
3. Toasting Pav
- Now in a pan with medium heat, add 2 tbsp of butter and allow it to melt. Add 1 tsp of coriander leaves and 2 tsp prepared bhaji gravy and give a good mix. Take a pair of pav buns and slice it in the middle
- Place the white side of the pav on the butter mixture and toast until it turns crisp. Turn the pav and toast the other side as well
- Now remove the pav buns and serve it with creamy bhaji with a lot of coriander leaves and chopped onions
How to make Pav Bhaji Masala?
Even though there are tons of pav bhaji masala brands available in the market, making one at home is always renders a fresh and unique taste to your dish. So let's see how to make it from scratch.
Dry roast the following spices until aromatic and grind them into fine powder. Always store the masala in an airtight container for the best shelf life. You can use this masala for 3 times of the same quantity pav bhaji recipe.
- 3 tbsp coriander seeds
- 2 tbsp cumin seeds
- 5 dry red chilies
- 5 cloves
- 1 tbsp fennel seeds
- 3 black cardamom
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp peppercorn
Mix the roasted spice powder with the following powders and store it in an airtight container.
- ½ tsp ginger powder
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1½ tbsp amchur
- 1 tsp salt
Tips
- I have used generous amount of butter here to get the perfect mumbai-style pav bhaji but you could always feel free to reduce the quantity as per your family needs
- Adding kashmiri red chili powder gives nice vibrant red color to the bhaji and I have also used beetroot along with other veggies which makes the bhaji even colorful
- Using freshly ground ginger garlic paste gives rich aroma and taste to the bhaji masala and I recommend the same
- Even though I have used store brought pav bhaji masala, you could also make your ownat home and I have also shared it in the above section.
- Adding lot of coriander leaves and kasoori methi gives nice taste and flavor to curry and make sure not to skip the ingredients for the best flavor
- Finally toasting the pav with butter and bhaji masala gives an exotic taste and flavor to the dish
- Always garnish the bhaji with some chopped onion and coriander leaves while serving with pav buns which makes the dish even more tastier
- Pav Bhaji is traditionally made with butter but you can also use oil or vegan butter to enjoy the vegan friendly version of it
- Enjoy this delicious Pav Bhaji as a snack, or as a meal for evening, dinner night, party or get-together
Storage Suggestions
This Pav bhaji tastes great when served immediately and I always prefer to consume fresh. But the leftovers can be stored in the air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Serving Suggestions
Serve two ladles of bhaji on a plate and place the butter toasted pav, chopped onions, lemon wedges, and coriander leaves alongside.
You can also find similar Street Food Recipes below and Snack Recipes for more.
Pav Bhaji Recipe video
I have also shared the detailed video of this Pav Bhaji recipe below that I hope will help you to make the creamy and flavorful dish at home. For a quick reference, you could also find this recipe in story format.
📖 Recipe
Pav Bhaji
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup Green Bell Pepper, chopped
- ¼ cup Carrot, diced
- ¼ cup Potato, diced
- ¼ cup Beetroot, diced
- ¼ cup Green Peas
- 2 Tomato, chopped
- 2 tsp Pav Bhaji Masala
- 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
- ¼ cup Oil
- ¼ cup Butter, additional 2 tsp for toasting
- 1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
- 1 tsp Kashmiri Chili Powder
- 2 tsp Lemon Juice
- Salt, as needed
- 2 cups Water
- ¼ cup Coriander Leaves
- 2 tsp Kasoori Methi Leaves, crushed
- Pav Bun, to serve
To Garnish
- Lemon Slice
- Onion, chopped
- Coriander Leaves
Instructions
To prepare Bhaji
- In a pressure cooker, pour oil and add cumin seeds, 1 tsp pav bhaji masala, tomatoes, carrot, potato, beetroot, green peas, salt, water and give it a good mix
- Now close the lid of the pressure cooker with its regulator(whistle) on and allow it to cook for 3 whistles
- Open the lid, once the pressure is completely released and mash all the veggies with a hand masher until they are mushy. And keep the mushy gravy for later use
- Now in a pan with medium heat, add the butter, onion, green bell pepper, and saute until they are soft
- Add Kashmiri chili powder, pav bhaji masala, Kasoori methi, salt, coriander leaves, and saute until the raw aroma disappears
- Now pour ½ cup water and allow the mixture to boil
- Now add the reserved veggie gravy and give a good mix
- Allow the gravy to cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until all the gravy oozes butter from its sides and now the delicious Bhaji (masala) is ready to taste and enjoy
To toast the Pav
- In another pan with medium heat, add 2 tsp of butter, coriander leaves, and 1 tsp prepared pav bhaji masala and give a nice mix
- Now slice a pair of pav buns and toast them on both sides until crispy and shiny
To Serve the Pav Bhaji
- Now pour the prepared Bhaji on a plate and place the toasted pav buns. Garnish with coriander leaves, onion, and lemon wedges. Dip the buttery pav buns in the bhaji and enjoy the dish for an evening snack, dinner night, get-together, or party
Video
Notes
- I have used generous amount of butter here to get the perfect mumbai-style pav bhaji but you could always feel free to reduce the quantity as per your family needs
- Adding kashmiri red chili powder gives nice vibrant red color to the bhaji and I have also used beetroot along with other veggies which makes the bhaji even colorful
- Using freshly ground ginger garlic paste gives a rich aroma and taste to the bhaji masala and I recommend the same
- Adding lot of coriander leaves and kasoori methi gives nice taste and flavor to curry and make sure not to skip the ingredients for the best flavor
- Finally toasting the pav with butter and bhaji masala gives an exotic taste and flavor to the dish
- Always garnish the bhaji with some chopped onion and coriander leaves while serving with pav buns which gives nice flavor and taste
- Pav Bhaji is traditionally made with butter but you can also use oil or vegan butter to enjoy the vegan friendly version of it
- Enjoy this delicious Pav Bhaji as a snack, or as a meal for the evening, dinner night, party or get-together
Nutrition
FAQ
Pav bhaji is an Indian street food that has its origin in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is a spicy and tangy vegetable gravy made with a generous amount of butter with a special pav bhaji masala. The bhaji(vegetable gravy) is served with butter toasted pav buns with coriander leaves and chopped onions.
The term Pav is nothing but dinner rolls and bhaji is a vegetable dish in Marathi. Hence so is the name Pav Bhaji. It is typically served as an evening snack, dinner, parties, and get-together. You can also find this dish in most of the street stalls, restaurants, cafe shops in India and abroad.
Yes. Pav bhaji is prepared with a generous amount of butter which makes this dish high in calories. Having this dish very often will easily increase the weight. If you are on a weight loss journey but still want to enjoy this flavorful dish, then feel free to modify it according to your diet restrictions.
The pav used in the traditional dish is made of refined flour which is not good for a regular diet. You could always choose whole wheat or whole grain bread instead of the regular pav buns.
You can use Kashmiri red chili powder and beetroot to get a perfect red-colored bhaji.
You can use dinner rolls, white bread, sandwich buns, burger buns if pav buns are not readily available.
I really hope you enjoyed the recipe that I have shared here and I would love to hear from you on how it turned out for you. Please let me know.
If you have any other questions, feel free to post them in the comment section below and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Happy Cooking!
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