Beetroot rice /pulao

Beetroot rice

🌸 Beetroot Rice (Beetroot Pulao) — A Colorful One-Pot Comfort Dish

If you’re looking for an easy, wholesome, and vibrant meal that comes together in minutes, Beetroot Rice or Beetroot Pulao is a perfect choice. This beautiful pink-hued rice not only brightens your plate but also adds a gentle sweetness and earthy flavor that pairs so well with simple spices. It’s one of those quick-fix dishes that proves healthy food can be comforting too.

I love how beetroot pulao makes a complete meal in itself — mildly spiced, colorful, and packed with goodness. It’s also one of the easiest one-pot rice dishes you can prepare on a busy day. Just cook grated beetroot with onions, green chilies, and a touch of garam masala, add rice, and let the cooker do the rest. Within minutes, your kitchen fills with that delicious aroma that only home-cooked food brings.

This dish is especially great for lunchboxes or travel meals, as it stays moist and flavorful even hours after cooking. Pair it with simple raita, papad, or a plain dal — and you have a nourishing meal ready to go. Beetroot rice is also a wonderful way to make kids enjoy this nutritious vegetable in a tasty, appealing form.

🫕 Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice, washed and soaked for 20 minutes

• ¾ cup beetroot, finely chopped

• 1 onion, thinly sliced

• 1 tomato, finely chopped

• 3 garlic cloves, sliced

• 2 green chilies, slit (optional for mild spice)

• 1 tbsp ghee (or oil)

• Salt to taste

• 1½ cups boiling water

🌿 Whole Spices

• 1 small piece star anise

• 2 cloves

• 1 green cardamom

• 1 small bay leaf

• ½ tsp cumin seeds

• ½ tsp garam masala

🔪 Method

1. Soak and prep:
   Wash and soak basmati rice for 20 minutes. Drain and keep aside. Chop beetroot, onion, tomato, and garlic.

2. Temper the spices:
   Heat ghee in a pressure cooker. Add cumin seeds, star anise, bay leaf, cardamom, and cloves. Let them sizzle until aromatic.

3. Sauté the base:
   Add sliced onions and garlic, sauté until translucent. Then add green chilies and chopped tomatoes. Cook till tomatoes soften slightly.

4. Add beetroot:
   Stir in the chopped beetroot and sauté for 2–3 minutes till it releases a beautiful color and the raw smell reduces.

5. Season and mix:
   Add salt and garam masala. Mix well.

6. Add rice and water:
   Add the soaked rice and pour in 1½ cups of boiling water. Mix gently to combine all ingredients.

7. Pressure cook:
   Close the lid and pressure cook for 2 whistles on medium heat. Allow the pressure to release naturally.

8. Fluff and serve:
   Gently fluff the rice with a fork. Serve hot with cucumber raita, plain curd, or papad.

🍽️ Serving Suggestion

This beetroot pulao tastes best with chilled curd, boondi raita, or even a simple appalam. It also makes a colorful addition to your lunchbox menu.

Beetroot rice /pulao