Brown Rice Pulao - one pot meal, a healthy and nutritious dish

Brown Rice Pulao

🌿A Wholesome One-Pot Meal🌿

There are some dishes that not only fill our stomachs but also fill our hearts with warmth. Brown Rice Pulao is one such recipe for me. I remember the first time I cooked it on a lazy weekend—it was raining outside, and the aroma of whole spices filling the kitchen made the moment unforgettable. Unlike polished white rice, brown rice has a rustic, earthy touch that makes the pulao more nourishing and deeply satisfying. Brown rice is the unrefined version of white rice and it is full of fibre. Brown rice is whole grain, with only the inedible hull of the seed removed, while white rice additionally has the bran and germ removed through the process of milling.

This one-pot meal is a healthy and nutritious option, especially for those who want to enjoy the goodness of whole grains while indulging in comforting flavors. With lots of vegetables, whole spices, and the richness of ghee, it becomes a perfect combination of taste and health.

Brown Rice Pulao Recipe

Today, I am going to share the recipe of  brown rice pulao; Pulao is also spelled pilaf or pulav, pilaff, pilau. So let’s make this simple yet hearty Brown Rice Pulav.🌸

🛒 Ingredients

• Brown Rice – 250 gm

• Onion – 1 big (sliced thick)
• Carrot – 1 small (cut in small pieces)
• Cauliflower – 150 gm (cut in small florets)
• French Beans – 100 gm (cut in small pieces)
• Capsicum – 1 (cut in small pieces)
• Spring Onion Greens – 2 tbsp (finely chopped)
• Green Chilli – 1 (finely chopped)
• Ginger-Garlic Paste – 2 tbsp
• Cinnamon – 1 inch piece
• Green Cardamom – 2
• Bay Leaves – 2
• Cloves – 4
• Mace – 2–3 strands
• Cumin Seeds – 1 tsp
  
• Red Chilli Powder – 1 tsp
• Salt – to taste
• Refined Oil – 2 tbsp
  
• Ghee – 1 tbsp
• Fresh Coriander Leaves – 2 tbsp (finely chopped)

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Rice

Wash the brown rice thoroughly and soak it for at least 2 hours. This step is very important, as brown rice takes longer to cook than white rice.

Step 2: Cook the Vegetables and Rice

1. Heat refined oil in a heavy-bottom pan.
2. Add bay leaves, mace strands, cloves, cardamom and cinnamon. Sauté until aromatic.
3. Add sliced onion and cook until translucent.
4. Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and sauté until the raw smell goes away.
5. Add cauliflower, carrot and beans. Sauté for 2 minutes.
6. Add capsicum, spring onion greens and green chilli. Mix well.
7. Sprinkle red chilli powder and salt.
8. Add the soaked brown rice and mix gently with the vegetables and spices.
9. Pour in about 2 glasses of water and bring it to a boil.
10. Cover and cook on low flame for 12–15 minutes. Check whether it is done. If not add some more water and cook for another 5-10 minutes. It takes around 25-30 minutes to cook. You need to add water and cook further.
11. Once cooked, drizzle ghee on top for enhanced flavor. Switch off the flame and keep covered for a few minutes so all flavors blend beautifully.

Step 3: Garnish and Serve

• Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves.

• Serve hot with mint raita, salad and mirch ke tikore (or any pickle of your choice).

📝 Recipe Notes & Tips

• Soaking brown rice is a must to reduce cooking time and help it cook evenly.
• Brown rice takes longer than white rice; don’t hesitate to add extra water in small amounts while cooking.
• Adjust the quantity of vegetables as per your taste.
• Green chilli and red chilli powder can be balanced depending on spice preference.
• A spoon of ghee at the end elevates the flavor and makes the pulao more aromatic.
• Though not exactly a Dum recipe, this pulao releases a beautiful aroma similar to Dum Biryani.
• Cook patiently on low flame to let the spices and vegetables infuse into the rice.
• Brown Rice Pulao is a healthy and nutritious recipe. It is one pot meal dish.

⏰ Time, Serving & Type of Dish

• Preparation Time: 10 minutes (plus 2 hours soaking time)
• Cooking Time: 25–30 minutes
• Total Time: ~40 minutes (excluding soaking)
• Serving Size: Serves 3–4
• Type of Dish: One-pot wholesome vegetarian main course

💬 Share Your Thoughts!

✨ Friends, I hope you’ll enjoy this nourishing and flavorful Brown Rice Pulao as much as I do. It’s a wonderful way to bring together taste and health in a single pot. If you give it a try, do share your feedback in the comments. Like, share and follow Aroma from the Kitchen for more homestyle recipes with a traditional heart and a modern soul.

Don’t miss out on these delicious recipes from my kitchen!

👉 Try the spicy and flavorful Cabbage Roll Masala – a perfect twist to a classic dish!

👉 Relish the earthy flavors of Kachchi Haldi ki Sabji – a traditional Rajasthani winter delicacy packed with health and taste! 🌿✨

👉 Try the flavorful Peetha Raw Banana Veggie Rampuri – a traditional delight!

👉 Indulge in the comforting goodness of Bharwaan Tinde!

👉 And don’t forget the rich and savory Lauki ke Kofte – a true family favorite!

Happy Cooking! 😊👩‍🍳

Thanks for stopping by! 🌸