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    Home » Breakfasts / Snacks

    Pav bhaji recipe

    Published: Jun 5, 2012 · Last Modified: Jul 5, 2020 by Kanan Patel / 37 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    pav bhaji recipe pin

    Pav bhaji recipe - The most popular Mumbai street food or fast food recipe. Mixed vegetables are cooked, mashed and spiced with special spice blend, served with soft, toasted buns.

    Pav bhaji recipe | How to make pav bhaji | Mumbai pav bhaji

    This pav bhaji recipe is smooth and buttery just like the street stalls serves. For that I am using the butter at different stages while preparing the bhaji.

    - First I am sauteing the onion-tomato in the butter.
    - Secondly, once the bhaji is ready, I add a tablespoon of butter, let it melt. Again add tablespoon of butter and let it melt. I do this 3 times and it makes the huge difference in the texture and taste of the bhaji. Try it once, you will definitely see the good result.

    All the taste and flavors in pav bhaji recipe depends on the masala that you use. Earlier I was using the Everest brand pav bhaji masala, it was good. But since past 6 months I am using the homemade pav bhaji masala. I have tried Badshah brand masala as well. But I did not like it that much.

    Pav bhaji recipe | How to make pav bhaji | Mumbai pav bhaji

    Butter is the next element that plays big role for the flavorful bhaji. Use the good quality white butter. My mom in India uses the Amul butter and it makes the fantastic bhaji. Here in USA, I use the USDA grade AA unsalted butter.

    Also one more element that makes it perfect. It is the soft bun aka ladi pav. Always use the fresh pav. It should be lightly toasted with butter on tawa. This soft buttery pav served with bhaji gives the perfection.

    It is known for a snack recipe. But it is rich and heavy with all the butter and potatoes in it. So I usually make it as a meal during the weekends. Sometimes I do make paneer pav bhaji recipe too.

    Check out more Mumabi street food recipes
    Veg grilled cheese sandwich  // Pani puri  // Bhel puri //  Vada pav


    How to make pav bhaji recipe (Step by Step Photos):


    or Jump to Recipe

    1) Take chopped potatoes, carrots, cauliflower and green peas in the pressure cooker.

    2) Add salt and ¾ cups of water. Mix it. It looks like there is not much water in it. But that is ok, while cooking water leaves its own water and consistency will be fine. if added too much water then it will be too watery.
    Pav bhaji recipe | How to make pav bhaji | Mumbai pav bhaji

    3) Cover the cooker with lid, put the weight on. Turn the heat on medium. Let it cook for 3-4 whistles. While it is cooking, chop other ingredients for bhaji. Let the pressure go down by itself. Then open the lid.

    4) Mash it using potato masher.
    Pav bhaji recipe | How to make pav bhaji | Mumbai pav bhaji

    5) Don’t make it like a puree, it should be little chunky. Keep it aside.

    6) Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in pan on medium heat.
    Pav bhaji recipe | How to make pav bhaji | Mumbai pav bhaji

    7) Once hot add cumin seeds. Let them sizzle a bit.

    8) Then add garlic paste, cook for a minute. Or till the raw smell of garlic goes away.
    Pav bhaji recipe | How to make pav bhaji | Mumbai pav bhaji

    9) Then add chopped onions. Sprinkle some salt.

    10) Cook till onions are light brown in color.
    Pav bhaji recipe | How to make pav bhaji | Mumbai pav bhaji

    11) Add chopped capsicum and mix.

    12) Cook for 3-4 minutes. Capsicum will get soften.
    Pav bhaji recipe | How to make pav bhaji | Mumbai pav bhaji

    13) Add chopped tomatoes. Mix well and cook.

    14) Tomatoes will get soft and juicy. Let all the water gets evaporated. Cook till it becomes chunky yet thick paste.
    Pav bhaji recipe | How to make pav bhaji | Mumbai pav bhaji

    15) Add pav bhaji masala and red chili powder.

    16) Mix well and cook for a minute.
    Pav bhaji recipe | How to make pav bhaji | Mumbai pav bhaji

    17) Then add prepared mashed veggies.

    18) Mix well.
    Pav bhaji recipe | How to make pav bhaji | Mumbai pav bhaji

    19) Add water.

    20) Mix well. Adjust the water quantity as per your liking consistency. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
    Pav bhaji recipe | How to make pav bhaji | Mumbai pav bhaji

    21) Add 1 tablespoon of butter.

    22) Cover the pan and let the butter gets melt.
    Pav bhaji recipe | How to make pav bhaji | Mumbai pav bhaji

    23) Once butter is almost melted (about in 2 minutes), open the lid. Stir it well.

    24) Then again add 1 tablespoon of butter, cover and let it melt.
    Pav bhaji recipe | How to make pav bhaji | Mumbai pav bhaji

    25) Once melted, stir well so everything gets incorporated well. Again add last tablespoon of butter and repeat the same process. This makes really smooth and buttery.

    26) Turn off the stove. Lastly add chopped coriander leaves.
    Pav bhaji recipe | How to make pav bhaji | Mumbai pav bhaji

    27) Mix well and keep it covered.

    28) Now to toast the buns, Cut into half horizontally. Spread the butter on both the sides using butter knife.
    Pav bhaji recipe | How to make pav bhaji | Mumbai pav bhaji

    29) heat the pan on medium heat. Once hot place the butter side facing down on the pan.

    30) Once gets golden brown from one side, turn it around the toast other side. Other sides (meaning the top side) should be very lightly toasted. Remove it to a platter. and repeat for rest of the pav.
    Pav bhaji recipe | How to make pav bhaji | Mumbai pav bhaji

    Now serve the warm bhaji on the plate with dollop of butter on top. On side serve some chopped onions, lemon wedges and pav.

    Serving Suggestion: Have it as a meal or snack.

    Notes:

    • If you are making the bhaji in bulk, Then it will be time consuming to chop the onion and tomatoes. So you can use the food processor for that. You cannot chop the tomatoes in processor but make the chunky puree and use in the recipe.
    • For the different taste, you can add cabbage, eggplant, green beans while pressure cooking the vegetables. Taste of the bhaji will depend on which vegetables you are using.
    • Potato is the base of the gravy, so use the enough potatoes compared to the other vegetables.
    • To make it healthy, you can skip the addition of butter at the end. Also toast the pav with oil instead of butter.

    Pav bhaji recipe | How to make pav bhaji | Mumbai pav bhaji

    Step by Step Photos AboveWant to make it perfect first time? Don't forget to check out Step-by-Step photo instructions and helpful Tips & Tricks !!
    Pav bhaji recipe | How to make pav bhaji | Mumbai pav bhaji
    Print Pin

    Mumbai Pav bhaji recipe

    4.82 from 22 votes
    Tried this recipe? Leave a comment and/or give ★ ratings
    US measuring cups are used. 1 cup = 240 ml
    Author: Kanan
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: Indian,Mumbai street food
    Calories: 192kcal
    Servings 4 Servings
    Prep Time 20 minutes
    Cook Time 40 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour
    US measuring cups are used (1 cup = 240 ml) See details

    Ingredients  

    For pressure cooking vegetables:

    • 2 small or 1 ½ cups Potatoes roughly chopped
    • ½ cup Cauliflower (gobi) cut into big florets
    • ½ cup Carrot cut into big pieces
    • ½ cup Green peas
    • ¾ cup Water
    • Salt to taste

    For pav bhaji recipe:

    • 1+3 tablespoons Butter
    • 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
    • 1 tablespoon Garlic paste or freshly grated
    • ¾ cup Red onion finely chopped
    • Salt to taste
    • ½ cup Capsicum (Green bell pepper) finely chopped
    • 2 ½ cups Tomato finely chopped
    • 1 ½ tablespoons Pav bhaji masala
    • 1 tablespoon Red chili powder
    • 1 to 1 ½ cups Water
    • 2-3 tablespoons Cilantro or coriander leaves finely chopped

    For toasting pav/buns:

    • 8-10 Ladi pav
    • 1 tablespoon Butter or Butter spread

    To serve on side:

    • ½ cup Red onion finely chopped
    • 1 Lemon cut into wedges
    • Butter as needed, to add on top of the bhaji

    Instructions 

    First boil the vegetables:

    • Take vegetables in the pressure cooker with ¾ cup of water and salt.
    • Let it cook for 3-4 whistles on medium heat or till veggies are soft.
    • Turn off the stove and let the pressure go down by itself and then open the lid.
    • Using potato masher mash the boiled veggies and keep it aside.

    Making pav bhaji recipe:

    • Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in pan on medium heat. Once hot add cumin seeds. Let them sizzle a bit.
    • Then saute garlic paste for a minute.
    • Then add chopped onions with some salt. Cook till onions are light brown in color.
    • Now mix in capsicum and cook for 3-4 minutes. Capsicum will get soften.
    • Add chopped tomatoes. Mix well and cook. Tomatoes will get soft and juicy. Let all the water gets evaporated. Cook till it becomes chunky yet thick paste.
    • Add pav bhaji masala and red chili powder. Mix well and cook for a minute.
    • Then add prepared mashed veggies. Mix well.
    • Add water. Adjust the water quantity as per your liking consistency. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
    • Now add 1 tablespoon of butter. Cover the pan and let the butter gets melt. Once butter is almost melted (about in 2 minutes), open the lid. Stir it well.
    • Then again add 1 tablespoon of butter, cover and let it melt. Once melted, stir well so everything gets incorporated well.
    • Again add last tablespoon of butter and repeat the same process.
    • So in short, we are adding butter three times.
    • Turn off the stove. Lastly add chopped coriander leaves.
    • Mix well and keep it covered.

    Toasting the buns and serve:

    • Now apply the butter on bun slices and toast them on tawa on medium heat.
    • Serve the warm bhaji on the plate with dollop of butter on top.
    • On side serve some chopped onions, lemon wedges and pav.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 19.1g | Protein: 3.9g | Fat: 12.4g | Saturated Fat: 7.4g | Trans Fat: -1g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 416mg | Potassium: 632mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 4850IU | Vitamin C: 92.4mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1.6mg
    *Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 1 serving
    Did you make this recipe?Snap a pic, mention @spice.up.the.curry or tag #spiceupthecurry. I would love to see.
    « Palak Kadhi Recipe (Spinach Kadhi)
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    Comments

    1. Anastasya Patel

      April 11, 2020 at 5:01 pm

      I made this just now for lunch, and it was delicious! Best part was it was the perfect quantity (other recipes that I have tried made way too much) - it’s always nice to not have to half recipes to reach the desired portion. Thank you!5 stars

      Reply
      • Kanan Patel

        April 12, 2020 at 9:27 am

        Glad that you liked and recipe helped.
        Thank you for the feedback

        Reply
    2. Pratibha Singh

      December 07, 2018 at 5:23 am

      Wonderful recipe.5 stars

      Reply
      • Kanan

        January 03, 2019 at 4:04 pm

        thank you

        Reply
    3. Pinki Roy

      February 10, 2018 at 6:43 am

      I have tried pav bhaji IST time..my son 4 yr old liked it too much..and I had to make it again for him...others also appreciated this dish..as this food is not available here

      Reply
      • Kanan

        February 13, 2018 at 10:51 pm

        very happy to know that everyone liked it.

        Reply
    4. Rao

      November 09, 2017 at 8:53 am

      Hi Kanan,
      I would like to skip the Cauliflower. Would it alter the taste? Also what is the proportion of other veggies to make up for the Cauliflower?

      I have tried many of your other recipes and they have turned out to be awesome.

      Thanks...5 stars

      Reply
      • Kanan

        November 09, 2017 at 10:42 am

        You can skip the cauliflower, not much difference in the taste.
        You can use same amount of cabbage or broccoli instead.
        Or add extra 1/4 cup peas. Do not increase the carrot amount otherwise it will be little on sweeter tone.

        Glad to know that you enjoyed other recipes.

        Reply
        • Rao

          November 09, 2017 at 10:24 pm

          Thank you!!!

          Reply
    5. Vanashree

      September 25, 2017 at 1:15 pm

      Your step by step explanation with pictures is really helpful. I tried it tonight and it turned out to be delicious. This was my first time cooking pav bhaji.After adding last spoon of butter I added a spoon of chaat masala and dry mango powder. My sister loved it. Thank you so much... Love from Hyd5 stars

      Reply
      • Kanan

        September 25, 2017 at 5:28 pm

        Very happy to know that pav bhaji came out good.
        Thank you for your detailed feedback

        Reply
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