The most delicious Mumbai favorite street food is this Pav Bhaji. Freshly baked and toasted Pav buns (dinner rolls) and spicy potato based bhaji / curry. The whole plate is served with chopped onions and lemon / lime piece on the side and drizzled with a liberal amount of butter.
I love Pav Bhaji ever since when I was a child, but nothing close to how much my little one loves it. I have to say my little one is crazy about Pav Bhaji and that is pretty much all he ate during our last trip to India.
We would step into any restaurant and the first thing he would ask is for Pav Bhaji. The craze was so high that we had to leave a couple of restaurants because they did not have Pav Bhaji on their menu!
Since, back in the US, we don't have the comfort of eating it outside as much, I make Pav Bhaji at home quite often. I use my ever successful recipe to make the Homemade Pav Buns and pair it with this spicy Bhaji to make my son's favorite.
Usually, I use the store-bought Pav Bhaji Masala powder, but lately, I have been making my own Pav Bhaji Masala at home. I will post the recipe shortly for my masala powder.
Using homemade Pav Bhaji Masala powder makes the dish very flavorful. I make just enough to make Pav Bhaji twice. This way the masala remains aromatic and flavorful. Talking about the flavor, the typical pav bhaji has potatoes and peas along with onions and tomatoes.
We could any vegetable of our choice and this is a great way to hide a few vegetables if you have picky eaters. I add beets, cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage along with the usual potato, carrot, and peas.
I was thinking about at made my little one love this Pav Bhaji back in India and noticed it was the amount of butter that they use to make it. With that much butter, I could not eat past one bun.
My son though loved this and to my surprise made me order one additional set of buns to eat. I could not bring myself to use that much butter, but I used all butter in the recipe instead of oil to bring a little bit of the street food flavor.
Also cooking it on a large Tawa / griddle brings a different kind of flavor. Hopefully, I will be able to set up a backyard kitchen soon and use a large tawa to make the Pav Bhaji.
The Pav Bhaji is very versatile and works great with roti or poori as well. Any leftovers, I use for lunch boxes with Paratha. This could also work well as a sandwich filling.
Ingredients to make Pav Bhaji
- Potatoes - 3 (cubed)
- Carrot - 2 (cubed)
- Green peas - ½ cup (fresh or frozen)
- Green beans - ½ cup (finely chopped)
- Bell Pepper - 1 (finely chopped)
- Onion - 1 large (finely chopped)
- Tomatoes - 3 large (finely chopped)
- Ginger Garlic paste - 1 TBSP
- Turmeric powder - ½ tsp
- Red chili powder - 2 teaspoon (adjust based on your preference)
- Pav Bhaji Masala - 3 TBSP
- Salt - to taste
- Cilantro - to garnish
- Oil / Butter - 3 TBSP
To serve
- Pav Buns - 8 (sliced across)
- Onions - finely chopped
- Lemon - as needed
- Butter - 2 tablespoon (to toast the buns)
Step by step process
- Cube the potatoes and carrots and place it in a bowl along with green peas and beans. Add just enough water to cook the vegetables and cook it in a pressure cooker or Instant pot. I used my instant pot and set it at Manual for 12 minutes. You could also pressure cook them for 3 whistles.
- Using a masher, mash the vegetables once they are done and keep aside.
- In a wide pan, heat the butter or oil. I use a combination of oil and butter usually, but this time I used just butter for the flavor.
- Add the chopped onions and bell pepper and saute them until translucent.
- Add the ginger and garlic paste and fry for a minute.
- Now add the tomatoes and cook until the tomatoes are mushy. Add the masala powder - turmeric powder, red chili powder and Pav Bhaji Masala and mix well.
- Fry it for couple of minutes until nice aroma releases.
- Now add the cooked and mashed vegetables and mix well. Add water to adjust the consistency and mash the vegetables again to combine with the masala.
- Let the Bhaji simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Garnish with cilantro.
To serve the Pav Bhaji
- Heat a griddle to toast the buns. Apply butter liberally on the sliced buns.
- Place the sliced buns, butter side down and toast until golden brown.
- Apply some butter on the side as well and toast.
- Place the toasted buns on a plate and place the bhaji on the side. Top the bhaji with chopped onions and serve with a lemon slice.
Expert tips
- We could use any vegetable of choice along with the potatoes and peas. I use cauliflower and cabbage and beets as well at times.
- Using butter to make the bhaji makes it very authentic. When we see the street vendors prepare it, they use loads of butter. I have used all butter in the recipe, but not as much as a street vendor.
- I used Homemade Pav Bhaji Masala for the recipe. Making fresh masala increases the flavor of the dish, We could use any store bought Pav Bhaji Masala as well.
- I usually make my own Pav Buns, but this time used store bought Hamburger buns. We could use any bun of our choice.
Frequently asked questions
Pav bhaji curry is typically made with potatoes along with onions and tomatoes but we could use a mix of vegetables to make the bhaji. I usually use potato, carrot, green beans, cauliflower, green peas, beetroot and so on.
The answer is yes, but we will miss on the typical street food flavor. Butter adds a lot of flavor the bhaji. If making it vegan, replace the butter with vegan butter in the recipe instead of using oil.
Pav bhaji masala is a mix of spices that can be roasted and ground at home. We also get ready to use pav bhaji masala powder at stores which is convenient to use. These could be found in the Indian grocery stores or on Amazon.
The bhaji or the curry can be refrigerated for 2 to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw and serve whenever needed. The pav or the bun is best when toasted just before serving. If making for a crowd, a large double burner griddle is helpful to toast a few rolls at the same time.
More street foods
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Recipe
Pav Bhaji | Famous Indian Street Food
Equipment
- pressure cooker or instant pot
- pan
- Griddle
- Masher
Ingredients
- 3 Potatoes cubed
- 2 Carrot cubed
- ½ cup Green peas fresh or frozen
- ½ cup Green beans finely chopped
- 1 Bell Pepper finely chopped
- 1 large Onion finely chopped
- 3 large Tomatoes finely chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Ginger Garlic paste
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 2 teaspoon Red chili powder adjust based on your preference
- 3 Tablespoon Pav Bhaji Masala
- to taste Salt
- few Cilantro
- 3 Tablespoon Oil / Butter
To serve -
- 8 Pav Buns sliced across
- 1 Onions finely chopped
- Lemon
- 2 Tablespoon Butter to toast the buns
Instructions
- Cube the potatoes and carrots and place it in a bowl along with green peas and beans. Add just enough water to cook the vegetables and cook it in a pressure cooker or Instant pot. I used my instant pot and set it at Manual for 12 minutes. You could also pressure cook them for 3 whistles.
- Using a masher, mash the vegetables once they are done and keep aside.
- In a wide pan, heat the butter or oil. I use a combination of oil and butter usually, but this time I used just butter for the flavor.
- Add the chopped onions and bell pepper and saute them until translucent.
- Add the ginger and garlic paste and fry for a minute.
- Now add the tomatoes and cook until the tomatoes are mushy. Add the masala powder - turmeric powder, red chili powder and Pav Bhaji Masala and mix well.
- Fry it for couple of minutes until nice aroma releases.
- Now add the cooked and mashed vegetables and mix well. Add water to adjust the consistency and mash the vegetables again to combine with the masala.
- Let the Bhaji simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Garnish with cilantro.
To serve the Pav Bhaji -
- Heat a griddle to toast the buns. Apply butter liberally on the sliced buns.
- Place the sliced buns, butter side down and toast until golden brown.
- Apply some butter on the side as well and toast.
- Place the toasted buns on a plate and place the bhaji on the side. Top the bhaji with chopped onions and serve with a lemon slice.
Notes
- We could use any vegetable of choice along with the potatoes and peas. I use cauliflower and cabbage and beets as well at times.
- Using butter to make the bhaji makes it very authentic. When we see the street vendors prepare it, they use loads of butter. I have used all butter in the recipe, but not as much as a street vendor.
- I used Homemade Pav Bhaji Masala for the recipe. Making fresh masala increases the flavor of the dish, We could use any store bought Pav Bhaji Masala as well.
- I usually make my own Pav Buns, but this time used store bought Hamburger buns. We could use any bun of our choice.
Anaiah says
This is such a delicious Indian street food recipe and I am glad you shared it! Indian cuisine is one of mine and my husband's favorites because we love all of the spices and flavors and how easily it is to make everything vegan or vegetarian. We'll definitely be making this again!
nancy says
thanks for sharing this indian street food!
Michelle says
YUMM! The flavors come together so beautifully in this recipe. Can't wait to try more dishes from your site!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thank you so much. Glad you liked it.
Shilpa says
I love pav bhaji.. it’s one of our family favourites. And all your yummy pics are making me so hungry!! Looks incredibly delicious.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thank you Shilpa. It is one of our favorites as well.
Chris says
Your Indian food always looks so good! I'm so happy I came across this delicious recipe! Thank you for sharing the best recipes!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thanks a lot! Appreciate your visit.
Tavo says
I really enjoy making and munching on your recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thank you!
Ruth Grindeland says
My family loved this. We made it vegan and it tasted amazing.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thanks! I am happy that you liked it.
Kayla DiMaggio says
Yum! I am always trying to broaden my food horizons and this pav bhaji was so delicious! I loved how easy it was to make and it had so much flavor!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thanks Kayla. Glad you like it. This is such a popular street food and you must try it if you travel to India sometime.
Padmajha PJ says
Another family favorite!! Love that close up pic of the pav bhaji with melting butter.Looks extremely inviting Sandhya.
sapana says
Who can resist a bowl of bhaji with some butter smeared toasted pavs, I bet no one. Love this simple yet inviting dish always.
Priya Srinivasan says
I can enjoy this anytime! With pav or without pav ! That bhaji looks so tempting! I can eat it as such for my meal! Perfectly done and an all time favorite!
Manjula Bharath says
Irresistible pav bhaji sandhya looks so tempting, In my home pav bhaji is on the menu atleast once in a week as my daughter so fond of these buttery buns and vegetables. Ha ha wishing you good luck to get a large tawa in your backyard that would be an excellent idea for doing a pav bhaji party isn't it .. Am drooling a lot !!
Pavani says
Delicious looking pav bhaji Sandhya. My picky son also loves it a lot, what's not to love though - yummy potato curry with buttered buns -- I'm already drooling here 🙂
Srivalli says
I do agree the butter gets the better of this food. We all love it so much and I make it at least once a month..lol on leaving a restaurant as they didn't have it on their menu, kids are so fixed on their food right. At least he liked this, which is pretty easy to get here..your entire setup looks so inviting Sandhya..
Mayuri Patel says
I first got introduced to pav bhaji when I was studying in Mt Abu. When I got married it was a dish my mother in law made often and I learnt it from her. My daughter too loves pav bhaji. I make it often at home as here too we don't get ready made one. I use leftover bhaji to make tawa pulao.
kalyani says
my little one too LOVES pav bhaji. between that and Idli-sambar, I think her day is made 🙂 Ur PB is too good , Sandhya and i look forward to the homemade powder too :), and I think I have made ur homemade pav buns too - they turn out great everytime !
Priya Suresh says
Who will resist to this everyone's favourite Pav bhaji, i love this dish to the core. Homemade is always the best and i do this extremely irresistible Pav bhaji at home whenever we feel like having some street food. Delicious..
Gayathri Kumar says
Pav Bhaji is also my daughter's fav chat. Whenever we visit a chat shop, she orders it. Even she ordered it during our trip to Delhi. I can understand why your kiddo is so much crazy for this delicious chat. You have made it perfect and using home made masala increases the flavour a lot..
Vaishali Sabnani says
Pav Bhaji is a universal favorite..but I agree on the butter that these guys use..Sandhya I spoke to a pav bhaji vendor and he said that the bhaji should be cooked without any oil or butter , just sprinkle water..and when done then add butter which gives it the flavor. I use just a drop of oil to saute the onions and capsicum..and trust me it comes out just like a raste ki bhaji..the garlic has to be raw and use more tomatoes.
Well this was a tip..but trust me I am drooling over this butter laden pav bhaji and now want it for my breakfast..aw...
Sharmila Kingsly says
Look scrumptious .. I wish i too make my own pav bun soon.. Always i have paired with store bought buns and homemade pav bhaji!
Sharmila Kingsly says
Look scrumptious .. I wish i too make my own pav bun soon.. Always i have paired with store bought buns and homemade pav bhaji!!
Srividhya Gopalakrishnan says
Being in Bay Area, I am very spoiled with all the street food option available here. 😉 But always homemade is the best and nothing can beat that. Good one Sandhya and glad your son likes it very much. 🙂
harini says
Love to have it for snack now. Looking awesome. It is our favorite as well. I agree that home made masala is more flavorful.
Sandhiya ThirumalaiKumar says
Yes, you're right,Sandhya. Here if you're craving for some street food from India, then the better option is to make them at home !!! I often make pav bhaji at home for our dinner, it looks so good and beautifully presented !!