Healthy Vegetarian Quinoa Biryani

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This Vegetarian Quinoa Biryani is a clean, low carb recipe that combines the rich flavors of traditional spices with vegetables and prepared by layering the spiced vegetables with quinoa.  It is a delicious one-pot vegan and vegetarian meal that provides a great balance of plant-based protein and healthy carbs, uses seasonal vegetables and is gluten-free!

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This recipe for Healthy Vegetarian Quinoa Biryani was inspired by a YouTube video that my father in law shared with me.   In his video on Grandpa Kitchen, chef Narayana Reddy shows us how to make a large batch of Vegetarian Biryani with rice and vegetables.  It inspired me to create a healthy version of this vegetarian meal by substituting quinoa for rice.

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Biryani is a traditional Indian dish that combines the rich flavors of traditional spices with vegetables and prepared by layering the spiced vegetables with plain rice.  My healthy version for Vegetarian Quinoa Biryani is a clean, low carb recipe that can easily be made in two main steps – cooking the quinoa and cooking the vegetables.

The first step will be to cook plain quinoa.   Check out how to cook the perfect quinoa here.  Next, the second step will be to saute the vegetables in both whole and ground traditional Indian spices.  Finally, you simply make a few layers of the plain cooked quinoa and the cooked vegetables.

This Healthy Vegetarian Quinoa Biryani recipe truly provides a complete meal all unto itself!  It is a delicious one-pot vegan and vegetarian meal that provides a great balance of plant-based protein and healthy carbs, uses seasonal vegetables and is gluten-free!

Healthy Vegetarian Quinoa Biryani

This Vegetarian Quinoa Biryani is a clean, low carb recipe that combines the rich flavors of traditional spices with vegetables and prepared by layering the spiced vegetables with quinoa.  It is a delicious one-pot vegan and vegetarian meal that provides a great balance of plant-based protein and healthy carbs, uses seasonal vegetables and is gluten-free!

5 from 4 votes

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Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: authentic indian, biryani recipe, indian recipe, indian spices, quinoa, south asian cooking, vegetable biriyani recipe, vegetable biryani, vegetable biryani recipe

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 183kcal

Equipment

• Instant Pot

Ingredients

 

• ▢ 1 tbsp avocado oil
• ▢ 2 whole dry chili peppers
• ▢ 2 whole bay leaves
• ▢ ½ cinnamon stick, broken into pieces
• ▢ 4 whole cloves
• ▢ ½ tsp whole cumin seeds (jeeru)
• ▢ 1 zucchini, thinly sliced
• ▢ 1 med onion, sliced
• ▢ 1 small eggplant, thinly sliced
• ▢ 1 cup mixed vegetables
• ▢ 2 green chilis, sliced
• ▢ 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• ▢ 2 tsp ginger, minced
• ▢ 2 tsp paprika
• ▢ 1 tsp red chili powder
• ▢ ½ tsp turmeric (hardar)
• ▢ 1 tsp salt (adjust based on taste preference)
• ▢ 2 tsp biryani masala pack
• ▢ ½ cup water
• ▢ 4 cups cooked quinoa

Instructions

• Heat avocado oil in pan.
• Add whole spices like bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, dry chili peppers, cloves and whole cumin seeds.
• Once the spices start to sizzle, add the chopped veggies and garlic and ginger.
• Add the remainder of the spices and water and mix well.
• Cook for about 5 minutes, until veggies have softened and the flavors have incorporated.
• In a separate pan, alternate with a bed of quinoa layered with the cooked veggies.
• Garnish with chopped cilantro.

Notes

1. Feel free to use any combination of veggies you have on hand.

Nutrition Facts

Healthy Vegetarian Quinoa Biryani

Amount Per Serving (1 cup)

Calories 183 Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Saturated Fat 0g0%

Trans Fat 0g

Polyunsaturated Fat 0g

Monounsaturated Fat 2g

Cholesterol 0mg0%

Sodium 123mg5%

Potassium 487mg14%

Carbohydrates 30g10%

Fiber 5g21%

Sugar 8g9%

Protein 6g12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.

Nutrition Disclaimer: All nutritional information shared on this site is an approximation. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on this site should be used as a general guideline.

Shop This Recipe!

Click on links below to purchase the items used in this recipe. (Note:  I may make a small commission if something is purchased through one of these links at no additional cost to you. See full affiliate link disclosure.)

Instant Pot
Authentic Indian Spice Container
Biryani Masala Pack

And there you go! I would love to hear your feedback or questions about this recipe.  Comment below!

I love seeing pictures of my recipes in action! Take a picture and tag me on Instagram {@awarriorinthekitchen} or Facebook {Warrior In The Kitchen}.

For more clean, healthy quinoa recipes, check out my recipe for Instant Pot Quinoa Khichdi which is definitely a go-to comfort food for our family!

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