Indian
👍 Beginner Friendly
15 mineasy
IndianDinner
Recipe Story
origins & traditionsPav Bhaji is an iconic Mumbai street food that transforms simple vegetables into a rich, aromatic curry bursting with bold Indian spices. This beloved dish features a medley of potatoes, cauliflower, peas, and bell peppers mashed together and cooked with tomatoes, butter, and a special blend of pav bhaji masala. The curry is traditionally served with ladi pav (soft bread rolls) that are toasted in butter until golden and crispy on the outside while remaining pillowy soft inside. What makes this dish truly special is the generous amount of butter that enriches every bite, the tangy-spicy flavor profile from fresh lime juice and aromatic spices, and the customizable toppings of chopped onions, cilantro, and extra butter. Perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as a comforting weeknight dinner, this recipe captures the essence of Mumbai street food culture.
Instructions
step by step0/9 done
Boil the potatoes, cauliflower, and peas together in salted water until tender, about 12-15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Heat 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown, about 5-6 minutes.
Add minced garlic and grated ginger, cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add chopped bell peppers and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly softened.
Add diced tomatoes, turmeric, chili powder, cumin, coriander, and paprika. Cook until tomatoes are completely soft and mushy, about 8-10 minutes. Mash with a potato masher as they cook.
Add the boiled vegetables to the pan and mash everything together until you achieve a chunky yet creamy consistency. Add salt to taste.
Pour in 1 cup water or vegetable stock to achieve desired consistency. Simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding more butter for richness.
Finish with fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning.
For the pav: Slice the bread rolls horizontally. Heat butter in a separate pan and toast the rolls cut-side down until golden brown.
Serve the bhaji hot, garnished with diced onions, extra cilantro, a wedge of lime, and a dollop of butter. Serve with buttered toasted pav on the side.
Mumbai Street Style Pav Bhaji
4.2 (58)
A vibrant, spiced mashed vegetable curry served with buttered soft bread rolls, bringing the authentic flavors of Mumbai street food to your home kitchen.
medium
55 min
6 servings
Ingredients
0 of 18 checked
main vegetables
- 4 pieces potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped
- 2 cups cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 cups peas, fresh or frozen
- 2 pieces bell-peppers, finely chopped
base
- 4 pieces tomatoes, finely chopped
- 2 pieces onions, finely chopped plus extra for garnish
aromatics
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons ginger, freshly grated
fat
- 8 tablespoons butter, divided
spices
- 1 teaspoons turmeric
- 2 teaspoons chili-powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoons coriander
- 1 teaspoons paprika
finishing
- 2 pieces lime, juiced plus wedges for serving
garnish
- 4 tablespoons cilantro, freshly chopped
seasoning
- 2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
accompaniment
- 12 slices bread, soft dinner rolls or pav
Chef Tips
expert advice•For authentic Mumbai flavor, use pav bhaji masala spice blend if available at Indian grocery stores.
•The key to great pav bhaji is the texture - mash vegetables thoroughly but leave some chunks for interest.
•Do not skimp on butter; it is essential to the authentic taste.
•You can add or substitute vegetables like carrots, green beans, or cabbage.
•For a healthier version, reduce butter quantity but maintain at least 4 tablespoons for flavor.
•The bhaji tastes even better the next day as flavors meld together.
•Serve with chopped raw onions and lemon wedges on the side for guests to customize.
•For extra richness, add a tablespoon of cream at the end.
•If you like it spicier, increase cayenne pepper or add fresh green chilies.
•The bread can be regular dinner rolls if pav is unavailable.
