Special Vegan Pav Bhaji

Craving the rich, spicy, buttery goodness of Mumbai's famous street food—Pav Bhaji—but want to keep it vegan? We've got you covered with this Special Vegan Pav Bhaji that’s just as indulgent, aromatic, and soul-satisfying as the original, but made entirely with plant-based ingredients.

Perfect for weeknight dinners, weekend brunch, or when you're entertaining guests, this recipe is guaranteed to steal the show!

🌱 What is Pav Bhaji?

Pav Bhaji is a beloved Indian street food that features a spicy mashed vegetable curry (bhaji) served with soft, butter-toasted buns (pav). Traditionally made with butter and sometimes cream, we’ve veganized this classic without sacrificing any of the bold, buttery flavor.

Prep Time25

Cook Time30

Course: Breakfast, Main Course, Vegan

Cuisine: Indian

Servings: 2

Cost: 100

Ingredients

For the Bhaji (Vegetable Curry):

2 tbsp oil or vegan butter
1 large onion finely chopped
1 green chili chopped (optional for heat)
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
2 tomatoes finely chopped
1 green capsicum chopped
1 cup cauliflower florets
1 cup boiled and mashed potatoes
½ cup green peas
½ tsp turmeric powder
1½ tbsp pav bhaji masala
1 tsp red chili powder adjust to taste
Salt to taste
Water as needed
Juice of ½ a lemon
Fresh coriander chopped for garnish

For the Pav (Buns):

4 soft vegan buns
1 –2 tbsp vegan butter or oil
A pinch of pav bhaji masala for toasting

Instructions

✅ Make the Bhaji:

Heat oil in a wide pan. Sauté onions until golden.
Add ginger-garlic paste and green chilies. Sauté until aromatic.
Stir in chopped tomatoes and cook until soft and mushy.
Add bell pepper and cook for 2–3 minutes.
Add turmeric, pav bhaji masala, chili powder, and salt. Mix well.
Add cauliflower, peas, and mashed potatoes. Mash everything using a potato masher.
Pour in a splash of water as needed to get a smooth, thick consistency.
Let it simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring and mashing occasionally.
Finish with lemon juice and fresh coriander.

✅ Toast the Pav:

Heat a pan, add a bit of vegan butter.
Sprinkle a pinch of pav bhaji masala and toast the buns on both sides until golden and slightly crispy.

🥄 Serving Suggestion

Serve hot bhaji in a bowl with a generous pat of vegan butter on top, alongside toasted pav, chopped onions, and a lemon wedge. Don’t forget to garnish with fresh coriander!

🔁 Variations & Tips

Add beets for extra color and nutrition.
Use coconut oil for a slightly different flavor twist.
Try whole wheat or gluten-free buns for a healthier version.
Double the batch and freeze the bhaji for up to 2 months!