How to Make Pav Bhaji: A Spiced Indian Street Food Classic

Pav Bhaji is a beloved Indian street food dish that originated in Mumbai and quickly spread in popularity across India and beyond. It features a luscious, spicy mashed vegetable curry (bhaji) served with butter-toasted bread rolls (pav). Rich, flavourful, and incredibly satisfying, pav bhaji is perfect for a quick dinner, weekend brunch, or a hearty snack.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to make pav bhaji at home using simple ingredients. This post is written in clear British English, and is fully optimised for Google SEO so readers can find the best pav bhaji recipe with ease.

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🇮🇳 What Is Pav Bhaji?

The term "Pav Bhaji" breaks down into:

Pav – Soft Indian bread rolls (similar to dinner rolls or baps)

Bhaji – A spiced vegetable mash cooked with butter, onions, tomatoes, and pav bhaji masala

It’s typically served with a dollop of butter, chopped onions, fresh coriander, and a squeeze of lime. Pav bhaji is enjoyed as street food across India, but it’s also a popular homemade dish for gatherings, birthday parties, and quick meals.

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✅ Ingredients for Pav Bhaji

🥦 For the Bhaji (Vegetable Curry):

2 tablespoons butter (plus extra for serving)

1 tablespoon oil

1 large onion, finely chopped

1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste

2 large tomatoes, finely chopped

1 green chilli (optional), chopped

1½ teaspoons pav bhaji masala

½ teaspoon turmeric powder

1 teaspoon red chilli powder (adjust to taste)

Salt to taste

2 large potatoes, peeled and boiled

1 cup cauliflower florets, boiled

½ cup green peas (fresh or frozen)

1 carrot, peeled and chopped

Water as needed

Fresh coriander, chopped (for garnish)

Lemon wedges (for serving)

🍞 For the Pav (Bread Rolls):

8 soft pav buns or white bread rolls

Butter for toasting

Pinch of pav bhaji masala (optional, for flavour)

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👨‍🍳 How to Make Pav Bhaji – Step-by-Step Guide

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🥣 Step 1: Boil and Prepare the Vegetables

1. Boil potatoes, cauliflower, peas, and carrot until soft. You can pressure cook or boil them in a pot.

2. Once cooked, mash the vegetables coarsely using a masher or fork. Set aside.

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🍅 Step 2: Make the Bhaji (Curry)

1. Heat butter and oil in a large pan or tawa.

2. Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.

3. Stir in ginger-garlic paste and cook until the raw smell disappears.

4. Add chopped tomatoes and cook until soft and mushy.

5. Add turmeric, chilli powder, pav bhaji masala, and salt. Sauté until oil separates.

6. Add the mashed vegetables and mix well into the onion-tomato masala.

7. Add some water to adjust the consistency and continue mashing everything together on low-medium heat.

8. Simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick, smooth, and buttery.

9. Add a knob of butter and garnish with fresh coriander.

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🔥 Step 3: Toast the Pav Buns

1. Slice each pav bun horizontally but not all the way through.

2. Heat a pan or tawa with butter.

3. Place the pav buns on the pan and toast until golden on both sides.

4. Sprinkle a little pav bhaji masala on the butter for extra flavour.

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🍽 Step 4: Serve the Pav Bhaji

Serve hot bhaji on a plate, topped with:

A dollop of butter

Chopped onions

Lemon wedges

Toasted pav buns on the side

This dish is best eaten hot and fresh, straight from the stove.

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🌟 Tips for the Best Pav Bhaji

Use butter generously for authentic street-style flavour.

Mash the vegetables well – the smoother, the better.

Add beetroot for a vibrant red colour (optional).

Toast the pav with a little masala for extra zing.

Adjust spice levels to suit your taste.

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🥄 Variations of Pav Bhaji

Cheese Pav Bhaji – Add grated cheese on top before serving.

Paneer Pav Bhaji – Mix in crumbled paneer (Indian cottage cheese).

Khada Pav Bhaji – Keep some veggies chunky inste

ad of mashing everything.

Jain Pav Bhaji – Skip onions, garlic, and root vegetables. Use raw bananas instead of potatoes.

--- write ✍️ by foodie Parmod.