Quick Carrot Biryani-A very simple and yet so flavorful carrot biryani which you would want to have almost every day in your lunchbox.
Quick & Flavorful Carrot Biryani
Looking for an easy, delicious, and lunchbox-friendly recipe? This Quick Carrot Biryani is just what you need! It’s incredibly simple to make yet packed with flavor—so much so that I often find myself craving it for lunch almost every day.
Adapted from a recipe in BBC Good Food Magazine, this version has quickly become one of my all-time favorites. All it takes is some cooked rice and grated carrots, and in just a few minutes, you have a wholesome, comforting dish ready to go.
The original recipe uses cashew nuts for a crunchy texture, but I like to switch things up with whatever nuts I have on hand—they all work beautifully and add a lovely contrast to the soft rice and carrots.
While basmati rice is my go-to for that authentic biryani aroma and texture, feel free to use any type of rice you have. That said, if you’re aiming for that classic biryani experience, pre-soaked and properly cooked basmati rice is the way to go.
Whether you’re packing lunch or whipping up a quick weeknight meal, this carrot biryani is sure to hit the spot!
⭐ What Makes This Carrot Biryani Special?
✅ Quick & Easy – Made with pre-cooked rice and basic ingredients.
✅ Healthy – Packed with carrots, peas, and corn for a veggie boost.
✅ Customizable – Use any nuts you have on hand, or skip them altogether.
✅ Lunchbox Friendly – Tastes great even after a few hours, and doesn’t get soggy.
🍳 Instructions: How to Make Quick Carrot Biryani
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pan or skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sliced onions. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until the onions turn soft and golden.
Step 2: Add Spices & Veggies
Stir in the turmeric powder, coriander powder, garam masala, salt, chopped green chillies, and the optional nuts (cashew or almonds). Cook for 30 seconds to bloom the spices.
Next, add the grated carrots along with peas and corn. Mix well and let everything cook on low heat for about 3–4 minutes until the veggies are slightly tender but still hold their shape.
Step 3: Mix in the Rice
Add the cooked rice to the pan. Gently mix everything together, ensuring the rice is well coated with the spices and veggies. Be careful not to mash the rice—fold it in lightly.
Step 4: Final Cook
Let it cook on low heat for another 2 minutes, just to warm everything through and let the flavors combine.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!
Remove from heat and serve hot with yogurt, pickle, and a fresh salad on the side. It’s also great with a dollop of raita or mint chutney.
💡 Tips & Variations
Rice: Basmati rice gives the best biryani-like aroma, but you can use any cooked rice. Just make sure it’s cooled and not sticky.
Protein Add-ons: Add paneer cubes or cooked chickpeas for a protein-rich twist.
Make it Vegan: The base recipe is naturally vegan—just skip yogurt as a side or opt for plant-based alternatives.
Nuts: Cashews add a delicious crunch, but almonds or peanuts work too. Roast them before adding for extra flavor.
🧺 Perfect for Meal Prep
This carrot biryani stores beautifully and tastes just as good the next day. You can refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 3 days. It’s great for office lunchboxes or quick dinners after a long day.
🥄 Try This Next
Veg Pulao with Whole Spices
One-Pot Tomato Rice
South Indian Lemon Rice
Have you tried this Carrot Biryani?
Tag me in your recreations or leave a comment below—I’d love to hear how it turned out for you!
Looking for more such recipes to get some ideas for your lunch or dinner? Do not miss my Amla Pickle and 5 Popular Chutneys and the best one’s Mint Chutney.
*If you ever try this recipe don’t forget to share your photos with me on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or tag me on Instagram @cookingwithsapana using the hashtag #cookingwithsapana and stay connected* I would love to see your creations from my space!!
Quick Carrot Biryani Recipe
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 2 cups carrot, grated
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 green chillies, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup peas + corn fresh or frozen
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon cashew or almonds, sliced Optional
- 3 cups cooked rice
- 2 tablespoon oil
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan and add garlic and onions. Saute for 2-3 minutes or until onions are golden.
- Stir in cashew or almonds, turmeric, coriander powder salt, green chilli and garam masala. Add carrots, peas, and corn and let it cook on simmer for minutes.
- Now add the cooked rice and gently combine with the spices and carrots.
- Cook for 2 minutes more, remove from heat and serve with salad, pickle, yogurt, and chutney.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Always let me know how this recipe turned out in the comments below. I will be so excited to hear how you served your Andhra style Mango Pickle and please do share your tips and tricks with me.
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Best Regards,
Sapana Behl
That’s so inviting and no one can say no to that lunch box. Absolutely love that color. And same pinch for biryani. I posted a biryani too today. 🙂
Yup I love such easy peasy and flavorful rice recipes.
I do prepare carrot rice in the same way without peas, the addition of peas makes it so colorful. Absolutely Yum!!!
Wow, such a prefectly cooked rice and this quick carrot biriyani is definitely a blessing to dish out quickly to pack anyone’s lunch box.
Such a heavenly looking yummy biriyani.. Perfect for any day cooking as carrot is always handy in n pantry!!
Perfect and amazingly delicious carrot biryani recipe. YUMMY!
What an amazing rice with carrots! This sure looks so colourful and must taste divine..
The carrot biryani sounds amazing..i like the idea of using cooked rice to this..it looks great and i agree it is a perfect lunch box recipe. I have always liked the idea of packing rice for tiffin. great clicks Sapna.
Love your presentation ❤
And I am surely going to try this as its looks very tempting.
This carrot biryani is perfect for a busy day. It can be made in a jiffy. Awesome presentation and it looks superbly delicious.
Such a simple recipe, so few ingredients and yet so appealing. Will be the perfect meal with a cold raita and some papad on the side.
Love the quick biryani recipe. Perfect for sudden biryani cravings, It looks amazing 🙂
Carrot biriyani sounds really interesting! Have tried pulao with it… the clicks look really tempting…
Healthy one pot meal.. Love the biriyani any day.
Really blissful to have this for lunch box. Colorful and healthy as well. My daughter will love it I am sure. It’s going into my this week’s menu.
Oh my, those are such lovely pictures! Every click is drawing me closer to trying your fabulous yet simple recipe ASAP! Beautiful!
That’s the definition of healthy fast food. I love quick recipes that look this gorgeous and taste awesome too. It’s a winner all the way!
Stunning images as I scroll through the post and invites me to make this soon. While we do make Carrot rice, the biryani certainly sounds yummier. Visual treat & looking at the images, I am sure your family will ensure you keep cooking this regularly.
This carrot biryani looks so colorful and tempting. Love such type of easy and tasty dishes
Love the way you have presented the dish. Will love it with a bowl of raita and some salad
I prepare something similar, should try this version. Love these easy and quick recipes.
I am going to forward your post to my daughter, guaranteed she will be so happy to see this recipe. So fluffy and delicious looking Biryani:)
Quick and delicious biriyani is perfect for busy weekdays. Looks so inviting & my kids will going love this 🙂
Omg !! Droolicious flavor n aroma, i can feel how yummy this will be
An aromatic and flavorful biryani. You’ve made the humble carrot a star of the dish. Usually I tend to add more peas or corn to rice and little carrot and beans.
Excellent one Sapana, love the clicks and the recipe sounds fantastic!
That is such a simple yet flavorful and delicious looking biryani Sapana. Love that it doesn’t have too many ingredients in it. I’m going to give this a try soon.
Omg sapna biryani with carrots looks mindblowing and such wonderful presentation. They look so attractive .. I love such easy to make yet incredibly delicious dishes for lunch box ..I can see each grain of rice separate and they are perfectly cooked, Wonderful post for the theme !! Love the cruet set on the backdrop looks so cute !!
We love carrot rice, I make this quite often, but never added nuts! The whole platter looks very inviting ! So beautifully presented sapana!
Your clicks are amazing and love how perfect your rice is. The grains are beautifully separated and the color of the carrot biriyani is stunning!
Such a delicious Briyani and what a pretty color! Must be so good in the lunch box. I will try this for my kids too.
Wow! This biryani looks so beautiful & tempting.
This does not look like rice, but small noodles
Awesome recipe! I had never tried Biryani before, but I love it now. Will definitely be coming back to this recipe next time I make it 🙂
Love this recipe! I had never tried Biryani before, but I love it now. Will definitely be coming back to this recipe next time I make it 🙂
this looks great buit confused about the peas and corn.
Is this one cup of each fresh peas and fresh corn or tinned or a half cup of each.
Or is this frozen peas and corn?
thanks
Ess
Thank you so much..it was amazing..cooked up quickly too. I’ve never had a ‘proper’ biryani so can’t speak to authenticity.. but if it’s anything like this it is certainly a winner..
Shredded carrots, sliced onions, and cooked rice are always in my frig..definitely a repeat item for me! Thank you
How much Graham Masala? Not in the ingredients list but looks fabulous!!
Looks delicious but why am I the only one that doesn’t know how much garam masala to add?
Thanks!