Absolutely flavorsome and delish is this Veg Kurma – a warming, spiced and complexly flavored curry from the Indian Cuisine. With so many Korma recipe variations out there, I am sharing two super delicious South Indian korma recipes made with mixed veggies, coconut and spices.
![veg kurma in a white bowl on a dark green wooden tray with a side of poori](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/veg-kurma-1.jpg)
- A Hotel Style Veg Kurma made in a pressure cooker on the stovetop. You can also make it easily in pan.
- An easy Instant Pot Korma recipe that is vegan.
Both my korma recipes are with step by step photos and taste awesome. Make any of them with the gadgets you have.
Table of Contents
What is Korma?
Korma, also called as Kurma is an aromatic gravy or sauce based dish that is popular in India as well as in Central Asia. Korma is a specialty from the Mughlai cuisine.
The base gravy or sauce varies with the region the Korma recipe comes from. The North and Central Indian have their korma base sauce made with curd (yogurt), stock or water, cream, spices, nuts and seeds, onions and meat or vegetables.
The South Indian regions include coconut with the addition of yogurt, onion, tomatoes, spices, nuts and seeds with vegetables or meat.
So you see depending on the ingredient included, the taste and flavor will vary. Example a curd based korma will have a slight sour taste to it. While a kurma made with coconut, will have the mild sweetness of coconut in it.
About My Recipe
After having tested plenty of vegetarian kurma recipes which lacked flavor, depth and taste, I am presenting to you this perfect Korma recipe which has the right balance of taste, flavor and aroma.
Testing and developing veg kurma recipes have made me an expert in them. My awesome tasting veg kurma is not sweet or mild but has lovely complex flavor coming from the nuts, seeds, coconut and spices.
It is spiced but not spicy. I include some green chillies to add some heat to the dish. If you do not have green chillies, you easily can add dry red chilies.
I also add coconut and yogurt in my veg kurma recipe. The slight sourness of the yogurt balances the sweetness of the coconut beautifully.
I have shown making this South Indian veg kurma in a stovetop pressure cooker as it saves time.
Fret not, if you do not have a pressure cooker. The recipe can easily be made in a pot or pan. I have included instructions in the recipe card below to cook veg kurma in a pan.
Which vegetables to add in Veg Kurma?
Kurma is generally made with a combination of vegetables like – carrots, cauliflower, potatoes, french beans, green peas.
Yet there is no limit, to the type of veggie you can add in a kurma. I often include button mushrooms – which by the way is not a veggie but an edible fungi. You can include paneer (cottage cheese) or tofu as well.
More ideas are including corn, baby corn, aubergines, broccoli, parsnips, zucchini.
My korma recipe is vegetarian. To make it vegan substitute dairy yogurt with vegan yogurt or skip yogurt.
You can choose to make kurma with a combination of mix vegetables that I have mentioned above or with just one or two veggies.
My veg kurma recipe is forgiving and highly adaptable, so you can simply make it with just one veggie, say cauliflower or a mix of the evergreen Indian combination – potato and green peas or your favorite veggie.
If like us, you like to have sumptuous and healthy curries on your dinner table, then do have a look at some of these kurma recipe variations
I make this hotel style veg kurma as a weekend lunch on occasions. We like Vegetarian Curry Recipes a lot, so I make them often.
These are easy, healthy and nutritious. Steaming hot veg kurma with some soft roti or naan is such a satisfying meal.
How to make Veg Kurma
Before you begin making this delicious veg kurma, there is some prep work like soaking cashews and making coconut paste. When you have completed these, you only need to sauté and pressure cook.
Prepping cashews and veggies
1. Soak 12 to 15 cashews in hot water for 20 to 30 minutes. Later drain and set aside.
![cashews soaking in water to make veg kurma](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hotel-style-veg-kurma-recipe01.jpg)
2. Rinse and soak 1 to 1.25 cups medium sized cauliflower florets in hot water for 15 to 20 minutes.
TIP: This step is optional and only to get rid of any insects or worms in the cauliflower. After blanching the cauliflower, drain them and set aside.
![cauliflower being blanched in water for kurma recipe](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hotel-style-veg-kurma-recipe02.jpg)
3. Rinse, peel and chop the rest of the veggies – 1 medium potato, 7 to 8 french beans and 1 medium carrot. Chop 1 medium sized onion finely and 1 medium sized tomato. Set the chopped veggies aside.
![chopped potatoes, carrots, french beans and green peas in a yellow bowl to make veg kurma](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hotel-style-veg-kurma-recipe07.jpg)
Making kurma paste
4. Now we begin to grind spices, nuts and seeds to make an aromatic kurma paste. These ingredients add so much flavor. So try to include all of them and in the exact proportions.
TIP: I know you may not have a few of these like poppy seeds, kapok buds and stone flower. So simply omit adding these.
You will need:
- 5 tablespoons desiccated coconut or fresh or frozen coconut
- 2 teaspoons white poppy seeds (optional) (khus khus)
- ½ tablespoon roasted chana dal
- ½ tablespoon coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds (saunf)
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 3 cloves
- 2 green cardamoms
- 4 to 5 black peppercorns
- 1 marathi moggu or kapok bud (optional)
- 1 small tiny piece of stone flower (optional)
![spices, nuts and seeds on a white plate to make kurma paste](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hotel-style-veg-kurma-recipe03.jpg)
5. Take all the above ingredients in a good blender or mixer-grinder.
![spices, nuts and seeds in a blender](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hotel-style-veg-kurma-recipe04.jpg)
6. Add the soaked cashews, 2 green chilies (chopped), 3 to 4 medium sized garlic (chopped) and 1 inch ginger (chopped).
![cashews, green chillies, garlic and ginger added to blender](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hotel-style-veg-kurma-recipe05.jpg)
7. Add ½ cup water and grind to a smooth fine paste. Keep aside.
TIP: The korma paste consistency should be fine. You don’t want a chunky paste here.
![korma paste ready](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hotel-style-veg-kurma-recipe06.jpg)
Sautéing
8. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 2-litre pressure cooker. Add the chopped onions.
![onions added to hot oil in a pressure cooker](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hotel-style-veg-kurma-recipe08.jpg)
9. Stir and sauté until the onions turn translucent or a light golden. Add 7 to 8 curry leaves (medium to large sized) and mix.
![curry leaves added to sautéed onions in pressure cooker](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hotel-style-veg-kurma-recipe09.jpg)
10. Next add the chopped tomatoes.
![chopped tomatoes added](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hotel-style-veg-kurma-recipe10.jpg)
11. Add ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder and ½ teaspoon red chili powder. Mix well and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes on a low to medium-low heat.
![ground spices added](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hotel-style-veg-kurma-recipe11.jpg)
12. Add the ground korma paste.
![korma paste added to make veg kurma gravy](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hotel-style-veg-kurma-recipe12.jpg)
13. Mix thoroughly.
![kurma paste mixed evenly](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hotel-style-veg-kurma-recipe13.jpg)
14. Sauté stirring often for 6 to 7 minutes on a low to medium heat or until you see the oil releasing from the sides and the paste becoming glossy and thick.
![korma paste sautéed](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hotel-style-veg-kurma-recipe14.jpg)
15. Add 2 tablespoons fresh curd (yogurt). If you want, you can skip yogurt too.
TIP: Do not use sour yogurt as this may make the gravy taste sour.
![curd added](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hotel-style-veg-kurma-recipe15.jpg)
16. Mix the curd very well with the rest of the masala.
![curd mixed evenly](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hotel-style-veg-kurma-recipe16.jpg)
17. Add the chopped mix vegetables.
![veggies added](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hotel-style-veg-kurma-recipe17.jpg)
18. Mix the veggies with the rest of the masala and saute for 1 to 2 minutes.
![veggies mixed evenly to make veg kurma](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hotel-style-veg-kurma-recipe18.jpg)
19. Add 1.25 cups of water. For slightly thin gravy you can add 1.5 cups water. If cooking in a pan, then add 1.5 to 2 cups of water. Mix well.
![water added](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hotel-style-veg-kurma-recipe20.jpg)
20. Add salt according to your taste preference.
![salt being added](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hotel-style-veg-kurma-recipe21.jpg)
Making Veg Kurma
21. Pressure cook for 2 to 3 whistles or for 8 to 9 minutes on medium-high heat. When the pressure settles down on its own, open the lid. The consistency of veg kurma gravy is medium – neither thin nor thick.
TIP: If you find the gravy to be thin, then you can simmer for some more minutes. If the gravy looks thick, then add some water and simmer for a few more minutes.
![veg kurma recipe ready and cooked](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hotel-style-veg-kurma-recipe23.jpg)
22. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves (cilantro) and give a stir.
![chopped coriander leaves added to veg kurma](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hotel-style-veg-kurma-recipe24.jpg)
23. Serve hotel style veg kurma hot or warm.
![korma in a white bowl on a dark green wooden tray with a side of poori](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/korma-recipe.jpg)
Serving Suggestions
- Indian flat breads: Kurma pairs greatly with some soft roti. A chewy naan or a flaky paratha is also a great side. My favorite is to have it with kerala parotta that is soft and flaky.
- Indian fry bread: Poori which is the most popular Indian fried bread is again a best choice to have korma.
- Rice: Plain steamed rice or flavored rice like ghee rice, biryani rice make easy yet tasty sides with a kurma gravy.
- Dosa: Veg kurma tastes too good with a soft dosa like neer dosa, poha dosa or a lacy, soft appam.
Expert Tips
- Whole spices: I would recommend to keep the quantity of spices, nuts and seeds as mentioned in my recipe. Do not increase or decrease the amount as this would alter the taste greatly. Moreover blending whole spices add so much flavor that cannot be achieved by adding ground spice powders or curry powder or garam masala.
- Stone-flower: Include a tiny piece of stone flower (about 0.5 cm in size) as it is a highly aromatic spice.
- Consistency: You can alter the consistency of the kurma gravy by adding less or more water. But do not make it too thick or thin or runny.
- Cooking in a pan: Simply follow all the steps listed for the pressure cooker version. Only add 1.5 to 2 cups water. Cover and simmer on medium-low heat stirring occasionally until the veggies are fork tender.
- Vegan version: Dairy yogurt can be replaced with vegan yogurt to make vegan kurma. Or you can skip adding yogurt entirely.
Ingredient swaps
- Cashews: Replace with almonds.
- Roasted chana dal: If you do not have roasted chana dal, then skip it
- Poppy seeds: Use melon seeds or omit adding poppy seeds entirely.
- Stone flower: Adding stone flower is optional and skip if you do not have it.
- Kapok buds (marathi moggu): Skip this aromatic spice if you do not get it.
- Curry leaves: Replace curry leaves with 1 small to medium tej patta (Indian bay leaf).
More Indian Vegetable Curries
Brinjal Recipes
Potato Recipes
Palak Recipes (Spinach Recipes)
Curry Recipes
About Instant Pot Korma
This Instant Pot Korma is an aromatic, delicious and lightly spiced red gravy. It is made with mixed vegetables, coconut, cashews, dry red chillies, herbs and spices.
Making korma in the instant pot saves cooking time and gets done quickly. This red korma recipe is vegan and gluten-free.
![instant pot korma served in an off-white bowl with a plate of indian flatbreads and a bowl of chopped lemons on a black slate board](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/instant-pot-korma.jpg)
Why this recipe works
- Taste & flavor: This kurma recipe has a complex taste and flavor. It is not an overly sweet version but a spiced one. Dry Kashmiri red chillies impart a lovely red color to the korma. The addition of coconut also gives a nice subtle sweetness that gets balanced with the pungency and heat of the spices.
- One pot cooking: The entire recipe has been cooked in the instant pot. If you have time then you can also cook the korma in a pan.
- Vegetables: Can be of your choice (cauliflower, broccoli, corn, carrots, eggplant, green peas, baby corn, beans, potatoes). You can also add paneer (Indian cottage cheese) or tofu or white button mushrooms. I personally love the taste and texture of mushrooms in korma gravies.
- Water proportion: When cooking thick gravy recipes like korma, it is important to add enough amount of water so that you do not get the burn sign. The amount of water added in this recipe is perfect and you do not get the burn sign when pressure cooking.
![instant pot veg korma served in an off-white bowl with a plate of Indian flatbreads and a bowl of chopped lemons on a black slate board](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/instant-pot-veg-korma.jpg)
Step-by-step Instant Pot Korma
Preparation
1. Take all the following ingredients for making the spice paste or masala paste in a grinder jar.
- Nuts and seeds: 6 tablespoons grated fresh coconut or desiccated coconut, 6 whole cashews, 1 teaspoon poppy seeds.
- Spices: 1-inch cinnamon, 2 cloves, 2 green cardamoms, 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, 3 to 4 Kashmiri red chillies and a tiny piece of stone flower (optional).
- Herbs: 3 to 4 medium-sized garlic (chopped) and 1-inch ginger (chopped).
- Lentils: 1 tablespoon roasted chana dal (roasted split and husked chickpeas).
![spices, nuts and seeds for vegan korma in a blender](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/veg-korma-recipe1.jpg)
2. Add ½ cup of water and grind to a smooth paste. You can add more water if required while grinding.
![ground to a fine consistency](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/veg-korma-recipe2.jpg)
3. Rinse, peel and dice all the veggies. I added carrots, french beans, potatoes, cauliflower, peas and some white button mushrooms (optional).
![chopped carrots, green beans, potatoes, onions, tomatoes and button mushrooms on a chopping board](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/veg-korma-recipe3.jpg)
Sautéing in instant pot
4. Switch on the instant pot. Press the sauté button on less mode or normal mode for 10 to 15 minutes. When the instant pot displays hot, add 3 tablespoons oil.
Add ⅓ cup chopped onions and 8 to 10 curry leaves. You can also add 1 small to medium tej patta (Indian bay leaf) instead of curry leaves.
![add oil, curry leaves and onions in instant pot](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/instant-pot-korma02.jpg)
5. Sauté onions until they soften and turn translucent. No need to brown the onions.
![Sauté onions](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/instant-pot-korma03.jpg)
6. Add ⅓ cup chopped tomatoes and ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder.
![Add chopped tomatoes and turmeric powder](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/instant-pot-korma04.jpg)
7. Mix very well and sauté tomatoes for 2 to 3 minutes.
![sauté tomatoes](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/instant-pot-korma05.jpg)
8. Add the ground coconut & spices paste.
![Add the ground coconut spices paste to make veg korma](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/instant-pot-korma06.jpg)
9. Mix very well.
![ground kurma paste mixed evenly](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/instant-pot-korma07.jpg)
10. Sauté masala paste for 8 to 9 minutes on the low mode of the sauté option. Keep on stirring often so that the masala paste does not stick at the bottom of the steel insert. The masala paste will thicken and look glossy.
![sauté masala paste for 8 to 9 minutes](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/instant-pot-korma09.jpg)
11. Add the diced vegetables. You can also add 2 tablespoons curd (yogurt) at this step. You can use either dairy yogurt or almond yogurt or cashew yogurt.
![added diced vegetables and salt](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/instant-pot-korma10.jpg)
12. Stir and mix very well. Deglaze after adding vegetables. Stir very well and scrape any ingredient stuck at the bottom of the steel insert pot. The moisture from the veggies will help in deglazing.
![mixing and deglazing after adding vegetables](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/instant-pot-korma11.jpg)
Adding water
13. Press the cancel button. Add 1.5 cups water in the mixer-grinder or blender jar. Close lid and swirl and shake the jar. So the masala stuck beneath the blades and the sides get mixed with the water. Set aside.
![water added in blender jar](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/instant-pot-korma08.jpg)
14. Add this masala mixed water to the veggies. Mix very well and deglaze if required.
![masala paste mixed water added to veggies](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/instant-pot-korma12.jpg)
Cooking in IP
15. Cover IP with its lid. Turn the valve to its sealing position. Use the pressure cook or manual mode and set the timer to 5 minutes on high pressure.
![IP front panel with timer display](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/instant-pot-korma14.jpg)
16. Wait for 3 minutes once you hear the beep after the pressure cooking is done. Then give a quick pressure release (QPR). Open the lid.
![vegan veg korma ready to be served](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/instant-pot-korma15.jpg)
17. Give a stir. Check taste and add more salt if required.
![check taste of veg korma](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/instant-pot-korma16.jpg)
18. Serve this vegan korma garnished with some coriander leaves.
![instant pot korma served in an off-white bowl with a plate of Indian flatbreads and a bowl of chopped lemons on a black slate board](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/instant-pot-korma1.jpg)
Serving Suggestions
Drizzle some lemon juice on top of the red korma before having it with Indian breads like roti, paratha or poori or rumali roti or naan bread.
It also tastes delicious with cumin rice or steamed rice, cumin rice or Kashmiri pulao. You can also have this curry with bread or dinner rolls.
Please be sure to rate the recipe in the recipe card or leave a comment below if you have made it. For more vegetarian inspirations, Sign Up for my emails or follow me on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter.
![veg kurma or korma in a white bowl on a dark green wooden tray](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/veg-kurma-korma-recipe-500x500.jpg)
Veg Kurma (Hotel Style)
Ingredients
For kurma paste
- 5 tablespoons desiccated coconut (unsweetened) or fresh/frozen coconut
- 12 to 15 cashews – soaked
- 2 teaspoons poppy seeds (khus khus) – optional
- ½ tablespoon roasted chana dal (roasted split & husked bengal gram)
- ½ tablespoon coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 3 cloves
- 2 green cardamoms
- 4 to 5 black peppercorns
- 1 kapok bud (marathi moggu) – optional
- 1 tiny piece stone flower (pathar phool) – optional
- 1 teaspoon chopped green chilies or 2 green chillies
- 1 to 1.5 teaspoons finely chopped garlic or 4 to 5 small to medium-sized garlic
- 1.5 teaspoons finely chopped ginger or 1 inch ginger
- ½ cup water for blending or add as required
Veggies
- 1 to 1.25 cups cauliflower florets (medium sized)
- ¾ cup chopped potatoes or 1 medium potato – diced
- ⅓ cup green peas fresh or frozen
- ¼ cup french beans or 7 to 8 french beans
- ½ cup chopped carrots or 1 medium carrot
Other ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil – any neutral oil or coconut oil
- ⅓ cup finely chopped onions or 1 medium sized onion
- ⅓ cup chopped tomatoes or 1 medium tomato
- 7 to 8 curry leaves (medium to large) or 12 to 15 small sized
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder
- 2 tablespoons Curd (yogurt) – optional
- 1.25 cups water – for slightly thin gravy, add 1.5 cups water
- salt as required
- 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves (cilantro)
Instructions
Preparation
- Soak in hot water for 20 to 30 minutes. Later drain and set aside.
- Rinse and soak cauliflower florets in hot water for 15 to 20 minutes. This step is optional and only to get rid of any insects or worms in the cauliflower. After blanching the cauliflower, drain them and set aside.
- Rinse, peel and chop the rest of the vegetables.
- Add the the ingredients mentioned under 'for kurma paste' in a in a blender or mixer-grinder.
- Pour ½ cup water or as required and grind to a smooth fine paste. Set aside.
Sautéing
- Heat oil in a 2-litre pressure cooker or a pan. Add the chopped onions.
- Stir and sauté until the onions turn translucent or light golden. Add curry leaves and mix.
- Next add the chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder and red chili powder. Stir and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the ground kurma paste. Stir and mix well. Sauté stirring often for 6 to 7 minutes on a low to medium flame or until you see the oil releasing from the sides and the paste becoming glossy and thick.
- Then add fresh curd (yogurt). If you want, you can skip yogurt too.
- Mix the curd very well with the rest of the masala paste.
- Add the chopped mix vegetables. Stir and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Then add 1.25 cups water. For slightly thin gravy you can add 1.5 cups water. If cooking in a pan, then add 1.5 to 2 cups of water. Mix well.
- Season with salt according to your taste preferences.
Making veg kurma
- Pressure cook for 2 whistles or for 8 to 9 minutes.
- When the pressure settles down on its own, open the lid. If you find the gravy to be thin, then you can simmer for some more minutes.
- If the gravy looks thick, then add some water and simmer for a few more minutes. The consistency should be medium – neither thin nor thick.
- Add chopped coriander leaves and give a stir.
Serving suggestions
- Indian flat breads: Korma tastes great with some soft roti or a chewy naan or a flaky paratha.
- Indian fry bread: Poori which is the most popular Indian fried bread is again a best choice to have korma.
- Rice: Plain steamed rice or flavored rice like ghee rice, biryani rice make easy and tasty sides with korma.
- Dosa: Soft dosa like neer dosa or poha dosa or a lacy, soft appam tastes nice with korma gravy.
Video
Notes
Ingredients Swaps
- Cashews: Add almonds instead.
- Roasted chana dal: Omit adding roasted chana dal if you do not have them.
- Poppy seeds: Replace with melon seeds or skip adding them.
- Stone flower: Skip if you do not have stone flower.
- Kapok buds (marathi moggu): Omit this spice if you do not get it.
- Curry leaves: Add 1 small to medium tej patta (Indian bay leaf) instead of curry leaves.
Cooking notes
- Whole spices: I suggest to keep the quantity of spices, nuts and seeds as mentioned in the recipe. Do not alter the amount as this would change the taste.
- Stone-flower: Include a tiny piece of stone flower (about 0.5 cm in size) as it is a highly aromatic spice.
- Consistency: You can change the consistency of the kurma gravy by adding less or more water. But do not make it too thick or thin or runny.
- Cooking in a pan: Follow all the steps as listed for the pressure cooker version. Simply add 1.5 to 2 cups water. Cover and simmer on medium-low heat stirring occasionally until the veggies are fork tender.
- Vegan version: Replace dairy yogurt with vegan yogurt to make vegan korma. Or you can skip adding yogurt.
Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)
![instant pot korma](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/instant-pot-korma3-500x500.jpg)
Instant Pot Korma
Ingredients
For ground paste
- 6 tablespoons fresh grated coconut or unsweetened desiccated coconut
- 6 cashews
- 1 tablespoon roasted chana dal (roasted split & husked black chickpeas)
- 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
- 3 to 4 garlic (small to medium-sized) – chopped
- 1 inch ginger – chopped
- 3 to 4 dry red kashmiri chilies or byadgi chilies – broken and deseeded. Replace with 1 to 2 green chilies or 1 to 2 dry red chillies of any other type depending on hotness, pungency
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
- 3 cloves
- 2 green cardamom
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds (khus khus) – optional
- a small tiny piece of stone flower (dagad phool or patthar ke phool) – optional
- ½ cup water for grinding or add as required
Other ingredients
- 3 tablespoons oil – sunflower oil or peanut oil or any neutral tasting oil
- ⅓ cup chopped onions or 1 medium-sized onion
- 8 to 10 curry leaves or 1 small to medium tej patta (indian bay leaf)
- ⅓ cup chopped tomatoes or medium-sized tomato
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder (ground turmeric)
- 1 cup cauliflower florets
- ½ cup chopped carrots or 1 medium to large carrot or 80 to 90 grams carrots
- ¼ to ⅓ cup chopped french beans or 40 to 50 grams french beans
- ½ cup green peas – fresh or frozen
- 1 potato (medium to large) or 80 to 100 grams potatoes
- ¼ to ⅓ cup chopped capsicum (green bell pepper) – optional
- 4 to 5 white button mushrooms – optional
- 1.5 cups water
- salt as required
- 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves (cilantro) – for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Take all the ingredients mentioned under the list “spice paste” in a grinder.
- Add water and grind to a smooth paste. If required you can add more water while grinding.
- Keep the ground paste aside.
- Rinse, peel and dice all the veggies.
Sautéing
- Switch on the instant pot. Press the sauté button on less or normal mode for 10 to 15 minutes. When the instant pot displays hot, add 3 tablespoon oil. Add the chopped onions and curry leaves. You can also add 1 small to medium tej patta (indian bay leaf) instead of curry leaves.
- Sauté onions till they soften and turn translucent. No need to brown the onions.
- Add chopped tomatoes and turmeric powder. Mix very well and sauté tomatoes for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the ground coconut & spices paste. Mix very well.
- Sauté masala paste for 8 to 9 minutes on the Low mode of sauté option. keep on stirring often so that the masala paste does not stick at the bottom of the steel insert pan. The masala paste will thicken and look glossy after it gets cooked well.
- Add the diced vegetables. At this step you can also add 2 tablespoons curd (yogurt). You can use either dairy yogurt or almond yogurt or cashew yogurt.
- Stir and mix very well. Deglaze after adding vegetables. Stir very well and scrape any ingredient stuck at the bottom of the steel insert pot. The moisture from the veggies will help in deglazing.
- Press the cancel button. Add 1.5 cups water in the grinder or blender jar. Close lid and swirl and shake the jar. So the masala stuck beneath the blades and the sides of the jar gets mixed with the water. Keep aside.
- Add this masala mixed water. Mix very well and deglaze if required.
Instant pot cooking
- Cover ip with its lid. Position the valve to its sealing position. Use the pressure cook or manual mode and set the timer to 5 minutes on high pressure.
- Wait for 3 minutes once you hear the beep after the pressure cooking is done. Then give a quick pressure release. Open the lid.
- Give a stir. Check the taste and add more salt if required. If the consistency of red korma looks very thick, then add some hot water. Mix well.
- Serve this mix vegetable korma garnished with some coriander leaves with roti, paratha or poori or rumali roti or steamed rice. Also serve some lemon wedges.
Notes
Cooking tips
- Consistency: you can make a thick or medium consistency gravy by adding less or more water.
- Burn sign: while pressure cooking if you get burn sign on the display, then lift the valve and release all the pressure. Remove the lid. Add ½ cup water. Mix very well and pressure cook for 4 minutes on high pressure.
- 2 tablespoons of fresh curd or yogurt can also be added with the raw vegetables. You can even use vegan yogurt like almond yogurt or cashew yogurt.
- Consistency: if the korma gravy has a very thick consistency after pressure cooking, then add some hot water. Mix very well.
- Instant pot 6 quart: The recipe is made in a 6 quart instant pot. You can easily make it in a 3 quart instant pot. For making in a 8 quart instant pot, you will need to add more water.
- Stone-flower: Since stone flower is strongly aromatic spice, use a very tiny piece.
Substitutions
- Almonds can be used instead of cashews.
- Roasted chana dal can be skipped.
- In place of poppy seeds use melon seeds or poppy seeds can be skipped.
- Adding stone flower is optional and can be omitted.
- Curry leaves can be replaced with 1 small to medium tej patta (indian bay leaf).
Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)
This veg kurma recipe from the archives first published in Dec 2015 has been updated and republished on January 2021.
This post contains amazon affiliate links. As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I tried it for the first time and wow it was amazing.![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
Thanks for this lovely feedback.
Extremely tasty and loved by my family 🙂 Tried many recipes from your website and all are perfect.
Your website is my go to site for any cooking inspiration. Thank you Dassana and God bless you.
Thanks so much for this feedback as well as for your kind wishes. Glad to read!
This is the first thing I made in the insta pot. Very tasty, and learned how to use my ip. Thank you for all your work, your recipes are always perfect.![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
Glad to know and thanks for sharing this wonderful feedback. Thanks for the rating too.
My go to recipe. Always![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
Thanks.
Awesome veggie 👌![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
Thank you.
Very good in all respects
Thanks.
tried it out came out well, thanks![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
Welcome Kevin
Thank you for such wonderful recipes. You’re measurements are very very accurate. Kurma came out very well. I tried your other recipes as well like mor rasam, tomato rasam, gutti vankaya and many more .Everyone at my home loves your recipes.![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
welcome sumalatha. felt nice to read your comment and the feedback on the recipes you have tried. thank you much. wish you all the best and happy cooking. thanks for the rating too.
Delicious Hotel style kurma…ditto…everyone in the fly gobbled the whole meal up with utmost satisfaction!!![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
Thanks alot for the recipe!!
Gonna b a keeper forever!!
I am sure it would be a hit for parties nd gatherings!!
wow. that’s great. thanks for sharing this awesome review. so glad to read. thanks for the rating too. happy cooking.
Superb
Its awesome. We liked it.![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
thanks.
Hi,![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
I have been following you for a while now and I have to say that you are amazing. I have tried many recipes from your blog. Some haven’t worked and some are awesome. My recent hits are sooji ka halwa and this sensational korma. My mom makes almost a very similar version and I used to love it. The addition of marathi moggu and stone flower makes such a huge difference I must say. Thank you for providing your readers with such great content. We really appreciate it. Keep up with the great work.
Thanks Jayshree for your positive feedback and appreciation. Nice to know that some to the recipes have turned out awesome.
Superb tried it everyone liked it in my family![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
Thanks Seetha for your positive feedback.
hi Dassana!thank u for this wonderful recipe.on my travels to Kerala & Tamil Nadu I did learn how to make the korma but the grounding of the spices in the paste makes it so much convenient whilst eating.![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
The only variation I made was that I added fresh coconut,all spice berry and mint leaves to the paste.
thanks meveera. agree on the grinding of spices. yes of course variations can be done. fresh coconut, mint leaves and all spice are good additions.
Thank you for the recipes, their presentation and the sheer choice. I have come to depend on your site for inspiration and ideas.![4 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-4.svg)
Many of your recipes involve cooking directly in the cooker as in the case of the navratan korma. My cooker is large and I usually end up burning the dish as I am unable to do the andaza method to see what works. For such recipes, can I cook in a pan, then transfer said vessel into cooker and pressure cook in the end as per recipe? Will this work equally well as cooking directly in cooker? please advise.
Welcome Suman. No need to transfer. You can directly cook in a pan or pot. but just add some more water than what is mentioned in the recipe. it will take some more time in pan than what it takes in pressure cooker. but taste will be good.
hi mam,I am a regular follower of your receipes can u plz help me FOR PREPARING 1 KG VEG KURMA![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
how much vegetables are needed for making 1kg vegetable koruma?can u please share me the quantity of items required for making 1 kg veg koruma
thanks raheema. usually gravy recipe are difficult to double or triple as spices are used. so while making gravy or curry recipes in large quantities, the method of andaaz or approximation should be used. it will be very difficult for me to give the measurements for a 1 kg veg kurma curry. when i prepare any gravy recipe in large quantities, i use the method of andaaz. i am sorry i am unable to help you here.
Absolutely wonderful![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
Excellent!!!
thanks pratima.
hi![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
awesome recipe …..easy to make
thank you so much for the recipe
ive tried so many of your recipes and not one of them has flopped.
thanks for all the recipes
I just have a question. in this recipe can we add coconut milk in the step where we’re supposed to add water? will it make a huge difference in the taste?
thanks a lot neha. glad to know that all the recipes have worked well. if you want to add coconut milk, the add it at the last and just gently heat through. pressure cooking or boiling coconut milk will curdle it. so you will need to add some water for cooking the veggies. once the veggies are cooked, then you can add coconut milk. gently heat through and then switch off the flame. the taste will change with coconut milk and will taste good.
Thank you so much 🙂![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
welcome neha.
Very tasty and truly restaurant style. Step by step instructions with photos is very helpful. Thanks a lot.![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
Welcome Priti. Thanks for sharing positive feedback.
Absolutely delicious,![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
No need to go to restaurants any more…..
Thanks Priya for this positive feedback.
Tried this recipe just now with fresh coconut. Made aloo kurma instead of veg kurma. Tastes heavenly. Thank you for this recipe.![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
Welcome Siva. Nice to know this.
Tried this recipe it came out very well. I almost visit your site daily. love cooking veggies in your style![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
thanks sunita. nice to know. do try some more recipes. happy cooking.
Tried the recipe and came out well. Just a difference I did was to put poppy seeds and fennel seeds along with cashew in water.![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
Thanks Remya. Yes that can also be done.
A very good recipe. Served it with neer dosa,was well appreciated. Thank you![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
Welcome Ashwini
Damn good recepie, now i know at least one i can (fake) impress people with my cooking skills![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
thanks mini for this positive feedback.
Hi tried this recipe and it came out excellent .Thank you so much for the wonderful recipes,really enjoy cooking with them.![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
Welcome Radha. Nice to know this.
Hi Dasanna
i am an avid fan of yours, have tried so many of your recipes and they are all a big hit at home. needless to say, i have become a good cook , thanks to you.![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
Coming to this recipe, is the cashew nuts necessary? i dont have and i want to make it for tomorrow’s breakfast.
thanks a lot preeti. you can skip cashews. taste will be slightly different, but veg korma will still taste good. you can also add almonds instead of cashews. just soak the almonds in hot water for 30 minutes. then remove their peels and grind them. 5 to 6 almonds can be added.
Made this for dinner today with phulkas and it was a super combo! I’m running out of things to say because i’ve tried so many of your recipes and commented on so many of them…all of which were awesome! There’s not been one recipe that went wrong or didn’t taste good…so on days that i don’t feel like cooking i just browse through your blog and voila! i’m super charged to get back in the kitchen and try more recipes!!
Thanks Yogita for this awesome feedback on recipes. Glad to know that recipes are helping you in cooking.
Hi dassana,thank you so much for the recipe it came out excellent.we had it with sevai(thin rice noodles) and my parents loved it:)![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
welcome sindhuja. glad to know this.
made it with jeera rice. yummmmy!!!![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
thanks gayathri. jeera rice and veg kurma is a good combination.
Sorry Dassana, I was alternating between two of your recipes and missed to notice the coconut in this. Thanks for clarifying.
I have a slightly unrelated question. When I add poppy seeds while making a masala paste, it remains grainy. I have even tried pre soaking in water, but it didn’t help much. Any suggestions to address this would be much appreciated.
Best regards
Z
no problem Z and welcome. if the poppy seeds is in small quantities, then its fine if its not ground finely. but if the recipe has a base of poppy seeds like aloo poshto etc, then they have to be ground finely. a good mixer-grinder helps. try soaking in some warm water, so that the grinding is more easier. i do make aloo poshto on ocassions and i grind the poppy seeds for a long time till its finely ground. of course i do soak them in water.
Hi Dassana
Planning to try this awesome recipe shortly. Quick question – I would like to try out the coconut version. What changes are required in the recipe?
Thank you!
coconut version meaning? the recipes has coconut in it. are you meaning to use fresh coconut. if yes, then use 4 tablespoons fresh coconut.
If we soak the cauliflower florets in hot water beforehand, won’t they melt while pressure cooking?
dimpi, soaking in hot water is only to get rid of insects and worms. just blanch the gobi florets for few minutes. if there are no insects then you can skip the blanching step and directly add the cauliflower florets.
Thanks ☺
MadamJi, really appreciate you, I am a male, I hav tried recipes frm other websites, but went wrong.![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
Your recipes are perfect…
My 65 yrs mom is fond Kurma puri, but due to health reasons I cannot get this from hotel, then I tried your recipe and my mom loved it… She became happy…thanks for making my mom happy ?..
very pleased to know this shailesh thank you for your kind words. glad your mom liked the veg kurma 🙂 and you are welcome.
nice texture and flaover nice receipe.thanks for this receipe.
welcome and thankyou vinod 🙂
Recipe came out very well ……my kids loved it with chapati….thanks for sharing![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
welcome and thankyou ruheen 🙂
Hello,
I tried this dish for ghee rice n Puri it was awesome..
It just tasted like heaven for us..
Thanku so so much..
pleased to know this and thankyou so much rashmi 🙂
Hello ,
I tried this dish along with Ghee rice and puri..it was just awesome..
It tasted like heaven for us… truly a very yumm recipe.
Thanku so so much..
welcome and thankyou rashmi 🙂
This recipe came out very well. Everybody enjoyed thanks again. I am excited to try out many more recipes.
surely try and let us know bharathi 🙂 and thankyou.
Yummy reciepe.. i tried it and came out well.. i refer your blog for most of the reciepes .. So apt and clear explanation.. great work![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
thankyou so much divya 🙂
This came out really well!! It was delicious.. Thank you so much for this recipe!
This is the one of best blog ever i saw ,Such a simple and easy methods shown of recipes which i used to feel always as rocket science for me .Really amazing
Thanks a lot. Keep cooking and keep posting.
welcome and thankyou so much spandana 🙂
When I grow up I want to become an Indian restaurant 😉
I really loved this one … even the smell of the masala paste sauteing is mouth-watering.
thankyou philippe 🙂
Nice
Can I avoid onion?
Ati, yes you can
Nice recipe!!!tried this recipe…everybody liked it…thankyou!![4 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-4.svg)
thank you sakshi. nice to know.
prepared this for yesterday’s dinner with roti. oh my god it was absolutely delicious just felt like eating in a hotel n my hubby took the rest to his work as he felt it to be soooooo delicious,thank u so much.![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
thats nice to know sony. thanks for sharing and for this great feedback.
can you please also share north karnataka style enagai(stuffed brinjal). I am waiting.![4 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-4.svg)
i will be sharing an andhra version in some time as i have the recipe in drafts. the karnataka version also i plan to make and add. but this will have to wait as i am in relocation mode and not yet settled. will do so once we settle down in the new place.
apoorva have taken your request on our file for enagai (stuffed brinjal) recipe thankyou.
I tried this dish today.. it came out very well.. thank you keep sharing your yummy dishes to get pat on our back. 😀
thank you apoorva.
pleased to know this thankyou apoorva for your kind and positive words 🙂
Looks yummy. I will surely try this kurma .![4 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-4.svg)
surely try mamtha and let us know and thanks.
Hello mam,
Happy new year mam. I tried out many of your recipes , all came out well. We all enjoyed it. I started baking only through your cookies , cakes and muffins , the result was awesome.
Thanks for all your wonderful recipes and the way you explain it with superb photos step by step.
. Thank you.
pleased to know this sujatha 🙂 thankyou for your kind and positive words god bless you.
Mam
All u r recipes are awsome.
I am a regukar follower of this page.
Absolutely amazing.
Gid bless you.
Thank you.
thankyou niranjana so much pleased to know this and god bless you too.
I think your bisibele bath powder recipe was too awesome madam.There was no blog which gave fine details
Thanks Dr Geethamanjunath for sharing your positive feedback and kind words.
Nice recipe mam, I am big fan of yours, I tried many recipe all are very nice, will try the veg kurma this Sunday definitely.![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
thanks vishalakshi. do try the kurma recipe. happy cooking 🙂
God bless you Dasana!![5 stars](https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
thanks a lot nirmal.