By Shreya Sarpal
September 26, 2025
Experience Mumbai-style Pav Bhaji recipe, a vibrantly spiced vegetable mash cooked with bold masalas and served with buttery toasted buns. Its rich, tangy flavours and comforting texture make it an irresistible Indian street-food classic.
For Bhaji (Vegetable Curry): 2 boiled and mashed potatoes 1 cup chopped cauliflower ½ cup green peas 1 cup chopped capsicum 2 finely chopped tomatoes 1 finely chopped onion 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste 2–3 tbsp oil or butter 1 tsp cumin seeds 1½ tsp pav bhaji masala ½ tsp turmeric powder ½ tsp red chilli powder Salt to taste 1-2 cups water, as needed Fresh coriander, chopped for garnish 1 lemon, cut into wedges
For Pav: 6-8 pav buns Butter, for toasting
Boil or pressure-cook potatoes, cauliflower, peas, and capsicum until tender, then mash them lightly.
Heat oil or butter, add cumin seeds, sauté onions until golden, then add ginger-garlic paste.
Stir in tomatoes, turmeric, red chilli powder, and pav bhaji masala, and cook until the tomatoes soften.
Add the mashed vegetables, mix well, simmer for 10–15 minutes while adding water as needed, and mash further for a smooth, creamy texture.
Garnish with chopped coriander and a squeeze of lemon.
Slit buns horizontally, toast with butter until golden brown.