By Kaushik

Published On 07, March 2026.

Pav Bhaji is One of the most loved Indian street foods, famous for its rich taste and buttery flavor. This dish originally became popular on the busy streets of Mumbai, where vendors serve hot, spicy vegetable curry with soft butter-toasted bread rolls called pav. Today, pav bhaji is enjoyed all over India as a delicious snack or even a full meal.
The dish is made using mashed vegetables cooked with aromatic spices and plenty of butter. It is usually served with chopped onions, lemon wedges, and fresh coriander. If you want to enjoy restaurant-style pav bhaji at home, this simple and flavorful recipe will help you prepare it easily.

Ingredients Required for Pav Bhaji

For the Bhaji
* 3 medium potatoes (boiled and mashed)
* 1 cup cauliflower florets (chopped)
* ½ cup green peas
* 1 carrot (finely chopped)
* 1 large onion (finely chopped)
* 2 medium tomatoes (finely chopped)
* 1 small capsicum (chopped)
* 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 1 tablespoon oil
* 2 teaspoons Pav Bhaji Masala
* 1 teaspoon red chili powder
* ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
* Salt according to taste
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
* Water as needed
For Pav
* 6 pav (bread rolls)
* 2 tablespoons butter
* A pinch of pav bhaji masala (optional)

How to Make Mumbai Style Pav Bhaji

Step 1: Cook the Vegetables
First, boil potatoes, cauliflower, peas, and carrots until they become soft. You can cook them in a pressure cooker or a pan. After cooking, mash them lightly and keep them aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Masala Base
Heat oil and butter in a large pan or tawa. Add finely chopped onions and cook them until they turn slightly golden. Then add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for about a minute until the aroma develops.
Step 3: Add Tomatoes and Capsicum
Add chopped capsicum and sauté for 2 minutes. Then mix in the chopped tomatoes and cook until the tomatoes become soft and blend well with the onions.
Step 4: Add Spices
Now add turmeric powder, red chili powder, salt, and pav bhaji masala. Mix the spices well with the cooked onion-tomato mixture so that the flavors combine perfectly.
Step 5: Mix and Mash the Vegetables
Add the boiled vegetables to the pan. Using a vegetable masher, mash everything together while cooking. Add a little water to achieve the desired consistency. Let the bhaji cook for 8–10 minutes on medium heat.
Step 6: Final Touch
Add butter, lemon juice, and freshly chopped coriander leaves. Mix everything well and cook for a few more minutes until the bhaji becomes thick and flavorful.

How to Toast Pav Perfectly

Take a flat pan or tawa and heat some butter on it. Slice the pav horizontally and place them on the pan. Toast them lightly until they turn golden and crisp. You can sprinkle a little pav bhaji masala while toasting for extra flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Serve hot pav bhaji on a plate topped with a small cube of butter and fresh coriander. Place the toasted pav beside the bhaji along with chopped onions and lemon wedges. This combination creates the authentic taste of Mumbai street food.

Tips to Make Best Pav Bhaji

* Use fresh butter to enhance the flavor.
* Mash the vegetables properly for a smooth texture.
* Cook the bhaji slowly so the spices blend well.
* Adding a small piece of beetroot can give the bhaji a natural red color.
* Always serve pav bhaji hot for the best taste.

Conclusion :

Mumbai style pav bhaji is a flavorful and satisfying dish that is easy to prepare at home. With simple vegetables, aromatic spices, and buttery pav, this recipe brings the authentic street food experience to your kitchen. Whether you serve it for dinner, snacks, or gatherings, pav bhaji is always a crowd favorite.
Try this easy pav bhaji recipe and enjoy a delicious homemade version of this famous street food. 🍽️