How to Make Sabzi (2024)

By

Jolinda Hackett

Jolinda Hackett has written five books about plant-based cooking and has developed hundreds of vegan and vegetarian recipes.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

Updated on 05/3/22

Trending Videos

How to Make Sabzi (1)

Sabzi, or subji, is an Indian term that defines simply a "vegetable dish." Sabzi comes from the Persian word sabz, which means green, and is similar to the English expression "greens." However, all vegetables can be included in a sabzi, and the preparation can take many forms, such as serving it with or without liquid.

The vegetables are seasoned with plenty of spices and, by definition, sabzis don't contain any animal meat. Thus, they are the best choice for vegans and vegetarians. While a lot of these dishes are made with different types of oil, many people use ghee to cook the vegetables. (If you travel to India and you follow a strict vegan diet, ask first about how it's prepared, as ghee is made from butter.)

Sabzi is an easy way to add a variety of vegetables and fiber to your meal.While restaurant takes on this type of dish can be heavy and filled with cream, our recipe is simply a combination of quite a few vegetables and spices cooked in mustard oil. We recommend you use mustard oil, as its flavor will give the dish a delicious pungent flavor and attractive aroma. The dish is vegan and free of gluten, nuts, and dairy.

Serve with basmatirice, whole-wheat tortillas, or naan for a lovely meal. Add a dollop of low-fat Greek yogurt on the side, and serve with cooked lentils for something heartier. Other Indian dishes such as palak paneer or aloo gobi also beautifully complement this recipe.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup mustard oil, or canola oil, or vegetable oil

  • 1 tablespoon mustard seed

  • 1 tablespoon whole cumin seeds

  • 1 tablespoon fenugreek, optional

  • 2 medium onions, chopped

  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh jalapeño

  • 1 tablespoon turmeric

  • 2 teaspoons coriander powder

  • 1 teaspoon garam masala

  • 1 large head cauliflower, chopped

  • 3 large tomatoes, chopped

  • 2 bell peppers, chopped

  • 1 cup green peas

  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced

  • 2 cups fresh spinach

  • Salt, to taste

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    How to Make Sabzi (2)

  2. Heat the mustard oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the mustard, cumin, and fenugreek seeds, if using, and cook for a few minutes, just until they begin to crackle.

    How to Make Sabzi (3)

  3. Add the onions, ginger, and jalapeño to the skillet, and fry for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, mixing well while they cook.

    How to Make Sabzi (4)

  4. Add the turmeric, coriander, and garam masala and cook for an additional minute while mixing.

    How to Make Sabzi (5)

  5. Add the cauliflower, tomatoes, bell peppers, green peas, and mushrooms to the skillet and continue stirring.

    How to Make Sabzi (6)

  6. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 10 to 12 minutes until the vegetables are cooked but firm.

    How to Make Sabzi (7)

  7. Add spinach and heat just until wilted. Season lightly with salt, to taste.

    How to Make Sabzi (8)

Variations

There is no set list of ingredients for sabzi, nor amounts. Here are a few ideas on what to add or substitute in this recipe:

  • Use a 50-50 mixture of broccoli florets and cauliflower florets.
  • Use fresh baby kale instead of fresh spinach, or substitute chopped collard greens or Swiss chard.
  • Double the amount of mushrooms, leaving them whole for a meaty bite. Use any kind you like, but baby bella and simple white button mushrooms are great for this dish.
  • Add French green beans cut into 2-inch pieces.
  • Add a mixture of frozen peas and carrots.
  • Substitute the peas with chickpeas.
  • Add 1/2 cup of thinly sliced celery, or 1/2 cup of shredded carrots, for extra crunch.
  • Add 2 cups of zucchini or sweet potato noodles.
  • Double the number of tomatoes, and use canned tomatoes to make the preparation more moist and ideal for serving on rice.

How to Store Sabzi Indian Mixed Vegetables

This dish will keep in the refrigerator for up to four or five days in an airtight container. You can also freeze this for longer in an airtight container or a zip-close bag with the air pressed out, for up to three months. Freeze it with cooked rice for easy reheating on the stovetop.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
109Calories
3g Fat
17g Carbs
6g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6to 8
Amount per serving
Calories109
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g4%
Saturated Fat 0g2%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 188mg8%
Total Carbohydrate 17g6%
Dietary Fiber 6g23%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 85mg425%
Calcium 67mg5%
Iron 3mg17%
Potassium 620mg13%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Rate This Recipe

I don't like this at all.It's not the worst.Sure, this will do.I'm a fan—would recommend.Amazing! I love it!Thanks for your rating!

How to Make Sabzi (2024)

FAQs

What is sabzi made of? ›

Sabzi is the Urdu word for vegetables and the recipe calls for a mix of vegetables stir-fried and simply spiced for a quick weeknight main, or hefty side. Whatever's in season tends to taste best. In Pakistan, it is most often made with cauliflower, potatoes, peas and carrots.

What is sabzi in English? ›

Sabzi, or subji, is an Indian term that defines simply a "vegetable dish." Sabzi comes from the Persian word sabz, which means green, and is similar to the English expression "greens." However, all vegetables can be included in a sabzi, and the preparation can take many forms, such as serving it with or without liquid.

What is the taste of sabzi? ›

Vegetables used in sabzi often include potatoes, carrots, peas, green beans, cauliflower, and pumpkin. Traditional Indian spices such as cumin seeds, turmeric, chili powder, mustard seeds, fenugreek, and the authentic spice asafetida are usually combined to give the dish an intense, aromatic flavor.

What is cooked sabji called in English? ›

vegetables, especially when cooked.

Is sabji and curry same? ›

So, curry made with vegetables is an important part of Indian cuisine. Vegetable curry or sabji is flavourful and full of nutrition. We all need to eat vegetables to eat a balanced meal every single day. Most of us think that vegetables are not tasty enough.

What is the difference between Sabzi and Bhaji? ›

What is the difference between SABJI & BHAAJI? Sabji ideally is the one with gravy or drybbut not the grean leafy veggies. Green leafy veggies coocked dry are called as bhaji.

What is English sabji in English? ›

List of 30+ Vegetable Names
Vegetable Names List
Ash gourdBroccoliCelery
GarlicCabbageMushroom
Lady's fingerSnake gourdSpinach
BeansLab labCorn
6 more rows

Is Sabzi Hindi or Urdu? ›

Sabzi is basically Urdu word. Basic word is “Sabz” which means green. Initially Sabzi was used for green leafy vegetables, later on all vegetables were called Sabzi.

Is it sabji or sabzi? ›

A sabji is an Indian dish made with vegetables. A sabzi is the same as a sabji.

How to enhance taste of sabji? ›

Fixing cooked curries and gravies is no less than a challenge, but a simple way to do so is by adding freshly chopped herbs like coriander, basil, fenugreek leaves, spinach, mint leaves. The fresh flavour of these herbs can instantly elevate the taste and texture and give them a health twist.

What is Meloni Sabzi? ›

Meloni Sabzi (Mixed veggies cooked with spinach) | Side dish recipes healthy, Veg recipes, Cooking. Food And Drink.

What is the main spice in curry? ›

What's In Curry Powder? Curry powders usually consist of turmeric, cumin, ginger, and black pepper. Some blends also incorporate garlic and cinnamon. What all curry powders share is a sweet warmth and pleasant pungency that adds a toasty depth to everything it touches.

Is curry British or Indian? ›

Although the British coined the term curry it probably comes from the Portuguese in India in the 15th century. They described broths that were poured over rice as 'carrie' or 'caril'. Words adapted from south Indian languages.

What is sabji known as? ›

We call it sabzi, a term that can refer to all vegetables but is most often used to describe a cooked Indian vegetable dish.

Is Sabzi good for health? ›

Whether lunch or dinner, the subzis play important roles in balancing the meal, not just in taste and texture but on the nutritional front too. Vegetables are nature's gift to us - low in calories but in rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that help fight diseases.

What is Sabzi Polo made of? ›

Sabzi polo, or herbed rice, is a traditional dish that's typically served for the Persian New Year. To make it, parboiled basmati rice is layered in the pot over oil and a saffron-yogurt mixture with an herb blend including cilantro, parsley, chives, dill, and garlic before it's steamed.

What is Persian sabzi in English? ›

Persians love fresh herbs and eat them with every meal whether formal, fancy, of fast. The Persian word for these fresh herbs is sabzi (سبزی). Sabzi comes from the Persian word sabz, which means green. In this way it is similar to the English expression “greens” which is used for leafy vegetables in salads.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dr. Pierre Goyette

Last Updated:

Views: 6319

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dr. Pierre Goyette

Birthday: 1998-01-29

Address: Apt. 611 3357 Yong Plain, West Audra, IL 70053

Phone: +5819954278378

Job: Construction Director

Hobby: Embroidery, Creative writing, Shopping, Driving, Stand-up comedy, Coffee roasting, Scrapbooking

Introduction: My name is Dr. Pierre Goyette, I am a enchanting, powerful, jolly, rich, graceful, colorful, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.