If you are craving Mumbai’s famous street food, nothing beats the aroma of hot Pav Bhaji served with buttery pav buns. In this guide, we bring you the authentic Mumbai Pav Bhaji recipe that tastes just like Juhu Chowpatty or CST street stalls. The best part? You can easily make this street-style pav bhaji at home in less than an hour.
⭐ Why Pav Bhaji is so Famous in Mumbai?
Pav Bhaji is not just food – it’s an emotion for every Mumbaikar. Born on the busy streets of Mumbai in the 1850s, it became the ultimate quick meal for mill workers. Today, it’s one of the most loved street foods across India and abroad.
🥘 Ingredients for Pav Bhaji
Vegetables (boiled & mashed):
- 2 medium potatoes
- 1 cup cauliflower florets
- 1 cup green peas
- 1 large carrot
- 1 large capsicum (green bell pepper)
Other Ingredients:
- 2 large onions (finely chopped)
- 3 medium tomatoes (finely chopped)
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 2-3 green chilies (optional)
- ½ cup butter
- 2 tbsp oil
- 2 tbsp Pav Bhaji Masala (Everest/MDH or homemade)
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves (chopped)
- Lemon wedges
- 8-10 pav buns
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Pav Bhaji Recipe
Step 1: Boil the vegetables
In a pressure cooker, add potatoes, peas, cauliflower, and carrots. Boil until soft (3-4 whistles). Mash them and keep aside.
Step 2: Prepare the masala base
Heat 2 tbsp butter + 2 tbsp oil in a large pan. Add cumin seeds, then onions. Sauté until golden brown. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 min. Add chopped tomatoes, turmeric, chili powder, and Pav Bhaji masala. Cook until the masala leaves oil.
Step 3: Add mashed vegetables
Mix the boiled & mashed vegetables into the masala. Add 1 cup water (adjust consistency). Mash everything together using a potato masher. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes on low flame.
Step 4: Toast the pav
Slice pav buns and toast them with butter on a hot tawa.
Step 5: Garnish & Serve
Serve hot bhaji topped with a dollop of butter. Garnish with chopped onions, coriander, and lemon wedge. Enjoy with hot pav buns.
🍴 Expert Tips for Perfect Street-Style Pav Bhaji
- Use fresh butter for authentic taste.
- Add a little beetroot for natural red color (optional).
- Toast pav with a mix of butter + pav bhaji masala for extra flavor.
- Keep bhaji slightly thick – not too watery.
❓ FAQs about Pav Bhaji Recipe
Q1: Can I make pav bhaji without butter?
Yes! Replace butter with olive oil or ghee for a healthier version.
Q2: Which pav bhaji masala is best?
Everest Pav Bhaji Masala is the most popular, but homemade masala is even more flavorful.
Q3: Can I freeze pav bhaji?
Yes, you can refrigerate it for 2 days or freeze for 1 week. Just reheat before serving.
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