Indian Gajar Pulao
Gajar Pulao is a fragrant, mildly sweet Indian rice pilaf featuring carrots as the star ingredient, cooked with aromatic spices like cinnamon, cloves, and bay leaves. It's a beloved North Indian and Pakistani home-style dish, often prepared during winter when fresh carrots are abundant.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This is a carbohydrate-rich dish from the rice and carrots, with moderate fat from ghee or oil used in tempering. A typical serving provides about 250-350 calories, along with vitamin A from the carrots and some dietary fiber.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 210 kcal |
| Protein | 4.5 g |
| Carbs | 38 g |
| Fat | 4.5 g |
| Fiber | 3.5 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 350 mg |
| Potassium | 280 mg |
| Iron | 2.1 mg |
| Magnesium | 35 mg |
| Phosphorus | 95 mg |
| Vitamin A | 450 µg RAE |
| Vitamin C | 8 mg |
| Folate | 40 µg |
| Manganese | 1.2 mg |
Per 1 cup (215 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Unlike many savory pulaos, Gajar Pulao has a subtle natural sweetness from the carrots, making it a versatile dish that can accompany spicy curries or be enjoyed on its own. It's also a great example of how Indian cuisine transforms simple, seasonal vegetables into elegant, flavorful one-pot meals.
