Vegan Sabzi Baghali Polo Recipe

~ Plant-Based Persian
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This delicious vegan Sabzi Baghali Polo recipe combines fava beans and herbs from two traditional Persian rice dishes into one dish, enhancing flavor and nutrition.

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Vegan Persian Sabzi Polo

Why You’ll Love Vegan Sabzi Baghali Polo

  • Baghali Polo is a traditional Persian rice dish made with fava beans. Sabzi Polo is a separate Persian rice dish made with various herbs. Both are traditionally served with a side of meat.
  • Sabzi Polo is commonly served with fish and is a classic dish to celebrate NowRooz (Persian New Year).
  • We have combined these two traditional Persian dishes to create a flavorful, protein-added dish. Fava beans are a source of iron, thiamin, vitamin K, vitamin B-6, potassium, selenium, zinc, and magnesium.

Ingredients/Equipment Notes

To make this delicious vegan Sabzi Baghali Polo, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements are in the recipe card below):

  • Basmati rice
  • salt
  • 14 oz package frozen fava beans*
    • Fava beans can be difficult to find. You can find it at a Persian or Asian specialty store. If not accessible, you could also replace it with lima beans.
  • 3 1/2 Tbsp. cooking oil (divided)
  • small yellow onion julienned
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp. turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 6 Tbsp. dried dill
  • 6 Tbsp. dry Sabzi Polo mix**
    • Dry Sabzi Polo mix can be found at Persian, Afghan or other specialty stores. I have even found it on Amazon.

You will also need the following equipment:

How to Make the Best Sabzi Baghali Polo

  • Prepare Persian Rice
  • Prepare Garlic/Onion Mixture
    • Add 2 Tbsp. oil to a medium sauté pan on medium heat.
    • Add the onion and sauté for 5-6 min until onions are golden.
    • Add the garlic and sauté another 2 minutes.
    • Add turmeric and black pepper and sauté 1 min more.
  • Combine Persian Rice and Garlic/Onion Mixture and Herbs
    • Add the Garlic/Onion mixture to the rice and fava beans. Mix well.
    • Add dry Sabzi Polo mix and dill. Mix well.
  • Add 1 Tbsp. water, 1 Tbsp. oil and a dash of turmeric to bottom of large rice cooker (or large non-stick pot with lid). Add rice mixture. Add 1/2 Tbsp. oil on top of the rice.
  • Cover and cook 45 minutes in the rice cooker (or 45 minutes in a non-stick pot on medium heat).
  • Enjoy! Noosh-e-Jan!

How to Serve Vegan Sabzi Baghali Polo

This recipe is delicious on its own, or served with the following

Vegan Persian Sabzi Polo

Recipe Tips

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Vegan Sabzi Baghali Polo

Vegan Sabzi Baghali Polo (Persian Rice with Herbs and Fava Beans)

  • Author: Plant-Based Persian
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 5 People 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

A vegan Persian herb and fava bean rice dish 

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 3 cups Basmati rice
  • 3 Tbsp. salt
  • 14 oz package frozen fava beans*
  • 3 1/2 Tbsp. cooking oil (divided)
  • 1 small yellow onion julienned
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp. turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 6 Tbsp. dried dill
  • 6 Tbsp. dry Sabzi Polo mix**

*Fava beans can be difficult to find. My mother usually goes to a Persian or Asian specialty store to buy fava beans. If not accessible, you could also replace it with lima beans.

** Dry Sabzi Polo mix can be found at Persian, Afghan or other specialty stores. I have even found it on Amazon.

Instructions

  1. Prepare Persian Rice
    • Wash over the rice by placing the rice in a large bowl and covering with water. Move the rice with your hand to clean the rice. Pour off the water. Repeat the process 3-4 times until the rice is clean.
    • Fill a large stock pot with water. Add 3 Tbsp. salt. Cover and bring to a boil on high heat. Add rice to the boiling water. Reduce heat to medium and cook, uncovered, for 8 minutes.
    • Add the frozen bag of fava beans to the rice. Cook for 2 more minutes.
    • Drain the rice and fava beans. Place in a large bowl.
  2. Prepare Garlic/Onion Mixture
    • Add 2 Tbsp. oil to a medium sauté pan on medium heat.
    • Add the onion and sauté for 5-6 min until onions are golden.
    • Add the garlic and sauté another 2 minutes.
    • Add turmeric and black pepper and sauté 1 min more.
  3. Combine Persian Rice and Garlic/Onion Mixture and Herbs
    • Add the Garlic/Onion mixture to the rice and fava beans. Mix well.
    • Add dry Sabzi Polo mix and dill. Mix well.
  4. Add 1 Tbsp. water, 1 Tbsp. oil and a dash of turmeric to bottom of large rice cooker (or large non-stick pot with lid). Add rice mixture. Add 1/2 Tbsp. oil on top of the rice.
  5. Cover and cook 45 minutes in the rice cooker (or 45 minutes in a non-stick pot on medium heat).
  6. Enjoy! Noosh-e-Jan!
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Iranian/Persian