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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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:
- Persian Rice Cooker recommended
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
- plant-based Joojeh Kabob
- simple Persian salad originating from Shiraz called Salad Shirazi
Recipe Tips
- It might be cheating, but I like using a Persian rice cooker to make all my Persian dishes.
Did you make this recipe? Take a picture and tag us on Instagram @plant_basedpersian or share it on Pinterest!
“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” – Napoleon Hill
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Vegan Sabzi Baghali Polo (Persian Rice with Herbs and Fava Beans)
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 5 People 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A vegan Persian herb and fava bean rice dish
Ingredients
- 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
- 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.
- 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!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Iranian/Persian