Pressure Cooker Jeera Aloo

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Jeera Aloo Recipe – Made by sauteeing potatoes (aloo) in a tempering of olive oil and cumin (jeera) seeds, this simple yet delicious side dish is perfect for those who are new to Indian cooking. Pair with rice and dal to make a complete meal. 

An overhead shot of Aloo jeera recipe in a black bowl. The dish is garnished with cilantro leaves.

Indian cuisine is known for the lavish use of spices and for being time-consuming. When you are beginning to cook Indian food these facts alone can make it intimidating. Don’t worry there are enough and more Indian food recipes that can be made in less than 30 minutes and need just a few spices. This jeera aloo recipe is one such example.

How to make jeera aloo

There are two ways you can make jeera aloo –  by sauteeing boiled potatoes with cumin seeds and the other one involves sauteeing potatoes in cumin seeds without boiling them at all.

Making jeera aloo with boiled potatoes

  1. Boil chopped potatoes by pressure cooking in an Instant Pot / Mealthy or a stovetop pressure cooker. Set them aside.
  2. Add oil to a wok/kadhai kept over medium heat. When hot, add cumin seeds. 
  3. Once the cumin seeds start to sizzle, add the spices and seasonings. Fry them for about 30 seconds. 
  4. Add the potatoes and mix them well. 
  5. Simmer for 5 minutes for the flavors to meld in.
  6. Add lime juice. Garnish it with either coriander leaves or dried fenugreek leaves. Mix well.
  7. Serve hot with rotis or rice and dal. 

Making jeera aloo without boiled potatoes

Use a non-stick wok if following this method. If you are using a stainless steel wok, add at least 1/4 cup oil to prevent the potatoes from sticking to the base. 

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  1. Heat oil in a wok/kadhai kept over medium heat. When hot, add cumin seeds. 
  2. Once the cumin seeds start to sizzle, add the spices and seasonings. Fry them for about 30 seconds. 
  3. Add the chopped potatoes and mix them well. 
  4. Lower the heat to medium-low. Cover the wok and let the potatoes cook until it has softened and is fully cooked. This step requires occasional stirring to make sure the potatoes are not sticking to the bottom of the pan. 
  5. Simmer for 5 minutes for the flavors to meld in.
  6. Add lime juice. Garnish it with either coriander leaves or dried fenugreek leaves. Mix well.
  7. Serve hot with rotis or rice and dal. 

I prefer the first approach because it involves less hands-on time.  Here are the step-by-step pictures of the first method. 

Testers notes

  • Peel the potatoes and pressure cook them to save time. If you pressure cook unpeeled whole potatoes, you’ll have to wait for them to slightly cool, before peeling the skin off and chopping them. 
  • Don’t overcook the potatoes – you don’t want them mushy. If using a pressure cooker just cook them till they are 3/4th done. 

Variations to this Aloo jeera recipe

  • Add 1/4 teaspoon dried mango powder (amchur powder) instead of lime juice.
  • Skip the garlic cloves. 
  • Add 1/4 teaspoon of roasted cumin powder (bhuna jeera powder) for added taste. 

Serve jeera aloo warm with roti/rice and dal. Leftover jeera aloo can be used to make sandwiches. 

Jeera aloo served with dal and rice and cut cucumber slices

Here are some other Indian vegetarian recipes to add more variety to your everyday meal. 

  1. Aloo matar –  this simple peas and potato curry is perfect for days when you want a fuss-free meal that is easy to make and delicious. Pair it with roti or rice to make it a complete meal.
  2. Matar paneer – Paneer lovers rejoice! Here’s a delicious and creamy restaurant-style matar paneer recipe that you’ve got to check out.
  3. Aloo methi – Aloo methi combines stir-fried potatoes (aloo) with freshly chopped fenugreek leaves (methi) to create an aromatic and flavorful side dish that is best savored with ghee laden rotis.
  4. Paneer makhani – Learn how to make your favorite take-out curry – Restaurant-style Paneer Butter Masala or Paneer Makhani at home in less than 40 minutes!
  5. Palak paneer – Palak Paneer (spinach with cottage cheese) combines spinach with cottage cheese to make this delicious meal that goes well with rotis or naan.
  6. Dum aloo – This easy and delicious Punjabi style Dum Aloo gravy is perfect for families who want to savor this lovely dish without spending hours in the kitchen. Leverage your Instant Pot and make it in about 40-minutes.
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An overhead shot of Aloo jeera recipe in a black bowl. The dish is garnished with cilantro leaves.
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Jeera Aloo Recipe

Jeera Aloo Recipe – Made by sauteeing potatoes (aloo) in a tempering of olive oil and cumin (jeera) seeds, this simple yet delicious side dish is perfect for those who are new to Indian cooking. Pair with rice and dal to make a complete meal. 
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients
 
 

  • 6 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and chopped 4 cups chopped
  • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds jeera
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 Indian or Thai green chilies (Bird's eye) finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ tablespoon squeezed lime juice

For garnishing

Instructions
 

  • Add 1 cup water to the steel insert of an Instant Pot or Mealthy. Place a trivet and a steamer basket over it.
  • Add the potatoes in the steamer basket. Cover the lid. Set the pressure to high and cook for 6 minutes.
  • Once the cooking cycle is complete, move the vent to the venting position. Remove the steamer basket carefully and set it aside.
  • Add oil to a wok/kadhai kept over medium heat. When hot, add cumin seeds.
  • Once the cumin seeds start to sizzle, add turmeric powder, chili powder, green chilies, and garlic cloves. Fry them for about 30 seconds.
  • Add the potatoes along with salt and lime juice. Mix them well.
  • Garnish with dried fenugreek leaves
  • Simmer for 5 minutes for the flavors to meld in.
  • Serve hot with rotis or rice and dal.

Notes

Alternate stovetop method – Use a non-stick wok if following this method. If you are using a stainless steel wok, add at least 1/4 cup oil to prevent the potatoes from sticking to the base. 
  1. Heat oil in a wok/kadhai kept over medium heat. When hot, add cumin seeds. 
  2. Once the cumin seeds start to sizzle, add the spices and seasonings. Fry them for about 30 seconds. 
  3. Add the chopped potatoes and mix them well. 
  4. Lower the heat to medium-low. Cover the wok and let the potatoes cook until it has softened and is fully cooked. This step requires occasional stirring to make sure the potatoes are not sticking to the bottom of the pan. 
  5. Simmer for 5 minutes for the flavors to meld in.
  6. Add lime juice. Garnish it with either coriander leaves or dried fenugreek leaves. Mix well.
  7. Serve hot with rotis or rice and dal. 
Testers notes
  • Peel the potatoes and pressure cook them. This saves time. If you pressure cook unpeeled whole potatoes, you’ll have to wait for them to slightly cool, before peeling the skin off and chopping them. 
  • Don’t overcook the potatoes – you don’t want them mushy. If using a pressure cooker just cook them till they are 3/4th done. 
Variations to this Aloo jeera recipe
  • Add 1/4 teaspoon amchur powder (dried mango powder) instead of lime juice.
  • Skip the garlic cloves. 
  • Add 1/4 teaspoon of roasted cumin powder (bhuna jeera powder) for added taste. 
Read the post…For helpful information on ingredient swaps, storage tips, meal prep ideas, and variations!

Disclaimer: Approximate nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and can vary depending on the exact ingredients/brands used. If you have health issues, please work with a registered dietician or nutritionist.

Nutrition

Calories: 176kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 6gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 439mgPotassium: 906mgFiber: 6gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 62IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 77mgIron: 8mg
Diet: Gluten-free, Vegan
Course: Side Dish
Method: Instant Pot, Stovetop
Keywords: Aloo Jeera, Indian side dish, Potatoes with cumin
Cuisine: Indian
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