Butter Bhaji is a rich, buttery, and flavorful Indian street-style dish made by mashing a mix of vegetables and cooking them in a spiced tomato base with generous amounts of butter. Famous as Mumbai’s iconic Pav Bhaji, this version focuses on a more indulgent, buttery taste that enhances the overall flavor and gives it a restaurant-style finish. This recipe takes around 40 minutes in total, including 15 minutes of preparation and 25 minutes of cooking time, and serves two people.
To begin, take 2 medium potatoes, 1/2 cup green peas, 1/2 cup cauliflower, and 1 small carrot, and boil them until soft. Mash the vegetables roughly and keep them aside. In a large pan or tawa, heat 2 to 3 tablespoons of butter. Add 1 finely chopped large onion and sauté until soft and translucent. Then add 1 tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute until the raw aroma disappears. Next, add 2 finely chopped capsicums and sauté for a couple of minutes to enhance the flavor.
Now add 3 medium finely chopped or pureed tomatoes and cook until the mixture becomes soft and the butter starts separating from the masala. This step is important for achieving that deep street-style taste. Add spices including 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 to 1½ teaspoons red chilli powder, 2 teaspoons pav bhaji masala, and salt to taste. Mix well and cook for 2 to 3 minutes so the spices are well incorporated.
Add the mashed vegetables into the pan and mix thoroughly with the masala. Using a masher, mash everything together while cooking to get that signature smooth yet slightly chunky texture. Add about 1/2 to 1 cup water to adjust consistency and let it simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t stick to the pan. For that special butter bhaji touch, add another tablespoon of butter while cooking and mix well.
Finally, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves and a small cube of butter on top for that glossy finish. Serve the Butter Bhaji hot with lightly toasted pav (bread rolls) roasted in butter on a pan. You can also serve it with chopped onions and lemon wedges on the side for a complete street-style experience. For extra richness, some people add a small amount of fresh cream at the end, making the bhaji even more smooth and indulgent.
