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Home » Recipes » Rice & Grains

Instant Pot Khichdi (Rice and Lentil Porridge)

Published: Jun 9, 2021 · Modified: May 1, 2022 by Bhavana Patil ·This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Moong Dal Khichdi or Khichari recipe is a simple and healthy Indian comfort meal made using yellow lentils, rice, and tempered in ghee with cumin seeds in an Instant Pot pressure cooker or stovetop. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and can be prepared in under 30 minutes.

Moong Dal Khichdi served in a bowl garnished with cilantro with salad on the side
Moong Dal Khichdi

What is Khichdi (Khichari)?

Khichdi is a delicious one-pot dish from Indian cuisine made of rice and lentils. It is nutritious, wholesome, and easy to digest. Khichdi is also known by other names khichadi, Khichri, Khichri, or khichuri. 

It is light on the tummy and easy to digest hence when someone is ill or recovering, doctors recommend khichdi to patients. In India, Plain moong dal khichdi is considered one of the first solid foods that babies eat. 

Each home has its own version of khichdi in various regions of India. In South India, we make a similar dish made of rice and lentils, and it's called Ven Pongal. I also like making Vegetable Masala Khichdi which includes onion, tomatoes, carrots, cauliflower, and a few spices which are filling and wholesome.

Don't forget to check some healthy Khichdi recipes like Vegetable Khichdi, Bajra Khichdi, Palak Khichdi, Quinoa Khichdi, Pongal.

Today I am sharing how to make a Healthy Khichdi recipe in an Instant Pot and Stovetop Pressure Cooker.

Khichdi Ingredients

  • Moong Dal:  I have used split yellow moong dal in this recipe. I did not soak the dal before cooking as yellow lentils cook faster.
  • Rice: I have used Basmati rice in this recipe. You may also use sona masoori rice.
  • Ghee or Oil: Tastes best with ghee, but if you are a vegan replace it with cooking oil.
  • Green chilies: I have used Thai green chilies for the heat.
  • Whole spices: I have used cumin seeds, bay leaf in this recipe.
  • Dry spices: I have used turmeric.
  • Coriander leaves: for garnish.
Moong dal khichdi ingredients

How to Make Khichdi in Instant Pot

Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add ghee or oil to the POT. Note: Tastes better with ghee. Once the pot is hot add in the bay leaf, cumin (jeera) seeds, green chilies, and asafoetida. Saute for a few secs.

Next, add the rinsed moong dal, rice, turmeric powder, salt, and water. Mix well.

step to saute cumin seeds and add mung dal rice in instant pot collage

Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes.

Once the pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally.

step to add cilantro and mix in the instant pot collage

Then, open the lid, add coriander leaves, and mix khichri well.

Note: If rice is not mushy or if it's too dry then select saute mode, add an additional ½ cup of water and cook for another minute.

khichdi garnished with cilantro in instant pot with a spoon

Instant pot Moong Dal Khichdi Recipe (Indian Rice and Lentil Porridge) is ready, serve it hot with yogurt, raita, or kadhi.

indian rice and lentil Porridge served in a bowl garnished with cilantro with salad on the side

Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method

  • Follow the same steps and close the lid place a whistle and cook for 3-4 whistle on medium flame. All other steps remain the same.

How to Serve the Moong Dal Khichdi

Serve yellow moong dal khichdi with a spoon of ghee on top or with yogurt on the side. I prefer eating with kadhi. Also some pickle and papad on the side too!

Variations

  • The water ratio used in this recipe is 4 times the rice and lentils together. This helps to make a soft, porridge-like consistency for the final dish.
  • If you are using brown rice, increase pressure cook time to 20-22 minutes.
  • Substitute white rice with quinoa or millets, same pressure cooking time i.e., 8 Minutes High Pressure.

FAQs

How to make it Vegan?

To make vegan moong dal khichdi, you can replace ghee with any cooking oil.

Storage Suggestions

Khichri tastes best when it is served fresh and steaming hot. But in case you have leftovers you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
For reheating, add a few drops of water and heat in the microwave or pot.

Can we add vegetables to Moong dal khichdi?

Yes! to make it more healthy and wholesome you can add vegetables such as onion, tomato, broccoli, carrot, beans, peas, cauliflower, pumpkin, spinach.

Can we use any other dal to make this khichdi?

Yes. Traditionally khichdi is prepared with just moong dal but you can replace it with toor dal, chana dal, or split green moong dal, or use a combination of two lentils.

More Instant Pot Rice Recipes

  • Veg Biryani
  • Beetroot Rice
  • Spinach Rice
  • Cabbage Rice
  • Coconut Milk Pulao
Tried this recipe?Don’t forget to give a ★ rating below
Moong Dal Khichdi served in a bowl garnished with cilantro with salad on the side

Moong Dal Khichdi

Bhavana Patil
Moong Dal Khichadi or Khichari is healthy Indian comfort meal made using yellow lentils, rice, and tempered in ghee with cumin seeds
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings: 4
Calories : 247
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: North Indian
Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
Method: Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker, Stovetop
Prep Time : 5 minutes
Cook Time : 20 minutes
Total Time : 25 minutes

Equipment

  • Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker

Ingredients
  

Measuring cup used 1 cup = 250 ml

  • 2 tablespoons ghee
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 green chili optional
  • 1 teaspoon cumin (jeera) seeds
  • 1 pinch asafetida(hing) skip for gluten-free
  • ½ cup split yellow moong dal
  • ½ cup basmati rice rinsed
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • salt adjust to taste
  • 4 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons coriander leaves chopped

Instructions
 

Instant Pot Method

  • Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add ghee or oil to the POT. Note: Tastes better with Ghee.
    Once the pot is hot add in the bay leaf, cumin (jeera) seeds, green chilies, and asafoetida. Saute for few secs.
  • Next, add the rinsed moong dal, rice, turmeric powder, salt, and water. Mix well.
    step to saute cumin seeds and add mung dal rice in instant pot collage
  • Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes.
  • Once the pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally.
    step to add cilantro and mix in the instant pot collage
  • Then, open the lid, add cilantro and mix khichdi well.
  • Note: If rice is not mushy or too dry then select saute mode and add an additional ½ cup of water and cook for another minute.
    khichdi garnished with cilantro in instant pot with a spoon
  • Moong Dal Khichdi Recipe ( Indian Rice and Lentil Porridge) is ready, serve it hot with yogurt, raita, or kadhi.
    Moong Dal Khichdi served in a bowl garnished with cilantro with salad on the side

Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method

  • Follow the same steps and close the lid place a whistle and cook for 3-4 whistle on medium flame. All other steps remain the same.

Notes

I have prepared this dish in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT
 

Variations

  • The water ratio used in this recipe is 4 times the rice and lentils together. This helps to make a soft, porridge-like consistency for the final dish.
  • If you are using brown rice, increase pressure cook time to 20-22 minutes.
  • Substitute white rice with quinoa or millets, same pressure cooking time i.e., 8 Minutes High Pressure
 
Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 247kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 8gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 59mgPotassium: 45mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 72IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 2mg
Keyword instant pot khichdi, kitchari, moong dal khichdi
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Comments

  1. Anwesha says

    August 23, 2021 at 8:54 am

    5 stars
    Tried this recipe only yesterday in my Cuisinart electric pressure and the result was good! Thank you for taking the time out to post these amazing instant pot recipes. They are a lifesaver.

    Reply
    • Bhavana Patil says

      August 23, 2021 at 12:49 pm

      Yayyyy !!!!! That's amazing Anwesha. As I mentioned, I have personally not tried Cuisinart, so it is good to know that it works well on it as well 🙂🙂 I am glad, you are trying multiple recipes from the blog and that makes me super happy, keep posting your feedback.

      Reply

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