Quinoa Khichdi (Instant Pot & Stovetop)

This Quinoa Khichdi or Mix Vegetable Lentil Quinoa recipe is one-pot ultimate comfort food prepared with quinoa, moong dal/lentils, veggies, and some basic spices in an Instant Pot Pressure cooker or stovetop. Vegan, Gluten-free, and great for weight loss.

Quinoa is one of the superfoods as it is rich in protein and dietary fiber and has many more nutritional values than rice, so I am trying to add quinoa to day-to-day cooking these days.

My husband who was not a fan of quinoa over rice has started liking it recently. He could not even make out the difference between the khichri made with rice and khichri made with quinoa, since it tasted similar and delicious. Another family favorite quinoa recipe is Quinoa Bisi Bele Bath made in the pressure cooker.

I have also added mixed vegetables like carrots, green beans, peas in this quinoa moong dal khichdi recipe. Feel free to add any vegetables of your choice. This Quinoa dal khichdi is a very healthy and great lunch or dinner recipe for toddlers and infants. You can just mash the vegetables in the khichri before giving them to infants or toddlers.

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

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

Quinoa Dal Khichdi Ingredients

• Quinoa: I have used white quinoa here. Make sure to rinse it under cold water to remove the natural coating, called saponin to avoid any bitterness before adding it to the Quinoa & Vegetable Khichdi.
• 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.
• Green chilies: I have used Thai green chilies for the heat.
• Ginger:  I have used a paste made from fresh ginger. You can also add minced ginger.
• Vegetables: I have used onions, tomato, carrots, beans, green peas. You can also swap for other vegetables like broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers.
• Oil: You can use any cooking oil.
• Dry spices: I have used turmeric, coriander powder, and garam masala.
• Whole spices: I have used cumin seeds, bay leaf in this recipe.
• Lemon juice: freshly squeezed lemon juice.
• Cilantro (coriander leaves): for garnish.

How to Make Quinoa Khichdi in Instant Pot

Firstly, press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add ghee or oil to the POT. Note: Tastes better with Ghee

Once its hot add in the bay leaf and cumin (jeera) seeds, let them splutter.

Add the chopped green chilies, ginger, and onions. Saute till onions turn light brown in color.

Then add mixed vegetables, tomato and cook for a minute.

Next, add the rinsed moong dal, quinoa, turmeric powder, coriander powder, garam masala, water, salt. Mix well. Also, deglaze the pot ie, make sure there is no food particle sticking to the pot to avoid burn alerts.

Furthermore, close the lid on the pot and set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and timer to 5 minutes.

After the pot beeps, Wait for NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE (NPR).

Lastly, Open the lid squeeze some lime juice and add cilantro and mix khichdi well.

Note: If khichdi is not mushy or too dry then select saute mode and add an additional ½ cup of water and cook for another minute.

Instant Pot Quinoa Khichdi recipe is ready, serve with either yogurt, raita, or kadhi.

Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method

• Follow the steps from the instant pot instructions. Give 2-3 whistles on medium flame and let the pressure release naturally. All the other steps remain the same. Pressure Cooker Quinoa Khichdi is ready to serve.

How to Serve Quinoa Khichdi?

Quinoa lentil khichdi can be served with any of your favorite side dishes like pickles, raita, or kadhi to make a complete meal.

Tips & Variations

• The water ratio in this recipe is 3 times the quinoa and lentils together which makes a soft, porridge-like consistency for the final dish.
• If you can’t find split yellow moong lentils, you can also use split green moong lentils too.
• You can also prepare the same khichdi with other grains like foxtail millet, kodo millet, rice.
• To make this Mix Vegetable Lentil Quinoa recipe Vegan, replace ghee with oil.
• You can also vary the vegetables added to this Quinoa vegetable khichdi. You can also use spinach, potatoes, broccoli, cabbage.

More Quinoa Indian Recipes

• Quinoa Pulao
• Quinoa biryani  
• Lemon Quinoa
• Quinoa Lentil Soup
• Curd Quinoa
• Quinoa Fried Rice

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