Sabudana Kheer (Tapioca Pudding)

Sabudana Kheer or Tapioca Pudding is a popular Indian dessert recipe prepared using sabudana (sago), milk, sugar, and nuts during the fasting festival season in the Instant Pot or stovetop.

Sabudana means Tapioca pearls, and Kheer means pudding in Hindi. You can make several dishes like Sabudana Khichdi, Sabudana Vada with sabudana.

What is Sabudana?

Sabudana, also known as tapioca pearl or sago, is a starch extracted from the roots of tapioca and processed into pearl-like spears.

It contains a high amount of carbohydrates, making it a fast energy booster. Due to its neutral flavor, it can also add texture to breads and soups without affecting the taste. (Source Healthline)

Sabudana Kheer Ingredients

Here is a list of ingredients to make the sabudana kheer recipe

• Sabudana (Tapioca Pearls): I have used small tapioca pearls in this recipe. They can be easily found in Indian Grocery stores or on Amazon.
• Milk: I have used full-fat whole milk in this recipe. You may also use unsweetened almond milk if you are looking for plant-based.
• Sugar: I have used refined sugar. You can also use brown sugar or jaggery. Ensure to add the jaggery after the pressure cooking as impurities can curdle the milk.
• Dry fruits: Dry fruits like cashews and raisins have been used. You may also use chopped pistachios and almonds.
• Ground Cardamom: Is used for flavoring, if you don't have you can use vanilla extract.
• Saffron strands: Few saffron strands are added to the milk, you may also soak them in warm milk and added to the kheer to add flavor and color. But it's optional.

How to Make Sabudana Kheer in Instant Pot

Clean the Instant pot thoroughly – the steel pot, lid, and sealing ring. If you have an extra sealing ring for sweet foods, use it else, milk may curdle.

Add ghee into the pan, once hot, add cashews, roast till it turns light golden brown, then add raisins and saute till they puff up. Remove and keep aside.

Rinse the sabudana 1-2 times and drain all the water. Soak the sabudana in 1 cup of water for at least 30 minutes in the Instant Pot itself (with IP switched off).

Once the sabudana has soaked for 30 minutes, Press SAUTE button. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes while stirring continously until the pearls become translucent.

Then pour 1.5 cups of whole milk, saffron strands into the Instant Pot. Give a quick stir. Close the lid, and turn the pressure valve to the SEALING position.

Close the lid. Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (Low Pressure) and set the timer to 10 minutes.

Once the pot beeps, let it Natural Pressure Release (NPR) for 5 minutes and then quick release the remaining pressure.

Open the lid, Add the sugar and cardamom powder and stir well. Simmer for 3-4 minutes. If you dint get the desired consistency, cook for extra 2-3 mins until it thickens a bit. Note: Kheer thickens after cooling down or refrigeration.

Lastly, add the roasted nuts. Mix well.

Cool down the kheer and refrigerate. Serve chilled, you can also serve the sago kheer hot.

Stovetop Pot Method

• Rinse the sabudana 1-2 times and drain all the water. Soak the sabudana in 1 cup of water for at least 30 minutes in a vessel.
• In a heavy bottom pan, add ghee, once hot, add dry fruits like cashews, roast till it turns light golden brown, then add raisins and saute till they puff up. Remove and keep aside.
• Once the sabudana has soaked for 30 minutes, add them to the pan and cook for 4 to 5 minutes while stirring continously until the pearls become translucent.
• Then pour the milk, saffron strands and give a quick stir. Cook for around 10-12 minutes on the medium-low flame while stirring it occasionally. The milk will begin to reduce, and the sabudana will soften and get cooked.
• Stir in the sugar, cardamom powder. Cook for another 3-4 minutes or until it thickens a bit.
• Lastly, add the roasted nuts. Mix well. Serve chilled or hot.

Tips & Variations to Make Perfect Sabudana Kheer

• Soaking the sabudana for at least 15-30 minutes before making kheer is an important step, so do not skip it.
• The sabudana kheer becomes thick after cooling down or refrigeration, add warm milk to adjust the consistency while serving.
• If you want to make richer sago kheer, Add ¼ cup of condensed milk if you like and reduce the sugar appropriately.
• You can add any nuts of your choice to this kheer.
• To make vegan-friendly tapioca pudding, substitute dairy milk with almond milk or coconut milk.
• You can replace refined sugar with organic powdered jaggery.

More Desserts Recipes

• Badam Halwa with Almond Powder
• Carrot Halwa Instant Pot
• Instant Pot Rice Kheer
• Moong Dal Payasam
• Milk Powder Burfi
• Semiya Payasam

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