Easy Instant Pot Khichdi Recipe Kitchari

Instant Pot Khichdi or Instant Pot Kitchari is made with Mung Dal and Basmati Rice. This Dal and Rice dish has a porridge like consistency. Although a simple & quick meal, it is very delicious. The dish is ready in under 30 minutes. 

INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO IS INCLUDED IN THE POST.

Post contains affiliate links. Please read disclosure here.

Instant Pot Khichdi Recipe [Kitchari]

Khichdi is the delightful savory porridge made with mung dal & basmati rice.

I make this recipe with either Yellow Mung or Green Mung Dal. Despite of which mung, the timing and water to dal rice ratio remains the same. 

Khichdi recipe uses Turmeric as the main seasoning along with salt. Additionally Ghee and Cumin seeds add to the simple flavors of the dish. 

Kitchari is the quintessential comforting Indian meal ever. It is very light on digestion. Its creamy texture makes it so desirable and comforting. 

I love eating it any time of the week. My mother always served it with LEMON PICKLE which is a great digestive on it own. Often I eat it with Ghee, Papad, Yogurt & Pickle. These are the 4 best accompaniments that go well with kitchari.

What is Khichdi or Kitchari?

Basically Khichdi is a savory porridge made with mung dal and basmati rice. Undoubtedly, it is a popular dish in North Indian homes. 

Although mung is a popular dal in this recipe, but you may use other dals of choice to make this recipe. 

Albeit it is a simple recipe, but you may use mixed vegetables in the recipe to make it more filling. There are many variations available. 

Basically this recipe is a clean slate which you can fill with the ingredients and spices of your own choice. You can either make it as simple or as complex as you want.

Ayurvedic Khichdi

Because it is easy in digestion and assimilation, Ayurveda uses khichdi in its cleansing therapy.

Additionally, Khichdi is lauded for cleansing the stomach, gifting beautiful skin, clearing constipation and helping with health.

As a matter of fact it is a complete meal. Certainly this is a bowl packed with super nutrition.

Meanwhile check out my other INSTANT POT DAL RECIPES – Garlic Dal, Makhani Dal, Dal Tadka, Brown Lentils Dal, Red Kidney Beans Curry, Chickpeas Curry and more.

What are the ingredients of Instant Pot Khichdi?

Undoubtedly it is the simplest recipe ever that uses only handful of ingredients.

Mung Dal – Often I switch between Split Yellow Mung Dal and Split Green Mung Dal. Either one works great in the recipe. 

Basmati Rice – Although I use basmati rice to make khichdi, but you can use sona masoori or the rice that you have.

Ghee – Although ghee is one of the traditional ingredient of khichdi, but you can use any cooking oil. Olive oil or Avocado oil will work great too.

Cumin seeds – Another key ingredient to season khichdi is cumin seeds. But you can use mustard seeds instead or along with it.

Turmeric – Markedly known for its healing properties, turmeric is quintessential ingredient of khichdi. Not only it lends the beautiful color to the dish, it makes khichdi wholesome.

Asafetida – It is known for its digestive properties. And is often added to the Indian recipes using lentils and beans. If you do not have it then skip it. It has a very strong flavoring. Therefore it is your choice if you want to use it or not.

Red chili powder – Although you can skip it if you do not like spicy, but I use it in all my Indian recipes. It is a habit.

Ginger & Green Chili – Mom would often use fresh ginger or Ginger powder for its digestive properties. Therefore I use it too. Green chili is optional. You may use jalapeno instead. Or totally skip using any chili.

Salt

Water

KITCHEN GADGETS 

Instant Pot

Inner Pot

Measuring Cups & Spoons

Kitchen Ladle

Chopping Board & Knife

Mixing Bowl

Serving Bowls

How to make Instant Pot KHICHDI or KITCHARI?

Now making Khichdi is the easiest recipe ever. All you need are handful ingredients. Watch the Video for clear understanding.

Prep Dal & Rice

• First of all, add the measured dal and rice in a Mixing Bowl. Wash it 3 times in clear water till it is clean. 
• Further soak dal and rice in 1 cup water till you get everything ready.
• Also if you plan to use ginger & green chili, then chop these fine and set aside.

Saute & Pressure Cook

• Place Inner Pot inside the Instant Pot. Press SAUTE. When Hot, add Ghee to the pot. Further add Cumin seeds and Asafetida (if you are using it). Saute for few seconds with kitchen spatula.
• Now add the chopped green chili & ginger and saute for few more seconds. This step applies if you are using the green chilies and/or ginger. Othewise skip to the next step. Cancel the SAUTE mode.
• Further drain the soaked Rice and dal. Mix it well. Now add Turmeric, Salt & Red chili powder (if you are using it). Mix well.
• Now add the measured water and give it a nice stir. 
• Close the lid and set the valve to SEALING. Press the PRESSURE COOK/MANUAL button and set it for 8 minutes. I cook it for 8 minutes for the delicious creamy mashed texture.
• Once the timer goes off, follow NPR (natural pressure release). As the safety valve drops down, open the lid carefully.
• Further take the Kitchen Ladle and mash it around and stir. It will create the nice comforting porridge like texture.

Serving Suggestions

• Now ladle the Kitchari or Khichdi in ther Serving Bowls. Add some chopped cilantro if you wish to. 
• Further add a spoon of Ghee to your khichdi and watch it melt in khichdi. SO YUM. Also add some lemon pickle on the side. Yogurt and Papad are a part of Khichdi spread as well (not shoen in the picture).
• This is the traditional way of eating khichdi. 

Up to 30% off Kitchen from Nicunom
Drinking Glasses with Glass Straw 4pcs Set – 16oz Can Shaped Glass Cups Beer Glasses Iced Coffee Glasses Cute Tumbler Cup Ideal for Whiskey Soda Tea Water Gift – 2 Cleaning Brushes
Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Coffee Maker and other Appliances
Up to 45% off Kitchen from Daitouge

What is the traditional way of cooking khichdi or kitchari?

Traditionally, dal to rice ratio for khichdi is 1/3rd Dal : 2/3rd Rice. However 1/2 Dal : 1/2 Rice ratio is also common.

You can use either ratio. I use 1/2 :1/2 for more protein & fiber through dal. 

The water ratio to Rice & Dal also varies from home to home. Here are few variations that lead to various textures.

• 1 part Dal Rice (1/2 : 1/2) to 4 cups water leads to tighter texture of Khichdi. This is relished in many homes as well. Cook this khichdi for 6 minutes. 
• Now most common ratio is 1 part Dal Rice (1/2 : 1/2) to 5 cups water. This gives a nice perfect creamy texture to kitchari. Cook this kitchari for 8 minutes.
• Another ratio is 1 part Dal Rice (1/2 : 1/2) to 6 cups water. This ratio is often used to cook khichdi when treatig stomach issues. Or when you want some very light food to heal your stomach. In this case, cook khichdi for 10 minutes. Longer you cook, better it breaks down for easy digestion.

Tips to Personalize Instant Pot Khichdi Recipe

Amazingly, when you start cooking your own food, you can personalize any recipe to your own liking. Since Khichdi is such a clean palate recipe, you can enhance it with more flavors and ingredients.

Here are some ways that you can enrich your Kitchari –

• You can cook kitchari using any dal. Some other common dals/lentils used to make khichdi are – Lal Masoor Dal (Red Lentils), Toor Dal (Split Pigeon Beans), Chana Dal (Split Begal Gram Beans), Sabut Masoor Dal (Brown Lentils).
• Further, you can swap the basmati rice in the recipe with other grains. You can use either of these grains to swap rice but it will change the cooking time. Quinoa, Brown Rice, Bulgar, Barley, Millets, etc. are some fav choices.
• Although this is a plain simple recipe, but you can enrich it with mixed vegetables like tomatoes, green beans, green peas, cauliflower, carrots, potatoes, garlic etc.
• You can further make it nutrionally rich by adding Spinach or Fenugreek Leaves or any seasonal greens to it.
• I make my khichdi very simple with just cumin seeds, turmeric, salt & red chili powder. But you may add garam masala and/or crushed black pepper corns to it for more warmth.
• Sometimes I add pav bhaji masala or bisebile bhath spice mix to make it more yum.

How to make khichdi on Gas Top?

1. Gas Top Pressure Cooker – Prep all the ingredients as instructed in the main post above. Take the pressure cooker and put it on the gas-top. Put it on high heat and melt ghee in it. Now reduce the heat to medium. Add cumin seeds, asafetida and saute for few seconds. Further add green chilies and ginger and saute for few more minutes. Now add soaked dal and rice along with spices and water. Give it a good stir. Put the lid and weight on. Lock it. Increase the heat to high. Cook it on high heat till you hear the first whistle. Then reduce the heat to medium and cook for 3 more whistles. Switch off the heat. Open when pressure is released naturally.  Then proceed with mashing it with ladle. Garnish with cilantro and ghee. Serve with pickle, yogurt & papad.
2. Gas Top in a Pot – Prep all the ingredients as instructed in the main post above. Take a heavy bottom or hard anodized deep sauce pan/pot and put it on the gas-top. Put it on high heat and melt ghee in it. Now reduce the heat to medium. Add cumin seeds, asafetida and saute for few seconds. Further add green chilies and ginger and saute for few more minutes. Now add soaked dal and rice along with spices and water. Give it a good stir. Bring it to a boil. Then lower the heat to medium. Cover & Cook till dal & rice are cooked and soft to be mashed. It will take about 20 minutes. Cook more if needed. Switch off the heat. Open when pressure is released naturally.  Then proceed with mashing it with ladle. Garnish with cilantro and ghee. Serve with pickle, yogurt & papad.

Is Kitchari Vegan?

Since Ghee is an integral and important ingredient of khichdi, it is not vegan. But you cna totally veganize it by swapping ghee with olive oil or avocado oil. 

Can I make Khichdi ahead of time?

Yes you can make khichdi ahead of time. Since khichdi gets thicker as it sits for longer time, add some hot water to thin it down when ready to eat. Adjust salt accordingly. 

How to store leftover khichdi?

Just refrigerate it an air tight container and store.

How to re-heat kitchari?

Since khichdi gets thicker as it sits for longer time, add some hot water to thin it down when ready to eat. Adjust salt accordingly. 

How to use Leftover Khichdi?

Often I make Khichdi Cutlets with leftover khichdi. They turn out so yum.

You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest & Twitter & You-tube for regular updates. And don’t forget to sign up for our E-Letter whenever we publish a new post.

Easy Instant Pot Khichdi Recipe Kitchari

I am sure you are goin to try this recipe soon. Please rate the recipe and leave your feedback in comments.

Sonal