Easy Masala khichdi Recipe (Instant Pot)

Masala khichdi is a delicious, easy to make healthy and satiating Indian dish perfect for lunch or dinner. It is a wonderful balanced meal made with rice, lentils, spices and an onion tomato masala.

It has a mushy texture and very easy to make, light on tummy too. You can make this with or without vegetables. Vegan and gluten free.

For more comforting one pot meals please check sambar rice, tomato bath, ven pongal, ghee rice.

Come winter, dal khichdi is a mainstay at our home. Though I make it often throughout the year, it is more comforting and hearty during winters.

There is nothing like a piping hot bowl of khichdi topped with ghee and eaten with pickle or papad. You can make this dish in many ways and this version with masala and spices is perfect for the weather.

If you are looking for easy home cooked meals that gets ready in 30 minutes, balanced one pot meals that is comforting and satiating, this recipe is for you. Try it out and enjoy.

What Is Khichdi?

Khichdi is a simple rice and lentils (moong dal) based preparation popular across India. In this recipe, rice and moong dal are cooked thoroughly with some essential spices and then mashed well.

You can add a drizzle of ghee and serve hot with lemon pickle or mango pickle. This is an ultimate comfort food, suitable for all ages and can be eaten at any time of the day.

Basic recipe of khichdi is made without much spices, onions or tomatoes. In this variation of vegetable masala khichdi we are adding few veggies, some spices, onions and tomatoes. I prefer this spicy and flavorful variation any day 🙂

Once prepared serve this dish piping hot. Along with pickle you can also serve with a bowl of thick fresh curd or yogurt, especially for kids. Some papad or chips is also a good combination with this dish.

There are many variations you can make with this recipe and I have mentioned few variations for you towards the end.

Do try and enjoy this khichdi that is

best of comfort foods

delicious and flavorful

filling and satiating

ready in 20 minutes

vegan and gluten free

How To Make Vegetable Masala Khichdi Recipe

I have made the whole vegetable khichdi recipe in instant pot but you can also make it in pressure cooker too. Instructions for them given in the notes section.

Pick and rinse 1/2 cup rice grains (you can also use broken rice) and 1/2 cup moong dal well. You can also use 2 tablespoons toor dal for flavor,

Place the steel insert inside your instant pot and switch it on. Press sauce. Once it displays hot, add 1 tablespoon oil. Add 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1/2 teaspoon minced ginger garlic or ginger garlic paste, few curry leaves and 2 slit green chilies. Saute for a minute.

Add 1/4 cup peanuts and saute well.

Next add 1/2 cup sliced or finely chopped onions and saute for a minute.

Next add 3/4 cup finely chopped tomatoes and 1/2 cup veggies of choice. I just add 1/4 cup peas and 1/4 cup corn this time. You can make this with just onion tomatoes too.

Now we will add the spice powders namely 1 teaspoon red chilli powder, 1 teaspoon garam masala powder, 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder and 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder. You can add whole spices instead of garam masala, see notes for details.

Mix well, saute and cook till the raw flavor of the spice powders leave and tomatoes are completely mushy. This is the khichdi masala.

Now add the rinsed rice grains and moong dal. Mix well and saute for few seconds.

Add 3 cups water and salt to taste. Mix well.

Close the instant pot, cancel saute and press pressure cooking or manual mode. Cook the masala khichdi for 10 minutes in IP with pressure valve in seal position.

Once done, let pressure release naturally for another 5 -10 minutes. Add chopped coriander leaves and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Mix well

Now you can mash the khichdi well but we like it as such, so I left it there. Easy instant pot masala khichdi ready.

Serve vegetable khichdi piping hot. This rice khichdi One of the best comfort foods of all tine 🙂

Making This Recipe On Stove Top

Pressure cooker- Follow the exact steps as mentioned above using a heavy pressure cooker base. After adding 3 cups of water to dal and rice, close the pressure cooker and place the weight. Pressure cook for 4-5 whistles in medium flame.

Pan- Use a heavy bottomed pan with a fitting lid. The steps are the same. Add 4 cups water, cover the pan and cook for 20 minutes in medium flame.

Serving Suggestions

Always serve vegetable masala khichdi piping hot when it is super fresh for best taste.

You can serve with a drizzle of ghee and some finely chopped onions for flavor.

It goes well mango pickle, lemon pickle etc. You can also serve it with kadhi, kachumber, veg raita, onion raita or plain curd. Some papad or chips will be good too.

Variations

There are many variations you can make with this recipe. Here are some popular khichdi recipes to try.

Oats khichdi– A delicious way to eat oats mixed with vegetables and lentils

Sabudana khichdi– popular fast food of India, a quick and really delicious khichdi made with sabudana, tapioca or sago pearls.

Classic dal khichdi– Basic, traditional and authentic khichdi recipe.

Other than these you can also make palak khichdi, bajre ki khichdi recipes.

Pro Tips + FAQs

which veggies can I use in this vegetable khichdi recipe?

You can use all the vegetables that you typically use for sambar, pulao etc in this recipe too. You can add

carrots

beans

potato

green peas

corn etc

Can I Use Whole Spices In This Recipe?

Yes if you can add whole spices instead of garam masala powder for a mellow flavor. Add 1 bay leaf, 2 cloves and 1/2 inch cinnamon stick

How To make it less spicy?

Reduce the quantity of red chili powder to 1/2 teaspoon, skip green chili and use whole spices instead of garam masala. Also adding some ghee while serving will reduce the heat.

Which Rice Is Best For Khichdi?

You can use any grain rice for making this masala khichdi recipe. We like the flavor of basmati rice so I use it. You can use short grain rice, brown rice or even rice grits if you like porridge like consistency.

You can also vary the amount of water to get the desired consistency.

Can I skip rice in this recipe?

Yes you can add oats, quinoa or any millet instead of rice.

I hope you will try this masala khichdi recipe and enjoy as much as we did. Please give a star rating ★ in the recipe card below if you have tried this recipe. Follow us on Pinterest , Instagram, Facebook   for more recipes and ideas.

Recipe Card