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    Home » Recipes » Indian Main Course

    Instant Pot Millet Khichdi

    Published: Dec 21, 2021 · Modified: Sep 18, 2023 by Shilpa Kerur · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 8 Comments

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    5 from 15 votes

    Millet khichdi is a healthy and flavorful variation of the classic Indian khichdi, made with protein-packed lentils and fiber-rich millets. Using an Instant Pot makes this dish a breeze to prepare, and it is perfect for busy weeknights when you want a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen. This nourishing one-pot meal is loaded with vegetables of your choice, making it a wholesome and balanced option that's perfect for the whole family.

    foxtail millet khichdi in instant pot

    Get ready to taste a healthier version of the classic Indian kitchari! This millet khichdi features the nutty goodness of foxtail millet, lentils, and a variety of vegetables. As a wholesome, vegan one-pot meal, it's sure to delight your taste buds and nourish your body.

    Warm up on chilly winter nights with this versatile and comforting one-pot meal! With soaked millet and an Instant Pot, it's ready in just 20 minutes. Add your favorite veggies and spices to create your own flavorful variation. For a complete meal, serve with bhindi kadhi and Bombay aloo.

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love this recipe?
    • What is foxtail millet?
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutes and variations
    • Step-by-step instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • Serving suggestions
    • FAQs
    • Recipe card
    • Comments

    Why you will love this recipe?

    • This Instant Pot millet khichdi is a wholesome one-pot meal that is healthy, nutritious, and very comforting.
    • Making millet khichdi is a breeze with either an Instant Pot or stovetop pressure cooker.
    • It is naturally gluten-free.
    • This khichdi is suitable for vegans.
    • It is freezer-friendly and can be frozen for up to three months, making it a great choice for hassle-free meal prep.

    Related: Dalia khichdi.

    What is foxtail millet?

    Foxtail millet is a gluten-free grain widely used in India. It is called kangni or kakum in Hindi, navane in Kannada, korra in Telugu, thinai in Tamil, and kang in Gujarati. It can be cooked similarly to rice and is a good substitute for rice. It is widely used in India, China, and Africa. This variety of millet is gaining huge popularity in the US due to its associated health benefits.

    Foxtail millet is very nutritious and is associated with several health benefits. It is rich in fiber, vitamins, iron, and antioxidants. It is widely used for blood sugar control as it has a low glycemic index (GI). Foxtail millet is suitable for gluten intolerance or if you are following a gluten-free diet.

    Perfect creamy texture.

    Ingredients

    ingredients to make millet khichdi in instant pot.

    Foxtail millet: This is the main ingredient.

    Lentils: I use a mix of yellow lentils (moong dal) and Bengal gram (chana dal).

    Vegetables: I use spinach, carrot, cauliflower, beans, and peas.

    Aromatics: Onion, ginger, and garlic are used, which form the base of the khichdi.

    Tomatoes: This is an optional ingredient. However, if you are making a no onion - no garlic khichdi, then do not skip it (see variations section below).

    Spices: The whole spices I use are cumin seeds and bay leaf. The powdered spices I use are ground coriander, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and garam masala.

    Substitutes and variations

    The best part about this millet kitchari recipe is that you can easily customize it to your taste preferences by switching up the vegetables, type of dal, or millet used. Get creative and make it your own!

    Use other millets: Barnyard millet, pearl millet, little millet, and kodo millet also work very well for this recipe. For pearl millet, increase the pressure cooking time to 12 minutes. The cooking time remains the same for other varieties of millet.

    Use vegetables of your choice: This is a great way of using up any bits of leftover vegetables. Vegetables that can be used are broccoli, zucchini, corn kernels, and bell peppers.

    Change the dal: You can use any dal of your choice, like masoor dal or toor dal (pigeon pea).

    Alter spices: If you don't have access to all the spices in this recipe, skip them. This dish can be kept really simple, although I recommend that at a minimum, use turmeric powder and a small amount of garam masala powder.

    Skip onion and garlic: You can make this khichdi without onions and garlic. For this version, temper cumin seeds and skip step 5 of the recipe card. Add ginger along with tomatoes and follow the rest of the recipe.

    Cook in a stovetop pressure cooker: To make this khichdi in a stovetop pressure cooker, follow this recipe using a stovetop cooker and cook it for 3 whistles.

    Step-by-step instructions

    Saute onion, ginger, and garlic.

    Step 1: Set the Instant Pot to saute mode and add oil. Add cumin seeds and bay leaf. Saute for a few seconds. Once the cumin splutters, add onion, ginger, and garlic. Saute the onions for 3 minutes until they are translucent (images 1 and 2).

    Add tomatoes and spices.

    Step 2: Add tomato, turmeric powder, chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala, and salt. Cover and let the tomatoes cook for 2 minutes until the tomatoes soften slightly (images 3 and 4).

    Add vegetables, lentils, and millets.

    Step 3: Add the vegetables and salt. Drain water from the soaked millet and dal. Add it to the pot (images 5 and 6).

    Add water and pressure cook.

    Step 4: Add 6 cups of water. Mix well and deglaze the pot. Close the lid of the Instant Pot and pressure cook for 8 minutes. Do a natural release of the pressure for 10 minutes, then a quick release (images 7 and 8).

    Millet khichdi made in instant pot.

    Step 5: Add cilantro (coriander leaves) and mix well. Serve khichdi warm with a side dish of your choice.

    Expert Tips

    It is important to soak the foxtail millet overnight (or for a minimum of 4-5 hours). This not only helps remove the phytates from it but also helps in cooking it quickly.

    I use a combination of moong dal (yellow lentils) and chana dal (Bengal gram). Chana dal makes the khichdi creamy. You may use any dal of your choice.

    I use 6 cups of water for 2 cups of millet and dal combined. This millet-to-water ratio gives me khichdi, which is of porridge consistency. If you want a dry khichdi, use 5 cups of water.

    instant pot millet khichdi.

    Serving suggestions

    Always serve this khichdi hot or warm. If you are reheating it, add a small amount of water and simmer it in a saucepan rather than reheating it in a microwave. This khichdi tends to become very dry when cold so adding some water and simmering it will give it back the right texture.

    Here are some recipes you can pair with this millet kitchari to make it a wholesome complete meal.

    • gujarati kadhi.
      Gujarati Kadhi Recipe
    • bhindi kadhi.
      Bhindi Kadhi (Yogurt Okra Stew)
    • bombay potatoes.
      Bombay Potatoes
    • Served with veg pulao.
      Vegetable Raita / Mixed Veg Raita

    FAQs

    How to serve millets khichdi?

    This khichdi tastes great by itself and does not need any sides. However, you may serve it with yogurt and any pickle of your choice.

    Are millets good for weight loss?

    Millets are considered very good if you are watching your weight. They are very high in insoluble fiber and have a low glycemic index, keeping you full for longer.

    How to store khichdi?

    It can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. You can also freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. I prefer to reheat it on the stovetop rather than in a microwave. To reheat, place the khichdi in a saucepan and add ½ cup of water. Simmer on low heat for a few minutes.

    Click here for more one-pot meal recipes.

    instant pot millet khichdi

    If you tried this Millet Khichdi Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.

    Recipe card

    Instant Pot millet khichdi.

    Instant Pot Millet Khichdi

    Millet khichdi is a healthy and flavorful twist on the classic Indian khichdi, made with protein-packed lentils and fiber-rich millets. Using an Instant Pot makes this dish a breeze to prepare, and it is perfect for busy weeknights when you want a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen. This nourishing one-pot meal is loaded with vegetables of your choice, making it a wholesome and balanced option that's perfect for the whole family.
    5 from 15 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Author: Shilpa Kerur
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 6
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup foxtail millet
    • ¾ cup moong dal
    • ¼ cup chana dal
    • 2 tablespoon oil
    • 1 large onion thinly sliced
    • 1 tablespoon ginger paste
    • 2 teaspoon garlic paste
    • 1½-2 teaspoon salt adjust as per taste
    • ¼ cup cilantro

    Vegetables:

    • 1 large tomato chopped
    • 1 cup spinach (fresh or frozen)
    • 1 medium carrot diced
    • 8-10 green beans cut into 1-inch pieces
    • ½ cup cauliflower florets
    • ½ cup peas

    Spices:

    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 1-2 bay leaves
    • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
    • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder or cayenne
    • ½ teaspoon garam masala (use store-bought or homemade garam masala)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Prep:

    • Wash the foxtail millet thoroughly in water. Soak the clean millet in water overnight.
    • Wash and soak moong dal and chana dal in water for 15-20 minutes.

    Make the khichdi:

    • Set the Instant Pot to saute mode and add oil. Add cumin seeds and bay leaf. Saute for a few seconds.
    • Once the cumin splutters, add onion, ginger, and garlic. Saute for 3 minutes.
    • Add tomato, ground turmeric powder, chili powder, ground coriander, and garam masala. Add ¼ cup water and mix well.
    • Cover and let the tomatoes cook for 2 minutes.
    • Next, add the vegetables and salt.
    • Drain water from millet and dal. Add it to the pot. Add 6 cups of water.
    • Mix well and deglaze the pot. Secure the lid of the Instant Pot and pressure cook for 8 minutes.
    • Do a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then a quick release.
    • Add cilantro (coriander leaves) and mix well. Serve hot.

    Video

    Notes

    See the tips section above for useful tips to make this dish.
    Calories: 352kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 35mg | Potassium: 486mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2763IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Share it Today!Mention @easyindiancookbook or tag #easyindiancookbook!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Gabriela Herrera says

      December 27, 2021 at 9:58 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for simplifying this recipe. Millet Khichdi is so amazing.

    2. Addie says

      December 27, 2021 at 10:58 pm

      5 stars
      Such a great instant pot recipe!

    3. Emily Flint says

      December 28, 2021 at 12:02 am

      5 stars
      I love this authentic recipe aI can make in my Instant Pot! I've definitely got to up my spice game but this is on my list of things to make!

    4. Andrea White says

      January 01, 2022 at 10:49 pm

      5 stars
      so good! love that it's in the instant pot too! so easy and delicious!

    5. Michelle says

      January 02, 2022 at 3:15 pm

      5 stars
      I love this Indian-style risotto. It's full of flavor and does not disappoint! So easy to make for a weeknight dinner.

    6. Anthony says

      January 03, 2022 at 6:13 pm

      5 stars
      Great post and the recipe looks and sounds delicious. I will definitely be making this recipe

    7. nancy says

      March 06, 2022 at 5:34 pm

      5 stars
      this indian style risotto is lovely.

    8. Katie says

      March 07, 2022 at 7:34 am

      5 stars
      Love this instant pot recipe! It was so simple and yummy!

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