Add Preferred SourceUpma is a South Indian breakfast made with semolina. Dry roasted semolina (suji/rava) is cooked with vegetables and seasoning (tadka/tempering). It has a thick porridge-like consistency and is mostly served on its own or with coconut chutney and yogurt. Making it in the Instant Pot gives you a khichdi-like consistency.
This is one of the most common and popular breakfast dishes, not just in South India but all over India. The perfect combination to serve with it is sooji halwa and a strong cup of filter coffee.
Why you will love this recipe
- Upma is a convenient dish that can be whipped up in no time, making it a popular choice for a speedy breakfast or light meal.
- The pressure-cooking process in an
Instant Pot helps seal in flavors and retain moisture, resulting in a soft khichdi-like consistency. - This dish can be customized with various ingredients like vegetables, nuts, and spices, allowing endless flavor variations.
Ingredients
Semolina: Or suji/rava, this is the main ingredient. I use a thick variety of roasted upma rava (also called Bansi rava). If the suji is not roasted, dry roast it first until it is golden brown before using it (see tips section below).
Ghee: I use ghee to make this dish; however, you may replace it with the cooking oil of your choice.
Vegetables: I have used onion, tomato, green beans, peas, and carrots.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Instant Pot versus stovetop
Upma is a dish that almost every Indian household would make. It goes without saying that this dish is almost always made on a stovetop - in a pan or kadhai (Indian wok). While the cooking time is similar, the
Stovetop cooking requires careful monitoring to prevent burning, while the
This is such a simple dish, and I have made it a million times on the stovetop. Honestly, I was a bit apprehensive about making it in the IP. It took me a few trials to get it right, but this is how I make it now, and we all love it.
Step-by-step instructions
Expert Tips
Use a thick variety of upma rava. I use roasted Bansi rava. If you are using an unroasted one, dry roast it first until it is light brown, and then use it. Roasted suji is easily available in any grocery store in India and in Indian grocery stores outside of India.
Do not change the rava-to-water ratio mentioned in this recipe. We need this amount of water to achieve the perfect texture. Let the water come to a boil before adding suji. Set the
Also, check out these recipes to make bread upma, ragi upma, and vermicelli upma. Check out this recipe to make authentic Maharashtrian sabudana khichdi.
Recipe FAQs
Use a thick variety of rava to make upma. In South India, mainly Karnataka, the variety used is called Bansi rava. I have used roasted Bansi rava here. Roasted suji is easily available in any grocery store in India and in Indian grocery stores outside of India.
Bansi rava is the most common semolina variety used to make upma and is more popular in South India, especially Karnataka. It has a darker color when compared to regular semolina, which is white. It also is coarser than white rava. White rava is called Bombay rava or chiroti rava in South India.
Green beans, peas, carrots, corn kernels, etc. work very well. You can also use capsicum (bell pepper), potatoes, fresh hyacinth beans, cauliflower, broccoli, etc. can also be used.
Upma is usually served on its own. It can also be paired with plain yogurt, chutney, or an Indian pickle.
More Indian breakfast recipes
If you tried this Instant Pot Upma / Rava 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 Upma / Rava Khichdi
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1½ cups semolina thick variety (roasted)
- 3 tablespoon ghee divided (use store-bought or homemade ghee)
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon chana dal (Bengal gram)
- 1 teaspoon urad dal (split black gram)
- 10 curry leaves
- 6-8 cashew
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- ½ inch ginger grated
- 1-2 green chili finely chopped
- 1 small tomato
- ½ cup peas
- 1 medium carrot cut into small cubes
- 6-8 green beans chopped
- ¼ cup coconut fresh or frozen
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon coriander leaves
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot in saute mode and add 2 tablespoons of ghee. Once it heats, add mustard seeds and let it splutter.
- Add cumin seeds, chana dal, urad dal, curry leaves, and cashews. Saute for one minute
- Add onions and saute until the onion is translucent (3-4 minutes). Add ginger and green chili. Mix well and saute for one minute.
- Add tomatoes, peas, green beans, carrots, turmeric powder, and salt. Mix well and saute for 2 minutes.
- Add 5 cups of water and mix well. Set the IP to saute - more for 5 minutes.
- Add suji once the water boils. Mix well and secure the IP lid. Set the Instant Pot on pressure cook mode for 2 minutes. Do a quick release of the pressure and open the lid.
- Add coconut, coriander leaves, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon ghee. Mix well and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Kayla DiMaggio says
This instant pot upma was so delicious! I love how easy it was to make in the instant pot!
Dawn Conklin says
This is the first time I have made upma and it is was delicious! Everybody here enjoyed it, definitely making it again.
Kalin Williams says
Wow I've never had upma before but it sounds like such a great dish!
Michelle | Taste As You Go says
I love how easy this comes together with our Instant Pot! So delicious!
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says
What a fantastic and quick breakfast recipe, thanks to the instant pot!
Addie says
So many great flavors in this dish!
Kayla DiMaggio says
I have never tried upma before but this was so delicious! I was amazed with how packed with flavor it was! Also the instant pot made it so easy to make!
Marinela says
Healthy, filling and so satisfying breakfast idea. This colorful upma is so delicious and super nourishing!
nancy says
such a lovely breakfast idea and best it is made with an IP - what does an IP doesn't do?
Sam says
I love how quick this is to make and the flavors are incredible!! Perfect!
Jacqui says
Such a beautiful and nourishing recipe! Great flavors!
Maiko says
This will be a great breakfast recipe for a change since I'm a porridge girl in the morning! Can't wait to make it this weekend!
Natalie says
I never tried upma but I love how this recipe sounds. Lovely flavors and healthy ingredients. I will make this. Thanks!