Instant Pot Upma (Rava Khichdi)

Upma 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.

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 Instant Pot yields soft and fluffy upma, a texture that can be more challenging to achieve on a stovetop.

Stovetop cooking requires careful monitoring to prevent burning, while the Instant Pot offers a set-and-forget approach. This method produces upma with a khichdi-like consistency, making it suitable for kids and ideal for lunchbox preparation, as it remains soft and moist.

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 Instant Pot in saute mode (more), and it will not take more than 5 minutes.

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

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Recipe card

Instant Pot Upma / Rava Khichdi

Upma is a South Indian breakfast made with semolina. Dry roasted semolina (suji/rava) is cooked with vegetables and seasoning (tadka/tempering).

5 from 41 votes

Print Pin Rate

Author: Shilpa Kerur

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: Indian

Servings: 6

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Equipment

• ▢
  Instant Pot

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

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

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.

Video

Notes

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 Instant Pot in saute mode (more), and it will not take more than 5 minutes.

Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 37mg | Potassium: 258mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2030IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 3mg

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