Vegetable Khichdi (or Masala Khichdi) recipe is one-pot ultimate comfort food prepared with rice, moong dal/lentils, mixed veggies, and some basic Indian spices in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker or Stovetop.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 15 minutes
  • Total time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 3
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Indian, North Indian

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup white rice (short rice grain preferable)
  • 1/2 cup split green moong dal ((split yellow moong also can be used))
  • 2 cups mixed vegetables chopped (carrot, green peas, beans, cauliflower)
  • 1 cup spinach (palak) (chopped)
  • 1 medium onion (chopped)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
  • 2 green chilies
  • 1 teaspoon ginger
  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • salt (to taste)
  • 3 cups water + 1/2 cup extra to adjust consistency
  • 2 tablespoons coriander leaves

Dry Spices

  • 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric Powder

Method

Instant Pot Method

  1. Press SAUTE mode on Instant Pot. Add ghee or oil to the POT. Note: Tastes better with Ghee.
  2. Once the pot is hot, add in the cumin (jeera), ginger, green chilies. Saute for 20 secs.
  3. Add the chopped onions. Saute till onions turn light brown in color.
  4. Then add mixed vegetables, spinach, cook for a minute.
  5. Next, add the washed dal, rice, red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, water, salt. Mix well.
  6. Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes.
  7. Once the pot beeps, Wait for NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE (NPR).
  8. Once the pressure has released, open the lid, add cilantro and mix khichdi well. Note: If rice is not mushy or too dry, select saute mode, add ½ cup of water, and cook for another minute.
  9. Vegetable Khichdi recipe or Mix Vegetable Lentil Rice is ready, serve with yogurt, raita, or kadhi.

Indian Pressure Cooker Method

  1. Follow the same steps and close the lid place a whistle and cook for 3-4 whistle on medium flame. All other steps remain the same.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.