10+ Khichdi Recipes: Easy and Delicious Comfort Food Ideas

Khichdi is a beloved dish in many South Asian homes, known for its comforting and wholesome nature.

This versatile meal combines rice, lentils, and spices, making it a go-to choice for any occasion.

Whether you’re feeling under the weather or just craving something warm and satisfying, khichdi is an excellent option that is both simple to prepare and nourishing.

As you explore different khichdi recipes, you’ll discover a range of flavors and ingredients that can elevate this classic dish. From adding seasonal vegetables to experimenting with spices, khichdi can be tailored to suit your taste preferences.

Let’s dive into some delicious recipes that you can easily make at home.

1) Classic Moong Dal Khichdi

Classic Moong Dal Khichdi is a comforting and healthy meal. It combines rice and split yellow lentils, making it easy to digest. This dish is light and perfect for any occasion.

To make it flavorful, you can add spices like cumin, turmeric, and ginger. You can also use ghee for a rich taste.

It’s a simple recipe that’s both nutritious and satisfying.

Ingredients

• 1 cup moong dal (split yellow lentils)
• 1 cup rice
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1-inch piece ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons ghee or oil
• Salt to taste
• Water (4 cups)

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the moong dal and rice together under cold water.
2. In a pot, heat ghee over medium heat.
3. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
4. Stir in grated ginger, followed by turmeric powder.
5. Add the rinsed dal and rice.
6. Pour in 4 cups of water and salt. Stir well.
7. Cook on low heat for about 20 minutes, or until soft.
8. Serve hot and enjoy!

2) Vegetable Masala Khichdi

Vegetable Masala Khichdi is a comforting and nutritious dish. It combines rice, lentils, and mixed vegetables, all cooked with flavorful spices. This dish is perfect for a quick meal or a cozy dinner.

You can easily customize it by adding your favorite veggies. Common choices include carrots, peas, and potatoes. The spices add warmth and make this khichdi rich in taste.

To make it creamy, you can stir in some ghee or butter at the end. This adds a nice finish to the dish.

Enjoy it with pickle or yogurt for extra flavor!

Ingredients

• 1 cup rice
• ½ cup moong dal
• ½ cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, potatoes)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• 2 tbsp ghee or oil
• Water (about 4 cups)

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the rice and moong dal together.
2. Heat ghee in a pot and add cumin seeds.
3. Sauté onions until golden brown.
4. Add tomatoes and mixed vegetables; cook for a few minutes.
5. Stir in turmeric and salt.
6. Add the rice and moong dal; mix well.
7. Pour in water and bring it to a boil.
8. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes.
9. Serve warm, topped with ghee if desired.

3) Instant Pot Khichdi

Instant Pot Khichdi is a quick and easy dish made with rice and lentils. It’s a comforting meal, perfect for any day of the week.

To make it, you will need basmati rice and yellow lentils. You can also add spices like cumin seeds and turmeric to enhance the flavor.

Using an Instant Pot saves time and ensures that your khichdi cooks evenly. This dish typically takes about 30 minutes to prepare.

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice, soaked
• ½ cup yellow lentils (moong dal), soaked
• 2 tablespoons ghee or oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the soaked rice and lentils.
2. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat ghee or oil.
3. Add cumin seeds; let them splutter.
4. Mix in the rice, lentils, turmeric, and salt.
5. Add water (3 cups) and stir well.
6. Seal the pot and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
7. Release pressure naturally for 10 minutes before opening the lid. Serve hot!

4) Spiced Lentil and Rice Khichdi

Spiced Lentil and Rice Khichdi is a warm and comforting dish. It’s perfect for a quick meal or on days when you’re feeling under the weather. The mix of lentils and rice makes it nutritious and filling.

You can use different kinds of lentils like toor dal or masoor dal. These lend their unique flavors and textures to the khichdi. Adding spices like turmeric and cumin enhances its taste.

You might enjoy it with a drizzle of ghee on top. Serve it with yogurt or a side of pickles for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 cup white rice (any type)
• ⅓ cup toor dal (split pigeon pea)
• ⅓ cup masoor dal (red lentils)
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• Salt to taste
• 4 cups water

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the rice and lentils well.
2. In a pot, heat a little oil and add cumin seeds.
3. Add the rinsed rice and lentils with water and salt.
4. Stir in turmeric and bring to a boil.
5. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes on low heat (350°F / 175°C).
6. Serve warm with ghee or yogurt.

5) Toor Dal Khichdi

Toor Dal Khichdi is a simple and comforting dish. It combines rice and toor dal, making it a nutritious meal. You can enjoy it on its own or with some yogurt and pickle.

To make this dish, you need just a few basic ingredients. Start by washing the rice and toor dal well. You can adjust the water amount based on how soft you like your khichdi.

Ingredients

• ½ cup toor dal
• ½ cup rice
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium tomato, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• 5 cups water

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a pressure cooker on medium heat.
2. Add oil, then sauté the onion until golden brown.
3. Add the chopped tomato, turmeric, and salt. Cook for a few minutes.
4. Add the rinsed rice and toor dal, followed by water.
5. Close the lid and cook for about 3 whistles (or around 10 minutes).
6. Let the pressure release naturally before opening. Fluff and serve warm.

6) Khichdi with Mixed Lentils

Khichdi with mixed lentils is a nutritious and comforting dish. It combines various lentils, making it rich in protein and flavor. This one-pot meal is perfect for a quick dinner or a satisfying lunch.

To prepare this dish, you can use a mix of lentils like toor dal, masoor dal, and mung dal. Each lentil adds its unique taste and texture. Pair them with basmati rice for a delightful harmony.

Cooking khichdi is simple. Just sauté some spices, add the lentils and rice, and let everything cook together. It’s truly a hassle-free dish that brings warmth to your table.

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice
• ⅓ cup toor dal (split pigeon peas)
• ⅓ cup masoor dal (red lentils)
• ⅓ cup yellow mung dal
• 2 tablespoons ghee or oil
• Spices (like cumin and turmeric)
• Salt to taste
• Water

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the rice and lentils until the water runs clear.
2. Heat ghee or oil in a pot over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
3. Add spices and sauté for a minute.
4. Stir in the lentils and rice.
5. Add 4-5 cups of water and salt.
6. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 20-25 minutes.
7. Fluff with a fork and serve warm.

7) Gujarati Khichdi

Gujarati Khichdi is a comforting dish made with rice and lentils. It’s simple to prepare and packed with flavor. You can enjoy it any time of the day, whether for lunch or dinner.

For this recipe, you typically use split yellow peas and basmati rice. The dish gets its unique taste from spices like turmeric and cumin. Cooking it in an Instant Pot can save you time.

To make it creamy, adding ghee can enhance the flavor. You can pair Gujarati Khichdi with pickles or yogurt for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 1 cup split yellow peas
• 1 cup basmati rice
• 3 tablespoons ghee (or butter)
• 1/2 teaspoon black mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• Salt to taste
• 4 cups water

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the rice and split peas until the water runs clear.
2. Heat ghee in a pot and add mustard seeds and cumin seeds.
3. Once they crackle, add turmeric and the rinsed rice and peas.
4. Stir well and add water and salt.
5. Cook for 20 minutes. Serve hot with yogurt or a side dish.

8) Kadhi Khichdi Delight

Kadhi Khichdi is a comforting dish that blends soft khichdi with a flavorful yogurt curry. The combination makes for a warm, hearty meal perfect for any day.

To prepare this dish, you will need ingredients like rice, lentils, yogurt, and spices. The yogurt gives the kadhi a creamy texture and a tangy flavor, making every bite delightful.

The khichdi is often cooked in a one-pot method, saving time and effort. It’s an easy dish to make, so you can enjoy a delicious meal with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

• 1 cup rice
• 1/2 cup lentils
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1/4 cup besan (gram flour)
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 2 green chilies
• Salt to taste
• Water

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse rice and lentils together.
2. In a pot, add rice, lentils, water, and salt. Cook until soft.
3. In another bowl, whisk yogurt and besan until smooth.
4. Add water, turmeric, and mix well.
5. Heat a pan, add cumin seeds and chopped chilies.
6. Pour yogurt mixture into the pan; cook until it thickens.
7. Combine kadhi with cooked khichdi and serve hot.

9) Authentic Bengali Khichuri

Authentic Bengali Khichuri is a comforting dish perfect for any occasion. This one-pot meal combines rice and roasted moong dal, creating a delicious blend of flavors.

Mixed vegetables add nutrition and color, making it visually appealing. The dish is often prepared during festivals or family gatherings.

It has a special place during Durga Puja, showcasing its cultural significance. The added spices create a warm, inviting aroma that fills your kitchen.

Enjoy it with a drizzle of ghee for extra richness. Bengali Khichuri is not just food; it’s a warm hug on a plate.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Gobindo Bhog rice or Basmati rice
• 1 cup moong dal (roasted)
• 2 tbsp ghee
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, potatoes)
• 1 tbsp ginger, chopped
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 bay leaf
• Spices ( turmeric, salt, and pepper)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat ghee in a pot over medium heat (about 350°F/175°C).
2. Add cumin seeds and bay leaf, frying until fragrant.
3. Stir in ginger and mixed vegetables.
4. Add moong dal and rice, cooking for a few minutes.
5. Pour in water (about 4 cups) and season with spices.
6. Bring to a boil, then simmer until rice and dal are cooked.

10) Hyderabadi Khichdi Variation

Hyderabadi Khichdi is a delicious dish that combines rice and lentils. You can easily customize it with different spices and ingredients.

To make it special, add vegetables like peas, carrots, or beans. These not only enhance flavor but also add nutrition.

Another popular twist is to include meat, such as chicken or mutton. This variation is hearty and satisfying.

For a classic touch, serve your khichdi with a side of Khatta or spicy chutney. Enjoy the rich flavors that come together in this comforting meal!

Ingredients

• 2 cups Basmati rice
• 3/4 cup Masoor dal
• 1 large onion, finely sliced
• 4 to 5 green chilies, slit
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tbsp ghee or oil
• Spices (cinnamon, bay leaf, cardamom)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat ghee or oil in a pot.
2. Add spices and sauté until fragrant.
3. Add onions and cook until they turn golden.
4. Mix in ginger-garlic paste and green chilies.
5. Stir in rice and dal, then add water (4-5 cups).
6. Bring to a boil, then simmer until cooked.
7. Serve with Khatta or chutney.