Millet Khichdi (Foxtail Millet Khichdi)

Updated: October 1, 2022, By Swasthi

Millet khichdi is a one pot gluten-free meal made with millets, moong dal, spices and mixed vegetables. This millet khichdi can be eaten as such without any side or with yogurt or pickle. You can make this on the stove top in a regular pot or in a pressure cooker or instant pot.  If you are new to millets and trying to incorporate them in your diet you may also check out this detailed post on how to cook millets along with a lemon millet recipe.

millet khichdi



Millet Khichdi

I have made this khichdi with foxtail millet which is known as Thinai arisi in Tamil and Korra Biyyam in Telugu. However you can use any other kind of millets like kodo millet (varagu), barnyard millet or little millet (sama).

Foxtail millet is available in 2 forms – hulled and unhulled. Use the hulled foxtail millet for this recipe. This particular kind of millets are considered very heaty to the body so a lot of people avoid consuming them during summer.

I also know a lot of people combine foxtail millet with rice because they cannot with stand the heat generated in the body. My mom would always soak them overnight and then cook them as this is another way to bring down the heat generating qualities.

Soaking the millets not only help in better absorption of nutrients but also helps to reduce the phytic acid in the grains. Some kinds like kodo millet can be cooked right away without any soaking as they cook very fast.

As with any khichdi, this khichdi recipe is also made with yellow moong lentils (moong dal). Vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, green beans, tomatoes and green peas go well in this. Sometimes I also add spinach or methi leaves if I have some.

For more millet recipes, You can check
Lemon Millet
Millet Pulao
Millet Dosa
Ragi Mudde
Ragi Malt

millet khichdi recipe

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Recipe Card

millet khichdi recipe

Millet Khichdi (Foxtail Millet Khichdi)

4.98 from 40 votes
Millet khichdi is a healthy gluten-free dinner option made with lentils, millets, spices and veggies. Serve it as is or with pickle and yogurt for a complete meal.
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For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Servings2
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )

  • ½ cup millets (can substitute 2 tbsp with rice)
  • ½ cup moong dal
  • cups water
  • 1 cup mixed veggies (carrots, beans, peas, capsicum)
  • ¼ cup methi leaves or ½ to 1 cup spinach / palak chopped fine
  • 1 tomato small , deseeded (optional)
  • 1½ to 2 tablespoons ghee or oil
  • 1 teaspoon ginger grated
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds / jeera
  • ¼ to ½ teaspoon red chili powder (or 1 green chilli chopped, adjust to taste)
  • teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • ¼ to ½ teaspoon garam masala (optional)


Instructions

How to Make Millet Khichdi

  • Wash millets and dal thoroughly until water runs clear. Soak for about 30 mins to 1 hour. The longer they are soaked the quicker and softer they turn. Drain them to a colander.
  • Heat a pressure cooker or pot with ghee. Add cumin and allow them to splutter. Saute ginger until a nice flavor comes out.
  • Add all the veggies including tomato. Saute on a medium flame for 2 to 3 mins.
  • Add red chili powder, turmeric, garam masala and salt. Saute until the tomatoes turn mushy.
  • Then add drained millets and dal. Saute for 2 to 3 mins.
  • Add water and check the salt.
  • Pressure cook on a medium flame for 2 to 3 whistles. I cook for 2 whistles.
  • When the pressure drops, open the lid. Fluff up and add a tsp of more ghee if you want
  • Serve millet khichdi with papad and pickle.

Make in Instant Pot

  • Perform all the steps on saute mode. Press cancel and secure the Instant pot with the lid. Position the steam release valve to sealing.
  • Press pressure cook or porridge button and set the timer to 10 mins. When the pressure drops open the lid. I prefer to add some hot boiling water to adjust the consistency and add more salt .


NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Millet Khichdi (Foxtail Millet Khichdi)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 626 Calories from Fat 144
% Daily Value*
Fat 16g25%
Saturated Fat 7g44%
Cholesterol 28mg9%
Sodium 93mg4%
Potassium 1122mg32%
Carbohydrates 97g32%
Fiber 30g125%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 28g56%
Vitamin A 5235IU105%
Vitamin C 20.9mg25%
Calcium 117mg12%
Iron 16.4mg91%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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About Swasthi

Iโ€™m Swasthi Shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthi’s Recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthiโ€™s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills. More about me

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This looks really good! I donโ€™t have a pressure cooker or instant pot. Can it also be made in a normal pot? Do you know approximately how long it would take? Thank you for the recipe:)

I was looking for a recipe for my first attempt at making a meal from millet.

So pleased to find you had posted recipes.

I know I can always rely on your reci9es.

5 stars
Such a satisfying and foolproof recipe. I used the Instapot version and it comes out so well each time. I use brown rice instead of white. Sometimes I make the millet version. Thank you!

5 stars
Thanks for helping us to add millets to our meals.

5 stars
Hi swasti,
Tried this recipe, it’s super yummy ?

5 stars
Thank you the world today needs a healthy and balanced diet guideline.

5 stars
Excellent

Hi Swasthi,
The only millet I’ve tried long ago is Pearl Millet or bajra in hindi.
Was wanting to try a millet recipe, may be pulao or khichdi but realised there are many kinds of millets & I don’t even know their hindi names to ask in grocery stores.
What is foxtail millet.
Is it safe for me to try pearl millet or foxtail tail millet for my 3year old during summers

Can jowar be used to make one of the millet recipes like pulao or khichdi.
I really want to try these healthy millets.
Please advise me through this.

5 stars
Thank you so so much Swasthi?..you are superbbbb?

Hello Swasthi,
This looks like a good recipe and I would like to try it with my pressure cooker…but my cooker is electronic and does not whistle. Can you give an approximate cooking time in minutes, from the point when the cooker reaches full pressure?
Thank you!

How much time pressure cook in instant pot

Shall I give to one year old baby

5 stars
Hi, can I give to a 2 yrs baby as breakfast or lunch. Is it digestible..
Pls reply

5 stars
Hi swasthi how r u ? My mother is suffering from leg pains n doctor told her to avoid nonveg n dal in her diet, lose weight also. So she want to lose weight, is it good take korra biyyam daily in her diet instead of rice ? Plz suggest me

5 stars
Hi,
I made millet kitchidi following the above recipe and it came out really well. Thanks for posting the recipe.

5 stars
Hi, I tried this recipe for breakfast.my husband liked it.thanks a lot for tasty and healthy recipes.

Hi Swasthi….Its bit difficult to find foxtail millet rice in India. Is it ok to prepare this khichdi with whole foxtail millet for my 2 yr old kid

Thanks for ur advice Swasthi ๐Ÿ™‚

4 stars
yummy and tasty recipe i will definitely try this!!