Easy Kitchari Instant Pot Friendly

What is Kitchari?

Kitchari (also known as khichuri, khichri, or khichdi) is a dish with ancient roots in India. As early as 300 BC, an Indian philosopher and statesman named Chanukya wrote about a balanced meal made from rice, lentils, salt, and ghee or oil (source). Kitchari means “mixture” and the dish is known for containing two main ingredients: rice and lentils (often moong dal). And it commonly includes spices such as turmeric, ginger, and more. In Ayurvedic medicine, kitchari is known for aiding detoxification and balancing the three doshas. Recipes differ in regard to the spices used and can be modified to balance your doshas. If you want to learn more about kitchari, Ayurveda, and doshas, take a deeper dive here.

How to Make Kitchari

This recipe starts with toasting cumin seeds and mustard seeds in coconut or avocado oil to infuse the oil with flavor and give the seeds more nuttiness. Next we add ginger, cardamom, and garam masala for warmth, turmeric for vibrancy, and carrots for a sweet spring addition. For the liquids, we use both water (which is more traditional) and light coconut milk (to add a creamy element). White basmati rice and moong dal soak up the flavors and cook in the Instant Pot in just 4 minutes (no soaking required!). The Instant Pot is a weeknight cook’s best friend. But if you don’t have an Instant Pot, that’s okay, too! You can soak the moong dal overnight and use our stovetop instructions. After the Instant Pot does its magic, it’s ready for taste testing. Though not a traditional addition to kitchari, we enjoy adding coconut aminos here for depth of flavor. We hope you LOVE this kitchari! It’s:ComfortingFlavorfulGingeryCreamyQuick & easy& SO delicious! It’s especially perfect for meal prep because it reheats well. And it feels incredibly nourishing any time you’re feeling under the weather. We love garnishing with fresh cilantro, coconut milk, and lemon or lime to take it up a notch. Pair with your favorite seasonal vegetables (we suggest kale and sweet potatoes!) for an easy and balanced meal. And for a serious flavor explosion, try pairing with our DIY green curry paste.