Dal Khichdi Recipe with step by step photos. A wholesome and nutritious one pot meal made using pressure cooker. Khichdi with dals (lentils), vegetables and greens to make it well balanced and healthy.
I have not added rice in this khichdi as I wanted it to be rich in protein and low in carbs.
This dal khichdi was much easier to make just for myself alone during the 2 weeks, when I was put on a gluten free diet to check for gluten intolerance.
Instead of having to try and make something elaborate for me, it got done in flat 15 – 20 mins.
To me, a bowl of Dal Khichdi is a comfort food which I would love to gorge in especially during the rainy days whether its for lunch or dinner.
It is a simple and humble one pot meal that can be made even by the children who are old enough to handle the stove and pressure cooker.
Our Favorite Video:
I personally prefer it a bit loose like a porridge, so cook it with lots of water than intended. If you like your dal khichdi to be a bit thick, reduce water measurement by 1/2 cup.
Dal Khichdi Recipe with stepwise photos:
1. Heat a pan with oil. Add cumin and let it sizzle. Add onions, ginger and saute till it turns pink.
2. Add chopped veggies and stir well.
3. Add greens, dals and mix well.
4. Add water, spice powders, turmeric, salt and mix well.
5. Pressure cook for 3 whistles. Switch off and once pressure releases, open lid and mix vigorously with a spatula to make it mushy.
Serve this dal khichdi piping hot with a drizzle of ghee or coconut oil on top along with potato chips or any dry curry of your choice.
Note:
- Instead of Red chili powder, you can also use sambar powder, bisi bele bath masala powder or Vangi Bath Masala powder to make it more flavorful.
- Other than these veggies, you can also use broccoli and zucchini.
- For greens, you can use drumstick leaves, methi or regular spinach.
- Along with moong and masoor dal, you can also use Tur dal and Rice or Millets.
You may also like this Millet Khichdi, Rava Khichdi and Oats Bisi Bele Bath which all gets done in one pot.
Dal Khichdi Recipe details below:

Dal Khichdi Recipe
Ingredients
- Yellow Moong dal - 2 tbsp
- Masoor Dal or pink dal - 2 tbsp
- Onion - 1 tbsp
- Tomato - 1 tbsp
- Carrot - 1 tbsp
- Beans - 1 tbsp
- Peas - 1/8 cup
- Red cabbage - 1 tbsp
- Murungai keerai or drumstick leaves or methi - 1 handful
- Ginger - 1/2 tsp grated
- Asafoetida - 2 pinch (optional)
- Red chili powder or Curry powder - 1 tsp
- Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
- Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
- Salt - to taste
- Coconut oil or ghee - 1 tsp
Instructions
Preparation:
- Chop onion, tomato, carrots, beans and cabbage finely and set aside.
- Wash both dals together and keep aside.
How to make Dal Khichdi:
- Heat a pressure pan with coconut oil.
- Add Asafoetida (if using), cumin seeds and let it sizzle.
- Add onions and stir. Add grated ginger, mix and cook till the onions turn pink.
- Add tomato, carrots, beans, peas, red cabbage and mix well.
- Add drumstick leaves or methi, Masoor dal. Moong dal and mix well.
- Add 2 cups water, red chili or curry powder, turmeric powder, salt and mix to combine.
- Close the pan with lid and let it cook for 3 whistles over medium flame.
- Switch off stove and let the pressure release by itself.
- Open lid, mix vigorously with a wooden ladle to mash everything together.
- Transfer the dal khichdi to a serving bowl.
- Drizzle a tsp of ghee or coconut oil on top and serve piping hot with some dry curry or potato chips.

Hi Radhika, I am blog hopping after pretty long time as was busy with too many household activities. Must say that your dal khichdi looks so nutritious and inviting. Would surely try your method very soon.
Thank you Deepa.
I must use these tips and make it.
Can this be made in a regular pot? I do not have a pressure cooker. Also it looks so yummy, I have gluten intolerance and crave some tasty food. On score of 1-10. Where would it be on the
Hot heat chart?
Hi MIllie! Yes you can make it in a regular pot. Make sure you soak the lentils in water for 20 -30 mins so that it can cook faster and not lose its nutritional value. On the heat chart, it would be 7. If you are worried about high heat, then skip chili powder and season with black pepper like how will do with a soup according your spice level tolerance.
Loved the recipe!
Thank you Vidya.
Hi Radhika.. My husband is a Bengali, so I make Khichidi often. Happy to learn a new way to make it. I have a question. Don’t some dal need more time to cook than others. How do you manage that?
Hi Sai Parvathi, yes of course, the cooking time will depend on the quality of the dal. To ensure even cooking, soak dal for 15 to 3o mins prior to cooking. It will get done much faster if you soak in advance.
Hi Radhika
I have an electric pressure. How do I calculate time for cooking? How much of time for each whistle as many stove top pressure cookers seem to list it that way. Thank you
Hi, I’m sorry I have not used an electric pressure cooker and have no idea how to adjust the timing for that.