Little Millets Khichidi is ideal for busy adults, toddlers and seasoned individuals. In fact for us all looking out for healthy food. The perfect balance between nutrition and convenience.
In our busy lives, where we need to juggle work, family, and various responsibilities. This one-pot khichidi nourishes your body with the goodness of millet. Join me and make Little Millets Khichidi and take a step towards a healthier you. This timeless easy and healthy recipe you can make for lunch or dinner any day and enjoy.
This is a spinoff of my Wholesome Moong Dal Khichidi so that we eat more millets. My kids like this little millet Khichidi more than the regular rice and dal ones. Now that the girls are away from home, I am redoing this recipe for them.
The other khichdi that we enjoy is Moong Khichadi, Bajra ki Khichidi or Dalia Khichidi. When it comes to sago, the girl's favourite is Sabudana Khichdi Recipe or Sabudana Khichdi with Onion.
You can also try making Quinoa Peas Pulao Recipe, Jeera Rice Recipe with Tomato Saar Recipe. Pair these dishes with some Mango Pickle, papad and Homemade Indian Yogurt. Your one-pot comfort meal without too many carbs and sugar is ready.
Jump to:
Before we start,
Why millets?
These tiny grains of little millet are a nutritional powerhouse.
- They are packed with plant-based protein, which is the trend now. A must-have for vegetarians and vegans for the muscle-building, energy-boosting goodness you need.
- The fibre content in little millet, also called navne, keeps your gut happy and healthy.
- Rich in minerals these tiny wonders are loaded with iron, calcium, and phosphorus. That promotes bone health and strengthens your immune system. It also keeps your energy levels on the rise.
- And these grains are gluten-free.
Millets, there are so many of them that it gets confusing, then there are the local names. I have made a table of these millets in the 5 languages I know. Hope this helps you too.
| English | Hindi | Kannada | Marathi | Konkani |
| Foxtail Millet | Kangni, Kakum, Kang | Navane | Kakum, Rala | - |
Finger Millet | Nachani,Mundua, Mandika,Marwah | Ragi | Nagli, Nachni | Nachni |
| Pearl Millet | Bajra | Sajje | Bajri | Bajri |
| Little Millet | Kutki,Shavan | Save | Sava,Halvi, Vari | Vari |
| Kodo Millet | Koden,Kodra Jhangora | Harka | Kodra | - |
| Barnyard Millet | Jhangora,Sanwa | Oodalu | Bhagar | - |
| Jhangora, Sanwa | Jowar | Jola | Jowari, Jondhala | Jow |
How do you cook them millet?
Sorghum and finger millet are generally used as flour.
Even bajra is generally used in flour forms. It is only recently I have come across recipes like Bajra ki Khichidi and Ghooghri where whole grain is used. My favourite Dessert is Bhagari Chi Kheer.
If you are using the other millets Barnyard Millet, Kodo Millet, Little Millet or Foxtail Millet as a whole grain and cook them.
You will need 2-¼ cups of water to cook 1 cup of millet in a dry style like rice cooked for pulao like Bhagar and Amti Recipe. But to make a porridge kind of consistency use 3 cups Bhagari Chi Kheer with Jaggery, Porso Millet Venn Pongal.
Ingredients
These are your ingredients for quantities please check the recipe card.
- Little millet/ navne
- Moong dal/split yellow lentil
- Garlic
- Turmeric powder
- Salt to Taste
For tempering:
- Ghee
- Jeera /cumin seeds
- Rai/mustard seeds
- Peppercorns (optional)
- Green chilli
- Curry leaves
- A few nuts (I used walnuts)
- Veggies of your choice
- Coriander to garnish
Instructions
Rinse and drain the millet and moong dal a couple of times. Set aside. We rinse our ingredients to get rid of any dust and additives added to store grains.
Heat the ghee in a pressure cooker. If you want a vegan version, use any vegetable oil. I use rice bran oil, sunflower oil or groundnut oil.
Next, make the tempering. Lower the flame and splutter the mustard and jeera. Add the pepper (if using), green chillies, and curry leaves. Stir for a second or two.
Transfer to the moong and millet mixture and fry till you get a nice aroma. Stir to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pan. This is an optional step; if you are in a hurry, leave it.
Toss in the walnuts( or nuts of your choice)and give it a quick stir.
Add 1¾ cups of water, salt and ginger if using. You can add hot water, this brings the mixture to a boil quickly.
Bring to a rolling boil and let the water evaporate and come down to the level of the millet mixture.
Add the veggies and close the cooker.
Cook for 2 whistles. Turn off the heat and allow the cooker to cool naturally.
Serve garnished with coriander with a side dish of your choice.
Leave useful hints here under the steps
Substitutions
- Vegan recipe: if you need a vegan recipe do not use ghee or clarified butter. Use oil, preferably vegetable oil.
- Little millet: In place of Little millet use other millets or rice. You can also use the ragi rice we get in stores.
- Non-Vegetarian: My recipe is vegetarian, but in case you want to add prawns, you can. Add prawns before sautéing the millet and lentil mix. For the G20 conference the delegates were served Jowar Khichada.
Variations
- Spicy To make a spicy version, add chilli powder while cooking.
- Masala Khichdi - You can also add any spice mix of your choice to vary the flavours. My favourites are sambhar masala and biriyani masala.
- Toddler-friendly: To make this version toddler- and geratic-friendly reduce the spices. Avoid the green chilli.
- See this traditional recipe of Khichidi here.
Equipment
- Pressure cooker
- Bowl to rinse
- Stirrer
- Plates to serve
Storage
- Little Millet Khichidi stores well. You can make a batch and freeze it in smaller individual containers for 7 days. I have never tried beyond this period; if you store it for a longer period let me know and I will update here.
- I prefer to sauté two batches of the khichdi and store one of them in ziplock bags in the freezer for 15 days. When I need a meal urgently, I just add the mix and veggies to my cooker and cook for 2 whistles. This way, I vary the veggies, and it feels like a new meal.
Pro Tips
- Use the Instapot, pressure cooker or a thick-bottomed pan with a tight-fitting lid.
- You can customise this khichidi to suit all the family members. keep some garlic tempering, spicy garlic chutney and green chilli thecha on the side. The members can help themselves.
- Pre-chop your veggies and store them in the refrigerator in airtight containers.
- When sautéing the khichidi, sauté 2 or more measures. Store the cooled sauteed khichidi mix in the freezer in zip-lock bags.
- In place of little millets, also known as bhagar, sam ke chawal, you can use rice or millets like kodo millet.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favourite dishes to serve with Khichidi are :
To Summarize:
Little Millets Khichidi is a nutrient-packed meal for your taste buds and well-being.
This is an old post that I am updating with newer pictures and a write-up as a part of the group Foodies_RedoingOld Post.
Easy Little Millet Khichidi
Ingredients
- ¼ cup little millet or navne
- ¼ cup moong dal or split green gram
- 2 cloves garlic
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- Salt to Taste
For tempering:
- 2 teaspoon Ghee
- 1-½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
- 1 tsps Black pepper I did not use
- 1 Green chillies
- 6-8 Curry leaves
- Walnuts a few, pieces
- veggies of your choice ( I used carrotsbeans, corn)
- Coriander leaves to garnish
Instructions
- Rinse and drain the millets and moong dal a couple of times.
- Heat the ghee in a pressure cooker.
- Next, make the tempering add the mustard and jeera it will splutter, add the pepper(if using), green chillies and curry leaves.
- Transfer to the moong and millets mixture and fry till you get a nice aroma.
- Toss in the walnuts and give a quick stir.
- Add 1-¾ cup water, salt and ginger if using.
- Bring to a rolling boil and let the water evaporate and come down to the level of the millets mixture. (see notes below)
- Add the veggies and close the cooker.
- Cook for 2 whistles. Turn off the heat and allow the cooker to cool naturally.
- Remove from the cooker and serve garnished with coriander with chutney/side dish of your choice.
Srivalli says
This is surely an interesting way to make his khichidi..with all that vegetables and nuts it must have been so yummy!
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Valli.
Varada says
Khichadi is a nice way to use millets. Very nutritious.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thank you.
Usha says
Khichidi looks colorful and hearty. I am just in the process of learning and sourcing different millets here. Hope to include millets in my diet at least once a week and khichdi is on top of my list.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Usha.
Vaishali Sabnani says
I am glad you gave that list , even I get confused :)) that millet Khichadi looks perfect and would make a delicious meal .
ArchanaPotdar says
😀
Rajani says
One pot meals are life savers! With healthier alternatives to rice, a quick colorful meal is great for lunch or lunch box.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Rajani.
Pavani says
That khichdi with millets looks so comforting and delicious. I always get confused with the different millets - so your chart is going to be very helpful.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Pavani.
harini says
Wonderful. This is my go-to dish with any kind of millet Perfect way to get introduced to millets
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks.
Suma Gandlur says
Millet version khichdi sounds yum and healthy. Adding veggies to the plain khichdi makes it more nutritious.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks.
Gayathri Kumar says
It is really wonderful when kids ask for such healthy recipes. The khichdi looks amazing Archana.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks.
Renu says
A healthy khichdi indeed with all that vegetables and seeds. a good weight loos food too.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Renu.
pranita says
Really beautiful recipe.
ArchanaPotdar says
thanks.
Mayuri Patel says
A very healthy and filling khichdi. I love how different flavors and veggies can be used to make millet khichdi. Gluten free and light on the tummy too.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Mayuri.
Jayashree T.Rao says
I love khichdi with little millet, it does taste good. Yours looks tasty. Informative post about all the millet names here.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Jayashree.
Preethicuisine says
Little millet Khichdi is so nutritious and delish. I am a fan of one pot meals. These days our dinner is millet Khichdi Everyday. I love to have piping hot Khichdi.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Preethi.
Swati says
I think I should also start using millers in cooking .. adding millers to Khichdi instead of rice has enhanced its nutritional value..this way its a good option to feed millets to kids too
ArchanaPotdar says
That is exactly why I started Swathi. Thanks.
Usha Rao says
Finally made this version of millet khichdi and totally loved it. I used half oil and butter and addition of walnut is new to me. Totally loved biting on the nuts in the khichdi
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 thanks, Usha.
Mayuri Patel says
I too am trying to include millets in our diet as much as possible. I don't add lentils to the little millet khichdi. It is a wonderful idea. Next time will add some to up the protein intake. What I like about this khichdi is that it comes together within 30 minutes.
ArchanaPotdar says
I agree 30 minutes maximum and you have comfort meal ready. I think I will try without lentils next time.
kalyani says
little millet kichdi that is kid approved is such a win win win for all, isn't it ?
ArchanaPotdar says
yes, thanks.
Sujata Roy says
Little millet khichdi looks healthy and super tempting Archana. Millet khichdi with veggies, curry leaves and walnut sounds so nutritious and delicious. I would love to try it soon.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 thanks.
Shobha Keshwani says
Very tasty and healthy khichdi option. We are great fan of khichdis and make it often. Next I shall try this recipe
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Shoba.
Seema Sriram says
Archana, ping me when a house in your neighbourhood goes empty. There is so many of these I want to have, try and chat! let's start with this little millet kichadi, comfort in a bowl!
ArchanaPotdar says
Ha, Ha! Likewise Seema. Thanks.
Priya Srinivasan says
Oh love khichdi anyday, This millet khichdi is my absolute favorite. Warm khichdi with a generous drizzle of ghee is absolute bliss on the plate.
ArchanaPotdar says
Papad on the side and some pickle! I am imagining eating with you, Priya.
Renu says
Love millet khichdi, and I love the way you have made it simple and easy and best one pot dish.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Renu.