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    Home » Gluten-Free Recipes

    Red Lentils and Rice- Indian Style Khichdi

    Published: Mar 24, 2020 · Modified: May 2, 2026 by Deepti · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This one-pot Indian-style Red Lentils and Rice recipe is my go-to for a quick and comfort meal- Khichdi. Simple, delicious and so easy and perfect to make on a busy weekday!

    best red lentils and rice recipe one pot

    I love rice and lentils in any form- Khichdi, Pulao, lemon rice, chana spinach dal, dal chawal, and I can go on. This is my version of an easy Khichdi recipe where we use similar ingredients like in Indian Khichdi, but we don't cook it to be mushy. Instead, it is cooked for one whistle so that the rice is fluffy and long like in pulao.

    This red lentils and rice recipe is so flavorful and easy. You can simply hide lentils from the picky eater. They would think it is rice pulao. Isn't that great for busy moms?

    With simple pantry ingredients and easy recipe, your dinner is sorted!

    You may also like Indian recipes: Dal Daliya, Moong Dal Chilla, Easy Kanda Poha, Green Moong Dal Uttapam, and Indian Lunch Recipes

    More Red Lentils Recipe- Red Lentil Sweet Potato Soup, Carrot and Red Lentils Soup

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How To Make Red Lentils and Rice using Pressure Cooker
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Red Lentils and Rice- Indian Style

    Ingredients

    See the recipe card for the exact ratio of ingredients.

    ingredients for red lentils and rice indian style
    • Red Lentils: While any lentils- green split moong lentils, yellow lentils (Moong or arhar) work for this recipe, I like red lentils.
    • Rice: I love using basmati rice as it has perfect texture and is a long grain rice. You may use white or brown rice.
    • Veggies: Red onion and fresh tomatoes. You can add mushrooms, zucchini, broccoli, or cauliflower.
    • Green Chili: Adjust the heat
    • Sesame Oil: I love adding ghee to my rice. But this time I tried sesame oil and it turned out to be great.
    • Indian spices: Salt, Heeng, cumin seeds (jeera), Red chili powder, and turmeric powder.
    • Lemon Juice

    How To Make Red Lentils and Rice using Pressure Cooker

    Step 1. Prep the Ingredients

    Rinse the red lentils and rice thoroughly. While you chop the onion, tomato, and green chili, let the rice lentils be soaked.

    soaked red lentils and rice for khichdi
    chopped onion tomato for lentils rice tempering

    Step 2. Sauté Onion Tomato

    Heat sesame oil in a pressure cooker. Add Heeng, jeera. Once jeera cracks, add chopped onion and green chilies and sauté until golden brown. Add tomato, and cook until the tomato softens. Add spices and salt.

    sauteing onions for lentils rice khichdi
    sauteing tomatoes for indian red lentil khichdi

    Step 3. Add Lentils and Rice

    Stir in the rinsed red lentils and rice, ensuring they are well mixed with the sautéed ingredients.

    add soaked red lentils rice for making pressure cooker khichdi

    Step 4. Add Water and Pressure Cook

    Pour in enough water to cover the lentils and rice. Pressure cook for 2 whistles on full., Switch off.

    add water to sauteed rice lentils
    water in rice and lentils for pressure cooking
    pressure cooked red lentils rice khichdi

    Step 5. Serve

    Let the pressure release at its own. Top with freshly squeezed lemon juice and coriander leaves and serve the warm red lentils and rice with curd.

    indian style red lentils and rice khichdi

    Expert Tips

    • Soaking lentils and rice help them cook faster.
    • Make sure to add water just to soak lentils rice 1 inch deep in the pressure cooker.
    • One may use one pot as well but that would need more water and careful stirring.
    • Let the pressure cooker release pressure at its own for the best texture.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can you eat rice and lentils together?

    Yes, rice and lentils can be eaten together. They taste great together and provide a complete nutritious meal.

    Why do you mix rice and lentils?

    Mixing rice and lentils creates a balanced meal with complete protein and helps you make a quick meal on busy days.

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    Have you tried this recipe? Please leave a comment below and let me know what sides you served it with! If you loved it, feel free to share this post with your friends who love simple Indian cooking.

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    best red lentil rice khichdi recipe

    Red Lentils and Rice- Indian Style

    This one-pot Indian-style Red Lentils and Rice recipe is my go-to for a quick and comfort meal. Simple, delicious and so easy and perfect to make on a busy weekday!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Main Dish, Side Dish
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 201 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Pressure Cooker
    • 1 Large Bowl soaking lentils and rice
    • 1 Chopping board

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup Rice 1 bowl may be around 50 gm
    • ½ cup Red lentil pink masoor dal
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
    • 1 large onion
    • 1 medium tomato
    • 1 teaspoon Haldi powder (Turmeric)
    • 2 teaspoon red chili powder
    • 1 small green chili
    • 2-3 bowl Water
    • 1 teaspoon Jeera
    • a pinch Heeng (Asafoetida)
    • salt as per taste
    • water for soaking and pressure cooking

    Instructions
     

    • Rinse the red lentils and rice thoroughly. While you chop the onion, tomato, and green chili, let the rice lentils be soaked.
    • Heat sesame oil in a pressure cooker. Add the chopped onion and green chilies and sauté until golden brown. Add tomato, and cook until the tomato softens. Add spices and salt.
    • Stir in the rinsed red lentils and rice, ensuring they are well mixed with the sautéed ingredients.
    • Pour in enough water to cover the lentils and rice. Pressure cook for 2 whistles on full., Switch off.
    • Let the pressure release at its own. Top with freshly squeezed lemon juice and coriander leaves and serve the warm red lentils and rice with curd.

    Notes

    • Soaking lentils and rice help them cook faster.
    • Make sure to add water just to soak lentils rice 1 inch deep in the pressure cooker.
    • One may use one pot as well but that would need more water and careful stirring.
    • Let the pressure cooker release pressure at its own for the best texture.
    Nutrition Facts
    Serving size: 1 bowl
    Servings: 4
    Amount per serving  
    Calories 201
    % Daily Value*
    Total Fat 1.9g 2%
    Saturated Fat 0.3g 2%
    Cholesterol 0mg 0%
    Sodium 26mg 1%
    Total Carbohydrate 39.7g 14%
    Dietary Fiber 2.7g 10%
    Total Sugars 1.8g  
    Protein 11.3g  
    Vitamin D 0mcg 0%
    Calcium 25mg 2%
    Iron 3mg 15%
    Potassium 226mg 5%
    *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.
    Keyword dal chawal in one pot, indian khichdi, lentils and rice, one pot dal chawal, pressure cooker rice lentils, red lentils and rice, rice and lentils

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    About Deepti

    Warm Welcome to my blog!
    This blog is created by a former Assistant Professor, mother, and Netflix Binge watcher who is passionate about food! This blog is my collection of homemade vegetarian (egg-free too) recipes that are tested and approved by my family before they are finally posted here. A variety of Indian and World recipes that are made in a simple way!
    I am so glad to have you as a part of my journey in this online world.
    Thanks for stopping by!

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    Hi, I'm Deepti!

    Warm Welcome to my blog!
    I’m a foodie who invites you to join my journey of cooking Indian and global vegetarian recipes that are flavorful and amazing. I use quick methods with fresh ingredients that make your daily meals delicious too!

    Thanks for stopping by!

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