Kodo Millet Upma Recipe: Easy & Healthy South Indian Breakfast

Kodo millet upma is a simple and wholesome way to include millets in your everyday breakfast. Made with kodo millet, vegetables, spices and traditional tempering ingredients, this recipe is easy to prepare and works well for a filling homemade meal.

Why Choose Millets for Upma?

Millets are versatile grains that can be easily included in everyday meals. They are naturally rich in dietary fibre and provide a range of nutrients, making them a wholesome alternative to commonly used refined grains. Using millets in familiar dishes such as upma is a simple way to add variety to your everyday breakfast.

For this recipe, kodo millet is cooked with vegetables and traditional tempering ingredients to create a flavourful and satisfying breakfast.

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients for Kodo Millet Upma 

• Kodo Millet – 1 cup
• Cold Pressed Groundnut Oil – as required
• Water – 2 cup
• Onion – finely chopped
• Green chillies – finely chopped
• Carrot – finely chopped
• Beans – finely chopped
• Potato – finely chopped
• Mustard seeds
• Bengal gram dal (chana dal)
• Black gram dal (urad dal)
• Curry leaves
• Ginger – grated
• Turmeric
• Salt – as required

How to Make Kodo Millet Upma

1. Wash the Kodo Millet 

Start by washing the Kodo Millet 2–3 times under running water to remove any natural impurities. Drain completely and set aside. Pro-Tip: Let the millet sit for 5 minutes after draining; this helps the grains remain separate and fluffy after cooking.

2. Prepare the Vegetables

Finely chop the onions, green chillies and vegetables. Grate the ginger and keep all the ingredients ready before starting the cooking process.

3. Prepare the Tempering

Heat Sri Saraswathi Organics Cold Pressed Groundnut Oil in a pressure cooker. As the oil warms up, you will notice its deep, nutty aroma—a sign of its unrefined purity. Add the mustard seeds. Once they crackle, add the Chana dal, Urad dal, green chillies, and curry leaves. Sauté until the dals turn a beautiful golden brown.

4. Sauté the Veggies and Spices

Add the chopped onions and grated ginger. Sauté until the onions become translucent. Follow this with the turmeric and the mixed vegetables. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes on a medium flame to let the vegetables soak up the flavor of the groundnut oil..

5. Add the Kodo Millet

Add the washed kodo millet to the cooker and sauté everything together for about 1 minute.

6. Add Water and Salt

Add 2 cups of water and salt as required. Allow the water to come to a boil.

8. Pressure Cook

Once the water starts boiling, close the pressure cooker lid. Cook on a moderate flame for 3 whistles.

9. Serve

Allow the pressure to subside naturally before opening the cooker. Open the lid and gently mix the kodo millet upma.

Your aromatic, nutrient-rich Kodo Millet Upma is ready to serve!

Tips for Making Kodo Millet Upma

• Wash the kodo millet thoroughly before cooking.
• Keep the vegetables finely chopped so they cook evenly.
• Sautéing the millet briefly before adding water can help bring out its flavour.
• Allow the pressure to subside before opening the cooker.
• Refined oils often have a "flat" taste. Using a high-quality wood pressed or cold pressed oil acts as a natural flavor enhancer.

Try Millet Rava for an Easy Upma

If you prefer a convenient option for preparing millet-based breakfast dishes, millet rava can also be used to prepare upma. It offers an easy way to include millets in everyday meals while making preparation more convenient.

Bring Millets to Your Everyday Breakfast

If you're looking for an easy way to include millets in your regular meals, this kodo millet rava upma recipe is a simple place to start. The recipe uses familiar ingredients and a straightforward cooking method, making it suitable for a quick homemade breakfast.

Try it with Kodo Millet Rava and your choice of cold pressed oil, and make the recipe your own with the vegetables and flavours you enjoy