Upma is a filling, hearty Indian breakfast food that you will love. This savory porridge will power you and your family through the morning with plenty of energy. This wholesome breakfast has a variety of veggies so you start the day off right. And you can put it together in less than 10 minutes without the stirring and babysitting, which makes it great for weekday or weekend mornings for a warm breakfast everyone will enjoy.
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What is upma?
Upma is also known as uppumavu or uppittu. Upma is thick and dense savory Indian style porridge made with semolina / Rava /Indian Cream of wheat/ Farina. Semolina is a coarse flour made from durum wheat. When cooked, semolina has a soft texture. It is also warm and filling, making it a great breakfast recipe that is both easy and healthy.
Some of our enticing Indian breakfast recipes
What do I need to make this upma recipe?
You’ll need the following ingredients to make upma fresh at home.
- Semolina - rava or sooji - Indian Cream of wheat farina
- Olive oil - great for sautéing your vegetables and making sure they don’t stick
- Mustard Seeds-Optional
- Curry Leaves- are aromatic herb used in South Indian cooking
- Thai green chilis - or any green chilis add accord to taste
- Red onion - you can use yellow onions too
- Carrots - sliced up in small pieces
- Green Peas - you can add chopped green beans too
- Water
- Salt - seasoning for taste and flavor.
- Sugar- Just a dash!
- Cilantro leaves - for garnish
You can also add additional veggies if you want to for extra nutrients and flavor.
Why make upma in the Instant Pot
The pressure cooker is the perfect tool for making this easy breakfast recipe. The Instant Pot cuts down on the cook time and yields consistently delicious results each and every time you make upma.
New to cooking with the Instant Pot and nervous? Don't be! We break down exactly how to use your Instant Pot in our complete beginner's guide to pressure cooking called Is the Instant Pot Worth It?
How to make upma
Upma is really easy to make, especially when you use your Instant Pot. Here are the steps you need to take to make delicious tasting upma in a matter of minutes.
Heat your Instant Pot on Saute mode. Once it is hot, add the oil and mustard seeds and let the mustard seeds splutter. Once they are jumping around a bit, add the curry leaves, green chilies, onions, peas, and the carrots and give it a stir.
Add in the semolina and sauté the mixture for 2 minutes. While it sauté's, keep stirring the semolina and veggies. Next, add in the salt, sugar, and water.
Use a sturdy spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot and stir the mixture. Close the lid with the vent set to sealing. Set the pressure to low and cook for 1 minute. Let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes.
After five minutes, release the remaining pressure and open the lid. Sprinkle the chopped cilantro on top and stir. Serve it warm with chai tea or coffee.
Tips and tricks
Follow these tips and tricks to make the best tasting homemade upma in your Instant Pot.
- To plan ahead, cut up your vegetables the night before. That way it just takes minutes to put everything in the pot.
- Don’t overcook the grains - they only need low pressure and a short natural release to have the perfect texture. If you cook them too long or on high pressure, they may turn to mush.
- You can add any vegetables you like, green beans and corn work well.
- You can add extra oil if you desire or use ghee at the end to add extra flavor
- Upma tastes best when served fresh and warm.
- Make sure you use the full 3 cups of water to make sure the grains get the best texture.
- You can add roasted cashews or peanuts to make it more festive
Storing
Like other creamy grains, upma is best served hot and fresh. You can store leftovers, if you need to or if you want to make a batch over the weekend and serve it during the week. To store, allow it to cool to room temperature and then portion into one or more airtight containers. Place in the refrigerator for about 3 to 5 days.
To serve it, reheat in the microwave. If needed, you can add a small amount of water to help rehydrate the semolina.
Is Upma healthy?
Yes! Upma is made with semolina, a type of flour made from durum wheat. It has several vitamins and minerals as well as additional protein. It also has carrots and peas, and you can add as many other vegetables as you like.
How to make instant upma mix
If you like to have convenient breakfasts ready to go throughout out the week, you can make an instant upma mix for busy mornings. Here’s how you can do that.
- Start by gathering all the ingredients except water.
- In a large skillet or pan, heat the oil and add the mustard seeds. Allow the mustard seeds to splutter. Once they are jumping around a bit, add the curry leaves, green chilies, onions, peas, and the carrots and give it a stir.
- Add in the semolina and sauté the mixture for 5 to 7 minutes. While it sautes, keep stirring the semolina and veggies. Next, add in the salt and sugar. Remove from heat.
- Allow it to cool until it reaches room temperature. Once it is cool, add it to sealable bags, jars, or air tight containers.
- When you are ready to serve the instant mix, boil 2 cups of water and then add one cup of the instant mix. Mix and cook for 1 minute before serving warm.
How to make it in a microwave?
You can make an instant version of upma in the microwave. To do this, use a premix or instant upma mix and add water to it. Microwave for around 30 seconds, mix the ingredients, and microwave for another minute. Stir it again and the nuke for another 30 seconds for a total of 2 minutes cook time.
Is Upma vegan?
Yes, our upma recipe is made using oil and no animal products. It only contains vegetables, wheat, herbs, and spices.
If you want to keep it vegan, just don’t add any ghee at the end. If you like vegan recipes, check out our Instant Pot Vegan Vermicelli Bowl – Semiya Upma.
How do I serve Upma?
Upma is a breakfast food in India. I often serve fruit alongside the dish as well as chai tea or coffee.
Sometimes I serve it alongside this delicious Homemade Instant Khaman Dhokla recipe. Other times I serve it with my Quick And Easy Poha.
What other vegetables can I add?
You can add several other vegetables if you like. You can add veggies like:
- small pieces of cauliflower
- broccoli florets
- corn
- green beans
- broccoli
- any other veggie you like and have on hand
Make it, tag it
Did you make this delicious upma recipe in the Instant Pot? Don’t forget to come back and leave your feedback and star rating. We would be THRILLED if you would take a pic and tag us on Instagram @dbellyrulesdmind or Facebook @thebellyrulesthemind
Easy Vegetable Upma Recipe
Upma is a filling, hearty Indian breakfast food that you will love. This savory porridge will power you and your family through the morning with plenty of energy. This wholesome breakfast has a variety of veggies so you start the day off right. And you can put it together in less than 10 minutes without the stirring and babysitting, which makes it great for weekday or weekend mornings for a warm breakfast everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Semolina (rava /sooji)/ thick
- 2 tbsp. Oil
- 2 teaspoon Mustard Seeds
- 6-8 Curry Leaves
- 2 Thai green Chilies /chopped
- 1/2 cup red onion /chopped
- 1/2 cup carrots / chopped small bite size
- Salt To Taste
- 1/2 cup Green Peas
- 3 cups Water
- 2 teaspoon Sugar
- Cilantro leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Press SAUTE mode once HOT add in the oil and mustard seeds and let it splutter.
- Add the curry leaves, green chilies, onions, peas, and the carrots and give
it a stir. - Next goes the Rava/ Semolina and sauté it for 2 minutes (Keep stirring the semolina and veggies).
- Add in the salt, sugar, and water.
- Stir it all up and scrape if anything is stuck to the bottom. Close
lid with vent in sealing position. - Pressure cook it on Low pressure for 1 minutes and let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes.
- Release the remaining pressure and open the lid. Sprinkle the chopped cilantro, stir and serve it warm.
Notes
Follow these tips and tricks to make the best tasting homemade upma in your Instant Pot.
- To plan ahead, cut up your vegetables the night before. That way it just takes minutes to put everything in the pot.
- Don’t overcook the grains - they only need low pressure and a short natural release to have the perfect texture. If you cook them too long or on high pressure, they may turn to mush.
- You can add any vegetables you like, green beans and corn kernels.
- Upma tastes best when served fresh and warm.
- Make sure you use the full 3 cups of water to make sure the grains get the best texture.
- You can add roasted cashews or peanuts to make it more festive
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Jake A
Tuesday 22nd of June 2021
If I increase the quantity .. 2 cups semolina .. do I use 6 cups water?
Soniya Saluja
Wednesday 23rd of June 2021
Hi Jake, yes if you want to double the recipe you double the ingredients, but the time remains the same.
Ashish Patel
Monday 19th of October 2020
Such A Great Blog. Thank U For Sharing Useful Information about upma. This Article Really Amzing And So Much Helpful For Me. Keep It Up:).
Traci
Friday 16th of October 2020
I love this recipe! So much flavor with little effort. It's the perfect side dish...thanks! 🙂
Lizet F. Bowen
Friday 16th of October 2020
Oh. I love discovering new breakfast dishes, especially savory ones that keep you going all morning!
Marlynn
Friday 16th of October 2020
What a delicious way to start the day! I'm always looking for new breakfast dishes and this is fantastic. Thank you!