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    Home » Recipes » Rice Dishes

    Instant Pot Bisi Bele Bath

    Published: December 28, 2020 · Modified: January 23, 2022 by Uma Raghupathi · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 47 Comments

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    A plate is filled with bisi bele bath and topped with cashews
    A plate is filled with bisi bele bath and topped with cashews

    If you are looking to impress your friends or family, this Instant Pot Bisi Bele Bath (translation...hot lentil rice) is all you have to prepare! Once you perfect the magic for bath recipes, you will have one of the most sought after South Indian dishes in your arsenal. 

    A plate of bisi bele bath is on the table and topped with nuts and boondi this recipe
    Jump to:
    • About this recipe
    • Ingredients Notes
    • How to make this recipe
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Expert Tips 
    • 📖 Recipe

    About this recipe

    This recipe is unique to the state of Karnataka in India. It is a delicate combination of the right spices with the right amount of lentils. 

    This hot lentil rice is popularly known as Bisi bele bath in South India

    Packed with lots of flavor and protein from dal

    This is is a vegan, gluten-free, and a one pot dish if you choose an Instant Pot pressure cooker. 

    Bisi bele bath is best served hot with crunchy potato chips, raita or boondi.

    Ingredients Notes

    All the ingredients for bisi bele bath are placed on the counter including rice, dal, vegetables and oil

    Toor Dal or Split pigeon peas  - This is one of the main ingredients. It is one of the most common dal too, but if you cannot find it, you could also substitute it with masoor dal 

    Rice - I used jasmine rice for this recipe. Traditionally Sona masoori is the best option for this recipe as it stays true in its form. 

    Peanuts - Begin with raw peanuts or cashews to be used at the end for garnishing. If you are allergic to peanuts please feel free to skip the peanuts. 

    Tamarind - This is one of the main ingredients to bring out the authentic taste. I used tamarind paste, but if you have fresh tamarind, that’s even better. Just soak a small quantity (size of a small lemon) in water and then use the tamarind water. 

    Jaggery - Jaggery is another indispensable ingredient and try not to substitute this. It gives a little sweet touch to the rice. If you are absolutely not able to find it, then add brown sugar.

    Olive oil - This will be our substitute for ghee! Contrary to what many people think, ghee is easily replaceable with substitutes. Olive oil suits well for this recipe, but feel free to use any oil like coconut oil, avocado oil, or vegan ghee. 

    Bisi Bele Bath Powder - I prepared this spice powder from scratch. I mentioned all the ingredients for this powder in the recipe card below. You can also use store-bought powder. 

    How to make this recipe

    Based on comments from readers, I have made some changes to the original recipe. This time I prepared this bath recipe in an Instant Pot pressure cooker in addition to the stovetop method.

    Below you can find the steps for both the methods, as well as the steps to prepare the spice mix for this recipe.

    Steps for preparing powder:

    Place a pan over medium heat and saute the following one after another with a teaspoon of coconut oil: Coriander seeds, Black gram, Bengal gram, methi seeds, Cloves, Cinnamon, Red Chilies, cardamom, sesame seeds, cumin seeds.

    Blend all the spices into a powder. Set it aside for later use.

    A coffee blender is filled with spice powder

    Instant Pot Method :

    Press the saute button on the Instant Pot. Drizzle a few teaspoons of oil to the inner pot and as the oil heats up, add mustard seeds. 

    An instant Pot filled with oil, spices and peanuts

    When it starts to sizzle, add peanuts, and curry leaves. Saute for 1 minute. 

    Add the chopped onions, and saute until translucent. 

    A pot filled with onions and vegetables

    Add all the vegetables one by one and mix well.

    Add jaggery, tamarind paste, and salt. And stir well. Now you can press cancel otherwise tamarind will stick to the bottom of the pan. 

    A pot with all the ingredients for bisi bele bath

    Add Bisi bele bath powder, asafoetida rinsed toor dal, rinsed, and drained rice. Now add the water and give a nice stir. 

    An instant pot with lentils and vegetables

    Press the manual or pressure cook button and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes with the pressure valve in the sealing position. At the end of the timer, let the pressure release naturally. Open the pot.

    A pot with rice, water and lentils

    Garnish with cilantro and add roasted cashews.

    Recipe FAQs

    What is the meaning of Bisi bele bath?

    Bisi in Kannada translates to hot (temperature), bele translates to lentils & bath is any liquid dish.

    How long can we store this?

    You can refrigerate for up to 3 days but be sure to reheat and serve hot.

    How do you pronounce Bisi bele bath?

    It is pronounced bi-si bey-lley bath. Check here for more details.

    Expert Tips 

    • This recipe uses freshly prepared Bisi Bele powder to ensure a fresh and authentic taste. But you could also use store-bought powder.
    • I used a red onion for this recipe. Red onions contribute to the sweetness in the dish. Using shallots is a good substitute if you prefer not to use red onions.
    • I used  Red byadagi Chili to get the natural color without making the rice spicier. You can use Kashmiri red chili or other red chilies too.
    • An authentic bath recipe needs a tablespoon of ghee at the end. In my quest t veganize the dish, I used pure oil / vegan ghee. 
    • As it cools, this dish will thicken a little. You can add a little hot water, and re-heat it before serving if you do not prefer it thick.
    • Use copra or dry coconuts to prepare the spice mix powder. If you cannot find copra, roast the grated coconut before blending with other spices. 
    • If you are using store-bought powder, add 3 tablespoon to the dish. Make a taste test and add more if required. 
    A plate is filled with bisi bele bath and topped with cashews

    Check out my other recipes

    • Khara Bath - Masala Bhath
    • Vangi Bath - Brinjal Rice
    • Brinjal Sambar Recipe - Instant Pot + Stove Top
    • Instant Pot Kale Lentil Soup

    More Related recipes

    • Vegan Fried Rice With Tofu
    • Palak Rice (Instant Pot & Stovetop)
    • Green Moong Rice - Instant Pot
    • Rajma Rice - Instant Pot Kidney Beans Rice

    Just subscribe to my newsletter for more delicious vegan recipes such as this sent directly to your inbox.

    Did you love this recipe? Rate it five stars!
    And let me know what you loved about it in the comments.

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    📖 Recipe

    A plate of bisi bele bath is on the black serving tray

    Instant Pot Bisi Bele Bath

    Uma Raghupathi
    This one-pot, delicious, and healthy main course meal is prepared from rice, lentils, and vegetables and has a unique flavor from the use of tamarind and Bisi bele bath powder.
    5 from 12 votes
    Print Recipe
    Prep Time:8 mins
    Cook Time:28 mins
    Total Time:36 mins
    Course :Main Course
    Cuisine :Indian
    Diet :Vegan
    Allergen :Dairy free
    Difficulty :Easy
    Servings 5 people
    Calories 236 kcal

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup rice - Jasmine rice
    • ½ cup Toor dal
    • 1 /2 cup chopped carrots
    • ½ cup chopped green beans or frozen beans
    • 1 teaspoon tamarind paste
    • 2 teaspoon jaggery
    • 1 medium onion
    • ¼ cup frozen peas
    • 4 cups water
    • Salt
    • 1 tablespoon peanuts
    • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
    • Pinch of asafoetida / hing
    • Strand of curry leaves
    • 3- 4 teaspoon oil

    Bisi bele bath powder

    • 1 teaspoon Black gram
    • 1 teaspoon Split Bengal gram
    • 3 teaspoon coriander seeds
    • ¼ teaspoon methi seeds/ fenugreek
    • 4-5 cloves
    • 2 teaspoon sesame seeds
    • 2 green cardamom
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 3 cinnamon sticks - small
    • 2 tablespoon grated roasted coconut or copra coconut
    • 5-6 Byadagi chili or any red chili
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    Steps for preparing powder:

    • Place a pan over medium heat and saute the following one after another with a teaspoon of coconut oil: Coriander seeds, Black gram, Bengal gram, methi seeds, Cloves, Cinnamon, Red Chilies, cardamom, sesame seeds, cumin seeds.
    • Blend all the spices into a powder and Bisi bele bath masala is ready! Set it aside for later use.

    Instant Pot Method :

    • Press the saute button on the Instant Pot. Drizzle a few teaspoons of oil to the inner pot and as the oil heats up, add mustard seeds.
    • When it starts to sizzle, add peanuts, and curry leaves. Saute for 1 minute.
    • Add the chopped onions, and saute until translucent.
    • Add all the vegetables one by one and mix well. Add jaggery, tamarind paste, and salt. And stir well. Now you can press cancel otherwise tamarind will stick to the bottom of the pan.
    • Add Bisi bele bath powder, asafoetida rinsed toor dal, rinsed, and drained rice. Now add the water and give a nice stir.
    • Press the manual or pressure cook button and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes with the pressure valve in the sealing position. At the end of the timer, let the pressure release naturally. Open the pot. Garnish with cilantro and add roasted cashews.

    Stovetop Method:

    • Cook the rice in a pressure cooker with 2 ½ cups of water for 3 whistles.
    • Pressure cook dal with 1 ½ cup of water for 3 whistles and keep aside.
    • Heat a tablespoon of oil, add mustard seeds, when it splutters, add peanuts, and curry leaves. Saute for 1 minute.
    • Sauté onions until it becomes transparent. Then add all the vegetables and Sprinkle water and cook covered for 4-5 minutes.
    • Now add tamarind paste, salt, jaggery, and the prepared Bisi bele bath masala powder. Let it boil well until the raw flavor goes.
    • Add cooked dal, cooked rice, 4 teaspoon of oil, and hing, mix well. Cook on low heat for 3 minutes and switch off the heat.

    Notes

    • This recipe uses freshly prepared Bisi Bele Bath powder to ensure a fresh and authentic taste. But you could also use store-bought Bisi Bele bath powder.
    • I used a red onion for this recipe. Red onions contribute to the sweetness in the dish. Using shallots is a good substitute if you prefer not to use red onions.
    • I used  Red byadagi Chili to get the natural color without making the rice spicier. You can use Kashmiri red chili or other red chilies too.
    • Authentic Bisi bele bath needs a tablespoon of ghee at the end. In my quest t veganize the dish, I used pure oil / vegan ghee. 
    • As it cools, the Bisi bele bath will thicken a little. You can add a little hot water, and re-heat it before serving if you do not prefer it thick.
    • Use copra or dry coconuts to prepare the spice mix powder. If you cannot find copra, roast the grated coconut before blending with other spices. 
    • If you are using store-bought Bisi bele bath powder, add 3 tablespoon to the dish. Make a taste test and add more if required. 
     
    Note: The nutrition values I show here are my best estimates. Please be sure to check your preferred nutrition calculator, if you are relying on accurate calculations in your diet.

    YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 83mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutritional information is an estimation only.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @simplesumptuouscooking or tag #simplesumptuouscooking!

    UPDATE NOTE: This recipe was originally published on April 25, 2016. It was updated on December 28, 2020, with new photos and text. 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Laura

      January 03, 2021 at 11:10 pm

      We made this recipe and it brought us back to India. We spent a month traveling around and we miss the food so much. So tasty and fragrant! Thanks for sharing 😊5 stars

      Reply
      • Uma Raghupathi

        January 04, 2021 at 12:08 pm

        Thank you for making this!

        Reply
    2. Naiby

      January 03, 2021 at 7:30 pm

      This looks like a great dosh to add to my repertoire. I love lentils and could eat them every day so it's great to play with authentic flavors like your dish. On top of that, it's one-pot!5 stars

      Reply
    3. Gunjan

      January 03, 2021 at 6:25 pm

      It’s a delicious recipe . I like the fact that it’s a one pot dish so it’s going to be regular in my house.5 stars

      Reply
    4. Kushigalu

      January 03, 2021 at 7:40 am

      Bisi bele bath is my favorite south indian dish. Total comfort food. This looks delicious.5 stars

      Reply
      • Uma Raghupathi

        January 03, 2021 at 11:28 am

        Thanks, Kushi.

        Reply
    5. Erin

      January 03, 2021 at 3:26 am

      I love that this is a one pot meal! I do hate doing the dishes. I've never had anything like this before! I need to get some of the ingredients first and then give it a try. 🙂

      Reply
    6. Adriana

      January 01, 2021 at 5:47 pm

      You got me at HOT! My favorite meals are those spicy and comforting I bet this dish is in that category. I cannot wait to try it. Indian food is my favorite.5 stars

      Reply
      • Uma Raghupathi

        January 01, 2021 at 9:25 pm

        Thank you

        Reply
    7. Jen

      January 01, 2021 at 10:07 am

      We have been trying to find new dishes to try for meatless mondays. This was delicious, definitely will make it again. So much flavor!5 stars

      Reply
    8. Sandra Shaffer

      December 31, 2020 at 9:24 am

      I just got a new IP and was looking for something tasty and easy to try. This dish came out delicious and so quick. Love all the veggies. This is a keeper.5 stars

      Reply
    9. veenaazmanov

      December 30, 2020 at 11:16 pm

      Flavorful, Easy and a healthy meal. Full of nutrition. Comfort food is the best anyday.5 stars

      Reply
    10. Kate

      December 30, 2020 at 10:52 am

      Flavorful vegetarian dish. Loved it!!5 stars

      Reply
    11. Enricoh Alfonzo

      April 30, 2016 at 3:44 am

      Great read! Going to try and make this.

      Reply
    12. Patricia Conte

      April 28, 2016 at 3:23 am

      Homemade *is* always better 🙂 Love the seasonings and I love the green beans!

      Reply
    13. Kelly Page (@TastingPage)

      April 27, 2016 at 6:47 pm

      So many great spices. I can almost smell how delicious it tastes!

      Reply
    14. Gin

      April 27, 2016 at 5:51 pm

      Mmm, I can imagine how good this must smell cooking! Love the spices!

      Reply
      • Uma Raghupathi

        April 27, 2016 at 6:22 pm

        Thank you Gin 🙂

        Reply
    15. Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen

      April 27, 2016 at 11:28 am

      This looks lovely! I need to try!

      Reply
      • Uma Raghupathi

        April 27, 2016 at 12:53 pm

        Thank you 🙂

        Reply
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