Easy Instant Pot Bisi Bele Bhath Recipe

If you're a fan of South Indian cuisine, you've likely heard of Bisi Bele Bath, a comforting Karnataka classic made with rice, lentils, vegetables, and aromatic spices.

Traditionally, this dish takes time and attention on the stovetop. Thanks to the Instant Pot, you can now enjoy authentic bisi bele bath in a fraction of the time with minimal cleanup.

A bowl of Bisibelebath is on the marble table.

This one-pot vegan bisi bele bath is ideal for busy families and weeknight meals, without compromising on flavor.

Bisi Bele Bath is one of those classic comfort foods you can enjoy any time of the year. If you're a fan of nourishing one-pot meals, check out my Chana Dal Pulao recipe, Bengali Moong Dal Khichdi, and Instant Pot Oats Khichdi for more delicious Indian rice and lentil dishes.

Quick Look: Instant Pot Bisi Bele Bhath

✅ Recipe Name: Instant Pot Bisibelebath Recipe
🕒 Ready In: 35 minutes
👪 Serves: 4
🍽 Calories: 289 per serving (estimated)
🥣 Main Ingredients: Rice, Toor Dal, Spices, Vegetables
📖 Dietary Info: Vegan; gluten-free; high-protein; oil-optional
👌 Difficulty: Easy - one pot, Indian flavors, minimal prep

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Quick Look: Instant Pot Bisi Bele Bhath
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients Notes
Variations
How To Make Instant Pot Bisi Bele Bath
Serving Suggestions
Uma's Tips
Instant Pot Bisi Bele Bhath Recipe FAQs
More Instant Pot Recipes
📖 Recipe
Comments

Why You'll Love This Recipe

A traditional Karnataka recipe with perfectly balanced spices and lentils
Packed with protein from toor dal and nutrients from mixed vegetables
Completely vegan and gluten-free
Made easily using the Instant Pot sauté mode and manual button
One-pot recipe - less mess, faster cooking, and better texture than stovetop methods
Best enjoyed hot with papad, potato chips, or boondi

Ingredients Notes

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

Toor Dal (Split Pigeon Peas): A key ingredient that gives bisi bele bath its signature texture. If unavailable, masoor dal works as a substitute.
Rice: Sona Masoori rice is traditional and holds its shape beautifully without becoming mushy.
Vegetables: Use a mix of vegetables such as carrots, beans, peas, potatoes, and drumsticks. This recipe is flexible use what you have.
Tamarind: Soak a small lemon-sized piece of tamarind in warm water, extract the juice, and discard the pulp. This step is essential for authentic flavor.
Jaggery: Adds mild sweetness that balances spice and tang. Brown sugar can be used only if jaggery is unavailable.
Oil: Use vegan ghee or coconut oil for traditional aroma.
Bisi Bele Bath Powder: You can use a homemade powder, or better yet buy my bisi bele bath powder for consistent, authentic flavor made without preservatives.
Spices: Red chili powder, turmeric powder, and a pinch of asafoetida (hing) for digestion and depth.

See the recipe card for a list of ingredients and quantities, plus recipe instructions. You can find the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Use tamarind paste or lemon juice if fresh tamarind isn't available.
Substitute lentils like masoor dal or chana dal.
You can also use sambar powder for a similar flavor.
Customize with your favorite vegetables, like cauliflower, capsicum, drumsticks, and potatoes.

How To Make Instant Pot Bisi Bele Bath

First, soak the tamarind; keep it aside. Soak a small lemon-sized piece of tamarind in warm water, extract the juice, and discard the pulp. This step is essential for authentic flavor. (or use tamarind paste).

An Instant pot has mustard seeds and Curry leaves for Bisis bele bath recipe.

Press Sauté Mode on the Instant Pot. Add oil to the inner pot.
Once hot, add mustard seeds. When they splutter, add curry leaves. Sauté for 1 minute.

An Instant pot is with spices and onions for Bisi Bele bhath recipe.

Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent.

Instant pot has vegetables and onions to cook Bisi Bele bath recipe.

Add vegetables (including carrots and beans) and mix well.

A pot has all the spices and veggies to cook Bisibelebath.

Stir in jaggery, tamarind extract, and salt. Press Cancel to prevent sticking.

An instant pot is with spices, rice and lentils.

Add bisi bele bath powder, red chili powder, turmeric, rinsed toor dal, and rinsed rice.

Cooking Bisi Bele bath in an instant pot.

Pour in 7 cups water, mix gently, and ensure nothing sticks to the bottom.
Press the Manual / Pressure Cook button, cook on High Pressure for 12 minutes, valve sealed.
Allow natural pressure release, then open the lid.

A pan has all the spices, nuts and Curry leaves to season Bisi bele bath.

Prepare seasoning: Place a pan over medium heat add 1 tablespoon of oil add ½ teaspoon mustard seeds, 1 red chilies, 5-6 curry leaves and sauté for 30 seconds.
Add cashews and peanuts and roast until its crispy.