Gujarati Kadhi Instant Pot Stovetop

We love Kadhi at home. This Gujarati Kadhi is a Gujju style of preparation. The Kadhi dish has several variations. Every state, region, a household in India has its own version. Traditionally this Indian yogurt curry is served with khichdi, jeera rice, or basmati rice, but you can serve it as a soup as well! I have always been making Punjabi-style Kadhi at home. Ever since I tasted Gujarati Kadhi at an Indian restaurant, I have been a fan. So I have been making this Kadhi in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker regularly. You may also like my healthier version of Palak Kadhi. The Kadhi tastes the best when made with slightly sour yogurt. To make your fresh yogurt sour, keep it out of the fridge for a couple of hours. This kadhi is slightly sweet. Sugar plays an important role in adding sweetness to the kadhi. You can replace sugar with jaggery or brown sugar. However, if you wish, you can skip it, but I highly recommend adding it. Every spice added to this recipe gives a distinct flavor. You can skip cloves and cinnamon if you want to. If you are a vegan, then replace ghee with oil. The consistency of authentic Gujarati Kadhi is slightly thinner than Punjabi Kadhi. You can adjust the water according to your preference.

What is Gujarati Kadhi?

Kadhi is a popular dish in India, particularly in the northern and western parts of India. The preparation of Kadhi can differ across various regional styles and the ingredients used may vary on the recipe used. Some versions include pakoras (fritters), spinach, okra, and boondi for added flavor and texture. Gujarati kadhi is a yogurt-based dish that is popular in Gujarat typically thickened with gram flour and yogurt (or buttermilk) and seasoned with spices such as mustard seeds, cumin, and fenugreek seeds. The mixture is then cooked on low heat for some time to create a smooth and creamy texture. Kadhi is an essential part of Gujarati cuisine. It is typically served with rice or khichdi, but it can also be served with roti or paratha.

Ingredients

Besan (Gram Flour): Use fresh, good-quality besan. If Besan is old, make sure to taste it before preparation, as it can taste bitter. Besan helps to thicken the kadhi and prevents curdling. It is easily available in the Indian grocery store. Curd (Yogurt): Use full-fat homemade sour yogurt/curd to make kadhi. You can also store-bought yogurt. Sugar: is to balance the sourness. You can substitute sugar with jaggery. Lemon juice: is added to add tanginess. Tempering (Tadka): Cumin seeds, mustard seeds, methi seeds, cloves, cinnamon, dry red chilies, curry leaves, ginger, green chilies, and asafoetida (hing) are used.

How to Make Gujarati Kadhi

Preparing Yogurt Mixture

Firstly, whisk together the yogurt, and besan (chickpea flour), to a smooth batter. Then add water, and continue whisking to ensure all the lumps are gone. Keep aside.

Stovetop Method

Take a kadai. Heat ghee (or oil), add mustard seeds, and cumin seeds, and let them splutter. Then add dry red chilies, methi seeds, cloves, and a cinnamon stick. Saute for a few seconds. Then add green chilies, ginger, curry leaves, and asafoetida, and saute for 15 seconds. You can also add onions and saute. But this step is optional. I dint add onions to this recipe. Add the yogurt-besan mixture while stirring continuously. This prevents the yogurt from curdling. Add salt, and sugar, and keep stirring until the mixture comes to a boil. Once the kadhi starts boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for 6-8 minutes, stirring at regular intervals to avoid the kadhi from curdling. If you find the kadhi too thick in consistency, then add extra water. Once done, add lemon juice and coriander leaves. Mix well. Serve hot with moong dal khichdi or rice.

Instant Pot Method

Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add oil or ghee, and once it’s hot, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chilies, fenugreek (methi seeds), cloves, and cinnamon stick. Saute for a few seconds. Next, add ginger, green chilies, curry leaves, asafoetida, and saute for a few seconds. Note: You can also add onions and saute. This step is optional. I did not add onions to this recipe. Add the yogurt-besan mixture to the pot. Stir continuously and mix well. Then add salt, and sugar, and mix well. Place the trivet and then the bowl of rice with water. This way, they will both cook together. Furthermore, close the lid on the pot. Set the pot to SOUP (High Pressure) and increase the timer to 5 minutes. We are using the SOUP setting to avoid the yogurt coming to a vigorous boil which could cause it to separate. Once the pot beeps, let it release the pressure naturally (NPR) for 10 minutes. Lastly, remove the lid away from you, and add lemon juice and coriander leaves. Also, adjust the consistency of the kadhi at this point. In case it’s thick, turn on the SAUTE mode. Add some water and simmer for 2 minutes. Instant Pot Gujarati Kadhi recipe or Indian Yogurt Soup is ready to enjoy with steamed rice, jeera rice.

Serving Suggestions for Gujarati Kadhi

Gujarati Kadhi is typically served with khichdi, jeera rice, or basmati rice. It also can be eaten with quinoa, brown rice, or as a yogurt soup.

Storage Suggestions

Refrigerate: Leftover Gujarati kadhi, can be refrigerated for 2-3 days in an airtight container. Freeze: Gujarati kadhi freezes well in the freezer. Store the kadhi in an airtight container or a freezer-safe ziplock bag, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Reheat: Reheat in a stovetop pot on low heat, stirring occasionally until it is heated through. If frozen, thaw it overnight in the fridge and then reheat it on the stovetop on low heat. Avoid heating in a microwave, there are chances to split.