indianEasyvegetariannut free

Dahi Chawal

Name: Dahi Chawal
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: indian
Ingredients: 1 cup rice (sona masoori or any short-grain rice); 3 cup water (for cooking rice); 1.5 cup yogurt (full-fat, at room temperature, whisked smooth); 0.5 cup milk (cold, to adjust consistency); 0.25 tsp salt; 2 tsp oil; 0.5 tsp mustard seeds; 0.5 tsp cumin seeds; 0.5 tsp urad dal; 8 pcs curry leaves; 1 inch ginger (finely grated); 1 pcs green chili (finely chopped); 1 pinch asafoetida; 2 tbsp coriander leaves (chopped, for garnish)

RATING

4.6/5(187)

TASTE SCORE

7/10

The ultimate comfort food from India — soft, mushy rice folded into cool, creamy yogurt and finished with a fragrant tempering of mustard seeds, curry leaves, and ginger. A gentle, probiotic-rich meal that soothes the stomach and comes together in minutes, a staple across Indian homes.

PREP

COOK

35m

SERVES

1 KATORI

274 cal

SERVINGS

METHOD · 5 STEPS

boil · ~20 min
Cook the rice until very soft.
1.Wash 1 cup rice thoroughly and drain.
2.Add rice and 3 cups water to a pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
3.Lower heat, cover partially, and simmer until rice is very soft and mushy (18-20 min).
4.Turn off heat, mash the rice lightly with the back of a spoon while still warm.
mix · ~5 min
Combine rice and yogurt.
1.Let the mashed rice cool until just warm (not hot).
2.Add whisked yogurt, milk, and salt to the rice.
3.Mix thoroughly until creamy and combined. Adjust consistency with a splash of milk or water if needed.
TIPHot rice will curdle the yogurt — always cool to lukewarm first.
temper · ~3 min
Make the tempering.
1.Heat oil in a small pan over medium heat until shimmering.
2.Add mustard seeds and let them pop (30 sec).
3.Add cumin seeds, urad dal, and curry leaves. Sauté until dal turns golden (1 min).
4.Add asafoetida, grated ginger, and chopped green chili. Stir for 30 seconds and remove from heat.
TIPKeep the heat medium — high heat will burn the urad dal and ruin the tempering.
mix · ~1 min
Fold the tempering into the yogurt rice.
Pour the hot tempering over the prepared dahi chawal. Mix gently to incorporate all the flavors evenly.
garnish
Garnish and serve.
Top with chopped coriander leaves. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled with pickle and papad on the side.

PRO TIPS

What to keep in mind.

6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.

1
Always cool the cooked rice to lukewarm before adding yogurt to prevent curdling.
2
Use full-fat yogurt for a creamier texture and richer flavor in dahi chawal.
3
Whisk the yogurt until completely smooth before mixing to avoid lumps in the final dish.
4
Let the tempered spices cool slightly before folding them in to retain their crackling aroma.
5
For best flavor, serve dahi chawal at room temperature or slightly chilled, not straight from the fridge.
6
Adjust consistency with cold milk or water just before serving, as the rice will continue to absorb liquid.

RECIPE VARIATIONS

Adapt it for your goals.

Vegan

Replace yogurt with thick coconut milk yogurt or cashew yogurt, and use plant-based milk. The dish remains creamy and tangy, ideal for those avoiding dairy.

High Protein

High-Protein

Mix in 1/2 cup of cooked moong dal (yellow lentils) along with the rice. This boosts protein content while keeping the texture soft and comforting.

Spicy South Indian

Add a teaspoon of ginger-garlic paste and an extra green chili to the tempering, or stir in a pinch of red chili powder for a fiery kick.

Fruit & Nut

Fold in 2 tablespoons of roasted cashews and pomegranate arils just before serving for a sweet-crunchy contrast against the creamy yogurt.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Why this is on our healthy list.

✓

Probiotic-Rich Gut Support

Full-fat yogurt is naturally packed with live probiotics that aid digestion and promote a healthy gut microbiome, making this dish gentle on the stomach.

✓

Hydrating & Cooling

The combination of rice, yogurt, and milk provides a hydrating, cooling meal, ideal for hot weather or soothing an irritated digestive system.

✓

Anti-Inflammatory Spices

Asafoetida, ginger, and curry leaves contain compounds known for their anti-inflammatory and digestive-stimulating properties, enhancing overall wellness.

QUESTIONS?