Ayurvedic Kitchari Recipe with Coconut Milk - The Herbeevore (2024)

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This Ayurvedic kitchari recipe with coconut milk is a cozy and delicious vegan dinner recipe! I’ve tried making a few different recipes for kitchari – and this one is by far my favorite.

It’s loaded with soft simmered vegetables, yellow lentils, and creamy coconut milk. I love how rich and yummy this classic stew turns out and how comforting it is to eat.

Ayurvedic Kitchari Recipe with Coconut Milk - The Herbeevore (1)

This ayurvedic kitchari recipe is the perfect meal for lunch or dinner, its filling enough without being too much. I also love how the spices transform when they are gently sautéed in the pan.

I know a lot of recipes always say to toast seeds/nuts before using, but I’m always amazed at how the flavors really pop in the dish. This is a fantastic and simple versatile recipe you can enjoy for lunch or dinner. Add lentils, your favorite vegetables, and spices for an easy meal.

This Coconut Milk Kitchari is:

  • Warming
  • Spicy
  • Earthy
  • Nourishing
  • Vegan
  • Gluten-Free
Ayurvedic Kitchari Recipe with Coconut Milk - The Herbeevore (2)

I’ve been reading so much about Ayurveda and how small and simple food and lifestyle changes can make a big impact. I now do tongue scraping and coconut oil pulling (abhyanga) in the morning, and the later is especially helpful for dry skin in the winter!

Adding this kitchari to my recipe roundup is great for those weeks when I want something light and comforting for lunch or dinner.

What’s In This Ayurveda Kitchari Recipe?

See the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and recipe instructions!

Ayurvedic Kitchari Recipe with Coconut Milk - The Herbeevore (3)

Easy Ayurvedic Recipes

This simple and vibrant kitchari recipe is great with garlic naan, and I love that you can change up the vegetables seasonally if needed. I used butternut squash, tomatoes, and peas since that is what I had in the fridge, but use anything that you body loves!

You can also change the oil used in cooking – I like coconut oil and coconut milk in my kitchari (as it pacifies the vata dosha) but you can use a few drops of sesame oil or water for the stock instead.

One of the BEST Pantry Staple Dinner Recipes

This Ayurvedic kitchari recipe is a fantastic pantry-staple meal! It uses almost all ingredients you would have in your dry pantry or cupboards. You probably already have a lot of these ingredients on hand! Keeping a well-stocked pantry makes it easy to come up with delicious and tasty meals using a few staples you can rotate.

I made a list of my Top 125 Plant-Based Pantry Staples that always keep on hand. And you can check out all my favorite pantry staple recipes on TheHerbeevore.com here. By stocking up on whole ingredients you can cook delicious recipes without a trip to the store!

Ayurvedic Kitchari Recipe with Coconut Milk - The Herbeevore (4)

What Do I Serve with Kitchari?

It depends on your preferences, but I love to pair my warming kitchari with:

  • 5 Ingredient No-Knead Olive Oil Skillet Bread (Vegan)
  • Pot Luck Greek Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette (Vegan, Gluten Free, Party Recipe)
  • Rainbow Quinoa Salad (Vegan, Gluten Free)
  • Roasted Peach Summer Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette (Vegan, Gluten Free)
  • Baked Caramel Apples (Vegan, Paleo, Gluten-Free)

As always, if you make this coconut Ayurveda kitchari be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe, and tag me on Instagramso I can feature you. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

And let’s stay in touch – make sure to sign up for my newsletter to get free recipes delivered fresh to your inbox. And don’t forget to follow over on Pinterest, Instagram , & Twitter– I’d love to connect with you there!

Ayurvedic Kitchari Recipe with Coconut Milk - The Herbeevore (5)

Ayurvedic Kitchari with Coconut Milk

Adding this Ayurveda kitchari to my recipe roundup is great for those weeks when I want something light, flavorful, and comforting for lunch or dinner.

5 from 10 votes

Print Recipe Pin

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine Ayurvedic, Indian

Servings 8

Calories 297 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
  • 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
  • 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
  • 1 tablespoons freshly grated ginger root
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 cup split mung dal soaked and rinsed
  • 1 cup basmati rice
  • 6 cups Vegetable Stock
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk full fat
  • 4 cups vegetables of your choice I used butternut squash, tomatoes, and peas
  • Sea Salt and Black Pepper
  • Fresh chopped cilantro for garnish optional

Instructions

  • In a large pot, turn heat to low and melt coconut oil. Add the coriander seeds, black mustard seeds, and cumin seeds and gently sauté until the seeds begin to pop and release their flavors – about 5 minutes.

  • Add the fresh ginger root and turmeric and stir, cook for 1 additional minute.

  • Add the rest of the ingredients to the pot and stir to combine. Cover and simmer on low for 45 minutes, taking care to stir occasionally so the rice doesn’t stick to the bottom and the kitchari becomes thick.

  • Serve warm and garnish with fresh cilantro, if using.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 297kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 12gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 63mgPotassium: 277mgFiber: 7gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 4677IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 3mg

Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a rating and comment below, let us know what you loved about it!

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About the Author: Kelly Jensen

Ayurvedic Kitchari Recipe with Coconut Milk - The Herbeevore (6)

Kelly Jensen has 7 years experience as a food blogger, freelance recipe developer, content creator, beekeeper, and loves cooking everything she can from scratch.

View all post by Kelly Jensen | Website

Ayurvedic Kitchari Recipe with Coconut Milk - The Herbeevore (2024)

FAQs

What does Ayurveda say about coconut milk? ›

Nut milks are a little heavier and oiler, fine for vata but best used in moderation by pitta and kapha. Coconut milk is the exception to this rule, as it is cooling enough for pitta while also nourishing and pacifying for vata. Because of its cooling and heavy qualities, it is not the best choice for kapha.

What are the side effects of kitchari cleanse? ›

This is a very gentle cleanse, as cleanses go, so you will most likely not find yourself experiencing discomfort. Having said that, you could still experience physical or emotional ups and downs, headaches, body aches, fatigue, irritability. These are all normal, make sure you sleep & hydrate loads.

Can you eat kitchari every day? ›

You may keep eating kitchari for a few days, even after the cleanse is over, but you can begin to add other foods to your eating plan. Doing this will help make sure you don't upset your digestive system or return to old habits too quickly, potentially reversing the effects of the cleanse.

Why is kitchari so good for you? ›

Kitchari Removes Natural Toxins from the Body

Once toxins are loosened and liquefied, it is essential that they get properly eliminated from the body. The split mung beans provide enough fiber (over 15 grams per 1-cup serving) to move these toxins through the GI tract and out of the body.

What is the best combination with milk according to Ayurveda? ›

Other ayurvedic recommendations when mixing fruits and milk:

A ripe sweet mango may be combined with milk. Avocado may be mixed with milk (this is creamy, buttery and a little bit astringent). Dry fruits such as raisins, dates, and figs may be taken with milk.

What does coconut milk do to your gut? ›

Coconut may help to improve digestion due to the presence of medium-chain fatty acids. These medium-chain fatty acids may be digested and absorbed easily in the body. They may be immediately broken down by saliva and gastric juice without involving the enzymes from the pancreas.

How many days is the kitchari cleanse? ›

Anywhere from 3-5 days is recommended, with 5 being a particularly long cleanse but incredibly beneficial. Not only is the kitchari working its magic from within but the elimination of sugar, caffeine, processed foods, meat and dairy also allows the body to breathe and recharge.

How to clean a colon in Ayurveda? ›

Take two to five tablets of Organic Triphala Rose before going to bed each night to cleanse the bowel, or two to four capsules of Herbal Cleanse. These gentle yet effective herbal supplements that help to cleanse the bowel.

Why does kitchari cause constipation? ›

Caution: A kitchari mono-diet can lead to constipation if taken exclusively for several days, as it is low in fiber. To ensure proper elimination, the following may prove helpful if taken once a day, away from kitchari meals: psyllium husks or seeds with water OR oat bran OR prune juice.

Can you drink coffee on a kitchari cleanse? ›

I recommend starting with a 3 day if this is your first time. During the cleanse no caffeine, no sugar, no alcohol, nothing cold or raw, and no processed foods should be consumed. Drink approximately 6-8 glasses of warm water each day, stop taking all other supplements and herbs, and avoid strenuous physical activity.

Does kitchari make you gassy? ›

During cleansing, a time of already compromised digestion, the husk can irritate the intestinal wall and cause digestive gas or abdominal pain. Remember, kitchari is still used today in India as baby food—a food that is super easy to digest.

What snacks can you eat during kitchari cleanse? ›

Herbal teas and infusions may be drunk freely throughout the cleanse. If you desire, snack on fruit, nuts or seeds between meals of kitchari. Instead of kitchari, have a bowl of oatmeal with cooked fruit, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, and ghee.

What do we call kitchari in English? ›

The word khichdi is also known as 'kitcheri,' which is an Indian/Pakistani dish of rice and lentils,cooked together, usually given to children or sick people because it is easy to digest. My family call it Indian Risotto, but I think we're the only family to use this word.

What does an ayurvedic cleanse look like? ›

A period of eating a monodiet of grains, kitchari (basmati rice cooked with split mung beans), vegetables, and plenty of detoxifying fluids; the process at this stage can be complemented by a number of supportive lifestyle practices.

Is kitchari good for liver? ›

Kitchari is an Indian dish that is traditionally made up of split mung beans, basmati rice, veggies, spices, and ghee. By modifying this basic recipe and including some of the most powerful foods for liver health, this kitchari becomes cleansing, strengthening, and nourishing to the liver.

Is coconut milk cooling or heaty? ›

By nature an ambitious organ, the liver falls victim to intense, hot blooded emotions and pitta internal heat conditions. Coconut milk replenishes a liver deficient in fats, and has special cooling properties to soothe an overheated liver.

Which milk is best for Ayurveda? ›

Cow's milk is considered to be the best, but raw goat milk is fine to use too. Milk should not be mixed or eaten with sour, bitter, salty, astringent, or pungent tastes.

Who should not drink coconut milk? ›

If you have a tree nut allergy, consult your allergist before consuming coconut-based products as well.” Due to its high saturated fat content, if you have heart disease or high cholesterol, you may consider talking with a health care provider or dietitian before drinking coconut milk regularly.

What happens if we drink coconut milk daily? ›

Increased stamina: Coconut milk is rich in calories and electrolytes, which can improve stamina and reduce fatigue. Coconut milk also helps build muscle.

References

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