Recipe

Ven Pongal – Quick & Easy South Indian Breakfast Youtube Recipe

Prep: 
5 mins
Cook: 
40 mins

Ingredients

Split Yellow Moong Dal - 1 cup

Short Grain White Rice - 1 cup

Ghee - 5 Tbsp

Cumin Seeds - 2 tsp

Black Pepper Corn - 1 tsp (lightly crushed)

Green Chilies - 3 (slit lengthwise)

Ginger - 2 tsp (chopped /grated)

Curry Leaves - 1.5 - 2 stalks (20-25)

Cashews - 20 qty

Hing (asafetida) - 1/4 tsp

Water - 6 cups

Ven Pongal is a South Indian breakfast dish, traditionally made during Pongal, the annual harvest festival of the Tamil community in South India. Made with white rice, yellow moong dal, curry leaves and ghee, this hearty and healthy recipe is quick and easy to make. Using a pressure cooker or instant pot, you can whip up fresh ven pongal in about 45 minutes!

Watch our recipe video for step by step instructions on how to make our Ven Pongal recipe. We’ve included demonstrations and pro tips to help you out in the kitchen! For our Ven Pongal calories and nutrition information, see the recipe card below. We also have an option to view our easy ven pongal recipe in hindi.

Instructions

Preparing the Moong Dal & Rice:

1) In a pressure cooker over high heat (or Instant Pot on sauté mode), roast 1 cup of split yellow moong dal for 2-3 minutes until fragrant with a nutty aroma.

2) Transfer the roasted dal to a bowl or strainer. Add 1 cup of short grain white rice, and wash the rice and dal together very thoroughly. Set aside.

Making Ven Pongal In A Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot:

1) In a pressure cooker over medium / high heat (or Instant Pot on sauté mode), heat 5 tbsp of ghee.

2) Once the ghee is melted and hot, add 2 tsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp lightly crushed black peppercorn, 1/4 tsp hing powder, 20-25 medium curry leaves, and about 20 cashews.

3) Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the cashews are lightly golden. Remove a few tablespoons of tempering for garnish and set aside.

4) Add 2 tsp finely chopped or grated ginger and 3 green chilis slit lengthwise. Sauté for 1-2 minutes.

5) Add the washed rice and dal to the pressure cooker, and sauté for 2-3 minutes in the tadka.

6) Add 6 cups of water and a big pinch of salt. Mix well.

7) Close the lid to your pressure cooker (or instant pot).

8) If using a pressure cooker, cook on high until the first whistle, then reduce the heat to medium and cook for 3 additional whistles. After the last whistle, turn off the heat and let the pressure release naturally (about 20 minutes).

9) If using an Instant Pot, change the setting to rice mode (low pressure cooking for 12 minutes). After it beeps, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before releasing the remaining pressure.

10) Once the cooking has completed and your pot is open, mix and mash the Pongal together very thoroughly.

11) Garnish with reserved tadka and fresh grated coconut.

Enjoy this Ven Pongal breakfast with a side coconut chutney!

Ven Pongal is a South Indian breakfast dish, traditionally made during Pongal, the annual harvest festival of the Tamil community in South India. Made with white rice, yellow moong dal, curry leaves and ghee, this hearty and healthy recipe is quick and easy to make. Using a pressure cooker or instant pot, you can whip up fresh ven pongal in about 45 minutes!

Watch our recipe video for step by step instructions on how to make our Ven Pongal recipe. We’ve included demonstrations and pro tips to help you out in the kitchen! For our Ven Pongal calories and nutrition information, see the recipe card below. We also have an option to view our easy ven pongal recipe in hindi.

Leave a review

We value your feedback. Let us know how did you like the recipe.

Your Recipe rating*

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Recent Recipes

Soya Tikki Recipe - Easy Pressure Cooker Snack – Indian Protein-Packed Vegan Cutlet

Make delicious, protein-rich Soya Tikkis with this quick pressure cooker recipe. Soya chunks, chana dal, and spices are cooked under pressure, blended, and fried into crispy vegetarian or vegan patties. A healthy, flavorful Indian snack perfect with chutney for tea time, appetizers, or family meals.

Prep: 
30 mins
40 mins

Looking for a snack that’s hearty, healthy, and quick to make? This Soya Tikki recipe uses the pressure cooker to transform soya chunks, chana dal, and aromatic spices into a flavorful vegetarian base that’s perfect for shaping into golden, crispy patties. 

The cooker not only saves time but also infuses deep, rich flavors into the mixture, giving these tikkis a deliciously unique twist compared to the traditional method.

Watch our recipe video for step by step instructions on how to make Soya Tikki. We’ve included demonstrations and pro tips to help you out in the kitchen! For our soya tikki recipe calories and nutrition information, see the recipe card below.

Eggless Microwave Caramel Custard Recipe - Easy Valentine’s Day Dessert for Two

Make a smooth, creamy eggless caramel custard in just minutes using only a microwave. This quick and easy Valentine’s Day dessert is perfect for two, made with simple ingredients and finished with fresh raspberries. An easy, no-bake treat for a sweet celebration at home.

Prep: 
5 mins
8 mins

This eggless microwave caramel custard is the perfect Valentine’s Day dessert when you want something sweet without spending hours in the kitchen. Made with simple pantry ingredients and no oven required, this creamy custard comes together quickly and sets beautifully in the fridge.

Finished with a light caramel layer and fresh raspberries, it’s an easy dessert meant for sharing. Whether you’re celebrating at home or surprising someone special, this quick microwave recipe delivers comfort, sweetness, and simplicity in every bite.

Watch our recipe video for step-by-step instructions on how to make caramel custard at home. We’ve included demonstrations and pro tips to help you out in the kitchen! For our caramel custard recipe calories and nutrition information, see the recipe card below.

Butter Chicken Nachos Recipe - Indian Fusion Game Day Snack with Naan, Cheese & Creamy Butter Chicken

Turn game day into a flavor-packed celebration with Butter Chicken Nachos! This Indian-Mexican fusion recipe layers naan chips, creamy butter chicken, melted cheese, and bold spices. A crowd-pleasing Super Bowl snack and easy party appetizer everyone will love.

Prep: 
40 mins
40 mins

Butter Chicken Nachos are the ultimate Indian–Mexican fusion snack, perfect for game day, parties, and Super Bowl gatherings. This recipe brings together tender, yogurt-marinated chicken cooked in a rich, creamy butter chicken sauce and layered over crispy naan triangles instead of traditional tortilla chips. Finished with melted cheese and bold Indian spices, it’s a crowd-pleasing twist on classic loaded nachos.

Watch our recipe video for step-by-step instructions on how to make Butter Chicken Nachos at home. We’ve included demonstrations and pro tips to help you out in the kitchen! For our butter chicken nachos recipe calories and nutrition information, see the recipe card below.