Sabudana Khichdi
Sabudana khichdi — soaked tapioca pearls with peanuts, potato and green chilli — is the most popular Navratri vrat (fasting) dish.
Prep 10 minCook 15 minMakes 2–3
Ingredients
- 1 cup Sabudana (medium pearls) (soaked 5–6 hours)
- ½ cup Roasted peanuts (coarsely crushed)
- 1 Potato (boiled and cubed)
- 2 Green chillies (chopped)
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- 2 tbsp Ghee
- Rock salt (sendha namak) (to taste)
- ½ tsp Sugar
- Lemon juice and coriander (to finish)
Method
- Rinse sabudana until the water runs clear and soak with just enough water to cover — it should be soft but separate.
- Mix the soaked sabudana with peanuts, rock salt and sugar.
- Heat ghee, add cumin and green chillies, then the potato and sauté 2 minutes.
- Add the sabudana mix and cook on low heat, stirring gently, until the pearls turn translucent (5–7 minutes).
- Finish with lemon juice and coriander.
Why this prasad for Navratri?
During Navratri fasts many families avoid grains, onion and garlic; sabudana, potatoes, peanuts and rock salt (sendha namak) are allowed and give energy through the day.
Tips, variations & storage
Tips for success: the soaking decides everything. Rinse the sabudana well to remove starch, then soak with just enough water to cover the pearls. When ready, a pearl should crush easily between your fingers. Cook on low heat and stop as soon as the pearls turn translucent — overcooking makes the khichdi sticky.
Variations: add grated cucumber or sweet potato instead of regular potato, or replace green chillies with black pepper for families who avoid chillies in vrat. In Maharashtra the same mixture is shaped into sabudana vada and fried.
Serving and storage: serve hot with plain curd. Sabudana khichdi hardens as it cools; sprinkle a little water and warm it gently to soften.
Making it outside India
Sabudana and sendha namak are sold in every Indian grocery abroad. If the khichdi turns sticky, the sabudana was over-soaked — use less water next time.
Looking for ingredients? Find samagri and Indian grocery shops near you.
Frequently asked questions
Is coriander allowed in Navratri fasts?
Most families allow fresh coriander; customs vary.
Is sabudana allowed in every fast?
It is allowed in most Navratri, Ekadashi and Shivaratri fasts, but customs differ — follow your family tradition.
Why rock salt?
Sendha namak is considered pure and is used in many vrat foods instead of regular salt.