Bisi Bele Bath Recipe 2026 Easy Bisi Bele Bath Home Cooking

Bisi Bele Bath Recipe 2026 brings you an authentic, easy, home-style South Indian dish that blends rice, lentils, vegetables and aromatic spices into a wholesome one-pot meal cherished from Karnataka’s kitchens to dining tables around the world. Bisi Bele Bath on Wikipedia explains that this dish originates from the state of Karnataka, India, with rich cultural roots and traditions that go back to the Mysore Palace era.

Recipe Card

Ingredients With Exact Quantities

• 1 cup short-grain rice (washed and drained)
• ¾ cup toor dal (split pigeon pea lentils)
• 2 tablespoons tamarind pulp (soak lemon-sized ball of tamarind)
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrot, beans, peas, potato) chopped
• 1 medium onion, finely sliced
• 1 medium tomato, chopped
• 3 tablespoons Bisi Bele Bath powder (store-bought or homemade)
• 3 tablespoons ghee (or oil)
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 8–10 curry leaves
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• Salt to taste (about 1 ½ teaspoons)
• ½ cup peanuts (optional for crunch)
• Water as needed for cooking rice and dal

Step-By-Step Instructions With Timings

Step 1: Prep Rice And Dal (10 Minutes)

Wash the rice and dal under running water until the water runs clear. Soak both together in enough water for 10 minutes.

Step 2: Cook Rice And Dal (20 Minutes)

Add soaked rice and dal to a pressure cooker with 3 cups of water, turmeric powder and salt. Pressure cook on medium heat for 3 whistles or about 15–20 minutes until both rice and dal are soft and mushy. Turn off heat and let pressure release naturally. Understanding Bisi Bele Bath Recipe 2026 is essential.

Step 3: Prepare Vegetables (5 Minutes)

While the rice and dal are cooking, heat 1 tablespoon ghee in a deep pan. Add mustard seeds and curry leaves and let them splutter (about 30 seconds). Add onions and sauté for 2 minutes until they turn translucent. Add chopped vegetables and sauté another 3 minutes.

Step 4: Add Tamarind And Spice Powder (5 Minutes)

Add tamarind pulp and Bisi Bele Bath powder to the pan. Mix well and cook for 2 minutes until the raw smell of the spice powder is gone.

Step 5: Combine And Simmer (10 Minutes)

Add cooked rice and dal mixture to the pan. Stir gently to mix everything together until uniform. Add water to achieve a medium-thick porridge-like consistency. Cover and simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes so the flavours meld together. This relates to Bisi Bele Bath Recipe 2026.

Step 6: Final Tempering (Optional, 3 Minutes)

Heat remaining ghee in a small tadka pan. Add mustard seeds, curry leaves and peanuts. Fry until peanuts are golden. Pour this tempering over the cooked Bisi Bele Bath for extra aroma and crunch.

Pro Tips From Personal Cooking Experience

When I visited households across Karnataka, I noticed each family’s Bisi Bele Bath tastes slightly different — some add peanuts, some add a pinch of jaggery to balance tangy tamarind, and others use a mix of fresh and dried coconut in the masala for depth. Personalise this recipe to suit your palate.

• Toast the Bisi Bele Bath powder briefly on low heat before adding for a deeper aroma.
• If you want a smoother texture, grate a small potato into the dal and rice mixture — it helps thicken the bath naturally.
• Serve piping hot; this dish cools and thickens fast.

Chef’s Notes: Substitutions And Storage Tips

Substitutions

• Rice: You can substitute short-grain rice with sona masoori or even brown basmati for a nutty twist.
• Ghee: Swap ghee with coconut oil to make it vegan-friendly.
• Vegetables: Add bell peppers or broccoli for extra nutrients.
• Tamarind: Substitute tamarind pulp with 1 tablespoon lemon juice if you’re in a pinch.

Storage Tips

Store leftover Bisi Bele Bath in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of water to loosen the texture before serving. You can also freeze portions for up to one month; thaw before reheating. Learn more about Bisi Bele Bath Recipe 2026.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (Approximate)

Nutrition is based on a typical Karnataka style Bisi Bele Bath using rice, dal and mixed veggies.

Health Benefits

Bisi Bele Bath is a balanced meal with complex carbohydrates from rice, plant-based protein from toor dal, and vitamins from vegetables like carrots and peas. Turmeric gives anti-inflammatory benefits while vegetables provide Vitamin A and C for immunity support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does “Bisi Bele Bath” Mean?

The name in Kannada translates to “hot lentil rice,” reflecting its comforting porridge-like texture and spicy flavour.

Can I Make This Gluten-Free?

Yes, since all ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Just ensure your spice powder does not contain additives with gluten.

What To Serve With Bisi Bele Bath?

Traditionally it’s paired with crispy papad, plain yogurt or a simple salad. Some folks in Karnataka enjoy it with boondi on the side for added crunch.

I personally recommend pairing this with homemade coconut chutney — it brightens the flavours beautifully and adds a cooling contrast to the warm spices.