Learn how to make the most delicious kheer in an Instant Pot. It's a dump-and-stir recipe with just one step!
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How to Make Rice Kheer, the Indian Rice Pudding You Need in Your Life
Updated on Mar. 31, 2021
When you want a quick, decadent treat, there is nothing like this Indian rice pudding. This recipe for kheer has all the right elements in all the right proportions: not too thick, not too thin, not too sweet. It’s perfect!
What Is Kheer?
Kheer is an Indian dessert typically made by boiling milk, sugar and nuts along with rice. Sound familiar? It’s one dessert that has many versions around the world. Every culture has its own take on this classic, and for good reason: It’s delicious.
This versatile dessert that can be served hot or cold. Although there are different types of kheer recipes in India—like payasam made with lentils, semolina kheer, vermicelli kheer, apple kheer, tapioca kheer, almond kheer and even carrot kheer—the most popular kheer is made with rice and milk.
What Is Kheer Made With?
You don’t need any fancy ingredients to make kheer. The basic recipe has just three ingredients: rice, milk and sugar.
However, to make a good kheer, it needs to have the perfect texture and aroma!
We use basmati rice for a creamy texture. To thicken the kheer, we like to use a combination of milk and condensed milk. Then, flavor the kheer with green cardamom powder, rose water or saffron. For a garnish, use nuts like almonds or pistachios, dried rose petals, more cardamom powder or even saffron. (Pistachios also make a good topping for kulfi.)
Most of these ingredients are readily available at Indian grocery stores and specialty spice shops like The Spice House. You can also order them on sites like Amazon.
Kheer Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati or long grain white rice, washed and rinsed
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup unsweetened condensed milk or evaporated milk
- 5 cups milk
- 3/4 cup slivered almonds
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cardamom powder
For the garnish, use a handful of sliced almonds and chopped pistachios, a pinch of cardamom powder and dried rose petals.
Tools You’ll Need
- This simple recipe needs an electric pressure cooker, like an Instant Pot.
- You’ll need a ladle to stir and serve the kheer, along with a ladle rest to keep the counter clean.
- To measure the milk and condensed milk, keep a 1-quart Pyrex measuring cup handy.
Directions
Step 1: Combine the ingredients
Heat the inner pot of an Instant Pot using the saute function. Add all the ingredients for kheer into the pot, starting with water, followed by unsweetened condensed or evaporated milk, milk, nuts, cardamom powder and sugar.
Step 2: Cook the kheer
Close the lid and seal the vent. Use the porridge mode for 20 minutes followed by a natural pressure release.
Once the kheer is cooked, open the lid and give the contents a stir.
You can adjust the consistency and sweetness of the kheer to your taste. If it’s too thick, gradually add milk to thin it out. If adding more milk, use the saute function again for about 5 minutes. If you like your kheer sweeter, add more sugar and mix well.
Step 3: Garnish
Serve the kheer warm or cold—whichever you prefer! Garnish with chopped or sliced nuts and cardamom powder or rose petals just before serving. It’s an excellent dessert after an Indian meal of dishes like red lentil dal, chicken tikka masala and homemade naan.
How to Store Kheer
Once the kheer has come to room temperature, store it in an airtight container. You can refrigerate it for up to 4 to 5 days.
How to Make This Recipe Your Own
- Instead of using cardamom powder and rose petals to flavor the kheer, try adding cinnamon powder, nutmeg, kewra essence or even rose water.
- You can soak about 5 to 6 strands of saffron in 1/4 cup of warm milk and add it to the kheer to give it a beautiful color and aroma.
- Add chopped nuts like almonds or pistachios to give the kheer a lovely texture. You could also add raisins to the kheer while pressure-cooking.
How to Make Kheer Vegan
To make this kheer vegan, skip the dairy milk and replace it with coconut or almond milk. However, this will affect the texture of the kheer and make it looser.
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This rich, savory slow-cooker curry is easy to prepare and a fantastic use for the can of coconut milk in your pantry. Serve the chicken with rice and a side of garlicky naan to soak up all the flavorful sauce.
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We love a good sheet-pan dinner, and this delicious, warming tray of curried chickpeas and cauliflower hits the spot. If you'd like extra protein, you can easily add chicken to the mix. Serve with your favorite rice and herbs.
Tandoori Chicken ThighsI spent time in India and love reminders of this vibrant culture, so this tandoori chicken makes me happy. Served with warmed naan bread and a cool tomato and cucumber salad, it's a whole meal. —Claire Elston, Spokane, Washington
These crowd-pleasing grilled chicken thighs become juicy with flavor after marinating in a spiced yogurt sauce. A crunchy salad makes the perfect complement to this tender chicken dish.
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Pressure-Cooker Chicken Tikka MasalaThe flavors of this Indian-style entree keep me coming back for more. The dish isn’t
fancy, and it’s simply spiced—but it’s simply amazing. —Jaclyn Bell, Logan, Utah
This satisfying and simple pressure-cooker dinner channels all the wonderful flavors of Indian recipes without the need of a tandoori oven. After a short time in the pressure cooker, the chicken comes out incredibly tender and flavorful.
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This chicken curry soup recipe offers warmth and comfort. Creamy coconut milk swirls into chicken broth, catching the flavor of each ingredient. I also love the adaptability of this recipe: You can use whatever root vegetables are in season, whether it's sweet potatoes, squash or turnips.
Indian Recipes FAQ
What is the best Indian food for beginners to make?
Indian food recipes may look as if they have a lot of ingredients, but the list is mainly packed with herbs and spices, so don't let the length fool you. If you're new to cooking Indian food, we recommend starting with easy recipes like chana masala and butter chicken (or kulfi, if you're making dessert).
What are the most popular Indian recipes?
Butter chicken, chana masala, naan and chicken tikka masala have become staples in American kitchens, thanks to the growing interest in Indian cuisine. These popular Indian recipes offer a distinct blend of aromatic flavors and offer versatility with protein choices like chicken, paneer or beef.
How do you make paneer for homemade Indian recipes?
Making paneer for homemade Indian recipes is easier than you might think. You need only milk and an acid like lemon juice or vinegar. Start by boiling the milk, then add the acid to curdle it. Once curds form, strain them in a cheesecloth and squeeze out the liquid. After hanging the curds in a bundled and knotted cheesecloth for about 30 minutes, you'll have chenna, or crumbly milk curds. Now press the chenna into a flat rectangle for a couple of hours, refrigerate and then cut into cubes.
Homemade paneer will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days or it can be frozen for up to three months.
