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
Directions
Step 1: Combine the ingredients
Anvita Bhatnagar Mistry for Taste of Home
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
Anvita Bhatnagar Mistry for Taste of Home
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
Anvita Bhatnagar Mistry for Taste of Home
- 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.
The Essential Indian Recipes You Need to Make
Chicken KormaWe love any ideas that switch up typical
chicken breast recipes. This rich, deeply flavorful curry transforms the basic white meat into a showstopping dinner that's perfect over rice. To up the heat, add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes or make your own
curry powder using Kashmiri chili powder—it's typically hotter than the mild chili powders found in U.S. grocery stores.
Mughali ChickenThe food processor is your best friend when making this healthy, beautifully spiced dish. Blending cardamom with garlic, cloves, ginger, almonds, cashews and cinnamon makes the perfect sauce for chicken and serves as a wonderful introduction to
Indian spices and herbs. Serve with naan or basmati rice.
SamosasRecipe contributor Soniya Saluja says samosas are one of her family's "absolute favorites." You can make these savory fried pastries ahead of time (before frying) by freezing them in a freezer-safe bag. Once cooked, they'll last for three to five days in an airtight container in the fridge.
Brown Rice MulligatawnyWe can't get enough of this hearty, healthy soup whenever there's a chill in the air. The recipe calls for a dollop of sour cream atop the finished soup, but full-fat Greek yogurt works just as well.
Chapati BreadsMixing all-purpose and whole wheat flour helps chapati breads achieve a satisfying, chewy texture—making them the perfect accompaniment to dishes like
chickpea and potato curry. Double the recipe so you can use them for sandwich wraps the next day.
Slow-Cooker Butter ChickenThis no-fuss slow-cooker butter chicken is perfect for anyone who loves a creamy curry. This version of the classic gets most of its creaminess from coconut milk, and it's even better the next day. For those who like
freezing food to meal prep, butter chicken will last in your freezer for up to three months.
Red Lentil DalWe promise the effort is worth the payoff with this aromatic, nourishing lentil dish. You can make this dal in the Instant Pot or in a stovetop pressure cooker or saucepan. Soaking the lentils in advance helps reduce the cook time (and aids digestion).
Mango LassiThere's nothing more refreshing than sweet mango lassis—especially because this popular beverage comes together in just 10 minutes. You can customize the yogurt drink by swapping in other fruit (like banana or pineapple) and upping the mint or cardamom.
Tandoori Chicken"A hand-mixed spice rub makes ordinary chicken worthy of a special occasion," says recipe contributor Dena Leigh of her flavor-packed tandoori chicken dish. The spiced yogurt marinade transforms chicken thighs into a restaurant-worthy entree. Serve with naan or chapati and plenty of basmati rice.
Grilled Garlic NaanUpgrade store-bought naan with garlic and butter to make the perfect savory bread for scooping up curry. Sprinkle the breads with chopped cilantro for a pop of color and brightness.
Madras Curried Eggs with RiceYou probably already have all the ingredients for this classic curried eggs dish, which is a protein-packed and meat-free entree that you'll want to make again and again. Even better, it comes together in about 30 minutes. Make sure to serve with long-grain rice.
KulfiOne of our favorite
Indian desserts is kulfi, and this sweet frozen treat doesn't even require an ice cream machine. Be generous with toppings like saffron, cardamom and pistachios.
Chickpea & Potato CurryChana masala is a classic Indian curry starring chickpea, potatoes and tomatoes. This rich, tomatoey pantry recipe develops a wonderful depth of flavor in the slow cooker.
Ceylon Chicken Curry Noodle SoupThis soul-warming noodle soup packed with spices and aromatics is about as comforting as it gets. Make it vegetarian by swapping out the chicken for any plant-based protein.
Coconut Garlic NaanSmeared with garlic confit and salt, these fluffy homemade naans will impress everyone at your dinner table. Double the recipe to use for sandwiches the next day.
Chicken Tikka MasalaCubed boneless, skinless chicken breasts get super tender and flavorful in the slow cooker thanks to fresh ginger, garlic, tomato puree and lots of spices. Control the heat level with how much fresh jalapeno you add. If you do use the pepper, make sure to wear disposable gloves when chopping, and don't touch your face.
Tandoori-Style Chicken with Cucumber Melon RelishThe bright, sweet relish makes the perfect topping for these succulent chicken breasts, which get their flavor from a richly spiced yogurt marinade. For more great texture, sprinkle with sliced almonds before serving.
Coconut-Ginger Chickpeas & TomatoesThis delicious skillet dinner comes together in just 30 minutes and is one of our favorite uses for canned chickpeas. You can throw in chopped green peppers for even more color. We like to serve this over nutty, hearty brown rice.
Slow-Cooked Curry ChickenFor a perfectly balanced meal, serve this simple, satisfying curry chicken with
Indian spiced potatoes and naan. If you're tired of chicken breasts, swap in juicy chicken thighs for even more flavor.
Chai TeaWhat is chai tea, you wonder? It's black tea prepared with spices, milk and sugar, and nothing will warm you up faster. This recipe calls for 2% milk, but dairy-free options like coconut milk work well too. If you're expecting company, prep the chai ahead of time and store it in an airtight jar in the refrigerator until you're ready to heat and serve.
Cauliflower Tikka MasalaThis vegetarian twist on the classic Indian recipe is packed with aromatic spices that transform cauliflower into the star of the show (and you won't miss the chicken, we promise). Don't forget to sprinkle with chopped cilantro before serving.
Chicken SamosasThe dough and filling for these crunchy, satisfying chicken samosas can be made ahead of time, so you can assemble them quickly before guests arrive. We like to prepare a variety of dipping sauces, like
green chutney and a mint and cilantro yogurt sauce.
Vegan Butter CauliflowerYou would never know this hearty, creamy main dish was vegan. Layers of flavor from the coconut milk, tomato, garam masala and an array of other spices pack so much richness into the humble cauliflower.
One-Pot Coconut Curry Lentil SoupThis lentil soup with coconut and curry powder is one of our favorite recipes to freeze and heat up on days we don't feel like cooking. Make sure to have broth on hand to splash in if the stew becomes too thick. Round out the meal with naan.
Sheet-Pan Tandoori ChickenCleanup could not be easier for this special-occasion chicken dish—it all comes together on a single sheet pan. The key to this recipe is marinating the chicken in the spiced yogurt for six to eight hours for maximum flavor and tenderness.
Easy Chana MasalaThis quick, nutritious chickpea dish comes together in 30 minutes. Make sure to simmer the tomato mixture covered so it stays saucy. Serve with rice and top with yogurt and cilantro.
Milk Turmeric TeaOne of our favorite ways to enjoy turmeric—and its
health benefits—is in a creamy, sweet, hot beverage. You can make this with dairy or nondairy milk and control the sweetness level by adding more or less honey.
Slow-Cooker Coconut Curry ChickenRich and savory slow-cooker curry is a breeze 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.
Indian Spiced Chickpea WrapsThese crunchy, spicy wraps pack a fantastic nutritional punch with lots of protein, whole grains and fruits and veggies. Feel free to customize the raita, a classic Indian yogurt condiment, with your favorite herbs and spices.
Indian Ginger PotatoesPotato lovers: This recipe is for you. Onion, ginger and a few pantry spices elevate the humble potato into main dish material. Add chili flakes for extra heat.
Mango Chutney Chicken CurryThis wildly easy-to-prepare chicken curry should be a staple in your kitchen. The sweet-savory sauce comes together with just half-and-half, mango chutney, garlic and curry powder. We recommend doubling the recipe because people will probably want seconds.
Vegetable SamosasThese nontraditional samosas use packaged frozen phyllo dough to cut down on prep time and effort—but not on flavor. Baking these beauties instead of frying them cuts down on oil without inhibiting flavor.
Curry Chicken StewThere's nothing more comforting than a big bowl of this aromatic chicken stew that cooks low and slow in the slow cooker. The secret ingredient in this unusual take on curry? Cream of chicken soup.
Roasted Curried Chickpeas and CauliflowerWe 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 ThighsThese 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.
Bread Machine NaanMaking naan is a breeze with your bread machine, which creates the perfect dough for a chewy, fluffy flatbread. These naan finish on a buttered skillet for maximum golden-brown goodness.
Spiced Indian RusksFilled with warm spices, these irresistible cakes have endless variations. Add in nuts, dried fruits or even dark chocolate chips to take them to the next level. We can't imagine a better companion to chai tea.
Pressure-Cooker Chicken Tikka MasalaThis satisfying and simple
pressure cooker dinner channels all the wonderful flavors of Indian recipes without a tandoori oven. After a short time in the pressure cooker, the chicken comes out incredibly tender and flavorful.
FAQs
What is the best Indian food for beginners?
Indian food recipes might
look like they have a lot of ingredients, but it's mostly herbs and spices, so don't let the length fool you. We recommend curries like chana masala, desserts like kulfi and main dishes like butter chicken when you're just getting started with Indian food.
What are some traditional Indian recipes?
While some of the dishes in this list are Indian-inspired, many of them are truly traditional. Butter chicken, chana masala, naan and tikka masala are traditional Indian meals. And, as with any regional cooking, using the right spices and herbs will make all the difference. The fewer things you substitute out, the closer your meal will taste to a true Indian recipe.
