• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cubes N Juliennes
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Course
    • Soups
    • Salads
    • Appetizers
    • Side Dish
    • Main Course
    • Desserts
    • Breakfast
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Appetizers
  • Salads
  • Soups
  • Desserts
  • Main Course
  • Instant Pot
  • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Course » Breakfast

    Upma Recipe - How To Make Rava Upma

    Published: Jun 23, 2020 || Last updated: Jun 14, 2021 by Farrukh Aziz

    2856 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Rava Upma Recipe - A very popular savory south Indian breakfast dish made using semolina, spices and herbs. It is super easy 15 minutes recipe that is crazy delicious and a healthy meal in itself. Here is how to make it step by step on stove top as well as in the Instant Pot.

    South Indian rava upma dish served in black bowl, with a spoon on side.

    Jump to:
    • About the recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How to make Upma
    • Instant Pot Recipe
    • Pro Tips
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Variations
    • More Delicious Indian Breakfasts for you :
    • 📖 Recipe

    So, today on the blog is the recipe of traditional south Indian rava Upma that is now popular across the country.

    There was a time when I never liked it during my childhood or college days. But after coming to Bangalore, I had started developing the taste for it. Honestly, I have no idea how and when it happened.

    May be because it's my husband's favorite and he has been eating it very often. So, I use to make it regularly at home. And now I am in love with this semolina porridge so much so that I can eat it anytime of the day.

    A bowl of delicious and soft rava upma with coconut chutney and a cup of hot filter coffee on the side is a meal to die for!

    I have been receiving the compliment from him since years that I make the best upma ever! Oh no..no...no ! That's not a boasting at all. I get to hear the same words from my little daughter as well.

    So, let’s head on to learn more and to see how to make it at home.

    About the recipe

    Upma is a healthy and yummy thick porridge like savory dish that is made using semolina (cream of wheat), herbs and spices. It is a very popular dish from Southern states of India and Sri Lanka.

    It makes a great meal for breakfast or snack and even for lunch or dinner. Many people also call this dish with the names like sooji upma or Suji ka upma (in Hindi) as well.

    Semolina is also known as rava or sooji (suji) in hindi. Here, I have seen, people usually make it using Bombay rava or fine sooji that is also known as upma rava.

    In most of the South Indian restaurants, Uppittu aka Uppamavu is served along with kesari bath (sooji halwa south Indian style). It is known as chow chow bath.

    Rava Upma has always been a choice of breakfast or light meal for us. The reason being, it takes no time to get done. Moreover, it also makes an ideal tiffin meal for kid’s lunch box.

    Plus, the flavour, taste and texture of the steaming hot upma is so amazing, that one can't resist digging into it.

    The addition of the vegetables is another important factor that makes it more healthier and filling. Vegetables also gives great crunch and taste to it.

    Rava Upma served in two small black bowls, with one spoon each along side.

    Ingredients

    There are few fixed ingredients we have to use to get that authentic south Indian taste in Rava Upma Recipe.

    So, talking about the ingredients, few spices are a must .i.e mustard seeds, curry leaves, urad dal, chana dal and cashew nuts.

    Mustard Seeds, dals and curry leaves tempering gives distinct characteristic flavour that depicts a true South Indian flavour. So, I would highly recommend using it in the recipe.

    Cashew nuts adds great texture and nutty taste to soft upma, so do consider adding it to the recipe. However, if you are allergic to cashew nuts, then just skip it.

    The main component of this recipe, of course is dry roasted semolina (rava). For rich flavor and taste, roast the sooji in ghee.

    Well, you can use oil for roasting semolina. But ghee gives more enticing aroma and taste to it. Also, if you want a vegan option, then skip ghee and use any plant-based oil.

    The other seasoning ingredients are ginger, green chilies, onions, salt, sugar and lemon juice. Feel free to skip onions, if you want to make no onion version.

    If you notice I have also added couple of veggies .i.e carrot and peas, as it was our lunch meal. But, if you wish, you can skip veggies, no any such rules to add vegetables is a must. 

    Lastly, coriander leaves are used for garnish.

    How to make Upma

    In a kadhai or pan, for roasting rava, heat ½ tablespoon ghee or oil. Photo 1.

    Add rava (semolina) and roast is for 2-3 minutes on medium taking care that it doesn't burn, once roasted well, it will release nice roasted earthy aroma. Photo 2.

    Semolina roasting in ghee in pan.

    Transfer it on a plate and set it aside. Photo 3.

    In a same pan, heat remaining ghee. Add mustard seeds and allow it to crackle. Now, add chana dal and urad dal and fry for 30 seconds on medium heat until just golden, do not burn. Photo 4.

    Add cashew nuts and fry for another 30 seconds, until just light brown. Add curry leaves and green chilies, fry for 30 seconds. Photo 5.

    Now add chopped onions, grated ginger, salt and fry until soft and pink. Photo 6.

    Next, add peas and carrot and fry on high for another minute. Photo 7.

    Then, add 3 cups of water and mix. Bring to a boil, add salt, sugar, lemon juice and mix. Photo 8.

    Step by step collage of making Rava Upma recipe in pan on stove top.

    Now, gradually add roasted sooji/rava stirring continouosly to avoid any lumps. Mix well. Photo 9.

    Next, on a medium heat, let it to cook for a minute such that rava absorbs all the water. Photo 10.

    Now, cover the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on low heat. This helps to steam the upma well. Here, you may add some more lemon juice also, if you wish to. Photo 11.

    It is ready to serve. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve. Photo 12

    Step by step collage to show the making of Rava Upma recipe on stove top.

    Instant Pot Recipe

    Note: As we will be making upma in Instant pot, I would recommend you to either dry roast the semolina in pan on stove top or use store bought roasted semolina. You will find that roasted sooji is mentioned on the store bought package. Just pick that pack from the store and proceed with this method.

    To start with, switch on the IP on normal sauté mode and heat ghee or oil. Then, add mustard seeds and sauté for few seconds. Photo 1.

    Add chana dal and urad dal, sauté until it just turns light golden. Photo 2.

    Then, add cashew nuts and sauté for few seconds until its golden. Do not Burn. Photo 3.

    Add curry leaves and green chilies, fry for few seconds. Photo 4.

    Step by step picture collage to show the making of Rava Upma in Instant Pot.

    Now, add chopped onions and grated ginger. Sauté until onion turns out soft. Photo 5.

    Add green peas and chopped carrot, sauté for 1 minute. Photo 6.

    Now, add dry roasted semolina and mix. Photo 7.

    Add salt, sugar, lemon juice and 3 cups of warm water and immediately mix everything. (you can add 2.5 cups of water if you like little denser consistency). Photo 8.

    Step by step picture collage to show the making of Rava Upma in Instant Pot.

    Cover the pot with IP lid and set the pressure to Low for '1' minute only. The IP will build the pressure and immediately it will turn off as we have the cooking time to 1 minute only. Photo 9.

    Let it rest for 5 minutes and then open the pot. By this time upma will be cooked through well. You will see that all the water has been absorbed. Photo 10.

    Add chopped coriander leaves and mix. Take the inner steel pot out of the IP, Cover with glass lid and let it rest for another couple of minutes. Photo 11.

    You can see how beautifully it has been cooked in Ip without any burns at the bottom. Photo 12.

    Dish out the Upma and serve hot with coconut on the side.

    Step by step picture of making Rava Upma in Instant Pot.

    Pro Tips

    If you like to eat soft and melt in mouth upma, do add exact 3 cups of water to 1 cup of rava. This will give perfect softness preventing it to get dry.

    Note: Also, to make the perfect upma, always use the same measuring cup to measure both, rava as well as the water.

    Keep in mind that roasted semolina gives earthy flavour and fine taste to the dish. So, do not forget to roast sooji in ghee (or oil, for vegan version) first. And then proceed to make it.

    For the best flavour, make it in ghee only. Or at least in a mix of both ghee and oil.

    Some people like to add whole dried red chili. So, if you like it than you can add 1-2 along with green chilies.

    Stir continuously after adding the semolina. This will help to avoid formation of any lump.

    Serving Suggestions

    Do serve this hot rava upma along with Coconut Chutneys and a cup of hot filter coffee. Mark my words, this combination is a heaven.

    It tastes best with sprinkle of lemon on top along with south Indian coconut chutney, as well as Onion Tomato Chutney or Tomato Chutney for more sweet and sour twist.

    Even this Peanut Chutney pairs great with Upma. At times, I love to eat Rava Upma topped with sev, it tastes delicious 🙂 .

    Variations

    The addition of tomatoes in it makes it tomato upma.

    Furthermore, we can add more veggies which makes it as delicious and healthy Vegetable Upma.

    More Delicious Indian Breakfasts for you :

    • Close up shot of onion poha on a green plate and in bowl at the back, tea in glass on the side.
      Kanda Poha - How To Make Poha Recipe
    • Semiya upma or vegetable vermicelli upma in wooden bowl, spoons and chutney at the back.
      Semiya Upma (Vermicelli Upma) - Stove top + Instant Pot Recipe
    • Sabudana khichdi served in wooden bowl, kid's hand holding spoon kept into it.
      Perfect Non Sticky Sabudana Khichdi
    • A pair of hands holding an iron pan with moong dal chilla in it.
      Palak Moong Dal Chilla - Healthy and Tasty GF Breakfast Recipe

    💓 We Love to hear back from you and appreciate your success stories !
    Have you tried my recipe for upma? Please feed us with your ★ star ratings and comments below. You can also FOLLOW me on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for more fabulous recipes and updates.

    📖 Recipe

    Rava Upma served in small black bowl with spoon along side.
    4.86 from 54 votes
    Print

    Rava Upma Recipe

    Rava Upma is a very popular savory south Indian breakfast dish made using semolina, spices, vegetables and herbs. It's easy, super delicious and a healthy choice to eat as a snack or a meal. Make it on stove top as well as in the Instant Pot!
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine Indian
    Diet Egg-Free, Vegetarian
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 275kcal
    Author Farrukh Aziz

    Video

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 cup Semolina ((rava /sooji))
    • 2 tablespoons Ghee or Oil
    • 1 teaspoon Mustard Seeds
    • 1 teaspoon Chana Dal (Split Chickpeas)
    • 1 teaspoon Urad Dal ((split husked black lentil))
    • 8-10 Cashew Nuts
    • 12-14 Curry Leaves
    • 2 Green Chilies (slit or chopped)
    • 1 Onion (medium size, finely chopped)
    • 1 teaspoon Ginger (grated)
    • Salt To Taste
    • 3 tablespoons Green Peas (optional)
    • 1 Carrot (optional) (chopped)
    • 3 cups Water
    • ¾ teaspoon Sugar
    • Lemon Juice as needed
    • Coriander Leaves for garnish
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    How To Make Rava Upma Recipe on Stove Top

    • In a kadhai or pan, heat ½ tablespoon ghee or oil.
    • Add 1 cup of semolina or rava and roast is for 2-3 minutes on medium flame taking care that it doesnt burn.
    • Once roasted well, it will release nice roasted earthy aroma. Transfer it on a plate and set aside.
    • In a same kadhai or pan, heat remaining ghee or oil. Add mustard seeds and let it to crackle.
    • Add chana dal and urad dal and fry for 30 seconds until just golden, do not burn.
    • Add cashew nuts and fry for another 30 seconds, until just golden.
    • Add curry leaves and green chilies, fry for another 30 seconds.
    • Then, add onions, grated ginger, salt and mix. Fry until soft and pink.
    • Add peas and carrot and fry on high for a minute.
    • Add 3 cups of water and mix. Bring to a boil, add salt, sugar, lemon juice and mix.
    • Carefully and gradually add roasted rava stirring continuously to avoid any lumps. Mix well.
    • Let it to cook for a minute such that rava absorbs all the water.
    • Cover the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on low heat. This helps to steam the upma well. 
    • Add coriander leaves and mix. Here, you may add some more lemon juice if you wish to.
    • Dish out and serve hot with coconut chutney.

    Making Rava Upma In Instant Pot

    • To start with, switch on the IP on normal sauté mode and heat ghee or oil.
    • Add mustard seeds and sauté for few seconds.
    • Add chana dal and urad dal, sauté until it just turns light golden.
    • Add cashew nuts and sauté for few seconds until its golden. Do not Burn.
    • Add curry leaves and green chilies, fry for few seconds.
    • Now, add chopped onions and grated ginger. Sauté until onion turns out soft.
    • Add green peas and chopped carrot, sauté for 1 minute.
    • Now, Add dry roasted semolina and mix.
    • Now, add salt, sugar, lemon juice and 3 cups of water and immediately mix everything.
    • Cover the pot with IP lid and set the pressure to Low for '0' minutes. The IP will build the pressure and immediately it will turn off as we have set the cooking time to zero minutes.
    • Let it rest for 5 minutes and then open the pot. By this time upma will be cooked through well and all the water wll be absorbed.
    • Add chopped coriander leaves and mix.
    • Take the inner steel pot out of the IP, cover with glass lid and let it rest for another couple of minutes. Dish out the Upma snd serve hot with coconut on the side.

    Notes

    • I have added 3 cups of water for 1 cup of suji here. This ratio gives soft melt in mouth upma. However, if you wish to make it little less soft, then go ahead with ratio of 1 cup sooji to 2.5 cups of water.
    • For Vegan Version, skip ghee and go ahead with vegetable oil.
    • If you are allergic to cashew nuts, then you can use peanuts instead.
    • This recipe was made using 6 qt Instant Pot DUO60. I prefer making this recipe on low pressure as it avoids giving ‘Burn’ message when cooked on high pressure in newer IP models.
    • You can follow the ‘High’ or ‘Low’ pressure cooking as per the model of IP you own.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 77mg | Potassium: 165mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 200IU | Vitamin C: 69.2mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 2.5mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag @cubesnjuliennes on Instagram and hashtag it #cubesnjuliennes!

    More Easy and Healthy Breakfast Recipes

    • four plain dosa folded and served on a brass platter with coconut chutney in bowl on side.
      Easy Dosa Recipe (Dosa Batter with Oats)
    • Two hands holding a prepared berry acai bowl, topped with slices of bananas, granola, fresh blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and chia seeds.
      Acai Bowl Recipe
    • Baked Tomatoes with parmesan and mozzarella cheese on lined baking sheet pan.
      Baked Tomatoes
    • two glasses of green detox smoothie
      Green Detox Smoothie

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Bhavya

      January 05, 2020 at 2:13 am

      Thankyou for sharing this recipe !
      You kept the authentic flavors of the dish alive in your new modernized way. thanks again !

      Reply
    2. Dr. Atula

      October 29, 2019 at 8:09 pm

      Hi Farruk ....I like the way you described your receipe very elaboratly.....it looks great and nutritious! I am from the north east and our food habits are very different....but I will surely try your upma!!

      Reply
      • Farrukh Aziz

        November 04, 2019 at 12:51 am

        Hello Dr Atula,

        Thank you for hopping onto Cubes N Juliennes 🙂

        It is such a great feeling to know that you are from north east and you loved the recipe 🙂

        Sure, do give it try, you will love it.

        Regards,
        Farrukh

        Reply
    3. Surabhi

      September 10, 2019 at 4:28 pm

      Yummy upma. Thank you for this amazing recipie.

      Reply
    4. Alpana

      June 03, 2019 at 2:12 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you, Farrukh your recipe was perfect. I used almonds since did not have cashews.. everyone loved it.

      Reply
      • Farrukh Aziz

        June 03, 2019 at 3:29 pm

        Hello Alpana,
        You are very welcome, I am really glad to know everyone loved it 🙂

        Regards
        Farrukh

        Reply
    5. Malini Rajesh

      February 14, 2019 at 3:20 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Farrukh,

      The texture of the Upma looks perfect. Seeing this photo on Pinterest tempted me to try at home and it came just the way we like. thank you for recipe

      Cheers!
      Malini Rajesh

      Reply
    6. Ankita Dave

      January 03, 2019 at 9:16 am

      5 stars
      I made it again today and could not resist myself from commenting about it. The upma is the best one I have ever had and will be making upma with this recipe everytime.

      Reply
      • Farrukh Aziz

        January 03, 2019 at 1:59 pm

        Thank you Ankita, am really glad you loved it so much 🙂

        Reply
    7. Prathiksha

      November 27, 2018 at 4:18 am

      5 stars
      Hi Farrukh,

      Thanks for sharing the recipe it cake out so well
      The measurements were perfect so make it easy to follow and I’m nit so much of a cook but I loved it.

      Thanks!!!

      Reply
      • Farrukh Aziz

        November 27, 2018 at 4:58 am

        Thank you very much Prathiksha,
        am really glad it came out perfect and you loved it 🙂

        Reply
    8. Sangeeta Singh

      October 16, 2018 at 6:28 am

      5 stars
      Your step by step pictur and exact measure of ingredients made it so easy to follow this recipe and it came out perfect Mam. I never got upma so perfect before. Thank you very much for this delicious recipe.

      Reply
    9. Namrata Shinde

      August 22, 2018 at 6:21 pm

      5 stars
      The nuts gave a different crunchy texture which our family loved the most. The Upma came out wonderful, many many thanks

      Reply
      • Farrukh Aziz

        August 25, 2018 at 1:34 pm

        Thank you so much Namrata, I am glad you loved it 🙂

        Regards
        Farrukh

        Reply
    10. Sunita Kumar

      August 13, 2018 at 5:08 am

      5 stars
      I tried this Rava Upma and it came out just like a South Indian Upma. Thanks for sharing it with steps 🙂

      Reply
      • Farrukh Aziz

        August 16, 2018 at 5:13 am

        Thank Sunita 🙂
        I am glad to know you loved the flavour and indeed it tastes like South Indian Upma. We also love it alot

        Regards
        Farrukh

        Reply
    Newer Comments »

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi There!

    Display Photo of Farrukh Aziz

    I am Farrukh, the face behind this beautiful recipe blog Cubes N Juliennes. I am a microbiologist by qualification turned into a Food enthusiast... Know more about me ->

    Readers Favourite Recipes

    • Authentic Greek Tzatziki sauce served in blue bowl with some pita chips on the side.
      Greek Tzatziki Sauce (Video)

    • Authentic Mexican Rice topped with avocados served in grey ceramic bowl with spoon into it.
      How To Make Mexican Rice (Video)

    • close up shot of homemade guacamole dip and yellow tortilla chips
      Best Guacamole Recipe

    • Overhead shot of shaved brussels sprouts salad in a white oblong serving dish on a white tabletop with a white linen and a silver spoon
      Chicken and Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad

    • Pile of vegetable spring rolls on a white plate garnished with green onions
      Vegetarian Spring Rolls

    • Healthy onion cucumber tomato salad in wooden bowl with fork in it.
      Onion Cucumber Tomato Salad

    Most Popular Recipes

    Best Tandoori Chicken
    Spicy Chicken Fry
    South Indian Rava Upma
    Best Prawn Biryani (Dum Style)
    Mutton Keema Samosa
    Crispy Bread Rolls

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    About Farrukh

    Media mentions

    Privacy Policy

    Accessibility Policy

    Lets Connect

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • Twitter

    Sign Up for updates !

    Contact

    Contact me !

    My Photography Portfolio

    Banner displaying popular websites like Parade.com, Delish.com, sheknows, buzzfeed, yahoo and saveur that has features content from Cubes N Juliennes.