Ayurvedic Kitchari Recipe with Coconut Milk - The Herbeevore (2024)

This Ayurvedic kitchari recipe with coconut milk is a cozy and delicious vegan dinner recipe! I’ve tried making a few different recipes for kitchari – and this one is by far my favorite.

It’s loaded with soft simmered vegetables, yellow lentils, and creamy coconut milk. I love how rich and yummy this classic stew turns out and how comforting it is to eat.

Ayurvedic Kitchari Recipe with Coconut Milk - The Herbeevore (1)

This ayurvedic kitchari recipe is the perfect meal for lunch or dinner, its filling enough without being too much. I also love how the spices transform when they are gently sautéed in the pan.

I know a lot of recipes always say to toast seeds/nuts before using, but I’m always amazed at how the flavors really pop in the dish. This is a fantastic and simple versatile recipe you can enjoy for lunch or dinner. Add lentils, your favorite vegetables, and spices for an easy meal.

This Coconut Milk Kitchari is:

  • Warming
  • Spicy
  • Earthy
  • Nourishing
  • Vegan
  • Gluten-Free
Ayurvedic Kitchari Recipe with Coconut Milk - The Herbeevore (2)

I’ve been reading so much about Ayurveda and how small and simple food and lifestyle changes can make a big impact. I now do tongue scraping and coconut oil pulling (abhyanga) in the morning, and the later is especially helpful for dry skin in the winter!

Adding this kitchari to my recipe roundup is great for those weeks when I want something light and comforting for lunch or dinner.

What’s In This Ayurveda Kitchari Recipe?

I get fresh produce from my garden and from Misfits Market– they sell fantastic fruit, vegetables, & pantry staples at a discounted price. We get Misfit boxes every other week and love picking out favorite produce for delivery. Get $10 off your first box here!

Ayurvedic Kitchari Recipe with Coconut Milk - The Herbeevore (3)

Easy Ayurvedic Recipes

This simple and vibrant kitchari recipe is great with garlic naan, and I love that you can change up the vegetables seasonally if needed. I used butternut squash, tomatoes, and peas since that is what I had in the fridge, but use anything that you body loves!

You can also change the oil used in cooking – I like coconut oil and coconut milk in my kitchari (as it pacifies the vata dosha) but you can use a few drops of sesame oil or water for the stock instead.

One of the BEST Pantry Staple Dinner Recipes

This Ayurvedic kitchari recipe is a fantastic pantry-staple meal! It uses almost all ingredients you would have in your dry pantry or cupboards. You probably already have a lot of these ingredients on hand! Keeping a well-stocked pantry makes it easy to come up with delicious and tasty meals using a few staples you can rotate.

I made a list of my Top 125 Plant-Based Pantry Staples that always keep on hand. And you can check out all my favorite pantry staple recipes on TheHerbeevore.com here. By stocking up on whole ingredients you can cook delicious recipes without a trip to the store!

Ayurvedic Kitchari Recipe with Coconut Milk - The Herbeevore (4)

What Do I Serve with Kitchari?

It depends on your preferences, but I love to pair my warming kitchari with:

  • 5 Ingredient No-Knead Olive Oil Skillet Bread (Vegan)
  • Pot Luck Greek Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette (Vegan, Gluten Free, Party Recipe)
  • Rainbow Quinoa Salad (Vegan, Gluten Free)
  • Roasted Peach Summer Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette (Vegan, Gluten Free)
  • Baked Caramel Apples (Vegan, Paleo, Gluten-Free)

As always, if you make this coconut Ayurveda kitchari be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe, and tag me on Instagramso I can feature you. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

And let’s stay in touch – make sure to sign up for my newsletter to get free recipes delivered fresh to your inbox. And don’t forget to follow over on Pinterest, Instagram , & Twitter– I’d love to connect with you there!

Ayurvedic Kitchari Recipe with Coconut Milk - The Herbeevore (5)

Ayurvedic Kitchari with Coconut Milk

Adding this Ayurveda kitchari to my recipe roundup is great for those weeks when I want something light, flavorful, and comforting for lunch or dinner.

5 from 10 votes

Print Recipe Pin

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine Ayurvedic, Indian

Servings 8

Calories 297 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large pot, turn heat to low and melt coconut oil. Add the coriander seeds, black mustard seeds, and cumin seeds and gently sauté until the seeds begin to pop and release their flavors – about 5 minutes.

  • Add the fresh ginger root and turmeric and stir, cook for 1 additional minute.

  • Add the rest of the ingredients to the pot and stir to combine. Cover and simmer on low for 45 minutes, taking care to stir occasionally so the rice doesn’t stick to the bottom and the kitchari becomes thick.

  • Serve warm and garnish with fresh cilantro, if using.

Video

Notes

Save Money on Organic Produce!

I get all the fresh produce for my recipes from my garden and from Misfits Market – they sell all organic produce at a super discounted price, and it’s purchased direct from the farmers. We get Misfit Market boxes every other week and love picking out our favorite seasonal produce for delivery. You can get $10 off your first box by clicking here!

If you think organic produce is too expensive… think again, and give Misfits Market a look!

Nutrition

Calories: 297kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 12gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 63mgPotassium: 277mgFiber: 7gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 4677IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 3mg

Keyword Ayurveda, ayurveda kitchari, ayurvedic kitchari recipe, Ayurvidec Recipes, coconut milk kitchari, kitchidi, recipes for vata, vata recipes

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About the Author: Kelly Jensen

Ayurvedic Kitchari Recipe with Coconut Milk - The Herbeevore (6)

Kelly Jensen has 7 years experience as a food blogger, freelance recipe developer, content creator, beekeeper, and loves cooking everything she can from scratch.

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Ayurvedic Kitchari Recipe with Coconut Milk - The Herbeevore (2024)

FAQs

What are the benefits of coconut milk in Ayurveda? ›

By nature an ambitious organ, the liver falls victim to intense, hot blooded emotions and pitta internal heat conditions. Coconut milk replenishes a liver deficient in fats, and has special cooling properties to soothe an overheated liver. Coconut milk is heavier to digest than coconut butter and coconut oil.

Is kitchari a complete meal? ›

Kitchari Is a Complete Protein

The combination of rice and mung dal provides all the amino acids needed to form a complete protein. Eaten on their own, each of these foods is missing one or more of the essential amino acids that our bodies are not able to make on their own. However, together they make magic happen!

Is coconut milk good for Pitta? ›

Pittas need to counteract the heat element and opt for calming and cooling foods. This Coconut, Squash and Lentil Dhal recipe ticks all the right boxes. Not only is it simple to make, it is highly nutritious and the coconut milk will counteract Pitta's fire extremely well.

Can you lose weight on kitchari cleanse? ›

A cleanse should include protein to keep blood sugar levels stable so that you feel satisfied and do not overeat. I love Kitchari fasting because it is an easy way to detox, lose weight and boost energy.

What does coconut milk do to your gut? ›

Coconut may help to improve digestion due to the presence of medium-chain fatty acids. These medium-chain fatty acids may be digested and absorbed easily in the body. They may be immediately broken down by saliva and gastric juice without involving the enzymes from the pancreas.

Who should not drink coconut milk? ›

If you have a tree nut allergy, consult your allergist before consuming coconut-based products as well.” Due to its high saturated fat content, if you have heart disease or high cholesterol, you may consider talking with a health care provider or dietitian before drinking coconut milk regularly.

What is the biggest meal of the day according to Ayurveda? ›

It's often suggested that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but in Ayurvedic practice, lunch is actually the most important. Midday is when our digestive fire (called “agni” in Sanskrit) is at its strongest, so it's best to eat the biggest, heartiest, most nourishing meal for lunch.

Why is kitchari healing? ›

This complete food is easy to digest and gives strength and vitality. It nourishes all the tissues of the body. Kitchari is the preferred food to use when fasting on a mono-fast or while going through cleansing programs such as panchakarma. Kitchari is excellent for detoxification and de-aging of the cells.

Can you eat too much kitchari? ›

In general, you can eat enough kitchari to feel satiated but not to the point of exploding (my grandfather always used to say, eat until you can still fit in half a burger into your stomach, you get the point!). This will vary for different people, but in general, you will 'know' when you feel satiated.

Is coconut milk cooling or heaty? ›

Cooling properties: Coconut water has natural cooling properties that can help regulate body temperature and reduce heat stress. Nutrients: Coconut water is rich in nutrients like calcium, iron, and vitamin C, which can help to boost the immune system and reduce inflammation in the body.

What is the best morning drink for Pitta dosha? ›

Drinking a glass of warm water cleanses and awakens the digestive tract, hydrates the tissues, and promotes peristalsis—which can encourage a bowel movement, even when there is a tendency toward sluggishness or constipation.

Does coconut increase VATA? ›

Because it is Anuloman in nature — capable of getting all the toxins and Vata to move downward and helping to move Pitta and purify the digestive system — tender coconut balances acid levels and cools the system.

How to do Ayurvedic detox at home? ›

Drink warm water or hot water throughout the day, especially upon waking first thing in the morning. Waters that are supportive of detox and digestion include: lemon water, ginger water, tulsi water, and mint water. Boiled water with jeera (cumin), ajwain (bishop's weed) and cinnamon is also encouraged.

What food is used in Ayurveda for detox? ›

Kitchari is a protein and carbohydrate-rich meal that is used as a cleansing food in Ayurveda. It is made of yellow mung dal and basmati rice along with spices and ghee. 2–5 cups of chopped, organic, seasonal vegetables, such as spinach, carrots, beets, sweet potato, squash, celery, kale, and bok choy.

What does an Ayurvedic cleanse look like? ›

A period of eating a monodiet of grains, kitchari (basmati rice cooked with split mung beans), vegetables, and plenty of detoxifying fluids; the process at this stage can be complemented by a number of supportive lifestyle practices.

What Ayurveda says about coconut? ›

Ancient Ayurvedic scholar Bhav Mishra wrote that when a coconut becomes mature, it becomes heavy to digest, and it can also aggravate Pitta or Vata if the digestive agni of the individual is low. Mature coconuts can also build up toxic ama by interfering with digestion.

Which milk is best for Ayurveda? ›

Cow Milk. Cow's milk is mucous-producing, cold, heavy, and laxative. It has a sweet taste (Rasa), a relaxing effect on the digestive system (Virya), and over time, it becomes sweeter (Vipaka). If you warm and spice it appropriately, cow's milk is highly appreciated in Ayurveda for calming both Vata and Pitta.

Can coconut milk detox your body? ›

Of course, portion control is important considering the calorie count of coconut milk, but as a part of a healthy diet, it provides necessary fatty acids in addition to other minerals that support weight loss and detoxification.

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