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Khichra (Wheat, Lentil and Meat Stew)

Name: Khichra (Wheat, Lentil and Meat Stew)
Total time: 175 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 600 g Mutton, mutton or beef, bone-in; 150 g Cracked wheat, cracked wheat, soaked overnight; 100 g Rice; 60 g Split chickpeas; 60 g Red lentils; 60 g Split mung beans; 3 pc Onion; 2 tbsp Ginger; 1 tbsp Garlic; 2 tsp Garam masala; 1 tsp Red chilli powder; 1 tsp Turmeric; 100 ml Cooking oil; to taste Salt; 2 pc Lemon

175 min Medium 6 servings

Serves 6 · Total 175 min · Prep 25 min · Cook 150 min

Updated on 8 November 2026

Photo: Miansari66 / CC0 (Public Domain)

A hearty one-pot stew of whole wheat, rice, lentils and mutton or beef, cooked until the grains are soft and thick but still textured, unlike the smooth haleem. It is traditionally made in the cooler months and in Muharram, and topped with fried onion, lemon and fresh ginger.

Quick answer: 175 min in total · serves 6 · main ingredients: Mutton, Cracked wheat, Rice, Split chickpeas · amounts in metric and US

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Ingredients

Metric US

600 g 1.3 lb Mutton, mutton or beef, bone-in
150 g 0.9 cup Cracked wheat, cracked wheat, soaked overnight
100 g 0.5 cup Rice
60 g 0.3 cup Split chickpeas
60 g 0.3 cup Red lentils
60 g 0.3 cup Split mung beans
3 pc 3 pc Onion
2 tbsp 2 tbsp Ginger
1 tbsp 1 tbsp Garlic
2 tsp 2 tsp Garam masala
1 tsp 1 tsp Red chilli powder
1 tsp 1 tsp Turmeric
100 ml 0.4 cup Cooking oil
to taste to taste Salt
2 pc 2 pc Lemon (Optional)

Steps

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Fry two sliced onions in oil until deep golden. Lift out half for the topping.
⏱ Frying onions · 10 min
Add the meat, ginger, garlic, chilli, turmeric and salt and fry for 10 minutes. Pour in 2 litres (8 cups) of hot water, cover and simmer for 1 hour until the meat is nearly tender.
⏱ Cooking meat · 70 min
Add the drained wheat, rice, and washed lentils. Cover and cook on low heat for 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes and adding hot water if it thickens too much.
⏱ Cooking wheat and lentils · 45 min
Mash lightly with the back of a ladle so about half the grains break and the stew thickens. Stir in the garam masala and cook 10 minutes more.
⏱ Simmering after mashing · 10 min
Taste and adjust the salt, then switch off the heat and rest the khichra for 10 minutes so it thickens a little more.
⏱ Resting · 10 min
Serve hot topped with the fried onion, fresh ginger strips and a squeeze of lemon.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Khichra (Wheat, Lentil and Meat Stew) take?

175 minutes in total: about 25 minutes of prep and 150 minutes of cooking.

Is Khichra (Wheat, Lentil and Meat Stew) hard to make?

Degchi rates it medium. The method has 6 steps, and 5 of them have a timer you can start on this page.

How many people does Khichra (Wheat, Lentil and Meat Stew) serve?

This recipe serves 6. Use the toggle above the ingredient list to see the amounts in metric or US measures. For more or fewer portions, scale every amount in the same proportion, or use the servings control in the Degchi app.

Is Khichra (Wheat, Lentil and Meat Stew) halal, vegetarian or eggless?

It is marked halal in our recipe data. It is not vegetarian. It has no egg. It has no beef. Check the labels on any packaged ingredients for your own needs.

What will I probably need to buy for Khichra (Wheat, Lentil and Meat Stew)?

Everyday staples that Degchi counts as pantry basics: red chilli powder, turmeric, cooking oil, salt. Spice-box items: garam masala. Fresh items you will probably need to buy: mutton, onion, ginger, garlic. Lentils, grains and other dry goods: cracked wheat, rice, split chickpeas, red lentils, split mung beans.

Any tips for making Khichra (Wheat, Lentil and Meat Stew)?

A pressure cooker speeds the meat and wheat steps; keep the lid off for the last 10 minutes to adjust thickness. Cool leftovers within about 1 hour, refrigerate, and reheat until steaming hot; eat within 1 day.