• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cook's Hideout
  • All Recipes
  • Recipes by Category
  • Subscribe
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • All Recipes
  • Recipes by Category
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Soup » Ragi Porridge

    Ragi Soup Recipe | Ragi Porridge with Barley | Video

    Published: Jun 8, 2021 by Pavani · 30 Comments

    4 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    Healthy and delicious ragi porridge made with finger millet flour and barley. This is an easy to make and customizable recipe perfect to make either sweet or savory. But I love it served with buttermilk or a dollop of yogurt and some chopped onions.

    Ragi java or ragi malt is a healthy drink widely popular all over India. My version is more like a soup and is fortified with the use of barley water. Serve this delicious ragi soup for dinner or lunch.

    Black tray with a grey bowl of ragi porridge

    Table of contents

    • About the Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • You might also like

    About the Recipe

    I love adding millets in my diet. Like in this jowar idli or in this sanna polo recipes. Along with adding their wholegrain goodness, millets also make the dishes wholesome and delicious.

    Ragi or finger millet is one of my favorite millets to use. They are available in both wholegrain form and as flour. Sprouted ragi is very nutritious and I use it to make these dosa.

    This porridge is a very common dish all around India. Each region has a slightly different name, ragi java or kanji in Telugu, ragi ambli or ambali in Kannada, ragi malt everywhere else. But even with all these differences, it is basically a healthy millet dish that is both nourishing and delicious.

    Hand putting a dollop of yogurt into a grey bowl of finger millet soup

    I remember by grandmother making ragi malt recipe quite frequently. It was not too appealing to a 5 year old kid. But after all these years, here I am making this age old nutritious dish for my family.

    This ragi porridge recipe is made with the goodness of barley water, making it absolutely amazing for the hot summer season. Use the leftover barley to make barley pulihora or add it soups.

    Do try this healthy savory ragi malt drink, I am sure the whole family will lot it.

    Black tray with a grey bowl of ragi porridge topped with chopped onion and yogurt

    Ingredients

    For the details of the exact quantities of each ingredient and the list of ingredients needed, check the printable recipe card below.

    This finger millet porridge or soup needs only a handful of ingredients:

    • Ragi flour or finger millet flour - easily available in Indian groceries or online. If sprouted ragi flour is available, then buy that.
    • Barley - either pearl or hulled would work
    • Flavorings - garlic, bay leaves, salt and pepper
    Ingredients needed - details in recipe card

    Instructions

    For the detailed instructions on how to make the recipe with exact timings, check the printable recipe card below.

    Here's how to make ragi porridge:

    In a medium size saucepan, combine pearled barley and 4 cups of water. Soak for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.

    Place the sauce pan on the stove and bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain the barley, reserving all of the stock.*

    Step by step photos showing the rinsing and soaking of barley

    Whisk ragi flour in ½ cup of water forming a slurry. Set aside.

    Finger millet flour whisked into a smooth paste

    Heat butter in a medium size sauce pan, add chopped garlic and bay leaf. Cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add barley water and ragi slurry whisking constantly. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 3~4 minutes.

    Stir in the remaining ½ cup of water, if the porridge looks too thick. Season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with onions and yogurt warm or at room temperature.

    Step by step photos of the making of the recipe - details in recipe card

    Expert Tips

    • This ragi porridge can be made with just water. Use about 4 cups of water instead of barley water in the recipe.
    • If you have sprouted ragi flour, then use it to make this soup.
    • Don't toss those barley grains!! They are not completely cooked, but they can be cooked further to be used in other recipes: Add 2 cups of water and simmer the partially cooked barley for about 30 minutes until the grains are tender.
    • Use the cooked barley in soups, salads or pilafs. It is a great hearty rice alternative for curries.
    • You can also make a sweet ragi porridge, stir in jaggery or sugar to taste along with ground cardamom.
    Grey bowl with yogurt and chopped onions wirled ragi soup

    You might also like

    Here are a few more ragi recipes that you might like:

    • Ragi Sweet Dosa Recipe | Video Instructions
    • Ragi Adai Recipe | Finger Millet & Lentil Dosa
    • Sprouted Ragi Dosa Recipe
    • Ragi Ponganalu Recipe
    Black tray with a grey bowl of ragi porridge topped with chopped onion and yogurt

    I love hearing from you!! If you’ve tried this and liked it, then don't forget to let me know. Give a star rating and let me know in the comments below. Also tag me in your creations on Instagram @cooks_hideout. I love sharing photos when people make my recipes. You can use the hashtag #cookshideout too.

    Black tray with a grey bowl of ragi porridge

    Ragi Soup

    Healthy and delicious ragi porridge made with finger millet flour and barley. An easy to make soup recipe that can be easily customized.
    Author: Pavani
    Print Pin Rate
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time: 10 mins
    Cook Time: 30 mins
    Soaking Time:: 30 mins
    Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: andhra
    Servings: 4 servings

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup Pearl or Hulled Barley, rinsed and drained
    • 5 cups Water, divided
    • 2 teaspoons Butter
    • 3 Garlic cloves, finely chopped
    • 1 Bay leaf
    • ½ cup Ragi Flour
    • To taste Salt & Pepper
    • 1 Small Red onion or Shallot, finely chopped, for garnish
    • As needed Yogurt, for garnish

    Instructions

    • In a medium size saucepan, combine barley and 4 cups of water. Soak for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.
    • Place the sauce pan on the stove and bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain the barley, reserving all of the stock.*
    • Whisk ragi flour in ½ cup of water forming a slurry. Set aside.
    • Heat butter in a medium size sauce pan, add chopped garlic and bay leaf. Cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add barley water and ragi slurry whisking constantly. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 3~4 minutes. Stir in the remaining ½ cup of water, if the porridge looks too thick. Season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with onions and yogurt warm or at room temperature.

    Video

    Notes

    • This ragi porridge can be made with just water. Use about 4 cups of water instead of barley water in the recipe.
    • If you have sprouted ragi flour, then use it to make this soup.
    • Don't toss those barley grains!! They are not completely cooked, but they can be cooked further to be used in other recipes: Add 2 cups of water and simmer the partially cooked barley for about 30 minutes until the grains are tender.
    • Use the cooked barley in soups, salads or pilafs. It is a great hearty rice alternative for curries.
    • You can also make a sweet ragi porridge, stir in jaggery or sugar to taste along with ground cardamom.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 265kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 39mg | Potassium: 223mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 76IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cooks_hideout or tag #cookshideout!

    More Soup

    • Instant Pot Vegetarian Bean Stew | Medieval Times Copycat Recipe
    • Methi Moong dal Rasam
    • Instant Pot Veggie Noodle Soup | Video
    • Instant Pot Moroccan Red Lentil Soup Recipe
    4 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. The Pumpkin Farm

      September 21, 2013 at 12:18 pm

      what a beautiful looking soup, i want to lie down on a hammock and enjoy this soup

      Reply
    2. Srivalli

      September 21, 2013 at 12:26 pm

      Very interesting one with barley Pavani..athamma keeps asking me to get barley but then when we get it, we forget about it..we mostly make it as sankati with rice..as a liquid it's filling as well..

      Reply
    3. vaishali sabnani

      September 21, 2013 at 12:54 pm

      This dish is new for me..in fact We hardly use ragi..I learnt about it only after blogging. Sounds healthy.

      Reply
    4. Manjula Bharath

      September 21, 2013 at 2:30 pm

      Oh wow this porridge was my fav, my neighbor used to make this for some festival and she used to give spinach poriyal, chopped onions and Buttermilk with this poridge 🙂 very very yummy recipe dear and wonderful clicks .. made me nostalgic

      Reply
    5. Sapana Behl

      September 21, 2013 at 4:58 pm

      That soup sounds so filling and inviting . Lovely color and awesome clicks !

      Reply
    6. Nivedhanams Sowmya

      September 21, 2013 at 4:59 pm

      perfect cooler and very nutritious!!Sowmya

      Reply
    7. Priya Suresh

      September 21, 2013 at 10:36 pm

      Wat a healthy,nutritious and very filling bowl..Sankati with coconut thogayal is my favourite.

      Reply
    8. Niloufer Riyaz

      September 21, 2013 at 11:49 pm

      a very healthy soup!!

      Reply
    9. Sandhya Karandikar

      September 22, 2013 at 2:25 am

      A wonderfully nutritous and filling breakfast.

      Reply
    10. Rajani S

      September 22, 2013 at 2:45 pm

      Ragi is so cooling! I too came across it recently in one of the BMs. Your post is def making me want to try this, no barley..may be I will just make ragi koozh..:)

      Reply
    11. PJ

      September 22, 2013 at 4:33 pm

      That's a really yum and healthy porridge,Pavani...

      Reply
    12. Global Tastes & Travels Inc.

      September 22, 2013 at 7:43 pm

      what a filling an nutritious soup

      Reply
    13. Global Tastes & Travels Inc.

      September 22, 2013 at 7:43 pm

      what a filling an nutritious soup

      Reply
    14. Harini-Jaya Rupanagudi

      September 23, 2013 at 6:31 pm

      The pairing with barley sounds very interesting!

      Reply
    15. veena krishnakumar

      September 29, 2013 at 4:24 pm

      We make ragi koozhu but never tried with barley...looks very healthy and delicious

      Reply
    16. preeti garg

      October 01, 2013 at 6:22 pm

      This recipe come out so well and look delicious.

      Reply
    17. Gayathri's Cook Spot

      October 05, 2013 at 6:22 am

      Very nutritious dish. We call it koozh.

      Reply
    18. Archana Potdar

      October 10, 2013 at 7:59 am

      This is great My mom used to make something similar and call it mudi. Love the pics.

      Reply
    19. Uma Srinivas

      June 15, 2021 at 7:40 pm

      5 stars
      Ragi is one of my favorite millet. This soup looks and sounds yummy and healthy! Love it and I am going to make this on cold days!

      Reply
    20. Mayuri Patel

      June 16, 2021 at 12:17 pm

      5 stars
      A different kind of ragi porridge recipe for me with barley. We prepare a sweetened version which we usually enjoy for breakfast. Will definitely try out this savory version.

      Reply
    Newer Comments »

    Thanks for coming! Let me know what you think: Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    My profile photo.

    Hi, I'm Pavani! the cook in this hideout. Cook's Hideout is all about delicious vegetarian dishes from India and also from around the world. Here you will find recipes that are easy AND tasty to make.

    More about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • How to make Chocolate Custard with Custard Powder
    • Easy Injera Recipe | Step by Step
    • Cuban Tostones with Mojo Sauce Recipe
    • Masala Potato Fry | Andhra Style

    Seasonal Recipes

    • The Best Cranberry Apple Chutney Recipe
    • How to make Eggless Latkes
    • How to make Vegan Ebelskivers Recipe
    • How to make Eggless Christmas Plum Cake

    My Cookbooks

    Vegetarian Indian Instant Pot Cookbook.
    The Essential Vegetarian Indian Cookbook.

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Subscribe

    Contact

    • About

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020 Foodie Pro on the Foodie Pro Theme

    4 shares