Kadhi: Dahi Besan Curry

Learn how to make kadhi, a savory Indian yogurt-based curry, with this easy and delicious kadhi recipe. Follow simple steps to create flavorful kadhi simple South Asian pantry staples!

Kadhi is about the most basic, everyday food you can make in many households throughout India and Pakistan.

This dish is one of mom’s favorites. Admittedly, there is something comforting about kadhi.

Similar to Dal Chawal, Kadhi offers comfort, especially when you’re feeling a little under the weather. Or you are just looking for something warm and comforting on a cold winter night.

For me, this was never a dish I craved. Usually, my brothers and I scrounged the fridge for leftovers on days that we had Kadhi for dinner. However, learning to make this dish made me nostalgic for some basic home-cooked meals from my childhood.

What is Kadhi?

Kadhi is a curry made with yogurt (dahi), besan (chickpea flour/gram flour), and just a few simple spices.

It has a unique flavor profile. It is tangy, wholesome and nutritious thanks to the basic ingredients in this curry.

There are many variations on this dish. Different regions in Indian and Pakistan have their own variations. Every household has its take on this dish with its own recipe.

Some variations add aromatics like onions or tomatoes; other recipes add fritters like our own Pakora Kadhi. Other variations add okra to the mix to make the dish more filling.

This recipe is the most basic version of Kadhi, that we really enjoy with side dish like this spicy tuna fish.

Recipes you’ll love

If you’re looking for more easy weeknight vegetarian recipes, here are some of our favorites:

• Vegetable Pulao
• Mash Ki Daal (Urad Ki Dal)
• Dal Chawal: Simple Lentil Curry & Basmati Rice
• Rajma Masala with Rice

Basic Kadhi Ingredients

• Yogurt (Dahi) – The tanginess of the yogurt is really the base of this curry.
• Chickpea Flour (Besan) – also known as gram flour. This is also the thickening agent for this curry.
• Whole Spices – mustard seeds, whole red chili, and curry leaves can all be used, or any combination of them to create the flavor base of this curry
• Ground Spices – turmeric, coriander, cumin, and red chili powder all lend to the flavors of this curry. The turmeric also adds the bright yellow color typical to this kadhi!

How to make Kadhi?

Step #1: Blend the ingredients

To start, in a blender or with a whisk, mix together the yogurt, besan (chickpea flour), and water with the ginger-garlic paste, chickpea flour, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, and red chili powder.

Mix until it comes together as a sauce.

Step #2: Flavor with spices

Once you’re ready to start cooking, in a medium pot, on low heat add mustard seeds, whole red chili, and curry leaves.

Step #3: Simmer on (ultra) low heat

Once the mustard seeds start to crack add the yogurt mixture and cook uncovered, on low heat for at least 20 minutes, until as thick as desired.

Cooking on low heat ensures that the yogurt in the curry doesn’t split.

Tip: If at any point, the mixture starts to boil, take it off the heat to avoid the yogurt splitting.

The key to this kadhi recipe is to cook it as long as you can. The longer it cooks, the better it will taste as the ingredients will have a chance to come together.

What to serve with Kadhi?

Mom loves to soak day-old roti (flatbread) in Kadhi, and enjoy it like soup.

Another dish, that pairs well with Kadhi is Moong Dal Khichdi (rice and lentil porridge) for a truly comforting meal.

You can serve this Kadhi on its own with roti, or rice for a simple meal. You can also pair Kadhi with other sides dishes or stir-fried vegetables like bhindi (okra) or gobi (cauliflower). Here are some of our favorites:

• Ground Beef Cutlets: Spiced Pakistani Beef Burgers/Kababs
• Spicy Tuna Fish Side Dish
• Aloo Ki Bhujia
• Bhindi Masala
• Aloo Methi – Potato and Fenugreek Stir-fry

If you give this recipe a try, we’d love to see it! 

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Ready to make Kadhi?

Here are our favorites to make Moong Dal Khichdi: