Varan Bhaat Recipe | Varan Recipe | How to make Varan Bhat

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Varan Bhaat recipe for Ganesh Chaturthi. It is an important dish that is made during Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Maharashtra and Goa.

varan bhat served on a plate and bowl with a bowl of sabzi kept in the top left side.

Varan bhaat would read as lentil-rice where varan stands for “lentil curry or stew or dal” and bhaat means “steamed rice”.

There are many variations of making varan bhaat. This recipe is a Maharashtrian recipe of making dal varan which was shared by my friend. In this recipe post I have shown both the method of making varan as well as cooking rice. 

I have also shared a Goan style varan bhaat recipe at the end of this post in which coconut is added. So you can take your pick.

While making varan bhaat, I usually cook the dal in a pressure cooker and rice in a pot. But you can use the pot-in-pot method of cooking both dal and rice together. Nowadays I use the Instant pot and cook both the varan and the rice using the pot-in-pot method.

Varan bhaat is served as naivedyam or bhog to Bhagwan Ganesha along with vegetable dishes like sautéed potatoes (batata bhaji) or sautéed green beans (beans bhaji) or snacks like alu vadi, potato fritters (batata bhajji) and sweets like Puran Poli, Patholi, Coconut Ladoo. Not to forget Modak that is Bhagwan Ganesha’s most favorite food.

This recipe is very simple and easy to make and is a tempered version of varan. For the festival, skip onion and garlic and if preparing on regular days, then you can add garlic in the tempering.

Varan goes best with steamed rice topped with some ghee (clarified butter).

How to make varan bhaat

Making varan (dal)

1. Rinse ½ cup arhar dal (tuvar dal or pigeon pea lentils) in the water a couple of times. Add the lentils in a 2 litre pressure cooker.

dal for making varan bhaat recipe

2. Add ¾ cup chopped tomatoes and ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder.

making varan bhaat recipe

3. Add 2 cups of water.

making varan bhaat recipe

4. Season with salt as per taste.

making varan bhaat recipe

5. Pressure cook dal for 7 to 8 whistles on medium to high flame.

making varan bhaat recipe

6. When the pressure settles down on its own, open the lid.

making varan bhaat recipe

7. Mash the dal with a wired whisk or wooden spoon. Add water as required only if the dal looks thick. If adding water, then keep to simmer on low flame till you get the desired consistency, which is neither thick nor thin. Switch off and keep covered.

making varan bhaat recipe

Tempering for varan recipe

8. Heat 2 tablespoons oil or ghee in a small pan.

making varan bhaat recipe

9. Add ½ teaspoon mustard seeds first and let them crackle.

making varan bhaat recipe

10. Then add ½ teaspoon cumin seeds and let them splutter.

making varan bhaat recipe

11. Add the asafoetida, curry leaves, and green chilies. Fry for a couple of seconds till curry leaves become crisp and then switch off the flame.

making varan bhaat recipe

12. Pour the whole tempering in the dal.

making varan bhaat recipe

13. Cover and let the tempering flavors infuse with the dal for about 5 to 6 minutes.

making varan bhaat recipe

14. Later mix the dal.

making varan bhaat recipe

15. Add 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves. Mix and then serve with bhaat or steamed rice.

varan bhaat recipe

For cooking bhaat (rice)

16. Before you begin with making varan, rinse and soak 1 cup rice in enough water for 20 to 30 minutes.

rice for making varan bhaat recipe

17. After 20 to 30 minutes, heat 2 cups water + ½ teaspoon salt in a deep pot or pan. Let the water come to a boil. Salt is optional and can be skipped. Depending on the quality of rice, you can add 2 cups water or 2.5 cups water.

making varan bhaat recipe

18. After the water has come to a boil, lower the flame. Drain all the water from the rice and add to the hot water.

making varan bhaat recipe

19. Cover pot with a lid and simmer rice on a low to medium-low flame till all the water is absorbed and the rice grains are cooked well and fluffy.

making varan bhaat recipe

20. In between do check a couple of times. If you feel the water is less and the rice grains are not cooked, then you can add some more water. Then gently mix with a fork. Cover and continue to cook.

making varan bhaat recipe

21. Once the rice grains are tender and cooked well, fluff rice with a fork.

making varan bhaat recipe

22. Serve hot steamed rice with dal varan. You can top a bit of ghee on varan while serving.

varan bhaat recipe for Ganesh Chaturthi festival
Few more tasty Lentil recipes for you!

Note: This Varan Bhaat Recipe is from the archives (September 2013) and has been republished and updated on 23rd July 2020.

Please be sure to rate the recipe in the recipe card or leave a comment below if you have made it. For more vegetarian inspirations, Sign Up for my emails or follow me on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter.

varan bhaat

Varan Bhaat (Maharashtrian Varan Bhaat Recipe)

Maharashtrian varan bhaat recipe - delicious lentil stew or dal made with pigeon pea lentils and served with rice.
4.75 from 8 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Cuisine Indian, Maharashtrian
Course Main Course
Diet Vegan, Vegetarian
Difficulty Level Easy
Servings 3
Units

Ingredients

ingredients for varan recipe

  • ½ cup arhar dal (tur dal or pigeon pea lentils)
  • 2 cups water for pressure cooking the lentils
  • 2 medium tomatoes, chopped or ¾ cup chopped tomatoes
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder (haldi)
  • salt as required

for tempering varan

  • ½ teaspoon mustard seeds (rai)
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
  • 1 pinch asafeotida (hing)
  • 1 or 2 green chilies, slit (hari mirch)
  • 8 to 10 curry leaves (kadi patta)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons Ghee or 2 tablespoons oil

for the bhaat or steamed rice

  • 1 cup rice
  • 2 cups water for pressure cooking
  • ½ teaspoon salt or add as required (optional)

Instructions
 

for making varan recipe

  • Rinse the lentils well in water for a couple of times. Then add them in a 2 litre pressure cooker along with chopped tomatoes and turmeric powder. 
  • Pressure cook the lentils with tomatoes and turmeric powder for 7 to 8 whistles on medium flame.
  • When the pressure settles down on its own, open the lid and mash the dal with a wired whisk or wooden spoon. Cover and keep aside. 
  • If the dal looks thick, then you can add water as required. 
  • If adding water, then keep to simmer on low flame till you get the desired consistency, which is neither thick nor thin.
  • Switch off flame and keep covered.

tempering varan

  • Heat oil or ghee in a pan.
  • Add the mustard seeds first and let them crackle. 
  • Then add the cumin and crackle them.
  • Add the asafoetida, curry leaves and green chilies.
  • Fry for a few seconds till the curry leaves become crisp.
  • Pour the whole tempering in the dal.
  • Cover and let the tempering flavors infuse with the dal for about 5 to 6 minutes.
  • Garnish varan bhaat with coriander leaves or stir in the coriander leaves.
  • Serve varan bhaat hot with steamed rice.

for making bhaat or steamed rice

  • Rinse the rice till the water clears from the starch.
  • Soak the rice for 20 to 30 minutes.
  • After 20 to 30 minutes, heat 2 cups water + ½ teaspoon salt in a deep pot or pan. Let the water come to a boil. Salt is optional and can be skipped.
  • After the water has come to a boil, lower the flame. Drain all the water from the rice and add to the hot water.
  • Cover pot with a lid and simmer rice on a low to medium-low flame till all the water is absorbed and the rice grains are cooked well and fluffy.
  • In between do check a couple of times. If you feel the water is less and the rice grains are not cooked, then you can add some more water. Then gently mix with a fork. Cover and continue to cook.
  • Once the rice grains are tender and cooked well, fluff rice with a fork.
  • Serve hot steamed rice with dal varan. You can top a bit of ghee on varan while serving.

Notes

Few tips and suggestions for varan:
  • You can also add 1 or 2 tablespoons fresh grated coconut toward the end in this varan recipe.
  • If you want you can add some goda masala also in the dal. 
  • 2 to 3 slightly crushed garlic cloves can be added if making varan for regular days. While tempering, add the garlic along with the curry leaves and green chilies. Fry till garlic turns light golden and then add the tempering in the dal varan. 
For pressure cooking rice:
  • Pressure cook the rice with 2 cups water for 2 to 3 whistles.
  • For separate grains just add 1.5 cups water and pressure cook for 1 to 2 whistles.
  • For a more softer texture add 2.5 cups water and pressure cook for 2 to 3 whistles.
Note that the approximate nutrition info is for 1 serving of varan with steamed rice. 

Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)

Nutrition Facts
Varan Bhaat (Maharashtrian Varan Bhaat Recipe)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 339 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 969mg42%
Potassium 265mg8%
Carbohydrates 71g24%
Fiber 7g29%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 11g22%
Vitamin A 802IU16%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg67%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 1mg59%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 32mg160%
Vitamin B6 1mg50%
Vitamin C 70mg85%
Vitamin E 1mg7%
Vitamin K 7µg7%
Calcium 59mg6%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 331µg83%
Iron 2mg11%
Magnesium 29mg7%
Phosphorus 95mg10%
Zinc 1mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Goan Style Varan Bhaat with Coconut

This Goan varan bhaat is an important dish that is made during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in the regions of Goa and Konkan. This is a vegan recipe.

This recipe is different from the Maharashtrian Varan recipe posted above and has fresh coconut added in it with minimal spices.

varan bhaat recipe for ganesh chaturthi, varan baat with coconut.

I make this varan bhaat with coconut often and in fact it is one of our comfort food.

The varan bhaat is served in the Naivedyam or bhog we offer to Lord Ganesha along with the other veggies dishes & sweets. This is satvik dal with no onion and garlic added to it.

You can have the varan with some steamed rice or even roti. You can add a bit if ghee on top of the varan while serving. This is one delicious recipe and you must try it.

varan bhaat recipe

Wishing all my readers who celebrate a happy Ganesh Chaturthi.

varan bhaat recipe, goan style varan bhaat recipe

Goan Varan Bhaat with Coconut

A lentil preparation made with tuvar dal (arhar dal), coconut, some spices and herbs. This Goan style varan bhaat is best served with steamed rice.
4.67 from 3 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Cuisine Goan
Course Main Course
Diet Vegan, Vegetarian
Difficulty Level Easy
Servings 3 to 4
Units

Ingredients

  • ½ cup moong dal (split and skinned mung lentil)
  • ½ cup arhar dal (spilt and skinned pigeon pea lentils)
  • 2 to 2.5 cups water for pressure cooking
  • add 1 or 1.5 cup more water later (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 5 to 6 curry leaves - optional
  • 1 teaspoon crushed cumin or cumin powder
  • a pinch of asafoetida (hing)
  • 1 cup fresh grated coconut - ground with little water
  • salt as required

Instructions
 

  • Pick, rinse the lentils couple of times in water.
  • Pressure cook the lentils till they are soft.
  • Mash them with a spoon or ladle. Keep aside.
  • Grind the coconut with little water to a smooth paste.
  • Add coconut paste to the cooked lentils and mix well.
  • Then add cumin powder, turmeric powder & curry leaves and salt. mix again.
  • Add water to thin the dal if required.
  • Keep the dal on the stove and let it simmer for 10-12 minutes.
  • Serve Varan Bhaat with steamed rice and some ghee.

Notes

  • Instead of combination of moong or arhar dal, you can also add 1 cup of arhar or moong dal instead.
  • You can also grind the coconut with cumin seeds and then add to the dal.

Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)

Nutrition Facts
Goan Varan Bhaat with Coconut
Amount Per Serving (4 g)
Calories 0
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Welcome to Dassana's Veg Recipes. I share vegetarian recipes from India & around the World. Having been cooking for decades and with a professional background in cooking & baking, I help you to make your cooking journey easier with my tried and tested recipes showcased with step by step photos & plenty of tips & suggestions.

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5 Comments

  1. I love this recipe. It’s so simple and yet flavourful. Thank you so much for sharing. 🙂4 stars

  2. I so love the simplicity of your pictures Dassana, it reflects your character.. beautiful ! 🙂