If you are looking for the best way to cook millet, I think you are at the right place. Because in this article, I will instruct you on how to cook millet in 3 different ways.
1. Frequently Asked Questions
Should Millet be Soaked Before Cooking?
Millets do not need any rigorous prepping! A quick rinse under running cold tap water is enough to wash off any excess starch that might result in a sticky texture after being cooked. Therefore, soaking is not necessary!
How Much Water Do I Need To Cook Millet?
The millet to water ratio is 1: 2. This means that to cook millet in a pilaf style, 1 cup of millet, you will have to use 2 cups of water. If you want to cook millet porridge for breakfast, increase it to 3 cups of water.
How Much Millet Per Person?
Main Dish: If millet is a central component of the meal or if you’re serving it as a main dish, you might consider using about 1 cup (uncooked) millet per person. This should yield around 2 cups of cooked millet.
Side Dish: If millet is being served as a side dish, you can use around 1/3 to 1/2 cup (uncooked) millet per person, which will yield approximately 2/3 to 1 cup of cooked millet.
2. How To Cook Millet on Stovetop
Ingredients
- 1 cup of millet ( toasted )
- 2 cups of water or broth
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
Step 1: Transfer the toasted millet to a saucepan then pour 2 cups of water, season with salt, and mix.
Step 2: Place the saucepan on the stove over high heat and let it come to a boil. Cover the saucepan with a well-fitted lid as soon as you see the liquid bubbling and adjust the heat to low—Cook millet for 15 minutes undisturbed.
Step 3: After the 15 minutes have elapsed, turn off the stove and let the pot sit covered on the kitchen top for ten more minutes.
Step 4: Finally, uncover the lid, fluff the cooked millets with a fork and enjoy as desired or make other millet recipes.
3. How To Cook Millet in Rice Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 cup of millet ( toasted )
- 2 cups of broth (or water)
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
Step 1: Transfer the toasted millet to a rice cooker then pour 2 cups of water or vegetable broth, season with salt, and stir it.
Step 2: Lock the lid and press the cook button. After 20 minutes, the rice cooker will automatically switch to warm mode.
Step 3: Uncover the lid, fluff it with a fork, and serve. You can also enjoy the millet seeds as a side-side, and add them to your stews as well as salads.
4. How To Cook Millet in Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 cup millet ( toasted )
- 2 cups water or broth
- 1/2 tsp salt (optional)
Instructions
Transfer the toasted millet to the Instant Pot. Add 2 cups of water or vegetable broth to the pot. If you prefer salted millet, you can add a pinch of salt at this step.
Securely close the lid of the Instant Pot. Set the pressure release valve to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting and adjust the cooking time to 10 minutes on high pressure.
Once you’ve set the cooking time, the Instant Pot will take some time to build pressure. Once it reaches the desired pressure, the cooking time will start counting down.
Once the cooking time is complete, you can choose between natural release or quick release to release the pressure. Use caution as hot steam will escape from the valve.
Once the pressure is fully released, carefully open the Instant Pot. Use a fork or a spoon to fluff the cooked millet, separating the grains.
5. What to Do With Cooked Millet?
Cooked millet is versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes! Here are some ideas for what to do with it:
Millet Salad
Combine cooked millet with fresh vegetables, herbs, and a light dressing. You can add ingredients like cucumber, tomatoes, olives, red onion, and feta cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired salad.
Breakfast Porridge
Turn cooked millet into a warm, comforting breakfast by adding milk (or a plant-based alternative), a sweetener like honey or maple syrup, and toppings like berries, nuts, and seeds.
Millet Patties
Mix cooked millet with mashed vegetables (e.g., sweet potatoes, carrots, or peas), bind it with egg or a flax egg, and form into patties. Then, pan-fry or bake them for a delicious snack or main dish.
Millet Stir-Fry
Use cooked millet as a base for a stir-fry! Sauté it with veggies (like bell peppers, broccoli, and mushrooms), your choice of protein (tofu, chicken, or shrimp), and a flavorful stir-fry sauce.
Baked Goods
You can incorporate cooked millet into bread, muffins, or even cookies for added texture. It pairs especially well with hearty grains or seeds in baked recipes.
Millet Soup
Add cooked millet to soups or stews for extra bulk. It can substitute for rice or barley, and its mild flavor will complement a variety of broths and ingredients.
Side Dish
Serve cooked millet as a side dish in place of rice or quinoa. You can season it with herbs, spices, or a splash of olive oil for a simple and tasty accompaniment to your main dish.
Millet Bowl
Create a “grain bowl” by layering cooked millet with roasted veggies, avocado, greens, beans, and your choice of sauce or dressing.
Now, you knew how to cook millet perfectly. I hope that after reading this article, you will have a bowl of delicious millet to enjoy. Good luck
