Foxtail Millet Pulao - Swasthi's Recipes (2025)

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By Swasthi on August 2, 2022, Comments, Jump to Recipe

Foxtail Millet Pulao – I have been using a variety of millets for more than 3 years, since the time I started solids for my younger son. To include millets in his diet, I had to experiment a lot and eventually we started liking them. One of the favorites has been foxtail millet called as Korralu in Telugu, Navane in Kannada and Thinai in Tamil. I use hulled millet and not the millets as it is. Millets are with the husk and don’t get cooked well. Hulled foxtail millets are called as Korra Biyyam in Telugu, Navanakki in Kannada and Thinai Arisi in Tamil.

Foxtail Millet Pulao - Swasthi's Recipes (1)

If you are seriously trying to maintain a steady healthy weight or lose weight, try replacing white rice with foxtail millet.

I made this foxtail millet pulao for myself and my 4 year old sometime back for lunch. He enjoys millets and loves trying different varieties like
Millet upma
Lemon millet
pongal
millet sweet pongal
Millet khichdi
and payasam.

Foxtail millet pulao is so simple to prepare, call it a biryani or a pulao and can easily make changes to suit your taste. It tastes delicious and goes perfect with any raita.

It takes only 25 minutes to cook this apart from the soaking time. For a nutritious and whole some meal, you can make this any time: breakfast, lunch or dinner. Winters are the best time to try this korralu pulao, since they are said to keep the body warm.

This is a diabetic friendly recipe and can also be enjoyed by women with gestational diabetes.

How to make foxtail millet pulao

1. I soaked the millets for about one hour in warm water.

2. Chop the veggies. I use carrots, barabati beans, peas and onion. Mint leaves for flavouring. Keep these aside. You can even use potatoes too.

3. Heat oil in a pan, add the dry spices and fry till they crackle.

Foxtail Millet Pulao - Swasthi's Recipes (2)

4. Add grated ginger or ginger garlic paste and fry till the raw smell goes off.

Foxtail Millet Pulao - Swasthi's Recipes (3)

5. Add the veggies and mint. Fry for about 3 to 4 minutes

Foxtail Millet Pulao - Swasthi's Recipes (4)

6. Add water and salt. Bring it to a boil, add drained millets and cook on a medium to low flame till soft cooked. If there is more water left, cook on high and evaporate it. Cooking on a low flame yields a flavourful millet pulao.

7. Towards the end. Switch off the stove and keep it covered for about 7 to 8 minutes.

Serve hot millet pulao with any raita

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Recipe Card

Foxtail Millet Pulao - Swasthi's Recipes (10)

Foxtail Millet Pulao (Korralu Pulao)

Foxtail Millet Pulao is a delicious wholesome and nutritious meal made with foxtail millet, mixed vegetables, spices and herbs.

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For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time10 minutes minutes

Cook Time15 minutes minutes

Total Time25 minutes minutes

Servings2

AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )

  • ½ cup foxtail millet hulled / korra biyyam/ thinai arisi
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • Salt as needed
  • 1 to 1 ½ tbsps Ghee or oil
  • ½ to ¾ cup vegetables Chopped, (carrots, beans, peas, potatoes, small onion sliced)
  • mint leaves Few, chopped
  • 1 tsp grated ginger or ginger garlic paste

Dry spices

  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 green cardamoms
  • 4 Cloves
  • Cinnamon stick Small
  • 1 Star flower small, or few petals
  • 1 strand mace
  • ¼ tsp shahi jeera

Instructions

  • Wash and soak millets in lot of warm water for about one hour

  • Heat a pan with oil, saute dry spices till they begin to sizzle

  • Add ginger garlic paste and fry till you get a nice aroma

  • Add vegetables and mint, fry for 3 to 4 minutes, till the raw smell goes away

  • Pour water and add salt as needed

  • Bring it to a boil.

  • Drain off the water from millets, add them to the boiling water

  • Cook on a medium to low flame till they are cooked fully. Cook any excess moisture on a high flame just evaporate the water. Off the stove

  • Keep it covered for about 7 minutes.

  • Serve foxtail millet pulao with any raita.

Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.

For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts

Foxtail Millet Pulao (Korralu Pulao)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 273Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Fat 10g15%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Cholesterol 19mg6%

Sodium 16mg1%

Potassium 119mg3%

Carbohydrates 40g13%

Fiber 5g21%

Protein 6g12%

Vitamin A 115IU2%

Vitamin C 2.7mg3%

Calcium 31mg3%

Iron 2.1mg12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!

© Swasthi’s Recipes

About Swasthi

I’m Swasthi Shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthi’s Recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills. More about me

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Foxtail Millet Pulao - Swasthi's Recipes (2025)

FAQs

Do we need to soak foxtail millet before cooking? ›

How to Cook Foxtail Millets? They can be cooked and eaten like rice, or ground into flour and used in baking. They can also be boiled in a pressure cooker, and soaked in water before cooking to help soften them.

Why is foxtail millet better than rice? ›

Millets are superior to rice in terms of nutritional benefits. They are rich in fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Unlike rice, millets have a lower glycemic index, making them better for blood sugar control. Additionally, millets are gluten-free and have a higher antioxidant content than rice.

What is the ratio of foxtail millet to water? ›

Ratio: Use the right water-to-millet ratio. Generally, for foxtail millet, the ratio is 1:2 or 1:2.5 (1 cup millet to 2 or 2.5 cups of water). Adjust the water quantity as per your desired consistency.

What is difference between little millet and foxtail millet? ›

Little Millet: It is grown in various regions of India, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Foxtail Millet: It is cultivated in China, India, and other parts of Asia.

What happens if you don't soak millet? ›

Soaking your millet not only reduces cooking time but also breaks down the phytic acid in them. Phytic acid impairs the absorption of minerals like iron, zinc and calcium and makes the digesting millets much easier.

What are the cons of foxtail millet? ›

Some individuals may develop allergic reactions after consuming foxtail millet in large amounts. Symptoms can be itching, throat irritation, breathing difficulties, or swelling. If you have digestive issues, problems with thyroid, or are allergic to grains, you should avoid millet consumption.

What is the best time to eat foxtail millet? ›

However, many people find it beneficial to include millets in their diet during breakfast or lunch as they provide sustained energy and can help regulate blood sugar levels throughout the day. Additionally, consuming millets in the evening can be a good option for a light and nutritious dinner.

Is millet healthier than rice? ›

When it comes to dietary fibre, millet comes out on top. It is well-known for having a high fibre content, which assists digestion, regulates blood sugar levels, and supports intestinal health. Rice, particularly refined white rice, has a significantly reduced fibre content.

How to know if foxtail millet is cooked? ›

You will know that your millet is cooked through when the seeds soften and swell up (1 cup of dry foxtail millet would give > 3 cups of cooked foxtail millet) and the closed pan emits gentle rustling-crackling sounds (this indicates that the water has dried up).

What is the healthiest millet in the world? ›

List of Traditional Millets and its Health Benefits
  • Pearl Millet: Good for Insomnia. ...
  • Kodo Millet: Good for Diabetics. ...
  • Foxtail Millet: Good for Thyroid. ...
  • Sorghum: Improves Digestive Health and Prevents Cancer. ...
  • Barnyard Millet: Good for Weight Loss. ...
  • Little Millet: An Indispensable Good Fat. ...
  • Proso Millet: Balance Blood Sugar.

What is foxtail millet called in India? ›

Ans: Foxtail millets are commonly known as "Kangni" in Hindi and have regional names like "Korralu" in Telugu, "Tenai" in Tamil, "Navane" in Kannada, "Kang" in Marathi, "Korra" in Malayalam, and "Kaon" in Bengali.

Which is better quinoa or foxtail millet? ›

Comparatively, quinoa provides more protein, while millet has fewer calories and less fat. Both quinoa and millet have distinct flavours and nutritional profiles, making the choice between them a matter of personal preference and dietary requirements.

Do you have to pre soak millet? ›

Yes, there are a few practices you need to follow in order to gain the maximum benefits from these super grains. Read on! Make sure you follow these tips to make the most of your millets! Soaking the millets overnight ensures that you break down the phytic acid in them.

Should we discard millet soaked water? ›

As per Nutritional science, you should continue to use this water for cooking or making dough. This water does not contain any anti nutrients. The phytates which are present in grains or Pulses- they are bound to minerals and after soaking- they are not leeched in water. They are only unbound from the minerals.

How long to soak millet to remove phytic acid? ›

Soaked Millet: Add 1 cup millet to 2 cups warm water with 2 TB acid (lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, yogurt, etc), soak 7-8 hours; add salt if desired and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Check to see if done, may take more or less time, soaked grains have shorter cooking time.

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