Vegan Upma Recipe | Make Upma at Home
Enjoy a wholesome and hearty vegan upma recipe that’s perfect for breakfast or a light meal. This simple recipe for making upma is packed with veggies, spices, and authentic South Indian flavors — all 100% plant-based and allergy-friendly.
July 25, 2024
At GrubAllergy, upma is more than just a quick fix — it’s a bowl of warmth, flavor, and nostalgia. This rava upma recipe takes you back to traditional Indian kitchens, but with a vegan twist. We use simple ingredients like roasted semolina, mustard seeds, and fresh vegetables, creating a light yet filling dish that suits all dietary needs. If you’re planning to make rava upma for a family brunch or weekday breakfast, this version won’t disappoint — it's gluten-aware and dairy-free without compromising on taste.
Prefer a variation? Our recipe for semiya upma brings a similar comfort but with soft vermicelli instead of rava, making it perfect for those who enjoy delicate textures. We also offer a vibrant recipe for upma with vegetables — a colorful mix of peas, carrots, and beans that adds a fresh spin to your plate.
When you're after something reliable and plant-based, this recipe for veg upma is a great choice. It’s quick to make, easy to digest, and completely free from common allergens. If you've ever searched for a foolproof recipe of veg upma that hits the mark every time, this is it. Bookmark this page for your favorite veg upma recipe, and let your next breakfast be as nourishing as it is flavorful.
Vegan Upma Recipe | Make Upma at Home
Serving
2-3
Prep Time
10 Min
Cook Time
15 Min
Total Time
25 Min
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ingredients of Upma for Potato Upma Recipe
Suji/ Rava Fine - 1 cup
Onion finely chopped-1
Potato Peeled and chopped-2
Vegetable oil - 2tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Cumin Seeds -1 tsp
Hing/ Asafoetida Recipe - ¼ tsp
Green Chillies - Finely chopped - 3-4
Curry Leaves- 7-8
Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp
Water - 2 cups
Salt to taste
Ingredients for Tomato Upma – A Simple Recipe of Veg Upma
Suji / Rava fine – 1 cup
Onion finely chopped – 1
Tomato finely chopped – 2
Vegetable oil – 2 TBSP
Mustard seeds – 1 Tsp
Cumin seeds – 1 Tsp
Hing / Asafoetida powder – ¼ TSP
Urad Dal – 1 Tsp
Green chilies – finely chopped – 3-4
Curry leaves – 7-8
Sugar – 1 Tsp
Water – 2 cups.
Salt to taste.
Ingredients for Plain Upma – A Classic Sooji Upma Recipe
Suji / Rava fine – ½ cup
Onion finely chopped – 1
Vegetable oil – 2 TBSP
Mustard seeds – 1 Tsp
Cumin seeds – 1 Tsp
Hing / Asafoetida powder – ¼ TSP
Green chilies – finely chopped – 3-4
Ginger – finely chopped – ½ inch
Chana Dal – 1 TBSP
Urad Dal – 1 TBSP
Curry leaves – 7-8
Water – Hot – 1 cup.
Salt to taste.
Ingredients for Sevai Upma – Traditional Recipe for Semiya Upma
Sevai – roasted – 1 cup – for gluten free use Rice or millet Sevai
Onion finely chopped – 1
Tomato finely chopped – 2
Vegetable oil – 2 TBSP
Mustard seeds – 1 Tsp
Cumin seeds – 1 Tsp
Hing / Asafoetida powder – ¼ TSP
Green chilies – finely chopped – 3-4
Curry leaves – 7-8
Water – 2 cups.
Salt to taste.
Method
Method
Recipe for Making Upma – How to Make Potato Upma Step by Step
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Roasting Suji – aIn a pan heat 1 TBSP of oil on medium heat. Add suji/rava and roast it till it starts releasing aroma and turns a nice golden color.
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In another pan heat 1 TBSP oil. Once hot add mustard seeds. Let the mustard seeds splutter.
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Add cumin seeds , hing powder. Add green chillies and saute for 30 seconds. Add curry leaves and mix well.
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Add finely chopped onion and saute till they turn translucent. Add cut potato and mix well. Add turmeric powder , salt to taste and Mix well.
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Add roasted rava and mix well.
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Add hot boiling water and mix well. Make sure there are no lumps.
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Cover and cook on low to medium heat for 5-7 minutes.
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Garnish with finely chopped cilantro and serve hot.
How to Make Tomato Upma – Upma Recipe in English with Step-by-Step Instructions
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In a pan heat 1 TBSP of oil on medium heat. Add suji/rava and roast it till it starts releasing aroma and turns a nice golden color.
-
In another pan heat 1 TBSP oil. Once hot add mustard seeds. Let the mustard seeds splutter.
-
Add cumin seeds , hing powder. Add Urad dal and saute till it gets golden brown. Add green chillies and saute for 30 seconds.
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Add curry leaves and mix well.
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Add finely chopped onion and saute till they turn translucent.
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Add finely chopped tomatoes and saute till they turn mushy.
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Add salt to taste and sugar. Mix well.
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Add roasted rava and mix well.
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Add hot boiling water and mix well. Make sure there are no lumps.
-
Cover and cook on low to medium heat for 5-7 minutes.
-
Garnish with finely chopped cilantro and serve hot.
How to Make Plain Upma – Easy Upma Recipe Step-by-Step Instructions
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Roasting Suji – In a pan heat 1 Tsp of oil on medium heat. Add suji/rava and roast it till it starts releasing aroma and turns a nice golden color.
-
In another pan heat 1 TBSP oil. Once hot add mustard seeds. Let the mustard seeds splutter.
-
Add cumin seeds , hing powder , chana dal , urad dal. Add green chillies and saute for 30 seconds. Add curry leaves and mix well.
-
Add finely chopped onion , ginger and saute till they turn translucent,
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Add roasted rava and mix well. Add salt to taste and Mix well.
-
Add hot boiling water and mix well. Make sure there are no lumps.
-
Cover and cook on low to medium heat for 5-7 minutes.
-
Garnish with finely chopped cilantro and serve hot.
How to Make Sevai Upma – Step-by-Step Recipe for Vermicelli Upma
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In a pan heat 1 TBSP of oil on medium heat. Add sevai and roast it till it starts releasing aroma and turns a nice golden color.
-
In another pan heat 1 TBSP oil. Once hot add mustard seeds. Let the mustard seeds splutter.
-
Add cumin seeds , hing powder. Add green chillies and saute for 30 seconds.
-
Add curry leaves and mix well.
-
Add finely chopped onion and saute till they turn translucent.
-
Add finely chopped tomatoes and saute till they turn mushy.
-
Add salt to taste . Mix well.
-
Add roasted sevai and mix well.
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Add hot boiling water and mix well. Make sure there are no lumps.
-
Cover and cook on low to medium heat for 5-7 minutes.
-
Garnish with finely chopped cilantro and serve hot.
Recipe Notes:
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Roast Rava/Sevai well: Always roast until aromatic for a fluffier texture.
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Use hot water: Helps prevent lumps and ensures even cooking.
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Veggie swaps: Add carrots, beans, peas, or capsicum for more nutrition.
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Spice it up: Adjust green chilies or add ginger for extra flavor.
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Make it gluten-free: Use millet or rice-based sevai instead of rava.
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No onion/garlic? No problem—just add more curry leaves and hing for depth.
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Finish with freshness: A squeeze of lemon or chopped cilantro adds brightness.
Conclusion:
This wholesome recipe for upma with vegetables is a perfect blend of nutrition and flavor—quick to make and easy to digest. Whether you're looking for a light breakfast or a comforting evening meal, this recipe for veg upma is a versatile dish that suits every occasion. Try it once, and you'll have a new favorite in your vegan kitchen rotation!
FAQ
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Both are popular Indian breakfast dishes, but sooji upma is made with semolina (rava) while vermicelli upma uses thin noodles (seviyan). The texture and taste are slightly different.
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Yes, many people follow a satvik or Jain diet and prefer a simple upma recipe without onion or garlic. Just add more veggies and a pinch of asafoetida for flavor.
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Yes, Indian vermicelli recipes can easily be made vegan by using oil instead of ghee and skipping any animal-based ingredients.
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Roast the sooji well and pour hot water slowly while stirring continuously. This helps create a fluffy texture in your sooji upma recipe.
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You can use carrots, beans, green peas, capsicum, and even corn. It adds color, nutrients, and texture to your vermicelli upma.
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If your vermicelli is pre-roasted and veggies are chopped ahead, yes — seviyan upma can be cooked in just 5–6 minutes!
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Add fresh ginger, green chilies, curry leaves, and roasted nuts. A squeeze of lemon juice at the end also brightens the flavor in any easy upma recipe.
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Yes, millet-based vermicelli is a great gluten-free alternative and works well in traditional Indian vermicelli recipes.
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A mildly spiced vegetable upma with ghee (or vegan butter) and soft-cooked veggies like carrots and peas works great for kids.
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Yes, both sooji upma and vermicelli upma are low-fat, light, and customizable. Add lots of vegetables to make it more nutritious.
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ABOUT AUTHOR
Hi! I’m Nimisha C..
My tryst with cooking began when we got to know about food allergies for our son. Taken aback with the shock and restrictions that his diet had and also worried about nutrition...
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