Mint Upma Recipe | Green Upma with Mint and Coriander

I am an upma fan. There — I said it. 😄

Regular upma is comfort food for me. Simple, warm, satisfying. But sometimes you want the same comfort with a little something extra. A little upgrade. A little freshness.

That’s how this mint upma was born. 🌿🤍

The same beloved upma — but with a freshly ground mint, coriander and green chilli paste stirred into the base. That one addition transforms the flavour completely. The upma goes from simple and comforting to fresh, herby, fragrant and incredibly delicious.

A simple flavourful and comforting breakfast recipe that’s perfect for busy mornings. 🤍

Serve with curd, coconut chutney or any side dish of your choice. Or just eat it as it is — with a little extra ghee on top. That’s my favourite way! 😄

Regular upma is beautiful. But this mint upma? This is the upgrade. 🌿🔥

Why You’ll Love This Mint Upma

🌿 Freshly ground mint + coriander + green chilli paste — transforms regular upma into something extraordinary!

🫙 Same comfort different flavour — all the warmth of upma with a beautiful herby fresh twist!

⏱️ Perfect for busy mornings — quick, easy and incredibly satisfying!

🧅 Onion and tomato base — gives the upma its beautiful flavourful foundation.

🧈 Finished with ghee — because ghee makes everything better! 😍

🥣 Serve with curd or coconut chutney — the perfect breakfast combination!

😄 Upma fan approved — the upgrade your regular upma deserves! 🤍

How to Make Mint Upma

This mint upma is as simple as regular upma — with one beautiful extra step!

Start by grinding mint leaves, coriander leaves and green chillies into a smooth paste. This fresh green paste is what transforms the whole dish — keep it ready before you start cooking. 🌿

Meanwhile dry roast the rava on medium flame until it turns slightly golden and fragrant. Keep aside. Roasting the rava before adding gives it a nuttier flavour and prevents lumps!

Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and channa dal — let them splutter and the dal turns golden.

Add chopped onions and sauté really well.

Add chopped tomato and cook until soft.

Now add the ground mint coriander paste, salt and a little water. Cook for a few minutes — let the paste cook into the base and the raw smell of the green chillies disappears. 😍

Pour in 2.5 cups hot water and bring to a boil. Always use hot water for upma — it prevents lumps and gives better texture!

Reduce the flame and slowly add the roasted rava while continuously mixing — this is the most important step! Add gradually and keep stirring to avoid any lumps.

Mix really well until the rava and water are fully combined.

Close and cook until the upma is done.

Finish with a little ghee and mix well. 🧈😍

Serve hot with curd, coconut chutney or any side dish of your choice! 🌿🤍

Pro Tips for the Perfect Mint Upma

• Dry roast rava before using — roasting gives a nuttier flavour and prevents lumps. Don’t skip this step!
• Use hot water — always hot water for upma! Cold water causes lumps and uneven cooking.
• Add rava slowly while stirring — reduce flame, add rava gradually and keep mixing continuously. This is the secret to lump free upma! 😍
• Cook the mint paste properly — add the paste and cook for a few minutes before adding water. This removes the raw smell and develops the flavour beautifully.
• Reduce flame before adding rava — don’t add rava to boiling water on high flame. Reduce first then add gradually!
• Generous ghee at the end — finish with ghee for that beautiful flavour and glossy texture. 🧈🤍
• 2.5 cups water for 1 cup rava — this ratio gives the perfect upma texture. Not too dry, not too wet!
• Serve immediately — upma is best eaten hot right off the stove! 😊

What to Serve With Mint Upma

This mint upma is delicious on its own but pairs beautifully with:

🥣 Plain curd — the cooling curd balances the herby spiced upma perfectly! 🤍
🥥 Coconut chutney — classic South Indian breakfast combination!
🧄 Garlic chutney — for extra bold flavour! 😍
🥣 Any chutney of your choice

In our home we always have upma with a small bowl of curd on the side. Simple and perfect. 🤍

The mint paste in this upma also means it pairs beautifully with plain curd without needing any elaborate side dish — the upma itself has so much flavour! 😊

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make regular upma without the mint paste?
Yes — skip the mint coriander paste for regular upma. But once you try the mint version you may never go back! 😄🌿

Why dry roast rava before using?
Dry roasting removes moisture from the rava, gives a nuttier flavour and most importantly prevents lumps when water is added. Always roast your rava!

Why use hot water?
Hot water cooks the rava immediately and evenly — preventing lumps and giving a better texture. Cold water causes uneven cooking and lumpy upma. Always hot water! 😊

How do I prevent lumps in upma?
Three steps — roast rava well, use hot water and add rava slowly while stirring continuously on reduced flame. Follow all three and you’ll have perfectly lump free upma every time! 😍

Can I add vegetables to this upma?
Absolutely! Add boiled peas, carrots or beans along with the onions for a vegetable mint upma. More nutritious and colourful! 🥕

Can I make this without coriander leaves?
Yes — use only mint leaves if coriander is not available. The upma will still taste great with a more pronounced mint flavour! 🌿

A Note From My Kitchen 🤍

I am an upma fan. Genuinely. 😄

Regular upma has a special place in my heart — warm, comforting, simple. The kind of breakfast that feels like a hug.

But I wanted to give it an upgrade. Something that keeps all the comfort but adds a little freshness, a little colour, a little something extra.

This mint upma is that upgrade. 🌿🤍

The same beloved upma — just better. Fresher. More fragrant. More flavourful.

If you’re an upma fan like me — try this version once. And if you’re not an upma fan — this might just change your mind! 😄

Serve hot. Add ghee. Enjoy. 🌿🔥🤍

Tried This Recipe?

Leave a comment below — are you an upma fan? 😄🌿🤍

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Love South Indian breakfast recipes? Check out my Instant Tomato Gothsu — perfect side dish for upma too! https://homebites365.in/instant-tomato-gothsu-easy-side-dish-idli-pongal/