Step 1 of 6
Haleem
Drain the soaked wheat, lentils, mung and rice. Put them in a large pot with 1.5 litres of water and a teaspoon of salt. Simmer gently, stirring often, until everything is collapsing, about 90 minutes.
Watch: Stir from the bottom. Wheat porridge catches and burns without warning.
Questions about this dish
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Haleem take?
11 hr 30 min all in — 30 min prep, 3 hr cook, 8 hr rest. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 8 bowls. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Medium.
How spicy is it?
Medium heat.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Wheat, Milk. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Nut-free.
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What does it cost to cook?
A bit special — about $16–28 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Pressure cooker, Dutch oven, Blender, Frying pan.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at 1 tbsp.
What can I use instead?
Bulgur or cracked wheat → Pearl barley or rolled oats. Barley keeps more bite. Oats go very soft and need less water. Lamb → Boneless chicken thighs. Chicken haleem is common and quicker; cook the chicken 25 minutes rather than pressure cooking.
What should I watch for?
Stir from the bottom. Wheat porridge catches and burns without warning.
Any tips from this recipe?
Haleem thickens as it cools. Keep some hot water handy when reheating. A bone-in cut gives better body than boneless. Fish the bones out before blending. Make a day ahead if you can. The flavour settles and the texture gets silkier.
Can I prepare this ahead?
Make a day ahead if you can. The flavour settles and the texture gets silkier. Reheat the rest of the onion ghee and pour it over the top. Serve each bowl with fried onion, ginger matchsticks, green chilli, coriander, mint and lemon.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.