Ragi, also known as Finger Millet, is a traditional grain that’s making a big comeback in modern kitchens for all the right reasons. Packed with calcium, fiber, and essential amino acids, ragi is the go-to grain if you’re looking to eat healthy without compromising on taste. While ragi is often used in breakfast dishes, it’s also perfect for light, nutritious, and filling dinner recipes.
In this blog, we’ll explore some tasty, easy-to-make ragi recipes for dinner that are ideal for both kids and adults. Whether you’re aiming to lose weight, eat clean, or simply try something new, these dishes are sure to impress!
🍽️ Why Choose Ragi for Dinner?
🌿 Low in Calories: Helps in managing weight.
💪 High in Calcium & Iron: Strengthens bones and improves hemoglobin levels.
🧘♀️ Keeps You Full Longer: The fiber in ragi promotes satiety.
🌾 Gluten-Free: Ideal for those with gluten sensitivity or digestive issues.
🛌 Promotes Better Sleep: Ragi contains tryptophan, which helps in calming the body.
🥘 Top 7 Ragi Recipes for a Healthy Dinner
1. Ragi Roti (Finger Millet Flatbread)
Ingredients:
Ragi flour – 1 cup
Chopped onions, green chilies, coriander
Salt, cumin seeds, water
Method:
Mix all ingredients with warm water to make a soft dough.
Roll out like a roti or pat with fingers.
Cook on a tawa until both sides are golden brown.
✅ Serve with chutney or curd for a light yet satisfying dinner.
2. Ragi Dosa
Ingredients:
Ragi flour – 1 cup
Rice flour – ¼ cup
Curd – ½ cup
Chopped onions, green chilies, coriander
Salt and water
Method:
Mix all ingredients into a thin batter.
Pour like rava dosa on a hot pan.
Cook until crispy and serve hot.
🔥 Great with coconut chutney or sambar.
3. Ragi Mudde (Ragi Balls) – Traditional South Indian Recipe
Ingredients:
Ragi flour – 1 cup
Water – 2.5 cups
Salt
Method:
Boil water, add a spoon of flour, mix.
Slowly add the rest of the flour, stir vigorously.
Cover and cook for 5 mins, then roll into balls.
🥣 Eat with sambar, chutney, or spicy rasam.
4. Ragi Idli
Ingredients:
Ragi flour – 1 cup
Urad dal – ½ cup
Rice – ½ cup
Salt
Method:
Soak and grind urad dal and rice.
Mix with ragi flour and ferment overnight.
Pour into idli molds and steam.
🍛 Soft, fluffy, and perfect with chutney for dinner.
5. Ragi Upma
Ingredients:
Ragi semiya or broken ragi
Mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chilies
Onions, carrots, peas
Method:
Soak ragi vermicelli if needed.
Sauté spices and veggies.
Add soaked ragi and cook until soft.
🥕 A colorful, quick dinner dish for busy nights.
6. Ragi Porridge (Savory Style)
Ingredients:
Ragi flour – 2 tbsp
Water – 1.5 cups
Salt, buttermilk, chopped onions, green chilies
Method:
Cook ragi flour in water to make a thick porridge.
Cool slightly, then mix in buttermilk, onions, and chilies.
🧂 Light, cooling, and digestion-friendly dinner option.
7. Ragi Pancakes (Spiced or Sweet)
Savory Version:
Ragi flour + curd + chopped veggies + salt
Sweet Version:Ragi flour + jaggery + cardamom + banana
Method:
Make a batter and cook like a pancake.
Flip until golden on both sides.
🥞 Perfect for kids or late-night healthy cravings!
💡 Tips to Make Ragi Dinner Recipes More Delicious
Always sieve the ragi flour to remove lumps and get a smooth batter.
Add curd or lemon juice to ragi dishes to enhance iron absorption.
Pair ragi with fermented or probiotic sides like curd, chutney, or pickles.
Use ghee instead of oil for added richness and nutrition.
🗓️ Ragi Dinner Meal Plan (7 Days)
Day | Dinner Menu | Side Suggestions |
---|---|---|
Monday | Ragi Mudde (Finger Millet Balls) | Sambar or Palakura Pappu (Spinach Dal) |
Tuesday | Ragi Dosa | Coconut Chutney, Tomato Chutney |
Wednesday | Ragi Upma with Veggies | Buttermilk or Cucumber Raita |
Thursday | Ragi Roti | Tomato Curry or Ridge Gourd Curry |
Friday | Ragi Idli | Peanut Chutney or Onion Chutney |
Saturday | Ragi Pancakes (Sweet or Spicy) | Jaggery Syrup or Mint Chutney |
Sunday | Savory Ragi Porridge | Lemon Pickle or Spiced Buttermilk |
🛒 Shopping List for the Week (Ragi-Based Dinners)
🌾 Grains & Flours
Ragi Flour – 1.5 to 2 kg
Rice Flour – 250g
Urad Dal – 500g
Idli Rice – 500g
Ragi Vermicelli (optional for upma) – 1 pack
🥬 Vegetables
Onions – 1 kg
Tomatoes – ½ kg
Carrots – 250g
Green Chilies – 100g
Ginger – 100g
Curry Leaves – 1 bunch
Coriander Leaves – 1 bunch
Bottle Gourd/Ridge Gourd – 1 or 2
Spinach – 1 bunch
🧂 Spices & Condiments
Mustard Seeds
Cumin Seeds
Asafoetida (hing)
Turmeric Powder
Red Chili Powder
Black Pepper
Salt
🍶 Dairy & Other
Buttermilk or Curd – 2-3 liters (for porridge and side)
Ghee – 250ml
Jaggery – 200g (for sweet pancake)
Coconut – Fresh or grated (for chutney)
Pickles (optional)
📌 Pro Tips:
You can pre-make dosa and idli batter on weekends and refrigerate.
Store ragi flour in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Add chopped spinach, fenugreek, or drumstick leaves into rotis for variation.
If you’re short on time, try ready-made ragi dosa or roti mix available online.
📦 Where to Buy Ragi Online
You can find organic ragi flour, ragi vermicelli, and ready-to-make ragi dosa mixes on:
Amazon
BigBasket
MeenakshiRecipe.com
Organic India stores
✅ Final Thoughts
Switching to ragi for dinner is one of the best decisions for your health and taste buds. It’s easy to cook, versatile, and supports weight management, better digestion, and overall wellness. Whether you love rotis, dosas, or porridge, ragi has something for everyone.
So tonight, ditch the regular wheat or rice and go for a wholesome ragi dinner – your body will thank you!