Instant Pot Dal

This Instant Pot dal is just perfect! It’s easy, restaurant quality, and quick to make, plus it’s naturally vegetarian or vegan. It’s tender and spiced without tasting heavy, and you’ll love it over steamed basmati rice and a side of naan. Slow cooker and Crockpot option included.

Why This Recipe Is So Good

• It’s a restaurant quality brightly spiced meal without being too heavy.
• It’s naturally vegetarian and gluten-free and easy to make vegan.
• Because it’s cooked in a pressure cooker, it’s perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.

What is in Dal, Exactly?

The main ingredients in this dish are either pantry staples or easy to source.

• Yellow lentils: Also called toor dal or split pigeon peas.
• Spices: Green chili, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, turmeric, garam masala.
• Ghee: Or avocado oil for a vegan meal.
• Garlic cloves
• Tomato
• Lemon juice: fresh is preferable

Serve with naan and basmati rice.

How to Make It

• Wash and rinse the lentils and set them aside.
• Press saute mode on Instant Pot and add the oil. Once it’s hot add the cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Let them heat and crackle until they become fragrant.
• Add the chopped garlic, green chili and saute until the garlic starts turning golden brown in color.
• Add the chopped tomato and mix. Cook everything for a minute.
• Then add the salt, turmeric powder and cook the mixture for 1-2 minutes.

• Add the rinsed lentils and stir everything together.
• Add the water, mix, and close the lid of the Instant Pot.
• Cancel saute mode.
• Select manual and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
• After 10 minutes, wait 6-7 minutes and then release the pressure.
• Adjust the salt to taste and add the garam masala, cilantro and lemon juice. You can change the consistency of the dal at this point if you wish by stirring in more water.

To Make the Daal in a Crockpot:

If you don’t have an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, this dal is also easy to make in a slow cooker:

Wash the lentils and set to one side.

Heat the oil in a pan over a medium high heat on the stovetop and add the cumin and mustard seeds. Heat them until they start to crackle and then add the garlic and green chili and saute until the garlic starts to turn brown.

Add the chopped tomato and the salt and turmeric and mix well. Add the rinsed lentils and combine. Transfer everything to the Crockpot and cook on high 4-6 hours or low 6-8 hours.

What is dal?

Dal (also known as dahl or daal) refers to split pulses or lentils in India and Asia, and dal curry is a staple in traditional Indian cuisine. Spices and vegetables are cooked with lentils to create a flavorsome and filling meal. Served with rice and naan for a complete meal.

What are the best lentils to use in this Instant Pot Dal?

This works best with yellow lentils, they are also referred to as toor dal or split pigeon peas. They are sweet and nutty in flavor and become soft when cooked through, so they are perfect to use in dals, soups and other curries.

Are lentils good for you?

Lentils are a great legume to include in your diet. They contain high amounts of fiber, folic acid and potassium as well as essential vitamins and minerals. They provide a good amount of protein, so they are a great replacement for meat in vegetarian and vegan diets.

If you love lentils, be sure to try our Instant Pot lentil soup!

Chef’s Tips

• Cooking the cumin and mustard seeds is key to the flavor in this dish, as is cooking the garlic and chili until beginning to brown. Don’t skip these steps!
• To make this dish vegan, substitute the ghee for avocado oil or other neutral oil.
• For a medium spicy dal, use a whole chopped chili. For a milder meal, deseed the chili before chopping it.

Be sure to check out these other Indian recipes!

• Indian Meatballs Recipe (Whole30)
• Whole30 Indian Saag Chicken
• Palak Paneer
• Easy Chana Masala
• Paneer Tikka Masala

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