Instant Pot Dal (Indian Dal Fry Recipe)
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A simple instant pot dal is an easy, healthy and delicious weeknight dinner! Made with cauliflower, diced tomatoes, carrots, bell pepper, moong dal, and Indian spices, its a nutritious dish with only 25 minutes of hands on time. Family-friendly and a one pot meal!
Omg you guys, I am obsessed with my Instant Pot. I use it at least once a week (sometimes more) and it has made making healthy meals for dinner so much easier! It’s never more than 20 minutes of active time, and then I literally just set and forget. It’s fantastic.
We eat Indian food fairly often, and one meal that’s a classic is dal with sabji (or sautéed vegetables). Since I got the instant pot, I have realized that I can make a dal-inspired lentil stew with veggies added in! Talk about a great one pot meal with almost no cleanup.
When I’m making this Instant Pot Dal, I like to throw in any leftover veggies I have in the fridge. On this particular day, I had cauliflower, bell peppers, and carrots – but you can throw in just about any combination of vegetables you like.
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This healthy vegetarian Indian recipe was a hit with my whole family! You can make this easy recipe without an instant pot, but it’s just so much easier with one when you don’t have to sit there watching your lentils cook on the stove.
This yummy Indian dal “stew” is nutritious and delicious, vegetarian (and vegan) and freezes really well too – it’s the perfect recipe for meal prep and batch cooking!
I like to call it my “superfood” dal because of all the great vegetables I end up adding to it (there’s always one cruciferous veggie and oftentimes either spinach or kale that I’ll throw in too).
It’s packed with protein, gluten-free, vegan friendly, keeps you full forever, and tastes so good you won’t even realize it’s good for you!
👩🏽🍳 Why This Recipe Works
- Healthy and Nutritious
- Vegetarian and Vegan
- Gluten-Free
- Rich and Creamy
- Only 25 Minutes Hands On Time
- Packed with Plant Protein
- Warm and Comforting
🥘 Ingredients
Coconut Oil: For sauteeing the spices and onions prior to sealing your instant pot. You can also use olive oil.
Moong Dal: There are so many types of lentils you can use to make dal. I use Moong Dal for this recipe because it cooks down really well and becomes super creamy, but you can use any kind of dal you like! Moong dal is a split legume that is yellow in color. It is commonly used in Indian cuisine. They are extremely nutritious and easy to digest. Other yellow lentils that will work well are: chana dal or yellow split peas.
Vegetables: When making this recipe I used the extra veggies that I had in the fridge. This included carrots, cauliflower, bell pepper, diced tomatoes, onion, ginger and garlic. However, you can use whatever vegetables you have on hand. I often like to finish it off by adding fresh spinach or kale! Note: At Indian grocery stores you can find a pre-made ginger garlic paste, which will also work in this recipe instead of the fresh ginger + garlic. It will also save you some prep time!
Indian Spices: The depth of flavor from this dish comes from the assortment of Indian spices (both whole spices and ground spices). These include mustard seeds, cumin seeds, hing, cayenne pepper, turmeric powder, and curry powder. For curry powder, I absolutely love Simply Organic’s Curry Powder – it has the perfect balance of heat and warm spices and gives the dal complexity of flavor. To make this dal spicier, you can add some diced green chilies, red chili powder, or crushed red pepper flakes.
🍽 Equipment
- Quality cutting board
- An instant pot pressure cooker, an electric pressure cooker, or a large, durable stock pot
- High quality chef’s knife
- Ladle for serving!
🔪 Instructions
Follow these step by step photos to make the perfect Instant Pot Dal every time!
Sauté Your Vegetables: Turn your instant pot to saute mode on high. Heat oil, then add cumin seeds & mustard seeds and cook 30 seconds until they pop. Add 1 more tsp coconut oil, and then add in onion, tomatoes, garlic, and ginger. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion is cooked through and translucent.
Combine Rest of the Ingredients: Add the moong dal, 3 cups of water, cauliflower, baby carrots, bell pepper, and all of the remaining spices. Hit the “Cancel” button. Stir to combine.
Cook Dal: Cover the Instant Pot with the lid, and make sure the pressure valve is closed. Cook on high pressure, and set the cooking time to 15 minutes. Natural release the remaining pressure before opening. Stir and add water until the consistency of dal suits your preferences!
Optional: Add chopped fresh cilantro when the cooked dal is complete!
❓Recipe FAQs
How long does it take to cook lentils in the instant pot?
Depending on the type of lentil you are using, the time it will take will vary. Smaller lentils, such as moong dal, or red lentils will only need about 15 minutes of cooking time. Whereas brown lentils, black lentils, or green lentils will take about 20 minutes.
What is dal?
Dal is considered both an ingredient and a dish. As an ingredient it is a split legume. There are numerous varieties, and the type of dal used in Indian recipes largely depends on the region of India. Toor dal, and moong dal is common in south India. Chana dal is common in the North. They come in a variety of colors, from yellow, orange, green, and brown. As a recipe, dal is meant to indicate the creamy dish that includes the legume, along with spices, and often with added vegetables. Dal is a staple in Indian cooking and is often served for dinner with a variety of sides and vegetables.
How do you make dal on the stovetop?
To prepare this recipe on the stove top, you will follow the same instructions, in the recipe using a large pot. First sauté the cumin and mustard seeds in coconut oil over high heat until they pop (about 30 seconds).
Then add the onions, garlic, and tomatoes and reduce to medium heat. Sauté until translucent.
Add the dal, spices, vegetables and water. Cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour, until the consistency of the dal is thick and creamy.
Is this recipe kid friendly?
Yes, this delicious recipe is kid friendly! It’s light and mildly spiced, with hidden veggies! It’s full of flavor but not too hot for little palates. When making this for kids, I typically omit the cayenne. Your kids will enjoy it served over rice or with tortillas on the side. Add a bit of cashews for more texture!
What makes this dal recipe healthy?
High in Protein and Fiber: One generous serving of this dal contains 8 grams of plant protein and 6.5 grams of fiber. Lentils are 25% protein, making them an excellent meat substitute. If you serve it with plain nonfat Greek yogurt, you’ll add more protein, and a cool creaminess!
Rich in Vitamins and Minerals: Lentils are rich in B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc. Iron is often lacking in vegan and vegetarian diets, so adding lentils to your diet helps to improve iron levels.
Low in Calories and Fat: One serving is only 135 calories, and 2 grams of fat, making this a heart healthy dish!
🧊 How to Store
- Refrigerator: Allow the leftover dal to cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Allow the dal to cool completely. Transfer to an airtight freezer safe container. Make sure to remove any air in the container before sealing. Label with date and contents. The dal will keep in the freezer for 2-3 months.
- Reheat: When ready to reheat from the freezer, transfer to the refrigerator to defrost overnight. Place in a microwave safe glass container. Lightly cover. Warm on high until heated through, stirring every 1-2 minutes until warmed to desired temperature.
👪 Serving Suggestions
Traditionally, dal is served with basmati rice (which is a type of white rice) or naan bread. For more whole grains, I recommend serving this Instant Pot Dal with warm sprouted wheat tortillas, quinoa or brown rice.
For toppings, try some fresh cilantro or coriander leaves, a squeeze of lemon juice, a drizzle of coconut milk yogurt, or a dollop of plain Greek yogurt for some extra protein. I hope you love this recipe as much as we do!
💭 Expert Tips for Using the Instant Pot
- Use the sauté function to cook the spices and onions/garlic/ginger prior to adding the water and dal.
- For added flavor use vegetable stock instead of water.
- Adjust the temperature as needed when you select the sauté function. You can adjust the temperature to avoid burning the vegetables.
- The instant pot cooks food quickly. This can run the risk of overcooking your dal. Stick to the times mentioned in the recipe for best results.
- Save yourself some clean-up time, and place the parts of your Instant Pot in the dishwasher to clean and sanitize.
🍲 More Instant Pot Recipes!
- Perfect Instant Pot Quinoa
- Cauliflower Curry
- Lentils with Tahini
- Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili
- Instant Pot Tomato Soup
If you have tried this Instant Pot Dal recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious, healthy, family friendly food!
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🎥 Watch How to Make It
Instant Pot Dal
A simple instant pot dal is an easy, healthy and delicious weeknight dinner! Made with cauliflower, diced tomatoes, carrots, bell pepper, moong dal, and Indian spices, its a nutritious meal with only 25 minutes of hands on time. Family-friendly and a one pot meal!
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 135kcal
Ingredients
- 1 small red onion diced
- 15 oz petite diced tomatoes 1 can
- 6 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 cup Moong Dal
- ¼ tsp hing
- 1½ tsp salt
- 16 oz bag cauliflower florets
- 8 oz bag baby carrots
- 1 red/orange/yellow bell pepper diced
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 3 cups water
Instructions
- Turn your instant pot to saute on high
- Add 1 tsp coconut oil and let the oil warm up. Add cumin seeds & mustard seeds and cook 30 seconds until they pop. Add 1 more tsp coconut oil, and then add in onion, tomatoes, garlic, and ginger. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion is cooked through and translucent.
- Then add the remaining ingredients (Moong dal through water) and hit the “Cancel” button. Mix to combine.
- Cover the Instant Pot with the lid, and make sure the pressure valve is closed. Pressure Cook on High and set the cooking time to 15 minutes. Allow for natural release before opening.
- Optional: Add chopped fresh cilantro when cooking is complete!
Notes
- Use the sauté function to cook the spices and onions/garlic/ginger prior to adding the water and dal.
- For added flavor use vegetable stock instead of water.
- Adjust the temperature as needed when you select the sauté function. You can adjust the temperature to avoid burning the vegetables.
- The instant pot cooks food quickly. This can run the risk of overcooking your dal. Stick to the times mentioned in the recipe for best results.
- Save yourself some clean-up time, and place the parts of your Instant Pot in the dishwasher to clean and sanitize.
Nutrition
Calories: 135kcal | Carbohydrates: 23.3g | Protein: 7.8g | Fat: 2.4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 414mg | Fiber: 6.5g | Sugar: 6.1g
Your Dal recipes are just amazing… We all are loving it
Thanks so much!
Yummy! This looks and sounds so delicious and packed with so much flavor! I can’t wait to try this recipe very soon!
Thanks Beth! I’m sure you all will love it!
What a great idea to make dal in the Instant Pot! We like dal, and Instant Pot makes it so easy to cook it.
Totally!! Hope you love this version!
We eat dal in the Caribbean too due to the Indian influence so I’m very familiar with it, I love it and cannot wait to test it out in my IP.
Oh awesome! Yes the IP makes dal way easier to cook!
This looks super tasty. We love Indian cuisine and eat cauliflower quite regularly. I’m going to switch things up and make this Indian recipe instead the next time we get cauliflower. Great photos, I could eat off the screen…:)
Thanks Rosemary!! Enjoy!
I am always looking for new ways to use my instant pot and this looks delicious, and really comforting.
Thanks so much Dannii! I’m sure you will love this recipe!
Hi! What are the directions if I want to just make this on my stovetop? Sounds delicious! Thanks!
Hi Archana! Here they are!
1. Heat a large stock pot over medium heat. Add 1 tsp coconut oil, onion, tomatoes, garlic, ginger and saute 5 minutes or until the onion is cooked through. Then add the remaining ingredients (moong dal through water) and bring to a boil.
2. Once boiling, cover and reduce the heat to low and cook for about 1 hour until the moong dal has completely cooked through.
3. Once the dal is cooked, in a separate small pot on the stove, add 1 tsp coconut oil and turn the heat up to high. Once the oil is hot, add cumin seeds & mustard seeds and cook 30 seconds until they pop. Then add the cumin/mustard/coconut oil mixture to large stock pot. Mix to combine and then serve with chopped fresh cilantro on top as a garnish.
This looks great! I plan to make it tonight! Question – can you recommend a substitute for the mustard seeds and cumin seeds? I don’t have those on hand. Perhaps some dried ground mustard and cumin??
Hi Jen!! Yes I’d say ground cumin, and just omit the mustard seeds. For a little more flavor you can increase the amount of curry powder you use to taste! Can’t wait to hear how this turns out!
This recipe sounds good. One question, what is hing and where can I get it?
Hi! Thanks so much – it really is delicious! You can buy Hing on Amazon here. Hope that helps, let me know if you have any other questions!
This recipe looks super easy. I am going to try this today.
It really is easy! Can’t wait to hear how it turned out! 🙂
This looks delicious! Any idea how to modify cooking for a crockpot?
Thanks! 🙂
Thanks Heather! And yes! For a crockpot:
Add in the Moong Dal through water into the crockpot and cook it on high until the lentils are completely soft and the veggies are mushy.
Then, on the stovetop in a small saucepan, add the coconut oil and the mustard/cumin seeds until they pop (on high heat), and then lower the heat to medium and add the onions, tomatoes, ginger and garlic.
Let that cook until the onions are translucent, and then dump the whole onion combo into the crockpot and stir to combine.
Let that warm through for 5-10 minutes and then serve! Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!
I love my instant pot as well! Its really amazing for Indian recipes because the switch from a traditional pressure cook to the instant pot is a no-brainer! I like your addition of the curry powder in this recipe, I have to try it! I’ve had others that sometimes have a weird taste!
Yes!! I totally agree – and the instant pot is so much easier to use than a regular pressure cooker! And yeah this curry powder is awesome – I totally agree with you that others can have a really weird taste or like an imbalance of flavors. This one is really unique! Let me know how this recipe turns out when you try it! 🙂