Easy Crock Pot Dal (Slow Cooker Yellow Dal)
My crock pot dal recipe is an absolute staple in our house! Made with protein rich split chickpeas and a combination of rich, warm spices like turmeric, cumin, and coriander, this slow cooker yellow dal is pure and simple Indian comfort food. Ideal for anyone looking to make a flavor-packed one-pot dinner, or a make-ahead meal!
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 210kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup split chickpeas or chana dal soaked in cold water for 1 hour. You can also use yellow split peas if you don't have chana dal.
- 3 cups water
- 3 tomatoes diced
- 1 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- ½ tsp black mustard seeds
- 1 medium red onion finely chopped
- 5 large garlic cloves thinly sliced
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ¾ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ¼ cup minced cilantro leaves
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Add the lentils, salt, and 3 cups of water to a slow cooker. Cook on high for 4-6 hours.
- When your lentils are close to done, heat oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add a couple cumin seeds to test out the heat of the oil. If they pop, the oil is ready to go!
- Add all of your cumin seeds and mustard seeds and let cook for 10-15 seconds (until the seeds pop).
- Then add your coriander, turmeric, cayenne, onion, tomato, and garlic, stir for 30 seconds, and turn the heat down to medium low. Let it cook until the onions become translucent and the tomatoes break down.
- Add the onion/tomato/spice mixture to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Top with cilantro and serve!
Notes
- Soak The Lentils: Soak split chickpeas (chana dal) in cold water for at least an hour. This softens the lentils, reduces cooking time, and ensures they cook evenly and become tender.
- Adjust The Heat: For a milder dal, reduce the cayenne pepper or substitute with paprika for a smoky flavor without the heat. For a spicier dish, add more cayenne or a chopped green chili.
- Control Consistency: For a thicker dal, cook with the lid off for the last 15 minutes to allow some liquid to evaporate. For a thinner consistency, add a bit more water.
- Stir Occasionally: If you're home while the crockpot daal is cooking, give it a stir every now and then. This helps to ensure even cooking and prevents any sticking.
Nutrition
Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 3.4g | Saturated Fat: 2.9g | Sodium: 581mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 4g