Instant Pot Dal
Dal is one of those unbeatable Indian meals that take comfort, nourishment, and authentic flavor to a new level, and this Instant Pot dal recipe gets everything done in just 40 minutes. I use moong dal, diced tomatoes, and aromatic spices to create this quick and wholesome plant-based dish.
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 sauté 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
- My #1 Secret Tip for this Instant Pot dal recipe is to allow a natural pressure release after cooking. This gives my lentils extra time to soften and creates that smooth buttery consistency I am looking for.
- Rinse lentils: I rinse the dal thoroughly to remove excess starch or debris.
- Keep cuts uniform: Keeping the vegetables small and uniform in size ensures an even cooking rate and helps them disperse better in the dal.
- Rest before serving: I like giving my dal 2 minutes to rest and infuse before serving.
- Soak for an even smoother texture: If you want a seriously smooth texture or an easily digestible dal, I suggest soaking the rinsed dal in water for just 15 minutes before adding.
- Finish with an acid: When garnishing with the fresh cilantro, I like adding a fresh squeeze of lemon or lime juice to brighten up the flavors.
Nutrition
Calories: 135kcal | Carbohydrates: 23.3g | Protein: 7.8g | Fat: 2.4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 414mg | Fiber: 6.5g | Sugar: 6.1g