Enjoy this delicious & healthy Whole Masoor Dal, also known as Brown Lentils Curry, made in the Instant Pot or Stovetop Pressure Cooker. Vegan & Gluten Free.
Whole Masoor Dal is also popularly known as Brown Lentils or Sabut Masoor ki Dal. These are basically whole red lentils which are popular all over the world.
We make this Whole Masoor Dal very often for dinner. It goes perfectly with rice, naan or roti/paratha. This dal can be made in the instant pot or a stovetop pressure cooker. I love the convenience of making lentils in a pressure cooker, as they cook so quickly and are almost hands free.
If you are new to the instant pot, check out this quick setup guide.
Table of Contents
Watch How to Make Whole Masoor Dal
What are lentils?
Lentils, also known as Dal or Dhal are a mini legumes. They are a good source of protein, fiber and minerals.
There are many varieties of lentils such as yellow (moong and toor), green (moong), red (masoor), brown (whole masoor) and black (urad) lentils.
Whole Masoor Dal / Brown Lentil Nutrition
These lentils are a rich source of dietary fiber and 11 grams of protein. They contain nine essential amino acids, which makes them a popular source of protein for a plant based diet.
Brown lentils hold their shape well while cooking. After cooking, brown lentils have a wonderful creamy texture. Brown lentils are also easy to cook and make a great main dish such as a curry, stews or soup.
How to make Whole Masoor Dal in Instant Pot?
Let’s start with gathering the ingredients. I use brown lentils, onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, green chili pepper and spices to make the dal.
- Rinse the brown lentils in water and chop the ingredients. You do not need to soak these lentils.
- Heat the instant pot in Sauté mode and add oil to it.
- Then add cumin seeds, onions, ginger and garlic. Saute for about 2-3 minutes.
- Then add tomatoes and spices. Stir and sauté for another 2 minutes.
- Now we are ready to add the lentils and water. Then pressure cook for 12 minutes at high pressure.
- After the cooking time is done, let the pressure release naturally. If you are in a hurry, you can also release pressure manually 10 minutes after the instant pot beeps.
Stir in the lime juice and garnish with cilantro.
Oh…the lentils are perfectly cooked and so creamy!
How to make Whole Masoor Dal in Stovetop Pressure Cooker?
Traditionally, lentils were first boiled in a pressure cooker and then mixed with tempering (tadka) made in a fry pan. However this recipe makes Whole Masoor Dal as a one-pot recipe.
Follow the same steps as above. In the stovetop pressure cooker, cook for 3-4 whistles (about 12 minutes) and let the pressure release naturally.
Enjoy Whole Masoor Dal with Basmati Rice, Roti/Paratha or Naan.
We like to pair Masoor Dal with a vegetable stir fry along with the rice on the side. Some options for stir fry vegetables that would go well with this dal – Aloo Gobi, Bhindi Masala (Okra) or Cabbage Peas.
You will love this Brown Lentil Curry:
√ It is easy to make and healthy
√ Uses simple ingredients that you will have in your pantry.
√ Vegan and Gluten free
√ Creamy and delicious, perfect to serve over rice!
Check out more lentil recipes I have posted in the past:
Whole Masoor Dal Recipe (Brown Lentils Curry)
Video
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Ghee or Oil
- 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds (Jeera)
- 1 Green chili pepper, optional
- 1 cup Onions, diced
- 1/2 tablespoon Garlic, minced
- 1/2 tablespoon Ginger , grated
- 1 cup Tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup Brown lentils (Whole Masoor Dal), rinsed
- 2 1/2 cups Water
- 1 tablespoon Lime juice
- Cilantro , to garnish
Spices
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Turmeric (Haldi powder)
- 1 teaspoon Coriander powder (Dhaniya powder)
- 1/2 teaspoon Red Chili powder (Mirchi powder), adjust to taste, I used mild Kashmiri red chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Garam Masala
- 1 teaspoon Salt , adjust to taste
Instructions
- Start the pressure cooker in sauté mode and let it heat. Add oil and cumin seeds. Saute for 30 seconds.
- When the cumin seeds change color, add green chili, onions, ginger and garlic. Sauté for 3 minutes until the onions become golden brown while stirring frequently.
- Add tomato and spices. Stir and sauté for another 2 minutes.
- Add the lentils, water and stir well. Press cancel and close lid with vent in sealing position.
- Change the instant pot setting to manual or pressure cook mode at high pressure for 12 mins. After the instant pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally.
- Open the pot. Add the lime juice and stir the dal.
- Garnish with cilantro. Serve dal with roti, naan or rice.
For stovetop pressure cooker
- Follow the same steps as above. Cook for 3-4 whistles (about 12 minutes) and let the pressure release naturally.
For stovetop in a pan
- Follow the same steps until adding the lentis, and water. Add 1/2 cup more water. Cook on stovetop partly covered for 30-35 minutes until the lentils are cooked and soft. You might have to add more water as it evaporates in the pan.
I am a USA-raised white girl that married a punjabi husband. I am so happy to be able to make (finally) delicious Indian food for our family. Thank you for all the amazing recipes! I always recommend your site as a go-to.
Hi Jenny – So happy to hear that. Thank you for sharing it back 🙂
This is hands down the most delicious, restaurant-level Indian food recipe I’ve ever made at home. The first time I made it, I doubled the batch but forgot to double the water, and when we made the “proper” way, it tasted a little mild by comparison so we’ve stuck with doubling the spices now. But yes, wonderful recipe. I’m make tons at a time because we eat so much.
Hi – So good to hear that. Thank you so much for sharing it back 🙂
Excellent recipe. Did need the extra water as noted, but the lentils finished in 32 minutes flat. Paired with a nice Bordeaux. Fantastic evening! Added 2 cloves to make up for the coriander powder that has disappeared from the spice rack. Came out fine!
Hi Michael – Glad to hear you enjoyed the dal. Thank you for sharing back your experience!
Hello! If I wanted to add a little more water to this recipe (say 3 cups instead of 2.5 cups) how much longer would I cook the lentils for on high pressure?
I made this today using 2.5 cups and some lentils were still just slightly underdone.
Thank you!
Hi Nita – The cooking time will remain the same even if you increase the quantity of water or double the recipe. Hope you enjoy the dal!
We tried this recipe and enjoyed it well.
I pressure cooked the dal separately and added the ingredients as per your list.
It turned out yummy.
Thanks so much.
Hi Maria – So happy to hear that. Thank you for sharing it 🙂
Love it…delish.
Happy new year
Thanks.
Hi – Thank you! 🙂
I dont have a pressure cooker. can I cook this in a pan?
Hi Tarloke – Sure, it will just take longer to cook in an pan. I have added the stovetop pan instructions in the recipe. Hope you enjoy it!
This lentil recipe was so good! I doubled it in my 8 qt Instant Pot and it was perfect! Great texture and flavor. Served with basmatic rice.
If I added potatoes to this, how long would the timing in the manual instant pot change?
Hi Aliya – I think the potatoes might get a bit overcooked in this time of 12 minutes. This cooking time is needed for the lentils to cook well. If you do want to try with adding potatoes, I would cut them in very large pieces.
Can I do the pot in pot rice with this? Can’t wait to try it!
Hi Lisa – Yes, you can do pot-in-pot brown rice. I would soak the brown rice for 1 hour in warm water, then cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. If you want to use pot-in-pot white rice, then cook for 10 minutes on high pressure, with an NPR.