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    Home » Cuisine » Indian

    17 Best Dal Recipes (Indian Lentil Recipes)

    June 26, 2023 . By Meeta Arora . Leave a Comment | This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Dal Palak (Lentils with spinach) in a pretty bowl with rice on the side

    Craving a hearty and comforting meal that's packed with flavor and nutrition? Look no further than these 17 Best Dal Recipes.

    Whether you're a die-hard fan of classic dhal favorites like Dal Makhani and Dal fry or seeking new innovative recipes like Masoor Dal or Dal Dhokli - we've got you covered.

    Each recipe in this collection has rich and aromatic flavors of Indian cuisine while also providing a healthy and nourishing source of protein, fiber, and essential vitamins. From the creaminess of buttery Dal makhani to the zesty tang of Mango Dal, these dishes will tantalize your taste buds.

    So what are you waiting for? Get ready to explore Indian lentils - with our 17 Best Dal Recipes as your guide!

    Dal Palak

    spinach dal served with rice in a white plate
    Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry

    Spinach Dal, popularly called Dal Palak in India, is a comforting lentil soup with spinach mixed in it for extra nutrition. It is so easy to make it in the pressure cooker. This healthy and hearty dish can be served as a side dish or a main course with basmati rice or bread.

    Get the Dal Palak recipe.

    Green Moong Dal

    Green mung dal served with rice with red onions and lime.
    Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry

    Wholesome Green Moong Dal is a delicious creamy lentil soup that is so easy and quick to make in a pressure cooker. Made with mung beans, onions, tomatoes, and aromatic spices, this mung bean curry is a protein-packed comforting meal with steamed rice.

    Get the Green Moong Dal recipe.

    Red Lentil Dal

    Red Lentils served in 3 bowls over rice and topped with cilantro
    Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry

    Quick and easy Red Lentil Curry, also known as Masoor Dal, is sure to become a staple for your vegetarian meals. Made with red lentils, aromatic spices, and fresh ingredients like ginger and garlic, it's flavorful and hearty.

    This super delicious, healthy, and budget-friendly vegan meal can be made in less than 30 minutes. Serve it with rice or naan for a satisfying vegetarian meal.

    Get the Red Lentil Dal recipe.

    Chana Dal

    Chana dal served over rice in 3 bowls.
    Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry

    Chana dal is a delicious and nutritious Indian lentil dish made with split chickpeas. It is a staple vegan dal made in many Indian households and is often served with rice or Indian flatbreads such as roti or paratha.

    Get the Chana Dal recipe.

    Dal Makhani

    Dal Makhani made in the instant pot, served in a earthen pot with some brown rice and spices in the back
    Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry

    This rich, creamy, and aromatic North Indian dal is a restaurant favorite. It has black lentils, red kidney beans, butter, and cream.

    The lentils and beans are soaked overnight, then cooked with a blend of spices, onion, tomato, ginger, and garlic. It is often served with rice or with naan.

    Get the Dal Makhani recipe.

    Dal Fry

    Dal Tadka / Dal Fry / Yellow Lentils Instant Pot Pressure Cooker 3
    Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry

    Dal Fry is a popular Indian dish made yellow split pigeon peas cooked with spices and aromatics. This flavorful dish is easy to make and is one of the most popular dal made in India.

    Enjoy this dal tadka as a main dish or a side dish. Serve this comforting dal fry with rice or roti for a satisfying meal.

    Get the Dal Fry recipe.

    Panchmel Dal

    panchmel dal topped with tadka and cilantro leaves in a bowl
    Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry

    Panchmel Dal, also called Panchratna dal, is a comforting one-pot Indian mixed lentil soup that is high in protein and fiber. You'll put a complete and tasty meal on the table with only a few basic pantry ingredients.

    Get the Panchmel Dal recipe.

    Moong Dal

    Instant Pot Moong Dal Fry. Split Yellow Lentils Pressure Cooker
    Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry

    Moong Dal Tadka, or Split Yellow Lentil Soup, is another popular dal similar to Toor Dal Fry that is used for everyday cooking in India.

    It is a quick, easy, and low-calorie nutritious lentil soup. Serve over steamed rice for a simple cozy meal.

    Get the Moong Dal recipe.

    Moth Dal

    Moth beans dal in a bowl garnished with cilantro
    Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry

    This moth dal recipe is a delicious and nutritious vegetarian dish made with matki or moth beans. It's a great way to enjoy a healthy and satisfying meal that's also easy to make in the Instant Pot or stovetop.

    The creamy and flavorful curry is spiced with traditional Indian spices and herbs like ginger, garlic, and garam masala and is perfect for serving with rice or roti.

    Get the Moth Dal recipe.

    Horsegram Dal

    Horsegram dal served with rice in a bowl
    Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry

    This horsegram dal recipe is a healthy and flavorful dish made with horsegram lentils (kulthi dal) cooked in a tomato and onion-based sauce with a blend of aromatic spices.

    The dish is vegan, gluten-free, and high in protein, making it a nutritious and delicious addition to any meal.

    Get the Horsegram Dal recipe.

    Gujarati Dal

    Gujarati Dal in a hand bowl garnished with cilantro
    Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry

    Gujarati Dal is a sweet, spicy, and tangy lentil soup made with pigeon peas (tuvar dal), lots of warming spices, and the sweetness of jaggery. This staple dal from the Gujarat region of India can be enjoyed with rice, roti, or as soup! 

    Get the Gujarati Dal recipe.

    Whole Masoor Dal

    Masoor Dal made in instant pot served over rice in two bowls along with onions, tomato and rice
    Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry

    This Brown Lentil (Masoor) Dal recipe is perfect for a quick and easy dinner. Made in the Instant Pot, it's a one-pot meal that's healthy, flavorful, and comforting. With its aromatic spices, tangy tomatoes, and creamy lentils, it's sure to become a family favorite.

    Get the Whole Masoor Dal recipe.

    Sambar

    Lentil Sambar served in a bowl
    Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry

    Sambar is a flavorful and nutritious South Indian lentil stew loaded with vegetables like pumpkin, carrots, and eggplant. The lentils and veggies are cooked with tamarind paste, sambar powder, and other spices to give a delicious and tangy taste. It's perfect for serving with idli, dosa, or rice.

    Get the Sambar recipe.

    Sprouts Curry

    sprouts curry in a white bowl
    Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry

    Sprouted green lentil curry packed with nutrition made in the instant pot or stovetop. Mung bean sprouts cooked in an onion-tomato sauce with ginger, garlic, and aromatic spices. This curry goes perfectly with roti, paratha, or rice.

    Get the Sprouts Curry recipe.

    Dal Dhokli

    Dal dhokli in a white bowl topped with cilantro leaves.
    Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry

    Dal Dhokli is a hearty one-pot meal in which spiced wheat flour dumplings are simmered in a flavorful, sweet, spicy lentil soup. This meal is called Dal Dhokli in Gujarat and Rajasthan and Varan Phal or Chakolya in Maharashtra.

    Get the Dal Dhokli recipe.

    Lauki Chana Dal

    Lauki Chana Dal served with roti and onions, lime.
    Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry

    Lauki Chana Dal is a simple, nutritious curry made with bottle gourd and Bengal gram lentils. This is a North Indian or Punjabi-style preparation for this curry made in a pressure cooker. Lauki Chana Dal is perfect for enjoying with roti or rice!

    Get the Lauki Chana Dal recipe.

    Mango Dal

    Mango Dal Instant Pot
    Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry

    An interesting mixture of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors - MANGO DAL. Toor dal (Split Pigeon Pea) is cooked with raw mango and tempered with red chilies, curry leaves, mustard seeds, and spices.

    Get the Mango Dal recipe.

    What to Serve with Dal?

    panchvati dal with rice

    Dal is a versatile dish eaten on its own or with several different foods that go well with it.

    • Dal is usually served with steamed rice but can also be served with quinoa or flavored rice, such as cumin rice or turmeric rice.
    • Indian flatbreads such as naan, roti, or paratha are great for scooping the dal.
    • Add a salad such as Indian Kachumber salad or Kakdi Koshimbir as a side.
    • Enjoy a cucumber raita on the side to balance the spicy flavors.

    How to Make Tadka for Dal?

    Tempering for kadhi in a small pan

    Tadka, also known as tempering, is a popular technique to add flavor and aroma to dal.

    To make tadka for dal, heat a small pan with ghee or oil. Then, add cumin seeds and dry red chilies and cook for approximately 30 seconds until they sizzle. Then add a pinch of asafoetida. Take the pan from the heat and optionally add mild red chili powder.

    In Southern India, mustard seeds and curry leaves are also added to the tempering.

    To serve, pour the tempering over the dal and witness a beautiful splash of color!

    Making tadka for dal requires practice and patience, but it is worth the effort as it elevates the flavor and aroma of the dal.

    Rice, Rice Baby: 25 Indian Rice Recipes That Will Steal the Show

    Perfectly cooked basmati turmeric yellow rice garnished with cilantro

    Find a treasure trove of delicious and flavorful Indian rice recipes that are perfect for any occasion. From classic biryanis to fragrant pulao and simple rice recipes, these recipes are sure to impress.

    24 Amazing Indian Chickpea Recipes That Will Have You Saying Chickpea-licious

    Chickpea Curry with coconut milk served over rice garnished with cilantro
    Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry

    If you're a fan of chickpeas or looking for delicious ways to incorporate them into your daily meals, look no further! We've rounded up 24 of the best Indian chickpea recipes to satisfy your cravings and keep you coming back for more.

    Get the 24 Amazing Indian Chickpea Recipes.

    Get Your Shroom On: 12 Delectable Indian Mushroom Recipes You Must Try

    Easy mushroom tikka garnished with chaat masala
    Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry

    Looking for new delicious ways to enjoy mushrooms? Look no further than these 12 delicious Indian mushroom recipes!

    Get the 12 Amazing Indian Mushroom Recipes.

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    Meeta Arora of Piping Pot Curry

    I strongly believe that each one of us has a chef inside us. We just need to explore the ingredients and create great food. Here you will find easy & delicious recipes using Instant Pot & Air Fryer.

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