Craving a hearty and comforting meal that’s packed with flavor and nutrition? Look no further than these 20 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 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 Tadka
Dal Tadka is a classic Indian dish known for its rich, comforting flavors. Made with yellow lentils, aromatic spices, and a tempering of ghee, it pairs perfectly with rice or roti. You can also make one-pot dal with this instant pot dal tadka recipe.
Get the Dal Tadka recipe.
Dal Palak
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 nutritious 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
Wholesome Green Moong Dal is a delicious, creamy lentil soup that is 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
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, wholesome, 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 Masoor Dal recipe.
Chana Dal
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
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 and then cooked with a blend of spices, onion, tomato, ginger, and garlic. Dal makhani is often served with rice or naan. You can also make instant pot dal makhani.
Get the Dal Makhani recipe.
Pumpkin Dal
Pumpkin Dal, or Squash Dal, is a simple yet flavorful dish perfect for a cozy weeknight meal. It’s made with fragrant spices, creamy pumpkin, and protein-rich lentils. Serve it with rice or naan bread.
Get the Pumpkin Dal recipe.
Dal Fry
Dal Fry is a popular Indian dish made with 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, 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
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
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 nutritious 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
This horsegram dal recipe is a nutritious 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 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 or roti or as soup!
Get the Gujarati Dal recipe.
Whole Masoor Dal
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 nutritious, 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
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
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 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 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.
Red Chori Dal
Red Chori Curry, also known as Adzuki Bean Curry, is a flavorful, nutritious vegan curry packed with protein and fiber.
Get the Chora Dal recipe.
Mango Dal
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?
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?
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.
