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Home » Recipes » Lentils & Beans » Red Lentils – Instant Pot & Stovetop (Masoor Dal)

Red Lentils - Instant Pot & Stovetop (Masoor Dal)

Published May 9, 2019 Updated May 26, 2020 By Meeta Arora 37 Comments | This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Quick and easy Red Lentil Curry, also known as Masoor Dal, made in the instant pot and stovetop. This super delicious, healthy and budget friendly vegan meal can be made in less than 30 minutes! 

Red Lentils served in 3 bowls over rice and topped with cilantro

If you want a quick and satisfying vegan dinner for weeknights, you have come to the right place. Just some basic ingredients, onions, tomatoes and spices, make this red lentil curry an easy dinner. Cook rice pot-in-pot along with the lentils and you have a whole meal ready in one go!

You might be thinking, "why do these red lentils look yellow?". I get it! I want to assure you this is exactly how the color looks after cooking. Most recipes add way too much tomatoes, which makes the finished lentils look red in color 🙂

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.

Red and yellow lentils are the quickest to cook and have a creamy melt in the mouth texture. They are great in soups, curries and for making baby food purees.

What are Red Lentils (Masoor Dal)?

Red Lentils are the quickest cooking lentils. They have a mild subtly sweet flavor. As they cook so quickly, they are perfect for soups, stews, and curries. They can be cooked without soaking in just 15-20 minutes.

Red lentils are called Masoor Dal in Hindi. You can find whole or split red lentils.

Lentils are also perfect to make when cooking on a budget. They are healthy and satiating. Add some veggies while cooking them and enjoy with rice for a complete nutritional meal.

Red Lentils Nutrition

Red lentils (or any lentils) are a nutrition powerhouse. They are rich in protein and fiber. Lentils are also packed with folate, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and potassium. They are a perfect protein for vegans and are also gluten-free.

Red lentils in a bowl along with a packet of red lentils from Thrive Market

Red Lentils v/s Brown Lentils

Did you know that red lentils are actually brown lentils with the outer skin removed. Hence you will find that brown lentils are also called Masoor Dal.

Red lentils cook very quickly and lose their shape. If you prefer texture or are cooking lentils to add to a salad, then use brown lentils.

Where to buy Red Lentils?

Red Lentils are quite easily available at grocery stores such as Whole Foods, Sprouts or on Amazon.

This time I got these red lentils from Thrive Market. I like the convenience of getting pantry staples at home, rather than having to go looking around in stores. Thrive Market is known for selling organic foods and natural products at 25-50% below traditional retail prices. Now who does not like that..and don’t forget delivery to your doorsteps! Give them a try if you have not already. Here is a special discount from Thrive for my readers – 25% first order + one month free trial!

How to cook Red Lentil Curry in Pressure Cooker?

Let's start with gathering the ingredients. This Masoor Dal recipe uses very basic ingredients - red lentils, onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, green chili pepper and spices to make the dal.

You can use whole or split red lentils in this recipe.

Ingredients to cook dal - onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, spices, red lentils

  1. The first step is to rinse the lentils. In this case, soaking the lentils is not necessary as these red lentils cook very quickly.
  2. Start the pressure cooker in sauté mode and let it heat. Add oil and cumin seeds. Sauté for 30 seconds.
  3. 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.
  4. Then add tomatoes and spices. Stir and sauté for another 2 minutes.
  5. Now we are ready to add the lentils and water. The red lentils to water ratio for cooking is 1:3 in the instant pot. Then pressure cook for 5 minutes at high pressure.
  6. After the cooking time is done, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then quick release the pressure.
Sautéing onions, ginger garlic and cumin seeds in instant pot
Tomatoes and spices on top of sautéed onions in an instant pot
Water being added to Red Lentils in an instant pot

How to cook Red Lentils & Rice together?

One of the big advantages of the Instant Pot (pressure cooker) is – the option to do Pot-in-Pot Cooking or PIP. This means being able to cook multiple things at a time, by also cooking in a small pot inside the main pot. To do pot-in-pot cooking, you need a tall trivet and stainless steel containers that you can use within the main pot.

After adding all the ingredients for the lentils. Place a trivet. Then a steel bowl with rice and water on the trivet.

The cooking time for white basmati rice is similar to the cooking time of Masoor Dal. You always want to match things that cook in approximately the same time when doing pot-in-pot cooking.

Trivet kept on top of red lentils ready to be cooked in instant pot
A bowl with rice and water kept on a trivet in the instant pot when making dal
Cooked rice and lentils made in instant pot

Stir in the lime juice and garnish with cilantro.

The lentils are perfectly cooked and so creamy!

Perfectly cooked Red lentils in a ladle filled from the instant pot

How to make Red Lentils (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 Masoor Dal as a one-pot recipe.

Follow the same steps as above. In the stovetop pressure cooker, cook for 1 whistle (about 5 minutes) and let the pressure release naturally.

How to cook Red Lentils in a Pot on Stovetop?

In a large pot  over medium heat, follow the same steps as the recipe above. After adding lentils and water, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and cover to cook until the lentils are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Red Lentils served in 3 bowls over rice and topped with cilantro

Variations for Red Lentil Curry 

Red lentils with coconut milk

Traditionally coconut milk is not used in cooking dal. However coconut milk is a great addition to make the dal creamier. It is also a perfect addition to add more nutrition while keeping the recipe vegan.

Red lentils with Spinach or Kale

We love to add leafy greens to lentils. They add good nutrition and help to make the dal a well-rounded meal. Chop spinach or kale and stir into the lentils are pressure cooking. Let the dal rest for 5 minutes until the greens become tender. Here is my Spinach Dal recipe with Toor Dal (yellow lentils).

How to serve Red Lentils?

These Red Lentils (Masoor Dal) pair perfectly with basmati rice. You can also pair with quinoa or cauliflower rice.

Sometimes we also like to add a bit of tempering on the dal when serving. This is the red color oil (or ghee) along with sautéed garlic you see on the top of the bowl of dal in the pics.

To make the tempering, in a small pan, heat ghee or oil. Add some cumin seeds and sliced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds to a minute until the garlic becomes golden in color. Then take the pan off heat and add a pinch of red chili powder. I prefer Kashmiri red chili powder, as it is not spicy.

Drizzle this tempering over the dal when serving. It adds such a beautiful pop of color!

Try these easy & delicious Red Lentils and let me know how they turn out.

Check out other lentil recipes I have posted in the past:

  • Toor Dal Fry
  • Chana Dal
  • Green Moong Lentils
  • Brown Lentils
  • Yellow Moong Dal 
  • Dal Makhani
Tried this recipe?Give a rating by clicking the ★ below
Red Lentils served in 3 bowls over rice and topped with cilantro

Red Lentils Recipe (Masoor Dal)

Meeta Arora
Quick and easy Red Lentil Curry, also known as Masoor Dal, made in the instant pot and stovetop. This super delicious, healthy and budget friendly vegan meal can be made in less than 30 minutes! 
4.82 from 55 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings: 4
Calories: 217
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian, North Indian
Diet: Gluten-free, Vegan
Method: Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker, Stovetop
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 25 mins

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 tbsp Ghee or Oil
  • 1 tsp Cumin seeds (Jeera)
  • 1 Green chili pepper optional
  • 1/2 cup Onions diced
  • 1/2 tbsp Garlic minced
  • 1/2 tbsp Ginger grated
  • 1 cup Tomatoes chopped
  • 1 cup Red lentils (Masoor Dal) rinsed
  • 3 cups Water
  • 1 tbsp Lime juice
  • Cilantro to garnish

Spices

  • 1/2 tsp Ground Turmeric (Haldi powder)
  • 1/2 tsp Coriander powder (Dhaniya powder)
  • 1/2 tsp Red Chili powder (Mirchi powder) adjust to taste, I used mild Kashmiri red chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp Garam Masala optional
  • 1 tsp Salt adjust to taste

For Basmati Rice

  • 1 cup Basmati Rice
  • 1.25 cup Water
  • 1 tbsp Ghee or Oil
  • 1 tsp Salt

Instructions
 

  • Start the pressure cooker in sauté mode and let it heat. Add oil and cumin seeds. Sauté 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. 
  • (For pot-in-pot rice) Place the trivet. In a bowl, add all ingredients for basmati rice and place it on top of the trivet. Close the lid with vent in sealing position. 
  • 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 5 mins. 
  • After the instant pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then release the pressure manually (5 minute NPR). 
  • 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. In the stovetop pressure cooker, cook for 1 whistles (about 5 minutes) and let the pressure release naturally.

For stovetop pot

  • In a large pot over medium heat, follow the same steps as the recipe above. After adding lentils and water, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and cover to cook until the lentils are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Video

Notes

Optional Tempering when serving: In a small pan, heat ghee or oil. Add some cumin seeds and sliced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds to a minute until the garlic becomes golden in color. Then take the pan off heat and add a pinch of red chili powder. I prefer Kashmiri red chili powder, as it is not spicy. Drizzle this tempering over the dal when serving. It adds a beautiful pop of color!
Make it less spicy: Skip the green chili and red chili powder. 
Which Green chili to use? I typically use Thai, Birdeye or Serrano Chili Pepper in my recipes. Don't forget to adjust to your taste. 
Vegan Variation: Skip ghee and use vegan oil of your choice.
Created: This recipe was created in a 6qt Instant Pot DUO60 Multi-use Programmable Pressure Cooker.

Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 217kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 12gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 640mgPotassium: 556mgFiber: 15gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 430IUVitamin C: 11.8mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 4mg
Keyword red lentil curry, red lentil dal, red lentil instant pot
Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @PipingPotCurry or #pipingpotcurry

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Twinkle says

    January 19, 2021 at 6:43 pm

    This was delicious and so easy to make! I'm going to try the channa dal next so I may compare the two.

    Do you know if this freezes well? I accidentally made twice the amount (hit the x2 by accident) and not sure I can eat it all before it spoils.

    Reply
  2. Marie says

    January 15, 2021 at 11:18 am

    Excited to try but nervous...How does basmati rice cook (pot in pot) in only 5 min when it usually takes 23 min in IP?
    Thank you

    Reply
  3. BE says

    January 06, 2021 at 5:18 pm

    Can i use cumin powder instead of seeds? or use fennel seeds instead of cumin seeds?

    Reply
    • Meeta Arora says

      January 11, 2021 at 4:41 pm

      Hi BE - Unfortunately cumin powder is not a direct replacement for cumin seeds. You can skip the seeds. If you have mustard seeds by any chance, they could be used in this recipe. Cumin powder tastes great in this dal too. If you like, you can add 1/2 teaspoon along with the other spices. Hope you enjoy the dal!

      Reply
  4. Raj says

    November 18, 2020 at 6:34 am

    Hi Meeta ji,
    I like the quick masoor dal & rice PIP option, have duo-6 qt. but need to buy trivet and pot for this recipe.
    Please guide
    Good day,
    Raj.

    Reply
    • Piping Pot Curry says

      November 19, 2020 at 8:33 am

      Hey Raj - Thank you. Here is the aff link for the pot-in-pot accessory set : https://amzn.to/2DyWsme

      Reply
  5. Jessica A. says

    November 13, 2020 at 10:55 am

    So this was super easy and I made into a soup. I just added one 8 oz of evaporated milk and purée. I did not make the rise part. Is cold and raining now and I wanted soup. I added a few garlic croutons and supper yummy.

    Reply
    • Piping Pot Curry says

      November 16, 2020 at 11:15 am

      Hi Jessica - So happy to hear that. Thank you for sharing your experience 🙂

      Reply
  6. Julie Moraes says

    November 04, 2020 at 6:57 pm

    Hi Meeta, I just wanted to let you know that this is my go-to recipe for red lentil dal! I’ve made it several times, and the whole family agrees that this is the best tasting dal they’ve had. I love how easy it is using the instant pot! Recently, I tried the pot-in-pot method to cook the rice, and oh my gosh what a game changer! Thanks a bunch!

    Reply
    • Piping Pot Curry says

      November 05, 2020 at 6:49 am

      Hi Julie - So good to hear that. Thank you for sharing it 🙂

      Reply
  7. Yvonn says

    July 25, 2020 at 11:02 pm

    This looks delicious and wonderfully simple! I like to cook in bulk for the week. Any idea how I could adjust the recipe and cooking time for using a whole pound of dried dal? I've just been making a big pot of rice separately for the week.

    Thanks in advance!

    Reply
    • Meeta Arora says

      August 03, 2020 at 8:13 am

      Hi Yvonn - The cooking time typically remains the same even if you increase or decrease the quantity in the instant pot. The instant pot will take longer to come to pressure and release pressure. Hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
      • Jamie says

        October 24, 2020 at 8:12 am

        So simple but so tasty. Thank you.

  8. fitoru says

    June 17, 2020 at 11:13 pm

    Thanks for sharing your talent. I love your works.Great blog as always

    Reply
  9. Anneeka Patel says

    May 06, 2020 at 3:48 am

    Hello, I was wondering how would I amend this recipe if I wanted to make this with coconut milk?
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Meeta Arora says

      May 15, 2020 at 5:23 am

      Hi Anneeka - I would add 1/2 cup less water when cooking the dal, and cook for 3 minutes high pressure. And at the end after releasing pressure, add in the coconut milk and give a boil.

      Reply
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Hi..I’m Meeta. 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. Read More…

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