Instant Pot Indian Dal Recipes You’ll Love

Dal is the heartbeat of Indian kitchens—comforting, wholesome, and deeply nourishing. Whether you’re in North India savoring a bowl of creamy dal makhani, or in South India enjoying a tangy sambar, dal is more than just food—it’s tradition on a plate. With the growing popularity of the Instant Pot, making Indian dal at home has never been easier.

In this guide, we’ll explore 10+ irresistible Indian dal recipes you can cook in your Instant Pot, along with tips on choosing lentils, cooking times, and ways to adapt these classics for busy weeknights.

Why Cook Dal in an Instant Pot?

• Convenience: Pressure cooking drastically reduces cooking time, especially for legumes that usually need soaking.
• Consistency: The Instant Pot delivers uniform results—no burnt bottom or undercooked lentils.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimal cleanup with sautéing, boiling, and simmering in one appliance.
• Nutrition: Retains more nutrients compared to open-pot boiling.

Whether you’re a beginner to Indian cooking or a seasoned cook looking for shortcuts, dal in the Instant Pot is foolproof.

A Beginner’s Guide to Indian Lentils

Before diving into recipes, let’s understand the basics:

1. Toor Dal (Pigeon Peas): Common in South India, mild flavor, creamy when cooked.
2. Moong Dal (Split Yellow Lentils): Light, quick-cooking, easily digestible. Perfect for kids and detox meals.
3. Chana Dal (Split Chickpeas): Nutty, holds shape well, great for hearty dals.
4. Masoor Dal (Red Lentils): Earthy, fast-cooking, makes a smooth dal.
5. Urad Dal (Black Gram): Key for dal makhani and idli/dosa batter.
6. Mixed Dal: Blends multiple lentils for a wholesome, complex flavor.

Essential Tips for Instant Pot Dal Cooking

• Soaking is Optional: Red and yellow lentils don’t need soaking; chana dal benefits from 30 minutes.
• Use the Sauté Function: Toasting spices and onions first enhances depth.
• Water Ratio: Generally, 1 cup dal : 3 cups water for creamy consistency.
• Natural Pressure Release (NPR): Allows dals to finish cooking gently.
• Flavor Boosters: Tempering (tadka) with ghee, cumin, garlic, and chili elevates any dal.

10+ Instant Pot Indian Dal Recipes You’ll Love

1. Instant Pot Toor Dal (South Indian Style)

A tangy, comforting dal simmered with tamarind, curry leaves, and tomatoes.

• Cook time: 15 mins (manual high pressure).
• Best paired with steamed rice and papad.

2. Dal Tadka (Restaurant-Style)

Golden yellow moong dal finished with sizzling tempering of garlic, cumin, and red chili.

• Crowd favorite in Indian restaurants.
• Use ghee for authentic flavor.

3. Chana Dal Masala

Hearty and nutty, with ginger-garlic paste, tomatoes, and garam masala.

• Perfect with roti or jeera rice.

4. Masoor Dal (Red Lentil Curry)

Quickest dal—ready in under 20 minutes.

• Mildly spiced, creamy texture.
• Great for weeknights or meal prep.

5. Dal Makhani

A luxurious North Indian dal made with whole urad dal, rajma (kidney beans), cream, and butter.

• Instant Pot makes overnight simmer unnecessary.
• Rich, smoky, and indulgent.

6. Mixed Dal Fry

Combines toor, moong, masoor, and chana dal.

• Balanced flavor, higher protein.
• Popular as “panchmel dal” in Rajasthani cuisine.

7. Sambar (South Indian Lentil Stew)

Toor dal with tamarind and a special sambar spice blend.

• Includes drumsticks, okra, or pumpkin.
• Staple with idli, dosa, or plain rice.

8. Palak Dal (Spinach Dal)

Yellow moong dal with fresh spinach leaves.

• Healthy, light, and child-friendly.
• Great with rice or quinoa.

9. Tomato Rasam Dal

Thin, tangy broth made with toor dal, tamarind, and pepper.

• Digestive, light, perfect for colds.

10. Black-Eyed Pea Dal (Lobia Curry)

A twist using black-eyed peas instead of traditional dals.

• Smoky, earthy flavor.
• Delicious with chapati.

11. Keralan Parippu Curry

Moong dal with coconut, curry leaves, and green chilies.

• Served with Kerala red rice.
• Comfort food from God’s Own Country.

Customizing Your Dal

• For Kids: Make milder with less chili, blend for smoothness.
• For Fitness Enthusiasts: Use less ghee, add spinach, kale, or zucchini.
• For Busy Nights: Skip tempering and use spice powders directly.
• For Indulgence: Add cream or coconut milk for richness.

Pairings: What to Eat with Dal

• Rice: Steamed basmati, jeera rice, or ghee rice.
• Flatbreads: Roti, naan, paratha, or poori.
• Sides: Pickles, papad, stir-fried vegetables, or kachumber salad.

Storage & Meal Prep

• Fridge: Store in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze dal in portions; reheat with water.
• Meal Prep Hack: Cook plain dal, then flavor differently each day with varied tadkas.

Nutritional Benefits of Dal

• Protein-Packed: Lentils are a staple protein source for vegetarians.
• Fiber Rich: Supports digestion and gut health.
• Low Glycemic Index: Ideal for diabetics.
• Micronutrients: Iron, potassium, folate, and magnesium.

FAQs About Instant Pot Dal

Q: Can I double the recipe in the Instant Pot?
Yes, just maintain the water-to-dal ratio.

Q: How do I make dal thicker?
Mash some lentils after cooking, or reduce water slightly.

Q: Can I skip tadka?
Yes, but tadka adds aroma and depth.

Q: Can I make dal oil-free?
Absolutely—use water sauté or add spices directly.

Conclusion

Cooking Indian dal in the Instant Pot is a game-changer—quick, easy, and full of authentic flavors. Whether it’s a light moong dal for a detox meal or a creamy dal makhani for indulgence, there’s a recipe for every mood and occasion.

Next time you crave comfort food, let your Instant Pot do the magic and bring the soulful essence of Indian kitchens straight to your table.