Basic Indian Dal Recipe

Name: Basic Indian Dal
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: ** You will need a pressure cooker to make Dal; Cooking Time: 25-30 mins; Ingredients:; Yellow Dal - 1 Cup; Jeera seeds - 2 tsp; Green Chilly - 1; Ginger - grated 1 tsp; Garlic - grated 3-4 cloves (Optional); Cinnamon sticks - 1 or 2 (1- inch size); Cloves - 3 - 4; Turmeric - 1/2 tsp; Onions chopped - 1 cup; Tomato chopped - 1 cup; Salt - to taste; Butter - 2-3 tbsp (Can substitute with Oil or a mixture of both); Water - 2 - 2 1/2 cups of water for every cup of dal; Coriander - for garnish

Servings: persons

** You will need a pressure cooker to make Dal
Cooking Time: 25-30 mins
Ingredients:
Yellow Dal - 1 Cup
Jeera seeds - 2 tsp
Green Chilly - 1
Ginger - grated 1 tsp
Garlic - grated 3-4 cloves (Optional)
Cinnamon sticks - 1 or 2 (1- inch size)
Cloves - 3 - 4
Turmeric - 1/2 tsp
Onions chopped - 1 cup
Tomato chopped - 1 cup
Salt - to taste
Butter - 2-3 tbsp (Can substitute with Oil or a mixture of both)
Water - 2 - 2 1/2 cups of water for every cup of dal
Coriander - for garnish

1
Preparation:
2
1. Wash the yellow dal and keep aside
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2. Place pressure cooker on stove set on medium fire or heat
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3. Put butter and add Jeera seeds, cinnamon sticks and cloves to the butter when it is melted
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4. When the Jeera seeds splinter, add garlic, ginger and green chillies
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5. After a minute, add onions and saute until the onions get a pink shade. (This takes approximately 2 minutes)
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6. Add tomatoes and cook until the raw smell of the tomatoes is gone
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7. Now sprinkle the turmeric powder
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8. Add the washed dal and mix ingredients well
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9. Pour 2 - 2 1/2 cups of dal depending on the consistency preferred
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10. Now add salt to taste
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11. Close the pressure cooker lid and place the pressure cooker weight
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12. Wait for 3 whistles and bring to low heat
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13. Turn off the stove after 2 minutes
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14. Remove the weight after 15 mins

No nutrition data on file — estimate from the ingredient list.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 17 ingredients. The key ingredients include: ** You will need a pressure cooker to make Dal, Cooking Time: 25-30 mins, Ingredients:, Yellow Dal - 1 Cup, and more.

Yes, Basic Indian Dal falls under the General category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Basic Indian Dal

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions