• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Easy Indian Cookbook
  • Recipes
  • Kitchen Basics
  • Collections
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Kitchen Basics
  • Collections
  • About
×

Home » Mains » Whole Masoor Dal (Instant Pot Lentil Curry)

Whole Masoor Dal (Instant Pot Lentil Curry)

by Shilpa · 16 Comments

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
Whole masoor dal (brown lentils) is a delicious and comforting dal that is very easy to make and is ready in 30 minutes (with only 15 minutes of hands-on time). Made in an Instant Pot, this wholesome dal is vegan, gluten-free, and paleo diet-friendly. This one-pot meal is a very good source of plant-based protein.
instant pot whole masoor dal

Instant pot whole masoor dal step-by-step recipe with video and photos.

Jump to:
  • About this recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • Step-by-step instructions
  • Useful tips
  • FAQs
  • Bonus
  • Recipe card
  • Comments

About this recipe

Whole masoor dal (brown lentils) is a delicious and comforting dal that is very easy to make and is ready in 30 minutes (with only 15 minutes of hands-on time). Made in an Instant Pot, this wholesome dal is vegan, gluten-free, and paleo diet-friendly. This one-pot meal is a very good source of plant-based protein.

Also called saboot masoor dal, this instant pot dhal pairs very well with both rice and roti/naan. This dal can also be served with millet rice, red rice, or quinoa too.

Whole masoor dal or brown lentils are unskinned red lentils, which are more popular. Brown lentils are a rich source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are low in calories, have a low glycemic index, and are rich in iron. They are a great source of protein for vegetarians and vegans.

Read on for ingredients, tips, and FAQs to make this Instant Pot masoor dal. For a variation, try the green mung bean curry recipe.

whole masoor dal and basmati rice

Ingredients

whole masoor dal ingredients

Whole masoor dal: Also called brown lentils, this is the main ingredient for this dish.

Onions: Red or pink onions work well for this dish. You can also use brown onions.

Ginger, garlic, and chili: Lots of ginger and garlic are added. Adjust chili as per your preference.

Tomatoes: Use ripe and juicy tomatoes.

Spices: The powdered spices I use are turmeric, chili powder, coriander powder, and garam masala. The whole spice I use is cumin seeds.

Other ingredients: I also use Kasoori methi, coriander leaves, and lemon/lime juice.

Variations

You can skip onions and garlic to make a no-onion, no-garlic version of this dal. For that, temper cumin seeds and add ginger and chili. Follow the rest of this recipe.

This dish can be made without tomatoes too. Just add powdered spices and water, and cook for 1-2 minutes.

You can add 1-2 tablespoons of cream or thick coconut milk for richness.

Check out this vegan curry recipe to make delicious Thai red curry.

brown lentils

Step-by-step instructions

Set the Instant Pot to saute mode and add oil. Add cumin seeds and saute for a few seconds. Add onion and fry for 2 minutes (steps 1,2).

Add ginger, garlic, and green chili. Saute for one more minute (step 3).

Add tomato, turmeric powder, chili powder, coriander powder, and salt (steps 4,5).

Add ¼ cup of water. Cover and let the tomatoes cook for 2 minutes (step 6).

Add the washed brown lentils and 6 cups of water. Mix well (steps 7,8).

Close the lid of the Instant Pot and pressure cook for 20 minutes. Do a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then do a quick release (step 9).

Lightly mash some dal using a wooden spoon (step 10).

Add garam masala, coriander leaves (cilantro), Kasuri methi, and lemon juice (steps 11,12).

Useful tips

I use 6 cups of water for 2 cups of brown lentils. This gives me a slightly thick dal. Adjust the consistency as per your liking.

Lightly mash some of the cooked dal. This will make the final dish creamy and buttery.

You can make this dal on the stovetop. Use a stovetop pressure cooker and pressure cook for three whistles. You can cook the dal in a kadhai without a pressure cooker. Add more water and simmer on medium heat for 30-40 minutes.

Adjust the amount of chili as per your preference.

Click here for my collection of Instant Pot Indian curries. Click here to see how to make easy chickpea spinach curry.

Click here to browse through my collection of Instant Pot lentil recipes.

FAQs

How to serve whole masoor dal?

This dal can be served with both rice and roti/naan. You can also pair it with pulao or jeera rice.

How to store whole masoor dal?

Whole masoor dal can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days. You can also freeze this dal for 3-4 months. To reheat, transfer the dal to a saucepan, add little water and simmer. The dal tends to dry out when it is cold so it is best to simmer with a little water.

Are brown lentils good for weight loss?

Brown lentils are considered very good if you are watching your weight. It is very high in fiber and has a low glycemic index, keeping you full for longer.

How to make no onion-no garlic masoor dal?

You can skip onions and garlic in this dish. For instructions, see the variations section above.

whole masoor dal amde in instant pot

Click here for more easy mains recipes.

Bonus

This dish is:
- easy to make a one-pot dish
- healthy, flavourful, and delicious
- made using just a handful of ingredients
- vegan and gluten-free
- perfect for weeknight dinner

instant pot whole masoor dal

Recipe card

Instant Pot Whole Masoor Dal (Brown Lentils Curry)

Whole masoor dal (brown lentils) is a delicious and comforting dal that is very easy to make and is ready in 30 minutes (with only 15 minutes of hands-on time). Made in an Instant Pot, this wholesome dal is vegan, gluten-free, and paleo diet-friendly. This one-pot meal is a very good source of plant-based protein.
5 from 41 votes
Print Pin Rate
Author: Shilpa
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Servings: 8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cup whole masoor dal (brown lentils)
  • 2 tablespoon oil
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 large onion finely chopped
  • 1 inch ginger grated
  • 2 cloves garlic grated
  • 1 green chilli finely chopped
  • 1 large tomato finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • ½ teaspoon chilli powder
  • Salt to taste
  • ½ teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 tablespoon Kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoon coriander leaves

Instructions

  • Wash the whole masoor dal thoroughly in water. Drain the water and set it aside
  • Set the Instant Pot to saute mode and add oil
  • Add cumin seeds and saute for few seconds
  • Once the cumin splutters, add onion and fry for 2 minutes
  • Add ginger, garlic, and green chilli. Saute for one more minute
  • Add tomato, turmeric powder, chili powder, coriander powder, and salt. Mix well
  • Add ¼ cup water. Cover and let the tomatoes cook for 2 minutes
  • Add the washed brown lentils
  • Add 6 cups water and mix well
  • Close the lid of the Instant Pot and pressure cook for 20 minutes
  • Do a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then do a quick release
  • Add garam masala, coriander leaves, Kasuri methi, and lemon juice. Mix well
  • Serve hot with rice or roti

Video

Notes

See the tips section above for useful tips to make this dish.
Nutrition Facts
Instant Pot Whole Masoor Dal (Brown Lentils Curry)
Amount per Serving
Calories
219
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
4
g
6
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.4
g
3
%
Trans Fat
 
0.01
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Sodium
 
27
mg
1
%
Potassium
 
564
mg
16
%
Carbohydrates
 
33
g
11
%
Fiber
 
16
g
67
%
Sugar
 
3
g
3
%
Protein
 
13
g
26
%
Vitamin A
 
256
IU
5
%
Vitamin C
 
9
mg
11
%
Calcium
 
40
mg
4
%
Iron
 
4
mg
22
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

More Mains

  • South Indian Chana Masala
  • Hakka Noodles / Veg Hakka Noodles
  • Bread Omelette / Indian Omelet Sandwich
  • Cabbage Palya / Cabbage Poriyal (South Indian Cabbage Stir-fry)

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Kayla DiMaggio says

    September 29, 2021 at 9:42 am

    5 stars
    yum! I really love Indian food and lentils are some of my favorites. This masoor dal was so delicious and warming.

  2. Maiko says

    September 29, 2021 at 11:12 am

    5 stars
    I love dal curries and this recipe looks easy to make and super delicious! Definitely making this curry this weekend. Thank you!

  3. Anaiah says

    September 29, 2021 at 1:26 pm

    5 stars
    I love this dal! So flavorful and comforting. It's way better than I've ever made before. So glad I found your recipe!

  4. Elizabeth Swoish says

    September 29, 2021 at 1:28 pm

    5 stars
    So delicious and easy to make as a newbie to Indian food!

  5. Emily Flint says

    September 29, 2021 at 8:57 pm

    5 stars
    I just love finding new and unique recipes for my Instant Pot! I will be making this over the weekend since it's going to be cold. Thank you!

  6. Sue says

    September 29, 2021 at 10:30 pm

    5 stars
    I love that this can be made in 30 minutes. Can't wait to give it a try!

  7. Addie says

    September 29, 2021 at 10:36 pm

    5 stars
    Loved the flavors in this dish!

  8. Gina Abernathy says

    September 30, 2021 at 9:33 am

    5 stars
    A big bowl of comfort food! Delicious!

  9. Stacy Boswell says

    September 30, 2021 at 10:27 am

    5 stars
    Such a delicious and flavorful 30-minute meal! I love that it is quick, easy, and healthy but also so comforting and filling.

  10. Tavo says

    October 07, 2021 at 5:28 am

    5 stars
    Wow this daal looks astonishing! I love cooking with lentils and Indian spices! I'll sure give this one a try over the weekend!

  11. Kayla DiMaggio says

    October 07, 2021 at 8:09 am

    5 stars
    These instant pot brow lentils are so delicious! I love how easy they are to make!

  12. Chris says

    October 07, 2021 at 12:52 pm

    5 stars
    This meal was so good! I made it today and everyone loved it! It was so creamy, smooth, and very fragrant! I will make this again, soon! Thank you!

  13. Emily says

    October 07, 2021 at 1:06 pm

    5 stars
    This dal is so comforting and delicious! I love this one-pot meal, we found it to be hearty and filling!

  14. NATALIA says

    October 07, 2021 at 4:45 pm

    5 stars
    This is a great lentils recipe, really tasty! I love it, looks very easy and filling. Definitely going to give this a go, thank you so much for sharing!

  15. Michelle says

    October 07, 2021 at 8:05 pm

    5 stars
    Making dal in the instant pot was so easy! This is the perfect weeknight dinner and great to make a big batch of.

Primary Sidebar

Hello! My name is Shilpa. Welcome to Easy Indian Cookbook. Easy Indian Cookbook is all about simple and delicious cooking that is quick, healthy, and nourishing. This is a tool that will help you eat real food while enjoying the process of cooking. Read More…

South Indian chana masala.

South Indian chana masala step-by-step recipe with video and photos. About this recipe Chana masala or chole masala is a Punjabi dish made using chickpeas or garbanzo beans. The Punjabi chickpea curry is hugely popular and also a part of restaurant menus. But if you go to a South Indian restaurant (like the popular Saravana...

Read On →

chicken tangdi kabab,

Chicken tangdi kabab step-by-step recipe with photos. About this recipe Kabab or kebab is a meat dish that is believed to have originated in the Middle East as meat cooked over an open fire. But it is this cooking style that when combined with the Indian spices and yogurt gave birth to the modern-day kababs...

Read On →

Indian onion salad.

Laccha pyaz step-by-step recipe with photos. About this recipe Laccha pyaz is an Indian-style onion salad made using red onions, herbs, and a few spices. Lacha pyaz is served as an accompaniment to North Indian meals and is very flavorful and easy to make. It is also popularly called masala pyaz in dhabas or streetside...

Read On →

Footer

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • About
  • Contact

COPYRIGHT © 2023 EASYINDIANCOOKBOOK.COM