20+ Best Dal Recipes (Indian Lentil Recipes)

Looking for the best and most popular healthy dal recipes? Here is my collection of 20+ Indian Dhal recipes, including tadka dal, dal makhani, moong dal, and more. Perfect for lunch or dinner.

Indian cuisine is incomplete without the humble bowl of dal. In fact, it is a staple in almost every Indian household. The best part? You can make it in a variety of ways. For instance, from the simple dal tadka to an elaborate dal makhani, panchratna dal, and more.

No matter which dhal recipe you choose to eat, it is sure to be delicious and nothing else! If you ask me what my favorite version of dal is, then I will vote for the humble bowl of arhar dal. It is not only delicious but also very nutritious; making it at home is a cakewalk, too. All you need are a few basic kitchen essentials and 15-20 minutes on hand.

Not only I but my kids also enjoy having dal with jeera rice or perfectly steamed plain sona massoori rice. From tur dal to masoor dal, chana dal, and more, you can use any dal according to your preference.

You can also check out my collection of 35+ Best Indian vegetarian curries.

20+ Best Indian Dal Recipes

Let's have a look at the 20+ Easy and Healthy Indian Dal Recipes that you can make for your lunch or dinner at home.

restaurant style dal fry served in a bowl garnished with coriander leaves with a steel spoon and rice and onion salad on the side

What to Serve with Dal?

Dal is best served with instant pot basmati rice or jeera rice with a dry sabzi like cabbage peas stir fry, beetroot poriyal, pickle, and papad on the side. However, if you prefer bread over rice, you can have it with roti and naan.