• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Indian Veggie Delight logo

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Kids Lunch Box
    • Instant Pot
    • Air Fryer
    • Rice & Grains
    • Lentil & Beans
    • Millet
    • Vegan
    • Keto/Low Carb Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Kids Lunch Box
  • Subscribe
  • About
    • About Me
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Kids Lunch Box
  • About
×

Home » Recipes » Lentil & Beans

Whole Masoor Dal | Brown Lentils - Instant Pot/Stovetop

Published: Jul 22, 2021 · Modified: Feb 28, 2022 by Bhavana Patil ·This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

31 shares
Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

Whole Masoor Dal (Brown Lentils Curry) recipe is a healthy and easy dal made in an Instant Pot pressure cooker with whole masoor dal, onions, tomatoes, and Indian spices. This dal is vegan, gluten-free, and pairs well with rice, quinoa, roti.

whole masoor dal served in a bowl garnished with lemon wedges and cilantro with a spoon and white rice and salad on the side

I love making dals for everyday meals as they are a rich source of protein for a plant-based diet. I also like to add greens like palak (spinach) or kale and make the dal extra nutritious. It is also known as 'Masoor palak' or 'brown lentils curry with spinach'.

If you love Lentils & Beans and looking for more Instant Pot Indian Recipes? Here are my 30+ Instant Pot lentils & Beans Recipes you must try.

What are Whole Masoor Dal (Brown Lentils)?

Masoor dal is a lentil that is brown-skinned from the outside and orange on the inside. They are known as Sabut Masoor Dal in Hindi or Brown Lentils in English. Their split variety is known as red lentils or masoor dal.

They hold their shape very well while cooking and turn creamy and thick when cooked, making them perfect to be served as the main dishes such as lentil curry (dal), soups, stews, and salads.

Brown lentils are rich in proteins, fiber and contain essential amino acids. They also contain potassium, copper, manganese, iron, vitamin B1, pantothenic acid, zinc, and vitamin B6.

Whole Masoor Dal Ingredients

  • Lentils: I have used Whole masoor dal (Brown Lentils) in this recipe. They are available in any Indian grocery stores and on Amazon. I did not soak the lentils before cooking.
  • Oil: use any cooking oil. You can also use ghee if you are not a vegan.
  • Cumin seeds (jeera): Cumin seeds are a must in any Indian dal tempering so do not skip it.
  • Ginger and Garlic: I have fresh minced ginger and garlic in this recipe. You can also use store brought ginger-garlic paste.
  • Green chilies: I have used 1 Thai green chili, however, you can skip to reduce the heat.
  • Onion: I have used finely chopped onions. You can skip onion for no onion recipe variation.
  • Tomato: I have used chopped fresh Roma tomatoes.
  • Spices: I have used turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala. You can increase or decrease the spices according to your choice.
  • Water: lentil to water ratio - I have used 2.5 cups of water for 1 cup of whole masoor dal.
  • Lime juice: Use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavor.
  • Coriander leaves: I have used coriander leaves for garnish.
Whole Masoor Dal Ingredients

How to Make Whole Masoor Dal (Brown Lentils) in Instant Pot

Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add oil, and once it's hot, add cumin seeds. Let them splutter. Add minced garlic, ginger, green chilies, onions and saute till the onions turn light brown.

step to saute onions ginger garlic collage

Add tomatoes, spices like turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala, salt, and cook till tomatoes turn soft, which takes 2-3 minutes.

Then add rinsed lentils (dal), water, and give a stir. Adjust spices at this stage. Also, Deglaze the pot to make sure no food particle sticks to the bottom to avoid the Burn message.

step to cook tomatoes with spices and add whole brown lentils and water collage

Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 15 minutes.

Once the pot beeps, let it release the pressure naturally (NPR) for 10 minutes.

Lastly, squeeze some lime juice, add coriander leaves. Mix well. Instant pot pressure cooker Whole masoor dal (brown lentils) recipe is ready. Serve hot with steamed rice, quinoa, roti, or serve it as a soup.

whole brown lentils curry in an instant pot garnished with cilantro with a spoon

Stovetop Pressure Cooker

Follow the steps from the instant pot instructions. Give 4-5 whistles on medium flame and let the pressure release naturally. All the other steps remain the same.

Stovetop Pot

If you don't have a pressure cooker and plan to make this Brown Lentil Curry on a stovetop pot, follow the exact instructions until we add brown lentils and water. Then cook for around 30-35 minutes on medium heat or till lentils are soft and done. Adjust water accordingly.

whole masoor dal recipe served in a bowl garnished with lemon wedges and cilantro with a spoon

Serving Suggestions for Brown Lentils Curry

Serve the whole masoor dal recipe with basmati rice, roti, or chapati. But you can eat with quinoa, brown rice! This also can be served as a lentil soup with crusty bread.

Tips & Variations

  1. If you soak the dal in water for 30 mins - 1 hour, helps to cook even faster.
  2. I have used whole brown lentils in this recipe, you can use whole green lentils for the same recipe.
  3. If you want to do pot-in-pot with brown rice, then soak the brown rice in warm water for an hour and then cook on high pressure for 15 minutes, with an NPR.
  4. If your dal is thick, you can add some water and adjust the consistency.
  5. For a variation, you can also make this dill leaves dal by skipping onion, garlic.
  6. You can also add some greens like spinach, kale, mustard leaves after pressure cooking.
  7. Store brown lentils curry in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days, or freeze for 3 months.

If you liked this recipe, then do check more Pressure Cooker Lentil Recipes from my blog.

  • Whole green moong dal – Dal cooked with whole mung beans
  • Masoor Dal - Dal made with red lentils.
  • Chana Dal Fry - Dal prepared with split chickpeas lentils, assorted spices
  • Spinach Dal / Palak Dal – Dhal cooked with spinach leaves
  • Panchmel dal – Dal prepared with five varieties of lentils
  • Raw Mango Dal – Dal cooked with Raw Mango
  • Butternut Squash Dal - Dal cooked with butternut squash or pumpkin
Tried this recipe?Don’t forget to give a ★ rating below
whole masoor dal served in a bowl garnished with lemon wedges and cilantro with a spoon and white rice and salad on the side

Whole Masoor Dal Recipe (Brown Lentils Curry)

Bhavana Patil
Whole Masoor Dal (Brown Lentils Curry) recipe is a healthy and easy dal made in an Instant Pot pressure cooker with whole masoor dal, onions, tomatoes, and Indian spices.
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings: 4
Calories : 237
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Method: Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker, Stovetop
Prep Time : 10 minutes
Cook Time : 20 minutes
Total Time : 30 minutes

Equipment

  • Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker

Ingredients
  

Measuring cup used ,1 cup = 250ml

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 teaspoon cumin (jeera) seeds
  • 1 tablespoon ginger and garlic minced
  • 1 green chili
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 2 medium tomatoes finely chopped
  • 1 cup whole masoor dal (brown lentils) rinsed
  • 2 ½ cups water (or vegetable broth)
  • salt to taste
  • ½ lime juiced
  • 2 tablespoons coriander leaves chopped

Spices

  • ½ teaspoon tumeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala

Instructions
 

Instant Pot Method

  • Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add oil and once it's hot add cumin seeds. Let them splutter.
  • Add minced garlic, ginger, green chilies, onions and saute till the onions turn light brown in color.
  • Add tomatoes, spices like turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala, salt, and cook till tomatoes turn soft, which takes 2-3 minutes.
  • Then add rinsed lentils (dal), water, and give a stir. Adjust spices at this stage. Also, Deglaze the pot to make sure no food particle is sticking to the bottom to avoid the Burn message.
  • Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 15 minutes. Once the pot beeps, let it release the pressure naturally (NPR) for 10 minutes.
  • Lastly, squeeze some lime juice, add coriander leaves. Mix well. Instant pot pressure cooker Whole brown lentils is ready.
    Serve hot with steamed rice, quinoa, roti or serve it as a soup.

Stovetop Pressure Cooker

  • Follow the steps from the instant pot instructions. Give 4-5 whistles on medium flame and let the pressure release naturally. All the other steps remain the same.

Stovetop Pot

  • If you don't have a pressure cooker and planning to make this dal on a stovetop pot then follow the same instructions till we add brown lentils and water.
    Then cook for around 30-35 minutes on medium heat or till lentils are soft and done. Adjust water accordingly.

Video

Notes

I have prepared this dish in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT

Tips & Variations

  1. If you soak the dal in water for 30 mins - 1 hour, helps to cook even faster.
  2. I have used whole brown lentils in this recipe, you can use whole green lentils for the same recipe.
  3. If you want to do pot-in-pot with brown rice, then soak the brown rice in warm water for an hour and then cook on high pressure for 15 minutes, with an NPR.
  4. If your dal is thick, you can add some water and adjust the consistency.
  5. For a variation, you can also make this dill leaves dal by skipping onion, garlic.
  6. You can also add some greens like spinach, kale, mustard leaves after pressure cooking.
  7. Store brown lentils curry in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze for 3 months.
 
Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 237kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 14gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 63mgPotassium: 692mgFiber: 17gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 704IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 5mg
Keyword instant pot whole brown lentils, whole masoor dal instant pot
Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @indianveggiedelight or #indianveggiedelight

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel for healthy & tasty video recipes

« Chutney Powder (Kadle Bele Chutney Pudi)
Instant Pot Chana Saag (Chickpea Spinach Curry) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    October 10, 2021 at 4:01 am

    5 stars
    Thanks for sharing

    Reply
    • Bhavana Patil says

      October 11, 2021 at 8:02 am

      you are welcome:)

      Reply
      • Taye says

        January 20, 2022 at 1:55 pm

        5 stars
        Love Love love. Only element missing was the heat. I like it a little spicy.

        Reply
        • Bhavana Patil says

          January 23, 2022 at 12:36 pm

          Hi Taye, sorry for the late reply. I am so glad you liked the recipe.. You can increase the heat by adding green chilies or red chili powder.

          Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hi There! Welcome to my blog! I’m Bhavana. Here you’ll find easy recipes for your Instant Pot, Kids Lunch Box ideas, Keto/LowCarb, Air-fryer recipes plus more wholesome, easy Vegetarian/Vegan Indian recipes that your family will love. More about me →

Popular Posts

  • Instant Pot Bisibelebath
  • The Best Avocado Pasta
  • Barbeque Nation Style Cajun Potatoes
  • Healthy Kids Lunch Box Recipes
  • Dominos Style Stuffed Cheesy Garlic Bread (Stuffed Garlic Bread Recipe)
  • Lauki Ki Sabji (Bottle Gourd Curry)

Don’t miss a new recipe

  • About Me
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright © 2022 Indian Veggie Delight on the Seasoned Pro Theme