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Home » Recipes » Lentil & Beans

Instant Pot Dal Makhani (Madras Lentils)

Published: Aug 31, 2020 · Modified: Jan 19, 2022 by Bhavana Patil ·This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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This Restaurant style Dal Makhani also known as Madras Lentils, is a classic Punjabi recipe that is a healthy, protein-rich curry recipe made with whole urad dal and kidney beans, cooked in a spicy, flavorful onion-tomato gravy along with a few spices in an Instant Pot pressure cooker. It is best enjoyed with basmati rice or roti, naan.

instant pot dal makhani in a copper bottom bowl with cream and butter on top and with cilantro dry beans on side for garnish
Dal Makhani

The traditional recipe has pressure-cooked whole urad and a handful of cooked red kidney beans added to a gravy of onion, ginger, garlic, tomatoes, and Indian spices. The dal is then simmered for hours or slow-cooked and topped with either cream or butter.

This Punjabi style dal makhani is usually served in Indian Restaurants as part of a buffet or can be ordered separately and traditionally served with jeera rice or Indian bread.

If you love Lentils & Beans and looking for more Instant Pot Indian Recipes? Then here are my 22+ Instant Pot lentils & Beans Recipes you must try.

Jump to:
  • What is Dal Makhani ?
  • Black Gram Lentil & Kidney Beans Health Benefits
  • Dal Makhani Ingredients
  • How to Make Dal Makhani in Instant Pot
  • What to Serve with Madras Lentils?
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Instant Pot Dal Makhani/Madras Lentils Recipe

What is Dal Makhani ?

Dal makhani or dal makhni (pronounced daal makh-nee, "buttery lentils") originates from the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent. The primary ingredients are whole black lentils (urad),  red kidney beans (rajma), butter, and cream.

The dish gets its richness from cream or butter, but it can also be prepared with yogurt, milk, or no dairy. - Source Wiki

Black Gram Lentil & Kidney Beans Health Benefits

Consuming black gram lentil/urad dal helps reduce cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health. It is one of the healthy pulses for vegetarians as it boosts energy in the body and has rich iron content, which fights several health issues.

Kidney beans are among the best sources of plant-based protein. They're also rich in vitamins, minerals, and healthy fibers, which moderate blood sugar levels and promote colon health. 

Black Gram Lentil & Kidney Beans in a bowl
dal makhani served in a bowl with a spoon garnished with cream cilantro and butter

Dal Makhani Ingredients

  • black gram lentils (whole urad)
  • red kidney beans (rajma)
  • cumin (jeera) seeds
  • ginger garlic paste
  • onion
  • tomato
  • spices
  • cream
  • butter
  • oil
  • lemon juice 
  • coriander leaves

How to Make Dal Makhani in Instant Pot

Soak black gram lentils (urad dal) and red kidney beans (rajma) for at least 4+ hours in hot water or overnight in 3 cups of water.

step to soak kidney beans and whole urad dal in water collage

Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add oil to the POT. Once POT is hot, add cumin seeds, bay leaf, let the cumin splutter.

Next, add onions, ginger-garlic paste, and saute until onions turn light brown for 3-4 minutes.

step to saute onion ginger garlic collage

Add finely chopped tomatoes or tomato sauce, spices like red chili powder, turmeric, coriander powder, and cook for 2-3 minutes.

step to add tomato puree and cook with spices collage

Next, add the black gram lentils, kidney beans, salt, and water for cooking. Mix well.

Deglaze the pot, i.e., make sure there is no food particle sticking to the pot to avoid BURN alerts.

step to add soaked lentils and water collage

Furthermore, close the lid on the pot, and turn the pressure valve to the SEALING position. Set the pot to "BEAN/CHILI" Mode and set the timer to 30 minutes.

Once the pot beeps, do a NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE (NPR).

Remove lid away from you. Set the SAUTE mode. The dal and rajma should be thoroughly cooked. Mash the lentils with the back of a spoon for a creamier consistency.

Lastly, stir in garam masala, remaining butter, cream, and garnish with cilantro. Mix well. Simmer the curry for 2-3 minutes or until you get desired consistency.

Don't worry if the curry is liquid by consistency. It will thicken when cooled.

dal makhani in instant pot insert with a wooden spoon and garnished with cream and cilantro

Instant Pot Restaurant Style Punjabi Dal Makhani (madras lentils) recipe is ready, serve hot with naan & jeera rice, basmati rice.

What to Serve with Madras Lentils?

Serve Dal Makhani (Madras Lentils) recipe with naan, chapati, jeera rice, or steamed rice along with Mango Lassi. I like eating with jeera rice.

Recipe FAQs

Vegan Dal Makhani

This Dal Makhani/Madras Lentils recipe can be made vegan by
1. Replacing butter with vegan butter or oil.
2. Use cashew cream or coconut cream instead of heavy or fresh cream

Can I freeze Dal Makhani Curry?

YES!!!!!!! If you plan to freeze the gravy, skip adding cream and add them at last when you are ready to serve. Just add some fresh cilantro/coriander leaves before serving.
You can freeze this gravy in a freezer-safe container for two months. Just thaw over the countertop for 3-4 hours and then heat again in a pan or microwave and add cream before serving. You can store this dal in the refrigerator for about 4-5 days.

Slow Cooker Dal Makhani

Follow the same steps, turn on SLOW COOK mode, select 8 hours, and leave it aside. Do this in the night, and you will have perfect Dal Makhani cooking away ready for lunch.

Can I make Dal Makhani with Rice in Pot-in-Pot Method (PIP)

This lentil curry takes at least 30 minutes to pressure cook, so you can cook this beans curry along with only brown rice, using the Pot-in-Pot method, all in the same pot.

Can I make Dal Makhani without soaking lentils & beans in an Instant pot?

Yes, you can, Soaking helps cook these lentils faster, and I recommend soaking the beans overnight.
If you do not have time to soak the beans & lentils, then increase the cooking time to 60 minutes. 

More Instant Pot Lentil Recipes

  • Dal Tadka – Dal prepared with split pigeon peas lentils, assorted spices.
  • Chana Dal - Dal prepared with split chickpeas lentils, assorted spices.
  • Rajma Masala - Curry prepared withndry or canned red kidney beans and cooked in a spicy, flavorful onion-tomato gravy along with few spices.
  • Green Lentil Soup – lentil soup made with green lentils, carrots, celery, red bell pepper, and Indian spices.
  • Spinach Dal / Palak Dal – Dhal cooked with spinach leaves.
  • Whole green moong dal– Dal cooked with whole mung beans.
  • Panchmel dal – dal prepared with five varieties of lentils.
dal makhani served in a steel vessel topped with cream butter and cilantro
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Dal Makhani served in a steel bowl garnished with cream butter and cilantro

Instant Pot Dal Makhani/Madras Lentils Recipe

Bhavana Patil
Restaurant style Dal Makhani is a one-pot, healthy, protein-rich curry recipe made with whole urad dal and kidney beans, cooked in a spicy, flavorful onion-tomato gravy along with few spices in an Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
5 from 1 vote
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Servings: 6
Calories : 249
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian, Punjabi
Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
Method: Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
Prep Time : 4 hours
Cook Time : 40 minutes
Total Time : 4 hours 40 minutes

Equipment

  • Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
  • Stovetop Pressure Cooker

Ingredients
  

Measuring cup used 1 cup = 250 ml

  • 1 cup black gram lentils (whole urad)
  • ¼ cup red kidney beans (rajma)
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 teaspoon cumin (jeera) seeds
  • 2 tablespoons ginger garlic paste
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 2 large tomato diced or pureed(about 1.5 cups)
  • 3 cups water
  • salt to taste
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
  • 2-3 tablespoon cilantro (coriander leaves)
  • ¼ cup cream or cashew cream or coconut cream
  • 2-3 tablespoons butter or vegan butter

Spices:

  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala powder

Instructions
 

  • Soak black gram lentils (urad dal) and red kidney beans (rajma) for at least 4+ hours in hot water or overnight in 3 cups of water.
    step to soak kidney beans and whole urad dal in water collage

Instant Pot Method:

  • Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add oil to the POT. Once POT is hot, add cumin seeds, bay leaf, let the cumin splutter.
  • Next, add onions, ginger-garlic paste, and saute until onions turn light brown for 3-4 minutes.
    step to saute onion ginger garlic collage
  • Add finely chopped tomatoes or tomato sauce, spices like red chili powder, turmeric, coriander powder, and cook for 2-3 minutes.
    step to add tomato puree and cook with spices collage
  • Next, add the black gram lentils, kidney beans, salt, and water for cooking. Mix well.
    Deglaze the pot, i.e., make sure there is no food particle sticking to the pot to avoid BURN alerts.
    step to add soaked lentils and water collage
  • Close the lid on the pot, and turn the pressure valve to the SEALING position. Set the pot to "BEAN/CHILI" Mode and set the timer to 30 minutes.
  • Once the pot beeps, Do a NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE (NPR).
  • Remove lid away from you. Set the SAUTE mode. The dal and rajma should be thoroughly cooked. Mash the lentils with the back of a spoon for a creamier consistency.
  • Lastly, stir in garam masala, remaining butter, cream, and garnish with cilantro. Mix well. Simmer the curry for 2-3 minutes or until you get desired consistency.
    Don't worry if the curry is liquid by consistency. It will thicken when cooled.
    dal makhani in instant pot insert with a wooden spoon and garnished with cream and cilantro
  • Restaurant Style Punjabi Dal Makhani recipe is ready, serve hot with naan & jeera rice ,steamed rice.
    Dal Makhani served in a steel bowl garnished with cream butter and cilantro

Notes

I have prepared this dish in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT
 
Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 249kcalProtein: 14gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 638mgPotassium: 365mgFiber: 12gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 66mgIron: 5.5mg
Keyword instant pot dal makhani, madras lentils
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Comments

  1. Mel says

    March 10, 2021 at 7:46 am

    Looks delicious! How can I make this on the stove top? I do not have a presser cooker.

    Thanks,
    Mel

    Reply
    • Bhavana Patil says

      March 10, 2021 at 11:43 am

      Hi Mel, You can cover and cook lentils/beans for an hour till the beans can be easily smashed between your fingers.Then follow the same procedure by preparing onion tomato gravy with some indian spices and add the cooked lentils to the mixture.Will update the blog with stove top instructions soon..

      Reply

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