Masoor Dal - Instant Pot & Stovetop (Red Lentils)

Masoor Dal or Red Lentils curry recipe is a simple ,extremely delicious comforting dal cooked in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker with pot-in-pot basmati rice under 30 minutes.This red lentil dal recipe is vegan and gluten-free and pairs well with rice, quinoa, roti. You can also enjoy it as a soup.

Red Lentils [Masoor Dal]

Red lentils are known as Masoor dal in hindi .These lentils are versatile food that provides a good source of protein, fiber, B-complex vitamins, iron and zinc.

These red lentils are available in split and whole form in the market.These are used to make traditional dal ,soups or curries.

If you liked this you may also like

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• Whole green moong dal– Dal cooked with whole mung beans
• Spinach Dal / Palak Dal – Dhal cooked with spinach leaves
• Panchmel dal – dal prepared with five varieties of lentils

Ingredients

Firstly lets gather the ingredients to make Masoor Dal recipe

• masoor dal (red lentils)
• ghee or oil
• cumin seeds(jeera)
• green chillies
• ginger
• garlic
• curry leaves
• onion
• tomato
• cilantro
• lime juice
• spices

How to make Masoor Dal

Instant Pot with Pot-in-pot Rice Method

This recipe shows how to make Masoor Dal in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker. The main difference with traditional masoor dal preparation is that this is one-pot recipe.In traditional method usually we cook the dal separately first and then add the tadka(tempering) in it.

Firstly Wash and rinse the dal, keep aside. Press Saute mode on Instant Pot. Add oil and once it’s hot add cumin seeds. Let them crackle.

Add asafetida ,minced ginger garlic, green chillies ,curry leaves and saute for 15 secs.Then add chopped onion. Saute till onions turn light brown in color.

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

Then add rinsed lentils or dal ,salt ,water and give a stir.Adjust spices at this stage.No need to soak the dal for this recipe.

Once you add all ingredients for masoor dal in the instant pot, place the trivet and then the bowl of rice with water. This way they will both cook together.

Big advantage of the Instant Pot is the option to do Pot-in-Pot Cooking or PIP. This means you can cook multiple things at same time.See pictures below for reference.

Close the lid on the pot.Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and increase timer to 5 minutes.

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

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Masoor Dal or Red Lentils is ready ,add some lemon juice and cilantro ,mix well and serve hot with boiled rice, quinoa or roti.

Note on the consistency

If one wants really soft mashed dal, 6 minutes manual/pressure cook (High Pressure) is probably the ideal setting in manual mode.

But I like dals (lentils) to be little firm so I selected 5 minutes Manual/Pressure Cooker (high pressure) option.

If you want want more firmer dal then choose 3 minutes Manual/Pressure Cooker (high pressure).

Accessories needed for this Dal and Rice Pot-in-pot Recipe

1. Tall Trivet
2. Stackable Steamer Insert Pans, or any oven-safe bowl

Stove Top Method

• Pressure cook the masoor dal adding 3 cups of water for 3-4 whistles.
• Heat oil or ghee in a kadai and add the cumin and let them splutter.
• Then add asafetida ,minced ginger garlic ,chopped green chili, curry leaves and saute for 15 secs.
• Next add the onions and saute till onions turn light brown in color.
• Add tomatoes and all the spice powders – turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder and garam masala powder and cook till tomatoes turn soft ,takes 2-3 minutes.
• Now add the cooked and mashed dal (lentils) ,stir well.Add water to adjust consistency and salt to taste.Boil dal for 2-3 minutes on a medium-low flame.Finally chopped coriander leaves.
• Red Lentil dal recipe is ready ,add some lemon juice and cilantro ,mix well and serve hot with boiled rice, quinoa or roti.

Serving suggestions

Masoor Dal is served traditionally roti , chapati,  jeera rice or steamed rice.But can be eaten with quinoa, brown rice! or even eaten as a lentil soup.

Tips & Variations

1. No need to soak the dal in water.
2. If your dal is watery, you can turn on the saute mode and cook for another 2-3 minute in the end.
3. For a variation, you can also make this dal by skipping onion, ginger and tomatoes.
4. Note on the consistency: If one wants really soft mashed dal, 6 minutes manual/pressure cook (High Pressure) is probably the ideal setting in manual mode.But I like dals (lentils) to be little firm so I selected 5 minutes Manual/Pressure Cooker (high pressure) option.If you want want more firmer dal then choose 3 minutes Manual/Pressure Cooker (high pressure).
5. Vegan Variation: Skip ghee and use oil of your choice.

More Instant Pot Curry Recipes

• Lauki Ki Subji
• Black Eye Pea Curry(Lobia curry)
• Rajma Masala
• Chickpea Coconut Curry

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