Instant Pot Moong Daal (Split Yellow Lentils Soup)

Moong Dal Tadka served in a white bowl with tempering on top garnished with cilantro

5 from 10 votes

Instant Pot Moong Daal (Split Yellow Lentils Soup)

Moong Dal Tadka recipe is a simple comforting Indian dish made from yellow moong lentils, onion, tomato and spices in instant pot pressure cooker or stovetop.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Keyword instant pot moong dal tadka, moong dal fry, pressure cooker

Diet Gluten-Free, Vegan

Method Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker, Stovetop

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 223kcal

Author Bhavana Patil

Equipment

Ingredients

1 tablespoon ghee or coconut oil
1 teaspoon cumin seeds(jeera)
a pinch asafetida (hing) (optional)
3 cloves garlic minced
1 medium onion finely chopped
1 large tomato finely chopped
½ teaspoon turmeric powder (haldi)
½ teaspoon red chilli powder
1 teaspoon garam masala powder
1 cup split yellow lentils (moong dal) rinsed
3 cups water
salt to taste
2 tablespoons cilantro (coriander leaves) chopped

Extra Tempering:

2 tablespoons ghee
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
few curry leaves (optional)
a pinch asafetida(hing)
¼ teaspoon red chilli powder

Instructions

Instant Pot Method:

Firstly, Wash and rinse the yellow dal, keep aside.
Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add oil or ghee, and once it's hot, add cumin seeds. Let them crackle.
Add asafetida, minced garlic, onions, and saute till onions turn light brown.
Add tomatoes, spices like turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder, salt, and cook till tomatoes turn soft, which takes 2-3 minutes.
Then add rinsed lentils or dal, water, and give a stir. Adjust spices at this stage.
Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 6 minutes.
Once the pot beeps, let it release the pressure naturally (NPR) for 10 minutes.
Remove lid away from you, add cilantro. Also, adjust the consistency of the dal at this point. If it's too thick, turn on SAUTE mode, add some water and boil for 2 minutes.
Moong Dal Tadka is ready. Lastly, add extra tempering (tadka) and serve hot with boiled rice, quinoa, or roti.

Stovetop Method:

Pressure cook the moong dal adding 3 cups of water for 3 whistles.
Heat oil or ghee in a Kadai and add the cumin and let them splutter.
Add asafetida, minced garlic, onions, and saute till onions turn light brown in color.
Add tomatoes, spices like turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder, salt, and cook till tomatoes turn soft, which takes 2-3 minutes.
Now add the cooked and mashed dal, stir well. Add water to adjust consistency and salt to taste.
Boil dal for 2-3 minutes on a medium-low flame. Finally, add chopped coriander leaves.
Moong Dal Tadka or Yellow lentil soup is ready, add extra tempering (tadka) and serve hot with boiled rice, quinoa, or roti.

Video

Notes

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

Tips & Variations:

Soaking Lentils: If you soak the dal in water for 30 mins, it helps to cook faster.
Adjust Consistency: If your dal is watery, you can turn on the saute mode and cook for another 2-3 minutes in the end.
No Onion-No Garlic: For a variation, you can also make this yellow dal by skipping onion, and garlic.
Vegan: Skip ghee and use any cooking oil of your choice.

Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition