I make this quick and easy masoor dal at least twice a week for family meals. Here is a delicious masoor dal recipe – an ultimate comfort food that gets ready in less than 30 minutes in a pressure cooker.
Jump to:
Everyday Comfort Food
Hina says – Everyday Indian food in my home is simple, tasty, easy to cook, and comforting to the core. And a variety of dals are an integral part of my meal menu. I love lentils and beans so much that I dedicated a whole chapter (A Bag of Beans) to delicious Indian dal and bean recipes in my cookbook.
In a world filled with uncertainty, home-cooked comfort food offers a taste of home, a sense of belonging, and a reminder of the simple joys of life.
Masoor Dal – The Pink Lentil
Masoor dal, also known as red or pink lentils, originates from India and has been a part of traditional Indian cuisine for centuries. Packed with protein, fibre, and essential nutrients, masoor dal not only satisfies hunger but also nourishes the body.
It is a plant-based, vegetarian ingredient. You can use it to make stews, soups, khichdi, cutlet, tofu, dal, dosa, and so much more.
I am sharing an easy, fuss-free masoor dal recipe you can make either in a stovetop pressure cooker or instant pot with readily available ingredients.
Other Ingredients
- Onion, Tomato, Green Chilli, Garlic, Coriander (cilantro)
- Seasoning: Salt, Turmeric Powder, Red Chilli Powder
- Whole Spices: Cloves (laung), Cumin, Dried Red Chilli (Optional)
- Cooking Oil: Ghee or neutral-tasting vegetable oil
How To Cook Masoor Dal
Prepare Lentil:
- Rinse and soak masoor (pink lentil) in water for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, drain water from the soaked masoor.
Pressure Cook:
- In a pressure cooker, add the rinsed dal, chopped tomato, green chilli, salt, turmeric, chilli powder, cloves, and water. Stir to combine.
- Pressure cook over low heat for 2 whistles or 10-15 minutes until the dal is cooked.
- Allow steam to release naturally from the pressure cooker.
- Once cooked, mash the dal slightly with the back of a spoon. Taste, if required add more salt or spices. Set aside.
Tempering:
- Heat ghee or oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add cumin seeds, chopped garlic, and onion. Fry them till the onion becomes light golden. Turn off the heat.
- Pour this tempering (tadka) over the hot masoor dal.
Simmering and Garnishing:
- Let the dal simmer for 5 minutes on low heat. Allowing flavours to meld together.
- Once done, turn off the heat. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
- Squeeze a wedge of lemon juice over the dal for a refreshing tangy taste.
Serving Suggestion
I love to eat masoor dal with basmati rice or jeera rice. Whether I am homesick or in need of a pick-me-up after a long day, a steaming bowl of dal chawal provides me with a sense of comfort and familiarity like no other.
Masoor Dal pairs perfectly with Indian bread such as roti/phulka/chapati or naan. For a complete meal, serve it alongside curd or yoghurt, pickles, and sliced cucumbers or Indian kachumber salad.
This wholesome and nutritious dal is not only satisfying but also incredibly comforting, making it ideal for weeknight dinners.
More Indian Dal Recipes
- Arhar Dal Fry
- Dal Makhani
- Panchmel Dal
- Moradabadi Dal
- Shahi Urad Dal
- Palak Chana Dal
- Pahadi Gahat Dal
- Punjabi Sookhi Dal
follow us on Youtube or Instagram for video recipes.
If you try this recipe and love it, please leave a comment and a rating. This helps us grow and reach other food lovers like you.
Everyday Masoor Dal Recipe
- Tadka Pan
Ingredients
- ½ Cup pink masoor dal
- 1 ½ Cup water
- 2 cloves (laung)
- 1 small size tomato, finely chopped
- 2 green chilli, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon cooking salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
Ingredients for Tempering (Tadka)
- 1 tablespoon ghee
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
- 1 small size onion, finely chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 dried red chilli, broken into halves (optional)
Ingredients For Serving
- ½ lemon, juiced (optional)
- 2 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves
Instructions
- Rinse and soak masoor (pink lentil) in water for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, drain water from the soaked masoor.
- In a pressure cooker, add the rinsed dal, chopped tomato, green chilli, salt, turmeric, chilli powder, cloves, and water. Stir to combine.
- Pressure cook over low heat for 2 whistles or 10-15 minutes until the dal is cooked.
- Allow steam to release naturally from the pressure cooker. Once cooked, mash the dal slightly with the back of a spoon. Taste, if required add more salt or spices. Set aside.
- Heat ghee or oil in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds, chopped garlic, red chilli, and onion. Fry them till the onion becomes light golden. Turn off the heat. Pour this tempering (tadka) over the hot masoor dal.
- Let the dal simmer for 5 minutes on low heat. Allowing flavours to meld together. Once done, turn off the heat. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Squeeze a wedge of lemon juice over the dal for a refreshing tangy taste.
- Serve Masoor Dal with jeera rice or phulka.
Recipe Notes:
- While pressure cooking the dal do not add too much water at once. I would suggest, adding lukewarm water after pressure cooking the dal to get the desired consistency.
- My mother in law adds onion while pressure cooking the dal and not in tadka. Her dal tastes equally delicious.
- I do not add coconut milk or cream to the dal. But if you like to add coconut milk, add it while simmering the dal after pressure cooking.
- Ingredients added as optional can be skipped.
- You can easily store masoor dal for 3 – 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave. It is a perfect meal prep-friendly dish.
Harry says
Such a comforting recipe! Masoor dal is one of my favorite go-to dishes, and this easy version in the pressure cooker sounds perfect for busy weeknights. I love the addition of the tadka at the end—it really brings out the flavors! I’ll definitely be making this soon with some jeera rice on the side. Thanks for sharing this simple and delicious recipe! cookout shakes
luna says
Masoor dal is such a comforting, flavorful dish that’s perfect for any day—it’s simple to make but so hearty and satisfying. The spices blend together beautifully, creating a delicious, nutritious meal.