Dal makhani (Stovetop & Instant pot)

Dal makhani recipe with stovetop and instant pot instructions. Dal makhani is a classic Indian dish made with whole urad dal, rajma, butter and spices. It is one of the most popular lentil dishes originated in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. Dhal or dal refers to lentils and makhani translates to buttery. Dal makhani literally means buttery dal.

Traditionally dal makhani was prepared by simmering lentils on wood/coal fire for several hours. This slow cooking for prolonged hours yield a creamy, thick and best tasting buttery dal.

This Punjabi dal makhani recipe is a keeper and has never failed to amaze my family & guests. I am sure you will love how rich, creamy, flavorful and delicious it tastes!

Chana masala, rajma, chole, dal tadka and dal makhani are some of the most popular dishes made with legumes in Indian cuisine. These are not only popular on the restaurant menus but also in most North Indian households.

Making a good dal makhani is easy & needs only a few ingredients but it does take time as the lentils need to be slow cooked. So this is an amazing dish to make for a weekend or special festive meal.

Serve this dal makhani with garlic butter naan, tandoori roti, roti, jeera rice or basmati rice.

Here are my tips to make the best

Tips

Soak black lentils and rajma for at least 8 hours. Well soaked lentils cook up to a creamy texture which is very important to make a delicious dal makhani. To speed up the soaking process, you may soak them in boiling hot water for 4 hours.

Precook the lentils well before adding them to the makhani masala. Even slightly undercooked dal will not work well here.

Butter is the key ingredient to make a flavorful dal makhani. Be generous & use a good amount of butter. In India, cultured butter is used which actually brings an amazing flavor. You can also use the regular butter like the way I did.

But be generous & add a good amount of it. If you are on a low fat diet, cut down your portion size instead of making a low fat dal makhani.

I prefer to use half butter and half ghee for cooking the masala as using only butter burns quickly. You may use one for the other.

Slow cooking lentils on a lowest heat brings out the best flavors. Dal makhani served in restaurants is so much flavorful as the lentils are cooked overnight or whole day on slow fire.

Without simmering you won’t really get the essential flavors in your dal makhani. I suggest simmering for at least 90 mins after adding the cooked lentils to the tempering or masala.

Spices are used in minimum quantities here to keep the flavor of slow cooked black lentils dominant. Most standard Indian restaurants use whole spices like bay leaf, black cardamoms & green cardamoms especially in the tempering.

These spices make a huge difference as they release a unique aroma to the dal when slow cooked for several hours. However you may use either whole spices or ground spices or a mix of both. More in the recipe notes.

Smoking dal makhani – Traditionally made dish is cooked on coal fire for long hours which naturally imparts a smoky aroma to the dish. To some extent the smoky flavor can be recreated at home by smoking the final dish. This step is optional. I have shown it in detail in the video you may take a look.

If you prefer to smoke your dal makhani, ensure you use wood coal that has no additives or fuel added to it. Many people also add liquid smoke to the dish to get that strong flavor.

Serving suggestions

Dal makhani goes very well with Indian breads like butter naan, roti, tandoori roti and even with jeera rice or plain basmati rice.

How to double the recipe?

• To double this recipe, double all the ingredients.
• Pressure cook the lentils for the same amount of time.
• I slow cook the dal makhani for longer than 2 hours after adding the cooked lentils to the masala.

Ingredients & Substitutes

Lentils – I use black lentils (whole urad dal) and red kidney beans (rajma). For 1 cup urad dal I use ¼ cup rajma. Many people also add a small quantity of chana dal (Bengal gram) for texture. If you prefer you can use 2 tbsp in the recipe or may substitute rajma with chana dal.

Cream – Cooking cream, whipping cream, heavy cream or homemade malai (cream) works well. If using homemade malai, then blend it well in a small blender jar until smooth. Then transfer this to a small cup and stir together a few tbsps of dal makhani. Then pour that to the pot. This way cream will not split.

Kasuri methi or dried fenugreek leaves – A small quantity of kasuri methi makes a huge difference here. However if you do not have you may skip it. There is no substitute.

How to freeze and reheat?

For best flavors, cool it immediately, transfer to smaller freezer safe glass bowls & freeze within 2 hours of cooking. This way the flavors are retained to a maximum extent. When you prefer to use, thaw it in the fridge overnight or for 10 to 12 hours.

To reheat, transfer to a pot and cook until bubbling & very hot. If needed pour little water. Alternately transfer to a steel bowl and reheat in instant pot (PIP) on a high pressure for 3 to 4 mins. I do not add any water for reheating in the IP.

Similar recipes
Chole recipe
Chana masala
Rajma recipe
Instant pot dal & rice

Step-by-step photos

Preparation

1.Soaking lentils: Add 1 cup urad dal (black lentils) & ¼ cup rajma (red kidney beans) to a large pot and rinse thoroughly a few times. Drain the water and pour 3 to 4 cups fresh water. Soak them for at least 6 to 8 hours. To speed up the soaking process you may pour boiling water and soak for 4 hours.

2.Cooking lentils: After they are soaked well, drain the water and pour 4 cups fresh water. Pressure cook on a medium heat for 10 whistles. It takes about 35 to 40 mins. If using an Instant pot pressure cook for 20 mins. If cooking in a pot add more water as required and cook until they become tender.

3.Check if cooked well: When the pressure releases naturally, open the lid and check if the dal is well cooked. Both rajma and urad dal have to be softened. Press down a rajma and few urad dal in between your thumb and fore finger. They should get mashed very well easily. They should not be aldente or even slightly hard.

If they are under-cooked, you add half cup more water and cook for a little longer about 3 to 4 whistles.

While the dal cooks, chop 1 medium onion finely. Make 1 tablespoon of ginger garlic paste. Chop 210 grams of tomatoes (about 1 heaped cup chopped). Puree in a blender. We will need 1 cup tomato puree here. Measure it and keep aside.

How to make dal makhani

4.Heat a heavy bottom pot. Add 1½ tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon ghee. If using whole spices (optional), add 1 bay leaf, 1 black cardamom and 2 green cardamoms. Saute them for half a minute. Then add 1 medium onion finely chopped. Saute until golden or light brown.

5.Then stir in 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste. Saute for 1 minute until the raw smell disappears.

6.Next add 1 cup tomato puree (210 grams) and saute for a while.

7.Stir in 1 teaspoon salt, ¾ to 1½ teaspoon red chilli powder and 1 teaspoon garam masala. Adjust the chilli powder to suit your taste. I use 1½ teaspoon kashmiri red chilli powder. If you are using hot chilli powder then cut down . I used this punjabi garam masala. Please ensure you use a good one.

8.Saute until the masala cooks well and turns thick. The masala begins to smell good when done.

9.Mash the cooked lentils slightly and transfer to the pot along with the stock. Stir well and add 1 cup water.

10.Stir and continue to cook on the lowest possible heat stirring often to avoid burning. After 60 mins, you will need to add another half cup water each time and cook until the dal thickens. I add about 2 cups water in total (1 + ½ + ½).

11.Continue to cook on a low flame for a total of 80 mins stirring every now and then to prevent the dal sticking at the bottom.

12.Taste the dal makhani. Add more salt as needed. Take ½ teaspoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) and crush it in between your palms. Then add it. This brings out the flavor.

13. Stir in ¼ cup cream and continue to cook for another 10 mins. If you are making ahead for later use, you may add cream, butter and kasuri methi when you reheat it. So just make the dal makhani without all of the 3, cool and refrigerate or freeze. When you reheat add all of them.

14.This was the consistency I got after 90 mins of total cooking. Thick, creamy & flavorful. Then stir in 1½ tablespoon butter. Turn off the heat.

Optional – Smoking dal makhani.

Please avoid this if you are a novice cook. Dal makhani tastes good even without this step.

Place a tall steel cup or bowl in the center of the pot. Ensure it doesn’t get submerged in the dal. Hold a piece of wood coal with a tong over direct fire. For extra safety use a stove lighter or a candle instead of a larger source of fire.

After a few minutes, the coal will turn red & hot. Then carefully place it inside the cup and pour ¼ teaspoon of ghee. You will immediately see fumes emitted by the coal. Cover the pot immediately and leave for 3 to 4 mins.

You may repeat pouring another ¼ teaspoon ghee to smoke for longer. Smoking too long will leave a very strong flavor so 3 to 4 mins is good enough for our taste.

Garnish dal makhani with cream. Serve hot with butter naan or jeera rice.

Recipe

Dal makhani

Dal makhani is a delicious, rich & creamy dish made with black lentils, spices, butter and cream. Instructions included for stovetop and instant pot.

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1x2x3x

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time2 hours 20 minutes

Soaking time8 hours

Total Time2 hours 30 minutes

Servings4

AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )

To pressure cook

• 1 cup whole black lentil (black gram or whole urad dal)
• ¼ cup rajma (red kidney beans) (optional)
• 4 cups water for pressure cooking – more for pot

Tempering or masala

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided – 1 ½ tbsp + 1 ½ tbsp)
• 1 tablespoon ghee
• 1 medium onion finely chopped (65 grams)
• 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
• 1 cup tomato puree (210 grams)
• 2 teaspoons salt (adjust to taste)
• ¾ to 1½ teaspoons red chilli powder (adjust to taste) (I use 1½)
• 1 teaspoon garam masala (use flavorful one)
• 2 cups water
• ½ teaspoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) (optional)
• ¼ cup cream (more for garnish)

Whole spices (optional)

• 1 bay leaf (optional)
• 2 green cardamoms (optional)
• 1 black cardamom (optional)

How to make the recipe

Preparation

• Add urad dal and rajma to a large pot and rinse them well a few times. Drain the water and soak them in 3 to 4 cups of water for 7 to 8 hours. To reduce the soaking time, you may soak them in boiling hot water for 4 to 5 hours.
• Later drain the water and rinse them well.
• Pour 4 cups fresh water and pressure cook for 10 whistles on a medium heat. You can also cook in a pot until soft and tender adding more water whenever needed. If cooking in instant pot, pressure cook on high pressure for 20 mins.
• Both urad dal and rajma must cook to very soft. When mashed with a spoon the dal and rajma must be soft and get mashed well easily. If not then pour another half cup water and continue to cook for another 3 to 4 whistles on a medium heat.

How to make dal makhani

• Heat a heavy bottom pot with butter & ghee. If using whole spices, add them and saute for half a minute. Then add onions and fry until they turn golden.
• Stir in ginger garlic paste and saute for 1 minute until the raw smell goes away.
• Then transfer tomato puree and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until thick.
• Add salt, chilli powder & garam masala. Saute well until the masala smells good and turns thick.
• Mash the cooked urad dal slightly and pour it along with the stock. Pour another 1 cup water & mix.
• Cook on a low flame until the dal thickens stirring often in between to prevent burning the bottom. After 60 mins, the dal thickens.
• Add another ½ to 1 cup water and continue to cook until thick. This takes another 30 mins. Totally cook for about 90 mins from the time you added the cooked dal to the pot.
• Then add kasuri methi and pour cream. Stir and cook again for 6 to 8 mins until it becomes thick and creamy.
• Taste and add more salt if needed. Add butter and mix well.

Dhungar – smoking (optional)

• Place a small piece of foil or a tall steel cup on the dal makhani. Hold 1 to 2 inch piece of natural wood charcoal with a tong and burn it on direct fire until red hot. Then place it on the foil kept over dal or in the steel cup.
• Quickly pour ¼ tsp ghee on the hot coal. Immediately cover the pot and allow to smoke for 3 to 4 mins. For stronger flavor, add another ¼ tsp ghee on the coal and repeat the smoking.
• Garnish dal makhani with butter or cream & serve with naan.

Instant pot dal makhani

• Press SAUTE button on the Instant pot. Add ghee and butter to the steel insert.
• Once the butter melts, add onions and saute until transparent. Add ginger garlic paste and saute for 30 seconds.
• Pour the tomato puree, red chilli powder & garam masala. Saute for 3 to 5 mins.
• Drain the water from the lentils and add them. Pour 4 cups water and deglaze the pot by scrubbing the bottom with a wooden spatula.
• Press CANCEL button. Secure the Instant pot with the lid. Position the steam release handle to sealing.
• Press PRESSURE COOK button and set the timer to 30 mins.
• When the IP finishes it will beep. Wait for the pressure to release naturally.
• Open the lid. Add salt & slightly mash the urad dal, not rajma.
• Press SAUTE button. Adjust the setting to LOW by pressing the saute button twice.
• Cook further stirring often until thick. Optional – I prefer to add 1 more cup of water in 2 batches, ½ cup each time. Cook further until really creamy and thick.
• When most of the moisture evaporates, dal turns thicker. Then add cream and kasuri methi. Continue to cook until creamy.
• Stir in the butter and garnish dal makhani with cream.

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Video

NUTRITION (estimation only)

Calories: 410kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 1217mg | Potassium: 350mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 664IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 5mg

Notes

1. You can halve the recipe to make 2 to 3 servings. Cut down the cook time to 60 mins.
2. Older stock of lentils & beans (aged) often take longer to cook. So buy them from a store which sells fresher stocks.
3. If you do not like to use rajma, just skip them. Keep all the quantities of ingredients same.
4. You may use whole spices in tempering – 1 black cardamom, 2 to 3 green cardamoms and 1 bay leaf.
5. You can use bottled or homemade tomato puree. To make the puree, chop and blend a little over 1 cup tomatoes to make 1 cup puree.
6. You can cook the lentils in a pot if you don’t have a cooker. It may take about 60 to 90 mins. Add more water than mentioned in the recipe.
7. Simmer the dal for at least 90 minutes to get the best texture. If you double the recipe, simmer for longer.
8. Dal makhani tastes best when slow cooked on a low flame for long time. So do not cook even on a medium flame.
9. To get the authentic taste you can cook the dal for as long as 3 hours on the lowest flame, adding more water as needed.
10. Keep stirring consistently to prevent burning.

Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.

If you are new to cooking, follow my detailed step by step photo instructions for best results.