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Swasthi's Recipes

Home >> Recipes >> Dal Recipes

Green gram curry (Mung beans curry)

By swasthi , on February 13, 2020, 39 Comments, Jump to Recipe

Green gram curry recipe with Instant pot & stovetop instructions – Green gram also known as mung bean, green moong dal or whole moong dal is a lentil that is widely used in Asian cooking. This green dal is used to make curry, stew, stir fry, soup and even sweet dishes. Green gram is also sprouted and added to noodles and sprouts salads. In Indian cuisine, these are mostly used to make a curry or dosa like this pesarattu.

green gram curry

This green gram curry is delicious, easy to make and goes very well with plain rice or roti. Sometimes we also eat this with Jeera rice, ghee rice or turmeric rice.

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Since green gram are whole lentils with the skin, it is good to soak them for atleast 3 to 4 hours to avoid tummy problems. Soaking also cuts down the cook time and gives a better texture to your final dish.

This is one legume that doesn’t need long soaking. However they can also be cooked without soaking.

Green gram curry can be made in a pot or Instant pot. For many years I have made this in a pot as it is easy to watch them so they don’t overcook.

I have been using Instant pot for over a year so I made this a lot of times in it. I have updated this post with IP instructions too. If making in the IP you can also cook your rice along with the green gram curry.

Preparation

If using instant pot, read the instructions from the recipe card below. This method is for stovetop to cook in a pot or traditional Indian pressure cooker. Rinse half cup green gram very well and soak in enough water for 3 to 4 hours. Chop onions, tomatoes and chilies.

How to make green moong dal curry

1. Heat 1½ tablespoon ghee or oil in a pot or cooker. When the oil turns hot, add ½ teaspoon cumin & ¼ teaspoon mustard seeds (optional). The seeds will begin to splutter, then add curry leaves or bay leaf. Saute until a nice aroma comes out. Then add ¾ teaspoon ginger & ¾ teaspoon garlic (chopped or paste). Saute for 1 to 2 mins until the ginger garlic smells good.

tempering spices in ghee to make green gram curry

2. Add 1 large onion finely chopped and 1 chopped green chili (optional). Saute until the onions turn golden.

frying onions

3. Then add

  • 2 medium tomatoes (chopped or pureed)
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric. Cook until they break down and turn mushy. I usually cover and cook at this stage to quicken the process.
frying tomatoes

4. Then add the following spice powders:

  • ½ teaspoon garam masala
  • ½ to ¾ teaspoon red chilli powder
  • ¾ teaspoon coriander powder
sauteing  masala to make green gram curry

5. Saute for a minute until the masala smells good.

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6. Drain the water from the green moong dal and add them here. Mine were over-soaked and even began to sprout slightly.

green moong in a pot

7. Pour 1½ cups water (or just enough to cover them). Soaked green gram doesn’t need a lot of water. So add carefully. If needed add more later.

To cook in pot, cover and simmer them on a low to medium heat until cooked through and soft.

To cook in pressure cooker, cover and pressure cook for 3 whistles on a medium heat. When the pressure releases, open the lid. If the dal is runny, evaporate the excess by cooking for a little longer. If it is too thick, pour some hot water and give a stir.

cooking green moong dal curry

I usually take off when there is little more moisture in the pot as the curry thickens when it cools down. Taste it and add more salt if needed.

Garnish with coriander leaves. Top green gram curry with ghee & squeeze in some lemon juice. Serve it with plain rice or roti.

green gram curry
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Recipe card

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green gram curry

Green gram curry (green gram dal)

Green moong dal curry is a delicious protein packed dish from Indian cuisine. Serve it with rice or roti.
Pin Recipe Print Recipe

For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time4 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time29 minutes
Servings3
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )

  • ½ cup green gram (dried whole green moong, mung beans)
  • ¾ to 1 cup onions fine chopped (1 large)
  • ¾ cup tomatoes pureed or chopped (2 medium)
  • 1 green chili chopped (optional)
  • ¾ teaspoon ginger minced or paste (¾ inch)
  • 2 garlic cloves minced (or ¾ teaspoon paste)
  • 1 sprig curry leaves or bay leaf
  • 1½ tablespoons oil or ghee
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds or jeera
  • ¼ teaspoon mustard seeds (optional)
  • ½ to ¾ teaspoon red chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon garam masala
  • ¾ teaspoon coriander powder (or garam masala powder)
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric
  • ¾ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1½ cups water (more for pot) (1½ cups for Instant pot)
  • 2 tablespoon coriander leaves
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Instructions

Preparation

  • Rinse and soak green gram for 3 to 4 hours. Avoid over soaking as the skin begins to separate on its own while cooking. If making in Instant pot you can skip soaking.
  • Discard the water and rinse them well.

How to make green gram curry

  • Heat a pan or pot or pressure cooker with oil. Add mustard seeds (optional) & cumin seeds. 
  • When they begins to splutter, fry curry leaves for 1 minute. Add the ginger garlic & fry for a minute.
  • Add onions and green chilli. Fry till transparent.
  • Next add tomato, salt and turmeric. Fry till the tomatoes blend well with onions and turn mushy.
  • Saute red chili powder, garam masala & coriander powder. Mix and fry for about 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Then drain water from the green gram and add it to the pot. Pour water just enough to cover them.
  • If cooking in a pot: Cook till the green gram is tender & soft. If needed add more water. The curry should thicken by now.
  • If using a pressure cooker, cook on a medium heat for 3 whistles. When the pressure releases, open the lid.
  • Next if the curry is runny, just cook further for a while until it thickens.
  • Squeeze in some lemon juice. Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve with rice or chapati.

Instant pot green gram curry

  • Press saute button on your Instant pot and wait for the display to show “HOT”.
  • Pour oil or ghee. Then add cumin seeds and curry leaves. When the seeds splutter, add onions and green chilli.
  • Saute until the onions turn light golden. Stir in the ginger garlic & saute for 30 to 60 seconds.
  • Add tomatoes and sprinkle salt. Saute until the tomatoes turn soft and mushy.
  • Add chilli powder, coriander powder & turmeric. Saute for 30 seconds & press cancel button.
  • Then pour water and scrape the bottom of the steel insert to deglaze any bits of food stuck at the bottom.
  • At this stage if you desire you can also blend the onion tomato masala using a hand blender.
  • Drain water from the green gram and add them.
  • Optional for cooking rice – Place a trivet and then the rice bowl. Cover the rice bowl.
  • Secure the IP with the lid and position the steam release handle to sealing.
  • Press pressure cook button and set the timer to 8 mins for firmer yet fully cooked lentils. For softer lentils set to 10 mins. If using dried mung beans (unsoaked) then cook them for 15 mins.
  • Let the pressure release naturally for 10 mins, then release the rest manually.
  • Garnish green gram dal with coriander leaves. You can also stir in some coconut milk or lemon juice if you desire.
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Notes

  • You may skip soaking the green gram dal. But the flavor of soaked green gram is much superior to the unsoaked ones.
  • 1/4 cup coconut milk can be added towards the end.
  • You can also blend 3 to 4 tbsps of fresh coconut with little water to a smooth paste and add it to the curry along with green gram.

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

For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Green gram curry (green gram dal)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 218 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 655mg28%
Potassium 585mg17%
Carbohydrates 29g10%
Fiber 7g29%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 9g18%
Vitamin A 370IU7%
Vitamin C 30mg36%
Calcium 79mg8%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!

© Swasthi’s Recipes

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Green gram curry (Mung beans curry)
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About swasthi

I’m Swasthi shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthis recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills.
Read more..

Recipe Rating




Recipe Rating




39 Comments
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Jannet
April 16, 2021 10:13 pm

5 stars
Hi Swasthi, thank you so much for sharing your amazing recipe. Followed each steps of your receipe for Good Friday and it was delicious, cooking this again today. Thank you again

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Jannet
April 19, 2021 1:13 am

Hi Jannet
Glad to know! Thank you!

Reply
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Jehanne
August 27, 2020 9:56 pm

5 stars
Awesome recipe, as always—I made it last Friday for my family (we’re Catholic, so we abstain from meat on Fridays), and even though I made 4x the recipe, it was all gone by Sunday evening. Definitely a winner!

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Jehanne
August 28, 2020 2:44 pm

Welcome Jehanne
So glad to know it turned out good,
Thank you so much!
🙂

Reply
CVD
August 22, 2020 5:48 am

The reason I love your recipes is because they’re super easy to prepare and delicious especially when you already have all the ingredients at home. As an 18 yr old your recipes have helped me cook on the spot and yes receive praises from my family ?

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  CVD
August 23, 2020 5:45 am

Hi,
Glad to know the recipes are helping.
Thank you so much for leaving a comment

Reply
Ashish Patil
August 3, 2020 11:32 pm

5 stars
Thanks for the recipe, growing up my parents also added potatoes to this recipe, tastes amazing!

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Ashish Patil
August 4, 2020 3:30 am

Welcome!
Love the idea of adding potatoes.
Thanks for rating the recipe

Reply
Becca
July 25, 2020 9:28 am

My favourite and go-to chef for most of my everyday cooking. Thank you, Swasthi!

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Becca
July 25, 2020 10:59 am

Welcome Becca
So glad to know!
Thank you!
🙂

Reply
Mariah
May 8, 2020 10:59 pm

Hi, can you also use dried curry leaves for this recipe? If so, how many should I use?

Regards

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Mariah
May 9, 2020 2:05 am

Hi,
You can use 8 to 10

Reply
Leela PalChaudhuri
April 17, 2020 11:02 am

5 stars
For a non-cook like me, your recipes are welcome saviours, especially in these times. And the result is loved by the family.
Thank you very much.

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Leela PalChaudhuri
April 18, 2020 1:19 pm

You are welcome! Glad the recipes help. Thank you

Reply
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sheela varia
April 1, 2020 10:24 am

I used to cook moong as a breakfast, lunch as it very healthy among all beans.Moong curry is seems new & delicious with rice,chapati. Moong is very nutiritive even for bedridden. Pl. let me know jain recipes also.thnks

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  sheela varia
April 1, 2020 2:56 pm

Hi Sheela
You are welcome. Do give it a try. I don’t have any jain recipes.

Reply
sheela varia
April 1, 2020 10:21 am

4 stars
I used to cook moong as a breakfast, lunch as it very healthy among all beans.Moong curry is seems new & delicious with rice,chapati.

Reply
Anju
March 25, 2020 11:39 am

5 stars
Hi Swasthi,

Now, any new dish I want to try – I check if you have a recipe for it. For example, I wanted to make something with green moong. So, I check in google ‘green moong + Swasthi’. And voila – this recipe! Your recipes are great!

Love and Regards, Anju

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Anju
March 26, 2020 4:54 am

Hi Anju
Thank you so much! So glad to know!
🙂

Reply
Maira
Reply to  Anju
October 26, 2020 7:32 am

same here!

I find your style really easy to read, understand and execute.
Thank you for some really awesome dishes which help me a lot in my initial days of cooking post-marriage!

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Maira
October 30, 2020 2:32 am

Welcome Maira
Glad to know!

Reply
Smitha
February 12, 2020 4:52 am

Made this curry. Was excellent with chappathi. Added fresh cream to it towards the end

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Smitha
February 12, 2020 5:55 am

Hi Smitha
Thank you for the comment! Glad you liked it.

Reply
NPA
November 7, 2018 8:40 pm

Is the measurement of green gram given after soaking or before soaking?

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  NPA
November 8, 2018 1:06 am

I have updated the post

Reply
Imogen
September 2, 2018 10:51 am

5 stars
Turned out excellent.Everybody enjoyed it

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Imogen
September 2, 2018 12:04 pm

Thanks for trying.

Reply
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Serro
November 10, 2017 2:48 pm

5 stars
The mung dal recipe was excellent. I am not a good cook but it did come out well. Today I am trying it for the second time.hope it comes out well, at least like my first attempt. Thank you

Reply
Malini
August 12, 2017 5:02 am

5 stars
Tried this today and and turned out great! Never made this before and everyone at home loved it, thank you!

Reply
Deepika
September 13, 2016 5:25 am

5 stars
Hey…i just tried this simple recipe with grated ginger n no coconut though..everythin as per recipe and it came out soo well..very tasty and beautiful. . . thankyou very much!

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Deepika
September 14, 2016 8:52 am

Welcome Deepika
Thanks for the comment. Glad to know you liked it

Reply
sharon k billings
July 16, 2016 8:41 pm

5 stars
Wow I love this site! Made the green mung been Dahl and it was yummy! Going to try some other recipes. Thank you!

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  sharon k billings
July 19, 2016 2:23 am

welcome and thanks

Reply
Beulah
June 14, 2016 11:52 am

5 stars
Was looking for something different to do for chapatti. Landed here. Loved it. Will be making it again. Thank you !

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Beulah
June 16, 2016 2:13 am

welcome Beulah
Happy to know you liked it. Thanks for the feedback

Reply
Nisha
May 13, 2016 2:30 pm

5 stars
Hi Swasthi Ma’am..
Thank you so much for recipe.EVeryone loved the dish.Perfect recipe for sprouted moong dal.

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Nisha
May 16, 2016 2:36 am

Hi Nisha
So glad to know you liked this healthy dish. Thanks for the feedback.

Reply
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Nishit Patel
December 18, 2015 5:28 am

5 stars
Perfect Recipe! I love curry moong dal with rice. 🙂

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Nishit Patel
December 21, 2015 1:58 pm

Thank you

Reply

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