Green gram curry (Mung beans curry)

Green gram curry recipe with Instant pot & stovetop instructions – Green gram also known as mung bean 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.

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.

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.

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Green gram curry recipe

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.

Prep Time4 minutes

Cook Time25 minutes

Total Time29 minutes

Servings3

AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (1 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)
• 1 tsp ginger minced or paste (¾ inch)
• 2 garlic cloves minced or paste
• 1 sprig curry leaves or bay leaf
• 1½ tablespoons oil or ghee
• ½ tsp cumin or jeera
• ¼ tsp mustard seeds (optional)
• ½ to ¾ tsp red chili powder
• ½ teaspoon garam masala
• ¾ tsp coriander powder (or garam masala powder)
• ¼ tsp Turmeric
• ¾ teaspoon Salt (adjust to taste)
• 2 tbsp coriander leaves
• 1½ cups water for Instant pot

How to make the recipe

Preparation

• Wash and soak green gram for 3 to 4 hours. Over soaking will tend to separate the skin on its own while cooking.

How to make green gram curry

• Heat a pan or pot or pressure cooker with oil. Add mustard & cumin. 
• 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.
• 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 if you desire.

NUTRITION (estimation only)

Calories: 218kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 655mg | Potassium: 585mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 370IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 3mg

Notes

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.

If you are a beginner or new to Indian cooking, I highly suggest you to check the supporting step by step photos for best results. Step by step photos with description available below after the recipe card.

Recipe originally published in Nov 2014, Republished with new pictures in Dec 2019.

Preparation

Rinse 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.Add ghee or oil to a pot. When the oil turns hot, add cumin. The seeds will begin to sizzle, then add curry leaves. Saute until crisp. Then add ginger garlic. Saute for 1 to 2 mins until the ginger garlic smells good.

2.Add onions and green chilies. Fry until the onions turn golden.

3.Add tomatoes, salt and turmeric. Cook until they break down and turn mushy. I usually cover and cook at this stage to quicken the process.

4. Then add garam masala, red chilli powder and coriander powder.

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

6.Drain the water from the green gram. Pour water just enough to cover them. Green gram doesn’t take a lot of water. So add carefully. If needed add more later.

7.Cover and simmer them on a low to medium heat until cooked through and soft. If the dal is runny, evaporate the excess by cooking for a little longer.

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 and top the green gram curry with ghee. Serve it with plain rice or roti.