Masoor dal recipe with video and step by step photos. Flavorful, tasty and nutritious red lentil recipe. Masoor dal is one of the most commonly used lentils in Indian cuisine. It is used by a larger population since it has the highest amount of protein compared to the other lentils.
Here is some quick info if you are new to this lentil:
What is masoor dal?
Masoor dal is a quick cook protein rich lentil known as red lentils. These have a high nutrition profile similar to that of meat. Hence eaten by many as a substitute to non-veg or meat.
What is red masoor dal?
Masoor dal comes in 2 varieties. One is the skinned and the other variety is the whole lentil. The skinned variety is known as red lentils or red masoor dal. The other one is known as the sabut (whole) dal.
Masoor dal is a quick cook lentil and can be prepared just under 20 to 25 mins. Most Indian homes use a pressure cooker to cook dal as it saves some time.
But it can be prepared in a pot as it doesn’t take much time. Any dal recipe can be prepared in various ways.
Whole masoor dal known as sabut masoor dal is also enjoyed by many people. The whole lentils have higher fiber so it is always good to soak them in enough water for few hours to prevent stomach problems.
I usually soak them for 3 to 4 hours, rinse them and pressure cook for 3 to 4 whistles or until they cook up soft.
Variations
I have shared one of the simplest ways to cook red lentils in this post.
However you can also cook this in combination with other lentils. I usually add a handful of moong dal to this which makes the dish slightly creamy and thick.
Compared to other lentils, masoor dal tastes bland so I do prefer to use some spices for flavoring. You can also add ingredients like garam masala, whole spices, kasuri methi or amchur powder to suit your liking.
This can be served with plain rice, turmeric rice, roti, paratha or naan. Some pickle & papads will go well in the meal.
Most Indian homes cook masoor dal using onions & tomatoes. However you can make your own variations by adding some spinach or palak & carrots.
I add them to the pot along with dal as they not only perk up the nutrition but also enhance the taste & texture of the dal. This way I can skip making another veggie dish for the meal.
More Dal recipes
Instant pot dal & rice
Moong dal
Chana dal
Dal fry
Dal makhani
Easy masoor dal recipe
Masoor dal recipe (Red lentil recipe)
Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )
- ½ cup masoor dal or red lentils
- 2 tbsp moong dal (optional)
- 2 medium tomatoes chopped & deseeded
- 1 green chili (optional)
- 1¼ to 1½ cup water (for 1¾ cups for IP)
Tempering
- 1 tbsp ghee or oil or butter
- 1 red chili broken
- 2 garlic cloves chopped
- ¼ tsp mustard (optional)
- ½ tsp cumin or jeera
- 1 pinch asafoetida or hing
- salt as needed
- ¼ to ½ tsp red chili powder
- ¼ tsp turmeric
optional
- 1 pinch garam masala (or 1/8 tsp)
- ¼ tsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) or 2 tbsp coriander leaves
- 1 to 2 tbsps lemon juice for serving
How to make the recipe
Stovetop masoor dal
- Add masoor dal & moong dal (optional) to a pot or pressure cooker. Wash it a few times until the water runs clear.
- Next add chopped tomatoes, water and green chili.
- Pressure cook for 1 to 2 whistles on a medium heat. If cooking in a pot, cook on a medium heat until soft adding more water if needed.
- Once the pressure releases, open the cooker.
- Mash the dal to suit your liking. You can make it smooth or keep it grainy. If needed you can pour 2 to 3 tbsp water to bring it to a consistency.
Tempering
- Heat 1 tbsp ghee in a small pan.
- Add mustard, cumin, red chilies and garlic.
- Saute until the garlic turns slightly golden.
- Turn off the heat and add hing, chili powder and turmeric. You can also add in garam masala if using.
- Quickly pour this off to the dal. Time to add salt and kasuri methi if using.
- Mix and simmer for 2 mins. If using coriander leaves add them now.
- Squeeze in some lemon before serving. Masoor dal is ready to serve with roti or rice.
Instant pot masoor dal
- Press saute button on the Instant pot and pour oil to the inner pot.
- Add mustard, cumin, broken red chilies and garlic.
- When they splutter add tomatoes along with salt, chilli powder, hing, garam masala (optional) and turmeric.
- Saute for 1 min. Next add dal, green chilli and pour water.
- Stir well and deglaze to release any bits of food stuck. Secure the Instant pot with lid. Set the steam release handle to sealing.
- Optional :You can cook basmati rice together by placing the rice bowl on a long legged trivet.
- Press pressure cook button and set the timer for 7 mins.
- Wait for the pressure to release naturally. When the pin drops, open the IP.
- Stir well and add more salt & hot water if needed. Cook on saute mode to bring to consistency if needed.
- Squeeze lemon juice and serve masoor dal with rice.
Video
NUTRITION (estimation only)
Notes
If you are new to cooking, follow my detailed step by step photo instructions for best results.
How to make
1. Add dal to a pot or pressure cooker. Wash it well a few times. Add chopped tomatoes, green chilli and pour water. You can skip chilies if you have young kids at home.
2. Pressure cook on a medium heat for 1 whistle. If cooking in a pot, cook until the dal turns soft. You may need more water to cook if making in pot.
3. When the pressure goes down, open the lid.
4. Mash the cooked dal to suit your liking – smooth or coarse. You can also add 2 to 3 tbsp water to bring it to a desired consistency.
Tempering
5. Heat 1 tbsp ghee. Add one after the other – mustard (optional), jeera, garlic and red chilies. You can also add a bay leaf or some curry leaves.
6. When the garlic turns slightly golden, add hing, turmeric and chili powder. If you desire you can add a pinch of garam masala.
7. Chili powder tends to burn quickly so immediately pour this to the dal. You may set aside half of this for garnish.
8. Keep the stove flame on a low to medium heat. Add salt and kasuri methi. Mix well.
9. Simmer for 2 mins and turn off the stove.
You can garnish with half of the tempering, sprinkle some finely chopped coriander leaves & lemon juice.
Serve masoor dal with rice or roti, some papads, pickle, veggie salad and curd.
Darlisa Wajid-Ali says
Delicious! I did the Instant Pot version of this recipe, and substituted 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes for the broken chili pepper. Everything turned out lovely. Great step-by-step instructions, and LOTS of flavor!
Jeanne Jain says
Easy. I used a pot instead of a pressure cooker as sometimes the dal becomes too mushy. Hence I did not mash the dal. Delicious authentic Indian taste! Thanks so much!
F says
Should I presoak the dal or not? I did, and with 1 1/2 cups,it was very watery.
swasthi says
Hi,
If you soak the dal then you should cut down the water.
The longer you soak the lesser water it will need. Suppose you soak the dal in 2 cups water. When you drain the water, measure the water. So you know how much it has absorbed. Cut down that much water when you cook the dal. Hope this helps
F says
How many cups does the final product yield?
F says
Never mind, I saw that it says 2-3 servings.
Mohua says
Hi … I have been following your recipes some time now and what I like best is, they turn out to be really yummy without making the process complicated or adding too many exotic ingredients. You are really a great support for me in the kitchen 😊
Thanks !
swasthi says
Hi Mohua
You are welcome! So glad to know!
Thanks a lot!
🙂
Jeanne Jain says
Agree!
Molshri Ezekiel says
You’re fantastic.
Very helpful during the Lockdown.
Made this Dal. Was great.
Thanks a ton 🙂
swasthi says
You are welcome! Glad to know!
Thank you
🙂
Rizwana says
Veryy yummy
swasthi says
Thanks Rizwana
Margaret says
This was absolutely delicious and easy to make. It tasted like it was from a restaurant. I am thrilled I found your website. Thank you!
Nikhil says
Thank you so much for this recipe. I couldn’t find toor dal at the store so I got masoor dal but it still tastes so good!!! I am almost making this every week now
swasthi says
You are welcome!
Glad to know the recipe is useful. Thank you!
Dr Deepti says
Fabulous.. Husband also liked it..
swasthi says
Thank you!
Ann says
Just finished preparing as per h thy e instructions. Loved it! It tastes gr8
swasthi says
Thanks Ann!
Glad you liked it!
VIVEK SRIVASTAV says
Ma’am, you also mentioned urad dal in ingredients but didn’t use it in making dal.
swasthi says
Hi Vivek,
Sometimes I use 2 tbsps moong dal not urad dal. It is optional you can use or skip. I will update it.
Vivek says
Many many thanks for such a quick response. Ma’am, I am great fan of your recipes.
swasthi says
Thank you so much!
Saraswati says
Can I cook masoor Dal in instant pot
swasthi says
Yes I have the instructions for IP too
ara says
you say to add tumeric – how much?
swasthi says
You can add about a large pinch or 1/8 tsp. Thanks for the mention will update it.
Sudha says
Really tasty, made this dal following ur recipe couple of times n it’s a favorite. Thank you.
swasthi says
Hi Sudha
You are welcome. Thanks for trying.
🙂
Tejinder says
Hii
I m shifted to Singapore, I m confused.I m not getting vegetables can u please suggest from where to buy vegetables and fruits in Singapore.nIt will really help me.please reply.
swasthi says
Hi Tejinder
You can buy vegetable from the nearest fairprice or wet markets. There will be a fairprice located around in every locality so that will be the nearest place. For indian vegetables you can buy in mustafa or little india. I replied your mail too with more details.
Jamie says
Hi, I have tried many recipes from hear. Very good and delicious. Thank you
Reena says
So easy and tasty. I added little moong dal. It turned out very good. Thank you
swasthi says
Welcome Reena
Thanks for trying
Siri says
Yummy. I found this to be a quick recipe and makes dal very delicious. thanks
swasthi says
Welcome Siri
Thanks for trying