15+ Indian Lentil Recipes

Indian cuisine is famous for its rich flavors and diverse culinary traditions. Lentils or dals hold a special place in Indian cooking. Lentils are legumes or pulses that are simmered with spices like cumin seeds, turmeric powder, red chili, cardamom, and other ingredients like tomato, onion, ginger and garlic,into mouthwatering dishes that are both, comforting and delicious.

Dals are great for meal planning and can be stored in an airtight container for 4-5 days in the fridge. They also freeze well and can be frozen for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags. When you are ready to eat, it can simply be defrosted and reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop.

FAQ

What are the different types of lentils used in Indian cooking?

Toor dal is one of the staple lentils cooked regularly in Indian homes. When you are looking for something rich and lavish, Dal makhani is your go-to dish.

Masoor dal (split red lentils), chana dal (split pigeon peas), moong dal (split mung beans), and urad dal (black lentils) are the most popular dals used in Indian cooking.

They are used to make lentil soups and stuffed flatbread, crepes, stews, and even halwa to satisfy your sweet tooth. Lentils can be used to make a variety of dishes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, side dishes, appetizers, and even desserts.

What to serve with Indian lentils?

Indian lentils or dals are served with Indian bread like roti, puri, paratha, and naan. It is also served with plain basmati rice, cumin rice, or peas pulao. Leftover dal can be thickened and then used to make stuffed paratha.

This is an awesome collection of Indian dal recipes including breakfast dishes like idli, dosa, uttapam, stuffed paratha, and lentil curries and halwa for dessert. Hope you will enjoy them.

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Whole Masoor Dal in Instant Pot

Brown lentil curry or whole masoor dal is an Indian vegan and gluten-free dish. It is easy to make, nutritious, and high in protein and fiber. Check out how to make whole masoor dal in an instant pot.

Instant Pot whole masoor dal

Whole Masoor Dal curry in a serving bowl.

Green Moong Dal In Instant Pot

Green moong dal curry or split green lentil curry is a vegan and gluten-free Indian dish. It is served with rice or Indian bread. Check out how to make green moong dal without soaking in the Instant Pot.

Green moong dal recipe

Green moong dal served in a bowl, garnished with cilantro leaves.

Instant Pot Dal Makhani

Dal makhani is a nutritious Indian lentil curry also known as Madras lentils. It is a vegan, gluten-free, and one-pot meal that is served with Indian bread or basmati rice. Check out this Instant Pot dal makhani recipe.

Instant Pot dal makhani

Dal Makhani in a serving wok and garnished with cilantro and butter.

Dal Palak In Instant Pot (Spinach Dal)

Dal palak or spinach dal is a nutritious Indian lentil dish. It is vegan, gluten-free, and a kid-friendly dish served with Indian bread or rice. Check out how to make spinach dal in the Instant Pot using moong dal.

Dal palak recipe

Spinach Daal in a flat bowl and a rice plate on the side.

Instant Pot Toor Dal | Split Pigeon Peas Curry

Toor dal or split pigeon peas is a lentil and is popularly used to make dal tadka. It is vegan, gluten-free, and served with Indian bread or rice dishes. This is a quick and easy recipe to make toor dal in an instant pot without soaking.

Toor dal recipe

Masoor Dal Instant Pot

Masoor dal is a vegan and gluten-free Indian red lentil curry. It is served with rice and Indian bread like roti. It is perfect for weekday meals and for meal planning. Check out how to make masoor dal in the Instant Pot.

Instant Pot masoor dal

Panchmel Dal (Mixed Dal) in Instant Pot

This is a delicious, hearty, vegan and gluten free recipe of mixed lentils. It is popularly known as panchmel or panchratna dal. Serve it with Indian flatbread and rice for a satisfying meal

Instant Pot mixed dal

Instant Pot Chana Dal Without Soaking

Chana dal fry is an Indian lentil curry made with split chickpeas and cooked with tomato onion gravy and spices. Check out how to make this easy chana dal recipe in instant pot without soaking.

Instant Pot chana dal

chana dal in a bowl garnished with cilantro.

Moong Dal Paratha | Indian Lentil Flatbread

Moong dal paratha is a vegan Indian flatbread stuffed made with split yellow lentils and spices. It can be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Check out this easy recipe.

Moong dal paratha

Moong Dal Halwa in Instant Pot

Moong dal halwa is a traditional Indian dessert made with split yellow lentils or moong dal. It is gluten-free. Check out how to make instant pot moong dal halwa recipe with soaked moong dal.

Instant Pot moong dal halwa

Dal Vada | Lentil Fritters In Air Fryer

Dal vada or lentil fritters make a great snack for a party, potluck, special occasion, or an accompaniment with Indian tea. This is a vegan and gluten-free lentil fritters recipe made with chana dal and red lentils. The best part is they are made in a healthy way by using very little oil in the air fryer.

Dal vada recipe

Lentil fritters served in a plate with ketchup on the side.

Dosa On Cast Iron Pan

Dosa is a popular Indian breakfast dish originating from the south of India. It is served with hot lentil stew known as sambar and coconut chutney. It is a kid-friendly recipe. Check out how to make crispy dosa on a cast iron pan.

Dosa recipe

Dosa served with sambar and coconut chutney.

Idli In Instant Pot

Idli is a vegan and gluten-free Indian rice cake. It is popularly served for breakfast with sambar and coconut chutney. Check out how to make idli in the instant pot using the steam mode.

Idli in Instant Pot

Idlis served in a plate with a bowl of sambhar and chutney.

Uttapam - Indian Pancake

Uttapam is an Indian pancake and a popular south Indian breakfast item. It is vegan and gluten-free. Check out how to make uttapam from idli dosa batter.

Uttapam recipe

Uthappam served on plate with sambhar and chutney.

Instant Pot Sambar

Sambar is an Indian lentil stew made with split pigeon peas, veggies, and spices. It is vegan and gluten-free. It is served with rice and Indian breakfast items like idli, dosa, and uttapam. Check out how to make sambar in the instant pot.

Instant Pot sambar

Instant Pot Khichdi

Khichdi or kitchari is a popular Indian comfort food and a goto vegetarian food when sick. Instant Pot khichdi is a one-pot meal made with mixed dal, rice, spices, vegetables and ghee. It can be easily customized to taste. It is gluten-free and can be easily made vegan.

Instant Pot khichdi