Instant Pot Indian Spiced Lentil Dal

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-24 · Updated 2026-05-24

A hearty and comforting lentil dal cooked quickly in the Instant Pot with warming Indian spices, garnished with fresh cilantro. This Indian-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs red lentils, water, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 230 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup, rinsed red lentils
• 3 cups water
• 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp, grated fresh ginger
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 8 leaves (optional) curry leaves
• 2 tbsp ghee or oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro

The Instant Pot we’d make this in → Best Instant Pots & Electric Pressure Cookers for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Turn the Instant Pot to sauté mode and add 2 tbsp ghee or oil. When hot, add 1 tsp mustard seeds and 8 curry leaves if using. Sauté until mustard seeds begin to pop, about 1 minute.
2. Step 2: Add 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger. Cook for 3-4 minutes stirring frequently until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, and 1/2 tsp red chili powder. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add 1 cup rinsed red lentils, 3 cups water, and 1 tsp salt. Stir to combine.
5. Step 5: Seal the Instant Pot lid and cook on manual high pressure for 10 minutes. Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure.
6. Step 6: Open the lid and stir the dal, mashing some lentils with the back of the spoon to thicken. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving with rice or flatbread.