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 vegetarian recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs red lentils, water, and yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner. 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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 red lentils, rinsed
• 3 cups water
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 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 fresh cilantro, chopped

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.