Instant Pot Indian Spiced Lentil Dal
A hearty and comforting lentil dal cooked quickly in the Instant Pot with warming Indian spices, garnished with fresh cilantro. This indian-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 35 minutes pairs rinsed red lentils, water, medium, finely chopped 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup rinsed red lentils, 3 cups water, and 1 tsp salt. Stir to combine.
- 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.
- 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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Instant Pot Indian Spiced Lentil Dal take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Instant Pot Indian Spiced Lentil Dal?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rinsed red lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Instant Pot Indian Spiced Lentil Dal?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Instant Pot Indian Spiced Lentil Dal for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Instant Pot Indian Spiced Lentil Dal vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
