Instant Pot Red Lentil Dal

Instant Pot red lentil dal is a hearty, flavorful dish that’s easy to prepare and deeply comforting. Made with warming spices like turmeric, cumin, and coriander, this Indian-inspired lentil stew is naturally thick and creamy—no blending required.

Red or yellow lentils break down beautifully in the pressure cooker, making this dal perfect for scooping up with warm naan or serving over fluffy rice. It’s filling, budget-friendly, and packed with plant-based protein. A spoonful of tomato paste stirred into the dal at the end adds a bright finishing touch.

Whether new to dal or already a fan, this Instant Pot version makes it easy to enjoy at home with minimal effort.

This Instant Pot chorizo and lentil soup is another tasty lentil dish for the pressure cooker. You might also like this Instant Pot Mulligatawny soup with lentils and chicken.

Recipe Variations

• Yellow Lentils: For a slightly different flavor and texture, substitute red lentils with yellow lentils (moong dal or toor dal).
• Creamy Dal: Stir in 1/4 cup of coconut milk or a spoonful of yogurt after cooking for added richness.
• Chunky Dal: Add chopped tomatoes or diced carrots before pressure cooking for texture.
• Spicy Dal: Increase the cayenne or add minced green chili peppers to dial up the heat.
• Tangy Twist: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice before serving to brighten the flavor.
• Tempered Tadka: Fry mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and curry leaves in a little hot ghee or oil, then drizzle over the dal just before serving.

Serving Ideas

• Serve the dal over steamed basmati or jasmine rice.
• Pair with warm naan, roti, or other Indian-style flatbread.
• Add a dollop of plain yogurt or raita on top for a cooling contrast.
• Serve with roasted or sautéed vegetables such as cauliflower, carrots, or green beans.
• Top with fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, or a drizzle of chili oil for extra flavor.
• Offer alongside pickled onions, chutney, or lemon wedges for a complete meal.

Instant Pot Red Lentil Dal

Diana

This Instant Pot red lentil dal is made with a combination of Indian seasonings and cooked to perfection in the electric pressure cooker.

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Servings 4 servings

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Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  

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• 1 tablespoon coconut oil, or ghee or vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic, about 3 cloves
• 3 teaspoons minced ginger
• 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth, or chicken stock, low sodium
• 1 cup dried red lentils
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, or 1 teaspoon table salt
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Optional: rice
• Optional: naan bread

Instructions

• Sauté Aromatics: Turn the Instant Pot on sauté; heat the coconut oil or ghee until hot. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the garlic and ginger and continue to sauté for 1 to 2 minutes longer. 
• Add the Remaining Ingredients: Add the broth or stock and stir, scraping any browned bits on the bottom of the pot. Add the lentils, turmeric, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, cayenne, black pepper, and kosher salt. Stir to blend.
• Pressure Cook: Lock the lid in place and choose high pressure. Set the timer for 7 minutes. When the time is up, let the pressure come down naturally for 10 minutes, and then turn the knob or lever to the venting position to release the remaining pressure.
• Finish the Dish: Stir the tomato paste into the dal. Serve dal hot with rice and warm naan bread.

Keyword dal, instant pot dal, instant pot red lentil dal, red lentil dal

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