Feb 2, 2021 (Last updated Apr 19, 2023) by Hannah Sunderani
Hiya friends! I am so excited to be sharing this Instant Pot Dal recipe with you! I cannot believe just how easy it was to make – like literally one of the easiest recipes I’ve ever done, and it’s so so yummy. I made it twice last week and we have thoroughly enjoyed the leftovers for lunch.
Lucky me, I received an Instant Pot as a gift from my in-laws, and it’s totally speeding up my cooking game – especially since becoming a mom! (I hope to share more Instant pot recipes with you as I create new and exciting recipes, as I am so very pleased with how this one turned out).
All-in-all this is an ultra-fast and luxurious dal recipe that will take you 20 minutes to make. It’s full of flavour and is so warm and hearty. I know you’re going to L.O.V.E it as much as we do!
So, let me tell you exactly how to make it so that you can enjoy it pronto!
Making dal is so simple, and can easily be made vegan by swapping the gee for coconut oil or vegan butter. (I like coconut oil).
And if it wasn’t already easy, doing it in the Instant Pot just made it even simpler! The pressure cooker speeds up the cooking time so that you can have your recipe completely finished in 20 minutes! (And all in one Instant pot). I like to serve mine with naan bread or basmati rice.
I felt thoroughly inspired to try my hand and cooking dal in the instant pot after seeing Bon Appetit’s Instant Pot Dal Formula. They made it look all too easy. Certainly, they were right.
This Instant Pot Dal is:
You won’t believe that a recipe so easy can achieve so much depth and flavour. In fact, you’d think you had to slave over the pot for the entire day just achieve its perfect taste. This is the miracle of dal. It’s so simple yet so luxurious.
Another must-try recipe is my 30-Minute Dal Palak recipe, which can be made on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot!
So, how do you make dal in the Instant pot?
It begins by sautéing the onion, garlic, coconut oil and spices on the “Saute” function for a few minutes until soft.
Then we scoop out the spiced mixture and add the lentils and water. Pressure cook for 10 minutes.
Once ready, we add back in the spice mixture, along with diced tomato and a bit of coconut cream.
Voila. You got yourself a gorgeous bowl of Dal! I told you it was easy! Serve with naan bread or basmati rice, or enjoy on it’s own like a stew.
If you’re digging this curry recipe, you might also like these:
So there we have it. A very easy recipe for Instant Pot Dal. I know you’re going to love this quick and luxurious dal recipe as much as we do.
And, if you do make this recipe please let me know in the comments below what you think! I truly love hearing from you, and I’m always here to answer any questions you might have. And of course, tag me on Instagram with your pictures using the hashtag #twospoons. Nothing makes me happier than to see your recreations.
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If I triple the recipe for a larger group, does the IP need more time?
This is the first thing I’ve made in my Instant Pot, and it’s delicious. Thank you!
Oh yay! I’m so glad that you enjoyed it! If you love this instant pot recipe then I really recommend you try my Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats recipe!
When you say chili powder, are you referring to Indian chili powder or a chili powder mixture?
Hi Sonja, I’m referring if the general chili powder mixture that you find at mainstream grocery stores, but both would work great in this recipe!