Search for a recipe

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Traditionally Modern Food
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipe Index
    • About
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    One Pot Masoor dal | Red lentil curry

    November 20, 2025 By Vidya Srinivasan Leave a Comment

    1 shares
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

     

    One-Pot Masoor Dal Pressure Cooker Red Lentil Curry

    One Pot Masoor Dal, Pressure Cooker Dal, Red Lentil Curry, Easy Indian Dal Recipe, Vegetarian Comfort Food, Healthy Lentil Curry, Quick Masoor Dal, Authentic Indian Dal, one pot lentil curry, Masoor Dal Pressure Cooker Recipe with Step-by-Step Pictures and Video Recipe.
    Check out the masoor  Dal recipe, and if you like the video, please SUBSCRIBE to my channel!

    Finished masoor dal curry served in a bowl

    Looking for a wholesome, comforting, and protein‑packed meal? This one‑pot masoor dal pressure cooker red lentil curry is the perfect answer. Made with simple pantry spices, tender red lentils, and aromatic tempering, this recipe delivers authentic Indian flavors in under 30 minutes. Whether you’re new to Indian cooking or a seasoned pro, this easy dal curry is a must‑try for weeknight dinners.

    Can I Skip Onion and Garlic?

    Yes, you can prepare masoor dal without onion and garlic according to your taste or dietary preference. The flavors of cumin, curry leaves, and spices will still make the dal delicious. However, for hotel-style dal, onion and garlic are essential as they add depth and richness to the curry.

     Why Kashmiri Chilli Powder?

    Kashmiri chilli powder makes dal kid-friendly by keeping spice levels mild while adding a vibrant red color. If you use regular chilli powder, reduce the quantity to balance the heat. Kashmiri chilli powder gives mild spice and rich color.

    Kashmiri chilli powder adding vibrant red color to dal

    Serving Options

    Dal tastes best with jeera rice. You can also serve it with pulao varieties, chapati, or paratha for a complete meal.

    Instant Pot Dal

    To make dal in an Instant Pot, pressure cook for 10 minutes and follow the rest of the steps as usual.

    Tadka Variations

    • For lasooni dal, temper with garlic.
    • Use red chilli instead of chilli powder for a spicier version.
    • Add curry leaves for a homestyle dal flavor.
    • Tadka variations: garlic, red chilli, and curry leaves.
    Tadka variations with garlic and curry leaves

    Ingredients

    Soak

    • ½ cup Masoor dal
    • 1½ cups hot water

    Dal

    • 1 tablespoon ghee
    • ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • Curry leaves
    • Asafoetida
    • 1 green chili
    • 2 garlic cloves (optional)
    • ¼ cup onion, chopped (optional)
    • 1 tomato, chopped
    • ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon garam masala
    • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder
    • 1 cup water
    • Coriander leaves, chopped
    • Kasoori methi
    Ingredients for masoor dal neatly arranged

    How to make one-pot masoor dal with step-by-step pictures

    • In a cooker, heat ghee.
    • Heating ghee in pressure cookerHeating ghee in the pressure cooker.
    • Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds; let them splutter.
    Mustard and cumin seeds spluttering in hot ghee
    • Add curry leaves, asafoetida, green chili, garlic, and onion (if using); sauté until translucent.
    Adding curry leaves and spices to cooker
    • Add tomato, salt, Kashmiri chili powder, turmeric powder, and garam masala; sauté until mushy.
    • Tomato and spices cooking until mushyCook the tomato and spices until mushy.
    • Add soaked dal and water; bring to a boil.
    • Adding soaked masoor dal and water to cookerAdding soaked masoor dal and water.
    • Pressure cook for 5 whistles.
    Pressure cooking masoor dal for 5 whistles
    • Add coriander leaves, kasoori methi, and water; bring to a boil.

    one pot masoor dal

    red lentil curry
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin Comment

    Ingredients

    Soak

    • ½ cup Masoor dal
    • 1½ cups hot water

    Dal

    • 1 tablespoon ghee
    • ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • Curry leaves
    • Asafoetida
    • 1 green chili
    • 2 garlic cloves optional
    • ¼ cup onion chopped (optional)
    • 1 tomato chopped
    • ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon garam masala
    • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder
    • 1 cup water
    • Coriander leaves chopped
    • Kasoori methi

    Instructions

    • In a cooker, heat ghee.
    • Heating ghee in the pressure cooker.
    • Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds; let them splutter.
    • Add curry leaves, asafoetida, green chili, garlic, and onion (if using); sauté until translucent.
    • Add tomato, salt, Kashmiri chili powder, turmeric powder, and garam masala; sauté until mushy.
    • Cook the tomato and spices until mushy.
    • Add soaked dal and water; bring to a boil.
    • Adding soaked masoor dal and water.
    • Pressure cook for 5 whistles.
    • Add coriander leaves, kasoori methi, and water; bring to a boil.

    Video

    Subscribe to my YouTube channelCheck out Traditionally Modern Food!
    Tried this recipe?Mention @traditionallymodernfood or tag #traditionallymodernfood!

    « Kathirikai thengai curry | Kathirikai poriyal
    Aloo Puri | Masala Poori »

    Categories

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Vidya's portrait in a circle

    Hi, I am Vidya Srinivasan. Thanks for visiting my page.

    Discover traditional Indian recipes with a modern twist - Indian vegetarian recipes, South Indian recipes, and simply the best Indian recipes you can find online. Sign up to stay tuned for my updates!

    More about me →

    Let's Connect

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Mail
    • Pinterest
    • RSS Feed
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Sign Up

    Sign up to my Newsletter and receive my new recipes straight into your e-mail box!

    Featured on Google for Publishers

    Click on the image to read more

    Hot Beverages recipes

    • Ulundhu Kanji | Uluntham kanji
    • Hot Apple Cider | Spiced Apple cider
    • Kashayam | Herbal tea
    • Kashmiri Chai | Pink tea | noon tea

    click to see more

    See More →

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Shortcuts

    • About Vidya
    • Privacy Policy

    Traditionally Modern Food retina mobile menu logo
    • Sign up for my recipe updates!

    Let's Connect

    • Mail
    • Facebook
    • Instagram

    Copyright © 2021 • Traditionally Modern Food

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required