One Pot Masoor dal | Red lentil curry

ByVidya Srinivasan

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.
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Delicious and hearty red lentil curry cooked in a single pot, perfect for a quick and nutritious mea.

 

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.

One Pot Masoor dal - Red lentil curry served in a copper pot with rice and spices.

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.

Delicious red lentil curry served with fluffy white rice on a traditional metal plate. Perfect for a.

Ingredients

Soak

  • ½ cup Masoor dal
  • 1½ cups hot water

Dal

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

Red lentil curry served in a copper bowl, highlighting vibrant orange color and rich texture.

Instructions

  • Wash and soak dal for 30 minutes.

Red lentils being measured for Masoor dal, a flavorful Indian curry dish.

Pouring water over red lentils in a bowl for Masoor Dal, a traditional Indian lentil curry.

Bright red lentils cooking in a pot for a flavorful curry.

Soaking red lentils for curry in a bowl with water, ready to cook.

  • In a cooker, heat ghee.

Ghee being poured into a stainless steel pot for lentil curry preparation.

Heating ghee in a stainless steel pot for making red lentil curry.

  • Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds; let them splutter.

Mustard seeds being added to a pot for red lentil curry.

Cumin seeds being added to a stainless steel pot for red lentil curry.

Preparing red lentil curry in a stainless steel pot for a traditional Indian dish.

  • Add curry leaves, asafoetida, green chili, garlic, and onion (if using); sauté until translucent.

Fresh curry leaves being added to a stainless steel pot for red lentil curry.

Cooking red lentils and spices in a stainless steel pot for one pot masoor dal.

Hand adding green chili to a cooking pot for red lentil curry.

Sautéing garlic and onions for red lentil curry in a stainless steel pot.

Hand adding chopped onions to a pot for red lentil curry.

Delicious one-pot red lentil curry with onions and spices, perfect for a hearty vegetarian meal.

  • Add tomato, salt, Kashmiri chili powder, turmeric powder, and garam masala; sauté until mushy.

Delicious red lentil curry prepared in a single pot, perfect for a nutritious and flavorful meal.

Hand adding turmeric powder to red lentil curry in a pot.

Cooking red lentil curry with spices and Kashmiri chili powder in a stainless steel pot.

Delicious red lentil curry with tomatoes and spices in a stainless steel pot.

Delicious one-pot red lentil curry with spices and vegetables, perfect for a nutritious meal.

Delicious one-pot red lentil curry with spices, perfect for a quick, nutritious meal.

  • Add soaked dal and water; bring to a boil.

Soaked red lentils in water for making flavorful dal or lentil curry.

Delicious red lentil curry with added water for perfect consistency.

Delicious red lentil curry simmering in a pot, ready to serve.

  • Pressure cook for 5 whistles.

  • Add coriander leaves, kasoori methi, and water; bring to a boil.

 

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