Instant Pot Mixed Dal Tadka recipe is quick and delicious, where mixed lentils are cooked to perfection with aromatic spices. This wholesome dish combines the goodness of toor dal, moong dal, masoor dal(red lentils), and chana dal, delivering a protein-packed experience that’s both nutritious and delicious.
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The Instant Pot Pressure Cooker effortlessly transforms this traditional Indian favourite into a quick and easy masterpiece, with a tadka of mustard seeds, cumin, and aromatic spices, adding the perfect finishing touch. Elevate your taste buds with every spoonful of this hearty, comforting dish that’s as simple to make as it is soul-satisfying.
What is Mixed Dal / Instant Pot Dal Fry Recipe
Mixed dal, or Instant Pot Dal Fry, is a treasure trove of lentils infused with aromatic spices and cooked to perfection in the Instant Pot. It’s the epitome of comfort food in many Indian households and beyond. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity – a blend of different lentils, a handful of spices, and the magic of the Instant Pot.
Yellow Dal Recipe is one of the most popular Indian food recipes. If you have been to any popular Indian restaurant, this delicious dal always tops the menu. Dal is one of Vegetarians’ most popular protein choices and is an absolute comfort food. Hence, it is also a most sought-after dish for a quick weeknight dinner.
Dal refers to Lentils, and “Tadka” refers to the “aromatic tempering on top.” There is no single way to make Dal Tadka. You can choose just one lentil or use a mix of lentils. Similarly, what you add to the tadka is completely your choice. Today, I have used a mix of lentils to make this Instant Pot Mixed Dal recipe more filling and nutritious.
You’re in for a treat if you enjoy hearty, wholesome meals that practically cook themselves.
Why you will love this love Mixed Dal Tadka made in Instant Pot?
Effortless Cooking: The Instant Pot revolutionizes how we cook, and this dal fry recipe is a prime example. Throw in the ingredients, set it, and forget it – that’s the magic of Instant Pot cooking. The cooking time is very less and is perfect for putting together a quick meal on busy days.
Nutrient-Rich Goodness: Packed with plant-based protein and essential nutrients, mixed dal is a wholesome choice for those looking to incorporate healthier options into their diet.
Flavour Explosion: The blend of different lentils adds layers of texture, while the spices create a combination of flavours that will transport you straight to the heart of India.
Ingredients used to make Instant Pot Mixed Dal
Mixed lentils – I have used toor dal, chana dal, masoor dal and split yellow moong dal.
Onion and tomato for the dal base
Green Chilli for mild spice
Ginger and garlic for the flavour
Salt, Turmeric Powder, Red Chilli Powder, and Coriander Powder for flavour and spice
Ghee, mustard, red chillies, cumin seeds, chopped garlic and asafoetida for Tempering
Coriander Leaves/Fresh Cilantro for Garnishing
How to make Dal in Instant Pot
First, wash and rinse the dal. Soak it in warm water for 15-20 minutes. Remove the water and keep it aside.
Press SAUTE mode in Instant Pot. Add ghee. Once hot, add sliced onion. Saute till it turns light brown.
Now, add ginger garlic paste and slit green chilli. Cook for a minute.
Next, add finely chopped tomato. Cook till the tomato turns slightly mushy.
Now, add salt, turmeric powder, chilli powder & coriander powder. Saute for a minute.
Next, add the dal and give a mix. Add water and check for salt. Adjust if needed.
Close the lid on the pot, and turn the pressure valve to SEALING position. Cancel Saute mode. Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and set the timer to 10 minutes.
Wait for natural pressure release. Open the lid of the Instant Pot and adjust consistency by adding more hot water, if needed. Garnish with coriander leaves.
For tempering / tadka – Now, in a stovetop pan, add ghee. Once hot, add mustard seeds, red chilli, cumin seeds, asafoetida and finely chopped garlic. Saute till the garlic turns light brown.
Do not burn the tadka. Once done, pour it into the prepared Dal. Squeeze some lemon juice on top if desired. Dal Tadka is ready. Serve hot.
NOTE : You can do the tempering in the Instant Pot. Start the recipe by doing the tadka first in the Instant Pot and continue with the rest of the instructions.
Serving Suggestion for Instant Pot Dal Tadka
Instant Pot Mixed Dal Fry is a match made in heaven with steamed basmati rice. The grains soak up the flavorful dal, creating a mouthwatering experience.
Pair it with your favourite bread – naan, roti, or a crusty baguette – for a delightful combination.
Enjoy a bowl of this yellow lentil dal recipe as a standalone soup for a light and comforting meal.
Dal Tadka goes well with Peas Pulao or Jeera Rice. Try this along with Ghee Rice,
Coconut Milk Pulao. You will love it!
Tips & Variations
If you prefer a thicker dal, reduce the amount of water. For a soupier consistency, add more hot water and adjust the consistency.
To make this dal recipe vegan, skip ghee and use oil. To make this recipe gluten-free, skip asafoetida.
Control the spice levels by adjusting the number of green chillies and red chilli powder according to your taste.
To make this a one-pot dish, do the tadka in the pot and then add the rest of the ingredients. I prefer adding tadka in the end for more flavour.
You can add vegetables to the yellow dal tadka, making it more nutritious and filling. Zucchini, Pumpkin, Cabbage, Spinach, Chayote and many more vegetables can be added to this recipe.
Frequently asked questions
While the beauty lies in the mix, you can make this recipe with different dals available in your pantry.
Not essential, but highly recommended for its time-saving and flavor-enhancing qualities. You can prepare this creamy dal on the stovetop pressure cooker; just adjust the cooking times accordingly.
Absolutely! Dal fry often tastes even better the next day. Store it in the refrigerator and reheat when ready to serve.
Spice levels are subjective. To make the mix dal recipe spicier, add more green chillies or red chilli powder. To mellow it down, reduce the spice quantities.
The Instant Pot Mixed Dal Tadka recipe described earlier resembles Panchmel Dal. Panchmel Dal, or Panchratna Dal, is a blend of five different types of lentils. In this dal tadka recipe, we have used 4 types of dal. You can add urad dal to this recipe to make panchmel dal.
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Recipe Card
Instant Pot Mixed Dal Tadka Recipe | Easy Dal Fry
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon Toor Dal
- 3 tablespoon Chana Dal
- 3 tablespoon Split Yellow Moong Dal
- 3 tablespoon Masoor Dal
- 2 cups Water
- 1 medium Onion finely chopped
- 1 medium Tomato finely chopped
- 2 small Green Chilli slit
- 1 teaspoon Ginger Garlic Paste
- Salt as needed
- 1 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder adjust according to your spice level
- 1 teaspoon Coriander Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 1 teaspoon Ghee
For Tempering
- 1 tablespoon Ghee
- 1 teaspoon Mustard Seeds
- 1 teaspoon Cumin Seeds
- 2 Red Chilli
- Asafoetida a pinch
- 3 cloves Garlic finely chopped
For Garnishing
- 3 tablespoon Coriander Leaves finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice optional
Instructions
- First, wash and rinse the dal. Soak the dal in warm water for 15-20 minutes. Remove the water and keep the dal aside.
- Press SAUTE mode in Instant Pot. Add ghee. Once hot, add sliced onion. Saute till it turns light brown. Now, add ginger garlic paste and slit green chilli.
- Cook till the raw smell of ginger garlic paste goes away.
- Next, add finely chopped tomato. Cook till tomato turns slightly mushy. Now, add salt, turmeric powder, chilli powder & coriander powder. Saute for a minute.
- Next, add the dal and give a mix. Add water and check for salt. Adjust if needed. Close the lid on the pot, and turn the pressure valve to SEALING position. Cancel Saute mode. Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and set the timer to 10 minutes.
- Let the pressure release naturally. Open the lid, adjust consistency if needed. Garnish with coriander leaves.
- Now in a pan, add ghee. Once hot, add mustard seeds, red chilli, cumin seeds, asafoetida and finely chopped garlic. Saute till the garlic turns light brown. Do not burn the tadka.
- Once done, pour it into the prepared Dal. Add some lemon juice on top if desired. Serve hot.