Transform your red lentils into something amazing with my creamy Instant Pot Lentil Dal. It makes a really easy, super tasty, healthy & budget friendly dinner and is perfect for meal prepping as it reheats and freezes perfectly!
PREP TIME: 10 minutesminutes
COOK TIME: 8 minutesminutes
Pressurizing & NPR time approx 30 minutesminutes
TOTAL TIME: 18 minutesminutes
Servings: 6servings
Ingredients
My Instant Pot is a 6 quart. If yours is a different size you will need to scale the recipe up or down accordingly.
1tablespoonolive oil, or use water for sautéing to make the recipe oil-free
1largeonion, chopped
4large clovesgarlicchopped
2tablespoonsfresh ginger, finely chopped or grated
2heaping teaspoonsgaram masala, or switch garam masala and turmeric for 1 heaping tablespoon curry powder
2slightly heaping teaspoonsground turmeric
½teaspoonground cinnamon
1teaspoonred chili pepper flakes, add up to a teaspoon extra if you like it a spicy. You can use 1 fresh small red chili if you prefer
2teaspoonssalt, plus more to taste at the end
1teaspoonsground black pepper, plus more to taste at the end
740 mls / 3 cups + 1 tablespoonwater
400g / 2heaping cupsdried split red lentils, (no need to soak)
3large fresh tomatoescut into chunks
1 400 ml / 13.5oz can / a little under 1¾ cupcanned coconut milk, full fat or light
INSTRUCTIONS
Set the Instant Pot to sauté and add the oil or a few tablespoons of water. Sauté the onions for 3 to 4 minutes until they are just starting to turn golden, then add the ginger and garlic. Cook for a further 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
Turn off the Instant Pot then add all of the spices and seasonings. Allow them to cook in the residual heat of the pot for about 1 minutes, stirring them constantly.
Add the water to the pot, and using a metal spoon, have a really good scrape into the bottom of the pot all over, to mostly remove the brown bits from the bottom. This step is important because otherwise you could get the "burn" message popping up on your display later.
Next add the lentils, tomatoes and coconut milk. Don't stir it. Just leave it as it is.
Put the lid on the Instant Pot, seal the vent and set it to MANUAL (PRESSURE COOK) on newer models, high pressure, for 8 minutes.
Allow the pressure to release naturally. Remove the lid and give it a really good stir then serve.
NOTES
Serve this Instant Pot Lentil Dal with rice, cauliflower rice, quinoa, naan bread or poppadoms. I also recommend you make some of my Lime Slaw as the 2 together are incredible. It's also really lovely with chopped fresh tomatoes, chopped bell pepper and chopped nuts and cilantro sprinkled on top. This Dahl reheats beautifully and will keep in the fridge for around 5 days. Leftovers taste even better. It also freezes very well.PLEASE NOTE - This recipe has only been tested in a 6 quart Instant Pot. If your pot is larger you may need to increase the volume of liquid used for it to cook successfully.