Masoor Dal Curry
Summary
- A comforting and flavorful red lentil curry, cooked with onions, tomatoes, and a blend of Indian spices. It's a wholesome and easy-to-make dish that pairs perfectly with rice or roti, making it an ideal comfort food or a quick lunchbox meal.
All Ingredients - Main Ingredients
- Masoor Dal (Red Lentils) 1 cup
- Oil 2 tbsp
- Cumin Seeds 1 tsp
- Onion 1 large, finely chopped
- Garlic 2 cloves, chopped
- Ginger 1 inch piece, finely chopped
- Green Chilli 3
- Tomato 3 large, chopped
- Hing / Asafoetida Powder A pinch
- Turmeric Powder 1/4 tsp
- Kashmiri Chilli Powder 2 tsp
- Coriander Powder 2 tsp
- Cumin Powder 2 tsp
- Salt 1 1/2 tsp, or to taste
- Amchur Powder (Dry Mango Powder) 2 tsp
- Hot Water 1 litre
- Garam Masala 2 tsp
- Ghee 2 tsp
- Coriander Leaves a handful, chopped
Tools You'll Need
- Kadai
- Bowl
Don't have an ingredient? Try these swaps
No Onion?
- 1 tbsp onion powder (per medium onion)
- 3 tbsp dried minced onion
- Shallots or leeks (1:1)
No Garlic (fresh)?
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (per clove)
- 1/2 tsp garlic granules (per clove)
No Asafoetida (hing)?
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder + 1/4 tsp onion powder
No Garam masala?
- 1 tsp cumin + 1/2 tsp coriander + 1/4 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp cardamom
No Ghee?
- Unsalted butter (1:1)
- Neutral oil (1:1, lacks the toasted note)
No Cilantro?
- Flat-leaf parsley (1:1, milder)
- Fresh mint (in chutneys, salads)
⚠ Contains Allergens
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Soak the Dal
Take 1 cup of Masoor Dal in a bowl. Wash it thoroughly with water, then add enough fresh water to cover it and let it soak for about until it plumps up.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics
Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a wide kadai. Once the oil is hot, add 1 tsp of cumin seeds and let them splutter. Then, add 1 finely chopped large onion and for .
Step 3: Add Ginger, Garlic, and Chillies
To the onions, add 2 chopped cloves of garlic, a piece of finely chopped ginger, and 3 green chillies cut in half. Continue to until the onions turn a light golden color.
Step 4: Cook Tomatoes and Spices
Add 3 chopped tomatoes and mix well. After a minute, add the spice powders: a pinch of asafoetida, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 2 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder, 2 tsp coriander powder, 2 tsp cumin powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 2 tsp amchur powder.
Step 5: Cook the Masala
Stir all the spices with the tomato and onion mixture. Cook until the tomatoes become soft and mushy, and you can see the oil beginning to separate from the masala.
Step 6: Add and Cook the Dal
Drain the soaked Masoor Dal and add it to the kadai. Mix it well with the masala. Pour in 1 litre of hot water, stir, cover the kadai with a lid, and cook on medium flame for about until the dal is completely cooked and soft.
Step 7: Final Seasoning and Finishing
After , uncover the dal. It should have a thick, gravy-like consistency. Add 2 tsp of garam masala powder. Check for seasoning and add more salt if needed. Add 2 tsp of ghee for richness.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Finish by garnishing with a generous amount of freshly chopped coriander leaves. Mix well and serve the hot Masoor Dal Curry with rice or roti.
Pro Tips
• Soaking the dal for more than an hour can reduce the overall cooking time.
• If you prefer, you can pressure cook the dal for one whistle instead of cooking it in the pan.
• Adjust the seasoning and salt according to your taste at the end of the cooking process.
• Be generous with the coriander leaves for a fresh flavor.
From this CreatorMore from Home Cooking
Other recipes converted from Home Cooking's cooking videos.
Dabeli – Indian Street Food
Cuisine
Indian · Street Food
Prep + Cook Time
45 Minutes
Difficulty Level
Medium
Paneer Butter Masala – Restaurant Style
Cuisine
Indian · North Indian
Prep + Cook Time
45 Minutes
Difficulty Level
Medium
Paneer Tikka Masala
Cuisine
Indian · North Indian
Prep + Cook Time
1 hr
Difficulty Level
Medium
Masoor Dal Curry - Home Cooking
Cuisine
Indian · North Indian
Prep + Cook Time
1 hr 45 min
Difficulty Level
Easy
Dahi Paneer - Home Cooking
Cuisine
Indian · North Indian
Prep + Cook Time
45 Minutes
Difficulty Level
Medium
Afghani Paneer - Restaurant Style
Cuisine
Indian · North Indian
Prep + Cook Time
50 Minutes
Difficulty Level
Medium
Similar RecipesYou might also like
Other recipes in the same cuisine, meal type, or style — ready to cook whenever you are.
Paneer Pulao – Indian Style
Cuisine
Indian · North Indian
Prep + Cook Time
45 Minutes
Difficulty Level
Medium
Aloo Capsicum Sabzi with Curd Gravy
Cuisine
Indian · North Indian
Prep + Cook Time
35 Minutes
Difficulty Level
Easy
Vegetable Sambar Recipe – South Indian Style
Cuisine
Indian · South Indian
Prep + Cook Time
45 Minutes
Difficulty Level
Medium
Drumstick Dal (Moringa Lentil Stew)
Cuisine
Indian · General Indian
Prep + Cook Time
45 Minutes
Difficulty Level
Easy
Hyderabadi Mutton Dum Biryani
Cuisine
Indian · Hyderabadi
Prep + Cook Time
2 hr 5 min
Difficulty Level
Medium
Chicken Boti Recipe - Spicy, Tender & Juicy
Cuisine
Indian · South Asian
Prep + Cook Time
1 hr 15 min
Difficulty Level
Comments
Sign in to leave a comment on this recipe.
Loading comments...