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Instant Pot Dal

This Instant Pot Dal is super easy to make, protein rich, and naturally vegan. The best part is that you only need a handful of simple ingredients to turn this into an easy dinner that the family will ask you to make again and again.

Male amazing vegetarian Indian food.

Not long time ago I discovered for me how to use the instant pot. One of the things I learned to love so much is that such a pot is the ideal tool for meal prep ideas.

With it I brought you guys family-approved recipes like my Instant Pot Spaghetti with Simple Tomato Sauce or the Instant Pot Corn Chowder.

If you’re on the lookout for more simple recipes use the search bar to get more reasons to use this gadget for you and your family.

This vegetarian Indian recipe is perfect to be made in the instant pot this

If you have been a regular visitor to Contentedness Cooking, you know I adore vegetarian Indian food, like my One Pot Red Lentil Dal or the Indian Yellow Split Pea Soup (Dal Tadka).

So it was only a matter of time that I bring you a new under 20 minute meal.

You can be sure this Instant Pot Dal is super simple, delicious, packed with amazing flavors in and out, full of high protein, healthy, warming, filling, budget friendly and always a fantastic choice that even pickiest kids will love.

Easy, cheap, delicious this Instant Pot Dal is a winner for everyone. Packed with fantastic flavors and naturally vegan. Once you've tried it, you know it is a must make for the whole family.

What you need for this Instant Pot Dal

  • Red lentils
  • Tomatoes
  • Minced garlic
  • Sesame oil
  • Vegetable broth
  • Onions

You need only 6 simple ingredients, not counting salt and pepper.

This Instant Pot Dal is a perfect Indian recipe.

If you like to give this recipe some extra punch, these optional ingredients make it even more flavorful:

  • Roasted cashews
  • Ginger
  • Cumin
  • Garlic powder
  • Chilis

Roasted cashews are topping this Instant Pot Dal.

Instant Pot Dal preparation

First add sesame oil, minced garlic, onions to the instant pot. Use the sauté function for around 2 minutes.

Now add vegetable broth, lentils, tomatoes, and optional chilis, ginger, cumin, garlic powder. Cover the lid and use high pressure setting for 10 minutes. Do not forget to seal your instant pot.

After 10 minutes open it, give everything a mix, and season if you like with a pinch of salt and pepper. Garnish with roasted cashews, serve finally on plates or in bowls.

Lentil, chilis, and cashews is all that is needed for stunning flavors.

Note: As always I use a 6 quart Instant pot. Also I recommend you make sure to keep in mind 10 minute is the total cooking time. The time it takes your pot to reach the high pressure is not included.

How much time this takes depends on your brand and type. But my guess is it shouldn’t take any longer than 10 minutes.

My Instant Pot Dal makes such an easy, filling and cheap meal, that you always have ready for meal prep, dinner, lunch, working lunches. Yup skip the food courts there is something delicious to come.

Top view of the Dal after cooking, decorated with some cilantro.

Variations and combos for this vegan Indian recipe

I love this recipe on its own. However, if you prefer to add something to it, I have some suggestions for you:

Serve it with naan bread like my Easy Roasted Garlic Naan.

Rice: long grain or white rice makes an amazing side dish too, as do roasted potatoes

Easy, cheap, delicious this Instant Pot Dal is a winner for everyone. Packed with fantastic flavors and naturally vegan. Once you've tried it, you know it is a must make for the whole family. #vegan #dairyfree #glutenfree #mealprep #vegetarian #dinner #lunch #contentednescooking #instantpotdal #onepotmeals #comfortfood #budgetmeals

If you try this Instant Pot Dal, tag me with a snapped picture and share it with me on Instagram and Facebook.

Love seeing all your remakes.

Cheers, Florian.

Roasted cashews are topping this Instant Pot Dal.

Instant Pot Dal

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes

This Instant Pot Dal is super easy to make, protein rich, and naturally vegan. The best part is that you only need a handful of simple ingredients to turn this into an easy dinner that the family will ask you to make again and again.

Ingredients

  • 4.5 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup red lentils
  • 1.5 cups onions chopped
  • 4 tomatoes, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbs sesame oil
  • salt, pepper to taste

Optional add ons:

  • 1/4 cup cashews roasted
  • 2 tsp ginger
  • 3 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 chilis, finely chopped

Instructions

  1. First add sesame oil, minced garlic, onions to the instant pot. Use the sauté function for around 2 minutes.
  2. Now add vegetable broth, lentils, tomatoes, and optional chilis, ginger, cumin, garlic powder. Cover the lid and use high pressure setting for 10 minutes. Do not forget to seal your instant pot.
  3. After 10 minutes open it, give everything a mix, and season if you like with a pinch of salt and pepper. Garnish with roasted cashews, serve finally on plates or in bowls.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 2 cups
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 198Total Fat: 7.7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5.9gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 296mgCarbohydrates: 28.4gFiber: 7.1gSugar: 9.9gProtein: 7.4g

Johanna

Saturday 21st of March 2020

This was delicious! I only had half of the red lentils on hand, so I added half a cup of moong dal lentils. It resulted in a slightly soupier version than what's pictured here, but it was so so good. I added the optional ginger, cumin, and garlic powder, and a dried red chili I had. Can't wait to have the leftovers. Will be making this again.

John Floretta

Wednesday 8th of April 2020

I enjoyed this very much-- thank you! I made it with all the trimmings. One question: After pressure cooking for 10 min, am I meant to let it sit for 10 min before letting the steam out?

Florian

Saturday 21st of March 2020

Thanks for making and sharing it, Johanna! Glad it was such a big hit. I hope you'll find lots of more recipes to try.

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