Instant Pot Dal Recipe + Tutorial {Vegan, Gluten Free}

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Instant Pot Dal is a quick, easy and delicious meatless dish that is full of aromatic spices. A perfect  flavourful and satisfying meal for those busy weeknights. Suitable for Vegan and Gluten Free diets. Post Includes Weight Watchers points.

 

three bowls filled with instant pot dal that is topped with coconut milk swirl and served with a cloth napkin

This recipe for Instant Pot Dal is a protein-packed meatless meal that is loaded with delightfully aromatic spices. It comes together quickly and easily, making it a perfect dish for those hectic weeknights when you are short on time.

The Instant Pot does most all of the work for you! After you sauté, add the rest of the ingredients, set it and walk away!

Why You Will Love Making this Instant Pot Dal Recipe

  • Since the Instant Pot does most of the work for you, this dish is virtually hassle-free.
  • Instant Pot Dal is an incredibly frugal meal that is made with everyday, affordable pantry staples. Perfect for those of us on a budget.
  •  Low in calories and high in protein, Instant Pot Daal is sooooo healthy and satisfying.
  • This is a versatile dish that is suitable for those following gluten-free and vegan diets.
  • Perfect for batch cooking and meal prep. Just whip a batch (or 2!) on Sunday and use throughout the week.
  • Pressure Cooker Dal is an ideal dish for freezing and reheating later. More on this in the section below.top down view of one bowl filled with instant pot dal and served with a swirl of coconut milk and lime wedges

Are you ready to learn how to make Dal in the Instant Pot? Then gather up your ingredients and I’ll show you…..

How To Make Instant Pot Dal

  1. Set Instant Pot to sauté and add oil to Instant Pot insert.
  2. Once heated, add the onion and 1 tablespoon of water.
  3. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
  4. Switch the Instant Pot off and stir in the garlic, ginger, coriander, cumin, Garam Masala, turmeric and salt. Stir together for about a minute, until fragrant.
  5. Next add in the split peas, tomatoes, and water. Mix, making sure to scrape the bottom of the Instant Pot insert to avoid the burn message.
  6. Add in the coconut milk, but do not stir in.
  7. Place the lid on and turn the value to the sealing position. Set for 9 minutes on high on manual /pressure cook (depending on the Instant Pot model).
  8. When done, allow for a full natural pressure release.
  9. Open the lid, stir, and then ladle into bowls.
  10. To serve, swirl in some coconut milk and add some fresh lime wedges.

Tips For Making Dal in the Instant Pot

  • If not following a vegan diet, you can add ghee or butter to your dal.
  • Change it up! You can swap in green split peas for the yellow lentils. And if you prefer to use red lentils, simply reduce the cooking time to 8 minutes.
  • Feel free to add more or less spices to customise the spice base to suit your taste.
  • Like your dal with a little heat? Add some chillis or a bit of cayenne pepper.

How To Avoid Burn Message When Making Instant Pot Dal

In order to avoid the dreaded Instant Pot Burn Message, you’ll want to make sure to always start by adding water to the bottom of the pressure cooker insert.

Then add in the majority of your ingredients, with the exception of items such as tomato sauce and coconut milk, which are notorious for causing the burn notice to appear. Add these in last (on top of the rest of them ingredients) and do not mix in.

top down view of the finished Instant Pot Dal inside the Instant Pot insert.

How To Freeze Instant Pot Dal

  • Let the pressure cooker dal cool down completed, then transfer into these very handy Ziploc freezer bags.
  • Squeeze out all the extra air and seal the bags.
  • Label the bags and then lay them flat in the freezer.
  • Store bags in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How To Thaw Instant Pot Dahl

  • Remove the Dal from the freezer the night before needed and let it thaw in the fridge.
  • To thaw quicker, you can instead place the Dal in the microwave and thaw according to the microwave’s instructions.

How To Reheat Pressure Cooker Dal

  • Transfer the thawed pressure cooker Dal into a microwave-safe dish and reheat in a microwave.
  • Or transfer the thawed Dal into a saucepan and reheat on the stovetop over low to medium heat.instant pot dal served in bowl with a silver spoon

What to Serve with Instant Pot Daal

Instant Pot Dal is delicious served on top of Instant Pot Rice and Instant Pot Quinoa.  Or just dish it up and pair with a side of flat bread.

Weight Watchers Points in Instant Pot Dal

There are 4 Freestyle Points in a serving of Instant Pot Dal.

Thank you for reading my Pressure Cooker Dal recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue dreaming up recipes, traditional African recipes, African fusion recipes, Sierra Leone recipes, travel plans and much more for you. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, UK food blog.

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three bowls filled with instant pot dal that is topped with coconut milk swirl and served with a cloth napkin
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5 from 1 vote

Instant Pot Dal

Instant Pot Dal is easy to make and full of delicious aromatic spices.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time9 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American, Indian, Western
Servings: 6
Calories: 311kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy

Ingredients

Ingredients:

  • 1 onion peeled and finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic purée
  • 1 teaspoon ginger purée
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 - 2 teaspoons Garam Masala
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • salt to taste
  • 2 cups (256g) yellow split peas rinsed
  • 3 tomatoes chopped
  • 4 cups (1000ml) water
  • 1/2 cup (125ml) coconut milk

Instructions

  • Set Instant Pot to sauté and add oil to Instant Pot insert.
  • Once heated, add the onion and 1 tablespoon of water.
  • Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
  • Switch the Instant Pot off and stir in the garlic, ginger, coriander, cumin, Garam Masala, turmeric and salt. Stir together for about a minute, until fragrant.
  • Next add in the split peas, tomatoes, and water. Mix, making sure to scrape the bottom of the Instant Pot insert to avoid the burn message.
  • Add in the coconut milk, but do not stir in.
  • Place the lid on and turn the value to the sealing position. Set for 9 minutes on high on manual /pressure cook (depending on the Instant Pot model).
  • When done, allow for a full natural pressure release.
  • Open the lid, stir, and then ladle into bowls.
  • 10. To serve, swirl in some coconut milk and add some fresh lime wedges.
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Notes

  • If not following a vegan diet, you can add ghee or butter to your dal.
  • Change it up! You can swap in green split peas for the yellow lentils. Or if you prefer to make it with red lentils, reduce the cook time to 8 minutes.
  • Feel free to add more or less spices to customise the spice base to suit your taste.
  • Like a little heat? Feel free to add some chillis or a bit of cayenne pepper.
There are 4 Blue Plan SmartPoints in a serving .

Nutrition

Calories: 311kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 25mg | Potassium: 875mg | Fiber: 18g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 610IU | Vitamin C: 11.8mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 3.7mg

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5 from 1 vote

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One Comment

  1. 5 stars
    Always looking for new meatless dishes to try and this one sounds packed full of flavour!