Meet one of my go-to, quick and easy weeknight dal recipes: Whole Masoor Dal/Daal. Not as popular or sought-after as its split counterpart, the red lentil, but one with its own distinct appeal. Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, get recipes & tips every week! Not only is whole masoor packed with an extra dose of fiber, but its earthy, wholesome taste makes it one of the most comforting, feel-good dals. It has a chewy, buttery texture and I think it’s the tastiest of whole lentils.
What is Whole Masoor Dal (Brown Lentil Dal)?
Whole Masoor Dal is a Brown Lentil Dal topped with a simple tadka (tempering) of browned onions and other spices of choice. Though it’s not actually made with black lentils, Pakistanis often refer to it as Kaali dal (or black lentils) because of the dark hue it takes when cooked. More Lentil and Legume Recipes: Rajma, Chana Masala, Easy Pakistani Haleem and Dahi Bhalla.
Whole Masoor Lentils vs Brown Lentils
Whole masoor lentils (also called Sabut Masoor) are the ‘whole’ or unhusked version of red lentils (Masoor dal). In other words, remove the skin (hull) and split it in half, and you get split red lentils. If you look carefully at whole masoor, you’ll be able to see the orange tint of red lentils peeking through. Whole masoor dal is a just a type of brown lentil. For this recipe, you may use any standard brown lentils (for example, Spanish Pardina) found at grocery stores and it’ll cook as intended. I have tested it with several different varieties and it cooks the same + tastes amazing!
Ingredients
Basic South Asian pantry staples are all you need to make this recipe. A small onion, garlic, ghee/oil, and a handful of spices are the only non-negotiables. Other than that, this recipe is versatile and adaptable, and you can make it work with whatever you have on hand.
Why make Whole Masoor Dal (or any brown lentils) in the Instant Pot?
Besides the obvious reasons (i.e. quicker and hands-off), I usually cook this dal in the Instant Pot because:
How to make Whole Masoor Dal
Update 1/15/24: Officially triple tested the stovetop version and updated the recipe! Details are in the recipe card, but here’s a quick run-through:
Variations of this recipe
Skip tomatoes: Most traditional masoor dal recipes forego the addition of tomatoes, but I couldn’t help myself (after all, I even added tomatoes to korma). After testing with and without, I decided to keep them because I love the slight tang and vibrance they add. Make it tangy: Some versions of Sabut Masoor dal include tamarind paste. If you use tamarind paste, try omitting the tomatoes so the tart flavor isn’t overpowering. Make it creamy: Though this isn’t the same as Dal Makhani, you can give it a richer finish. Add 2-3 tbsp cream OR 1/3 cup milk before adding the tarka.
Some Final Tips for a pretty self-explanatory recipe
If the dal is getting too thick while you’re preparing the tadka, add (preferably boiling) water to get a thinner consistency. If it’s too thin, sauté it down to your preferred consistency. Adjust salt accordingly. The onions for the tadka should be deeply golden brown before you add them to the dal. You know they’re done once you’re concerned that they’ll start burning (#protip). Once the dal is cooked, use a wooden spoon to crush it by mashing it along the edges of the pan. It enhances the texture and flavor of the dal.
Serving Suggestions
Whole Masoor Dal goes perfectly with plain, basmati rice, roti, paratha, or anything, really. On the side, you can serve:
Kachumber Salad, or fresh, crunchy vegetables chopped up with a bit of salt, pepper, and lemon juice. This is an essential whenever I make this dal. Yogurt or raita. Achaar (mixed pickle). More lemon or lime!
More Dal recipes you’ll love
Pakistani Chana Dal Red Lentil Dal (Masoor Dal) Maash ki dal (Urad Dal)
Tried this recipe? If you have a minute, please consider leaving a comment telling me how it was! You can also take a quick picture and upload it directly into the comments. If you’re on Instagram, please tag me so I can see your creations. I truly love hearing from you. Thank you!
