30 Minutes Masala Dal Recipe | Authentic Indian Spiced Lentils | Easy & Healthy

post modified on July 19


Written by Puja

This 30 Minutes Masala Dal recipe is an Authentic tasty Indian Spiced Lentils made with toovar dal or toor dal(pigeon pea lentils) and cooked with spices, tomatoes, onions, and garlic. It is a very flavorful and comforting dish.

You can enjoy this Rajasthani dal with rice or roti. This dish is easy to make and perfect for any meal. (Step-by step-recipe-photo-video)

Masala Dal Recipe

About Masala Dal Recipe:

I first tasted this wonderful Masala Toor Dal when my husband made it for me. I was having a bad day because I was not feeling well. I was too tired to cook, and my husband, who often cooks and is very good at it, decided to make something comforting for me.

He asked me what I wanted him to make, and I said simple dal chawal because asking for too many things felt like too much.

As I lay in bed, I could hear him chopping and cooking in the kitchen. The lovely smells of spices filled the air and slowly made me feel better. When he finally brought a hot bowl of dal and plain rice to me, the rich smell and the look of the dish made me so happy.

And the best part of this Masala Dal is that you won’t need any other side dishes. You can just roast a couple of urad papad and some mango ginger achar. But frankly speaking, you won’t even need those. You can drink this dal as a soup also.

The taste was so good that you would only understand when you try it yourself. The dal was perfectly spiced, with flavors that were both comforting and refreshing. I loved it immediately.

I was curious about this tasty dish, so I asked him where he learned to make it. Smiling, he told me a story from when he lived with a friend from Rajasthan. His friend often made this dal, and it quickly became one of my husband’s favorites.

He learned the recipe from his friend and named it “Rajasthani Dal” because of his friend.

That day, the dal not only made me feel better but also made me feel loved and cared for. It was more than just food; it was a kind gesture, a comforting reminder of home, and a beautiful story of friendship.

Now, this Rajasthani-inspired Masala Toovar Dal is a favorite dish in our home. We often make and enjoy it together.

Let me share this special easy dal recipe with you, so you can also feel the warmth and comfort of this recipe.

Masala Toor Dal

Serving Suggestion:

Serve this delicious Masala Toovar Dal hot with steamed rice or roti. It’s perfect for a comforting meal and can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner. Add a side of pickle or yogurt for extra flavor.

Storage Suggestion:

Store any leftover Masala Dal in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove or in the microwave, adding a little water if it has thickened, and serve.

Pro Tips for Masala Toor Dal:

Soak the Dal: Soak the toovar dal for 30 minutes before cooking to reduce the cooking time.

Adjust Spices: You can adjust the amount of chili powder and green chilies to make the dal as spicy or mild as you like.

Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh tomatoes, ginger, and garlic enhance the flavor of the dal.

Consistency: Adjust the water to get your desired consistency. Some like their dal thicker, while others prefer it more soupy.

Why You Should Make This Recipe:

This Masala Dal is not only delicious but also nutritious. It’s packed with protein from the lentils and vitamins from the fresh vegetables.

It’s an easy and quick recipe, perfect for busy days when you need a healthy meal.

Plus, it’s a versatile dish that can be enjoyed with rice or roti, making it a staple in many households.

Cooking this dal also brings a taste of Indian cuisine into your kitchen, allowing you to enjoy a flavorful and comforting meal.

Looking for Some More Recipes Like this:

Quick Masoor Dal Recipe

Easy Toor Dal Parippu Recipe

Cholar Dal Recipe

Kerala Parippu Curry Recipe

Spring Onion Dal Recipe

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Rajasthani Dal

Basic Ingredients Used to Make this Recipe:

Toovar Dal: Toovar dal is the main ingredient and provides the base for the dish. It is rich in protein and fiber, making the dal nutritious.

Onions: Onions add sweetness and depth of flavor to the dal. They are essential for creating a rich base.

Tomatoes: Tomatoes bring a slight tanginess, balancing the spices in the dal.

Ginger-garlic: Ginger-Garlic is the key ingredient, that keeps this dal unique from others. Try using fresh garlic for a more intense flavor.

Coriander Leaves: Fresh coriander leaves add a bright, fresh finish to the dal.

Spices: I have used minimal spices like turmeric powder, garam masala powder, red chili powder

Green Chilies: Green chilies add freshness and a different kind of heat compared to red chili powder.

Mustard Seeds & Cumin Seeds: In this dal, we use mustard seeds and cumin seeds. the combination of these two ingredients takes dal to the next level.

Other: Oil, salt, and water.

If you have any more questions about this Recipe do mail me at puja@thetastesofindia.com. Also, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube and Twitter.

masala dal recipe

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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: Masala Dal Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories: 1.14kcal
Author: Puja

Ingredients

  • 1 cup toovar dal
  • 3 onion thinly sliced
  • 2 tomato
  • 3 green chilli
  • 1 inch ginger
  • 10-15 garlic cloves
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1/3 tsp garam masala powder
  • 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
  • 1/3 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds jeera
  • coriander leaves handful
  • salt to taste
  • 3 tbsp oil
  • water as needed

Instructions

  • Add toovar dal and water in a pressure cooker and cook until done.
    masala dal1
  • Now heat oil in a kadai, add mustard seeds.
    Masala dal2
  • When the seeds starts spluttering add cumin seeds.
  • Now add onion and fry until golden brown.
  • Then add ginger-garlic paste and green chilli, saute until the raw smell goes.
  • Then add chopped tomato and salt. Cook until translucent.
    masala dal3
  • Then add turmeric powder, garam masala powder and garam masala powder.
  • Cook until the raw smell of masala goes off.
  • Now add cooked dal and water as needed. Mix well.
  • Add lots of chopped coriander leaves. Mix.
  • Your Masala dal is ready to serve.
  • Serve hot with plain rice or roti.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1.14 Calories from Fat 414
% Daily Value*
Fat 46g71%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 0.2g
Polyunsaturated Fat 12g
Monounsaturated Fat 27g
Sodium 622mg27%
Potassium 1.327mg0%
Carbohydrates 152g51%
Fiber 39g163%
Sugar 30g33%
Protein 41g82%
Vitamin A 2.381IU0%
Vitamin C 85mg103%
Calcium 264mg26%
Iron 9mg50%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Masala Toovar Dal:

Is it necessary to soak the dal before cooking?

Soaking the dal for about 30 minutes before cooking helps reduce the cooking time and ensures the dal cooks evenly. However, if you’re short on time, you can skip soaking and cook the dal for a few extra whistles in the pressure cooker itself.

Can I make this dal without a pressure cooker?

Yes, you can cook the dal in a regular pot. It will take longer to cook, so be sure to add enough water and cook on medium heat until the dal is soft.

How do I store leftover Masala Dal?

Store any leftover Masala Dal in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove or in the microwave, adding a little water if it has thickened.

Is this dal suitable for vegans?

Yes, this Masala Dal recipe is vegan as it uses plant-based ingredients and oil for cooking. Just make sure to use vegetable oil or ghee alternatives.

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Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a small commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. I am an independent blogger and the reviews are done based on my own opinions. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

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If you liked this Masala Dal Recipe and happen to make them in your kitchen, do tag me on Instagram and share pictures with me using #pujatastesofindia.

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Happy Cooking!!!

A self-proclaimed Champion Cook, who gets the confidence from the love and praises showered upon me by my family consisting of a Cute little Daughter and a husband who loves the Internet more than me (LoL..) and who incidentally happens to be the man behind the technical aspects of this blog.
I love working from home and the benefits that come from it and that is why I started this blog where I document all my adventures with cooking.
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