White Urad Dal Recipe {Instant Pot & Stovetop}

white urad dal and rice served in a grey bowl with cut onions and sliced tomato.

White Urad Dal Recipe {Instant Pot & Stovetop}

White urad dal recipe is mild spicy lentil curry to make in an instant pot. This gluten-free & vegan urad dal with rice is one of the comforting lentil and rice combinations to make in the instant pot with the pot-in-pot method.

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine Indian

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Servings

Calories 417kcal

Author Bhawana

Equipment

Instant Pot
Indian pressure cooker

Ingredients

1 Cup white urad dal or white whole urad dal
1 Cup onion chopped finely
2 dry red chilies
2 star anise
6-8 cloves
8 peppercorns
1 black cardamom
1 Tsp cumin seeds
1/2 Tsp turmeric powder
1/2 Tsp red chili powder
1 pinch asafoetida
Salt as per taste
2 Tbsp Oil for cooking
Green coriander chopped finely for garnishing
2.5 cup water 1/2 cup extra

For Rice Cooking

1 cup rice
1 cup water

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

How to make white urad dal in Instant Pot

Wash and clean one cup of rice with water. Rinse and place in a steel container with 1 cup of clean water.
Wash white urad dal with clean water. Rinse and keep it aside.
Switch on the instant pot and press the SAUTE button.
Once heated add oil and add all whole spices like dry red chili, star anise, cloves, peppercorns, cardamom, and cumin seeds.
Once all spices start crackling add chopped onion and cook until onion is translucent.
To this add chopped ginger and garlic. You can add 1tblsp ginger garlic paste as well.
To this add asafetida, turmeric powder, and red chili powder. Mix well.
Finally, add the rinsed dal with 2.5 cups of water and salt. Give a nice stir.
Place a long leg trivet inside the pot. Here do not use the trivet which comes with the pot.
Now place the rice container on top of the trivet. You can leave it open or cover it with the lid.
Close the instant pot with the lid and pressure valve in the sealing position. CANCEL the SAUTE mode. Press PRESSURE COOK or MANUAL button and set timer for 5 minutes.
Let the pressure released naturally and open the lid. Carefully remove the rice container using tongs.
In cooked dal add chopped green coriander and lemon juice. Give a stir. If it is too thick then add 1/2 cup water and mix. I added 1/2 cup of water.
Serve this white urad dal tadka with rice and hot chapati.

How to cook white urad dal split – Stovetop method

Wash and clean white urad dal with water until you see transparent water. Rinse it and keep it ready.
Heat the Indian pressure cooker on medium heat and add 2 tbsp oil.
When the oil is hot enough add all whole spices like dry red chili, star anise, cloves, peppercorns, cardamom, and cumin seeds.
Once all spices start crackling add chopped onion and cook until onion is translucent.
Now add grated ginger and garlic. You can use ginger garlic paste as well in place of this. Cook for 30 seconds.
To this add asafetida, turmeric powder, and red chili powder. Mix well.
Finally, add washed dal with 2.5 cups of water and add salt as per taste. Cook for 1-2 whistles.
Switch off the flame and let the pressure release on its own. Garnish with chopped green coriander leaves and add lemon juice. If required add 1/2 cup water more. Mix well.
Serves with white rice or hot chapatis.

Video

Notes

Tips & FAQ’s

If you like a firm texture in urad ki dal then dry roast it for 10 minutes on low heat. And then cook it further. It will give you a firm and less slippery texture.
You can adjust chili as per your taste.
Don’t forget to add whole spices as it will give you a delicious taste and relief from its slightly bitter taste.
Adjust water as per your desired consistency.
Use 1 tsp of garam masala in place of whole spices.
Feel free to add any greens like baby spinach, kale to make it more nutritious. For example, I made Dal-palak using toor dal with baby spinach.

Storing suggestions

Room temperature- cooked urad dal is good at room temperature for 5-6 hours depending on the weather. In summer it is best to store in the fridge.
Refrigerator- Store in the fridge for 1-2 days. Keep this cooked urad dal in a container and store easily. While serving, take the portion out and microwave for 30 sec to 1 min.
Freezer- Store in freezer-friendly bags in portions. You can store cooked dahl easily for 15 days. When required take the portion out, thaw, and reheat in the microwave. You can add tempering while serving.

Reheating- Reheating cooked dals is an easy process. If store in the fridge then reheating in microwave for 30seconds-1min is enough.

If stored in the freezer, then first thaw the dal and then reheat in the microwave.

Add tempering before serving to make this cooked dal as tasty as freshly cooked dal.

Nutrition