Vegan Instant Pot Dal Tadka Recipe (Restaurant-style)

Do you want to learn how to make instant pot Dal Tadka at home? This is a super easy dish to make and one that even an amateur should not struggle with.  

In this article, we are going to go over everything you need to know, including instant pot Dal Tadka and how you can make this Indian dish at home. 

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in and get started!

What Makes this Recipe So Special?

This recipe is phenomenal, and the food is pretty good too! But what makes this recipe better than the rest? Well, there are a few things that particularly stand out to us, and we have listed them here for you to peruse: 

• This dish can be prepped and cooked in under thirty minutes. 

• This is not a difficult dish to make; even amateurs should be able to make it. 

• Dal Tadka is a super healthy and nutritious dish that does not lose its flavor.

• The ingredients in this dish are not hard to come by. 

• This dish can be made in one pot or pressure cooker. 

• You can make this dish to be vegan or gluten-free as you need. 

There is a lot more to love about this amazing Indian-inspired dish. But there are a few things that stood out to us. 

You need to make this dish yourself to truly appreciate just how delicious and easy it is to make. 

What Ingredients Will You Need for Dal Tadka?

Before you can dash off to the kitchen and start cooking up a storm, you will need a few ingredients. In this section, we are going to go over what you will need to make Dal Tadka. 

• 1 cup split toor dal (or substitute with yellow or red lentils)
• 1 tsp oil (or ghee if you’re not vegan)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tbsp minced ginger
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 2 green chilies (Thai or similar, sliced)
• ¼ tsp asafetida
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 large tomato, finely chopped (or use lemon juice for tanginess if omitting tomato)
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp garam masala powder
• ¼ tsp dried red chili flakes (optional)
• A few dried curry leaves
• Salt to taste
• 3 cups water
• 2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves, chopped

How To Make Dal Tadka in an Instant Pot?

It is effortless to make this delicious Indian dish. But there are a few steps that you really need to stick to if you want to end up with the perfect Dal Tadka. 

In this section, we are going to take a look at a breakdown of the steps you need to follow to make this tasty dish. 

• Step 1 – The first step is to rinse your dal. Once it has been properly washed, set it aside so that you can use it later. You will then need to press the sauté button on your instant pot so that you can heat the ghee. When it has warmed up, add the cumin seeds and let them start to crackle.

• Step 2 – Your next step is to add asafetida, minced garlic, minced ginger, chopped green chilies, and curry leaves to your instant pot. Allow your herbs and spices to sauté in the pot for about fifteen seconds before you add your chopped onions. When the onion has softened and turned brown, move on to the next step. 

• Step 3 – At this point, you need to add the tomatoes to the instant pot so that they can cook until they are mushy. This usually takes between two and three minutes. 

• Step 4 – Throw in your turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder, lentils, salt, and water. Stir everything together. Feel free to adjust the herbs and spices to your tastes. 

• Step 5 – Once all these ingredients have been added to the instant pot, your next step is to grab your trivet and a bowl of rice and water. This will be used to cook everything together more efficiently. 

• Step 6 – With your rice in the instant pot, close the lid. Make sure that it is secure and that the vent has been sealed. Next, set your instant pot to pressure-cook and set a timer for about eight minutes. 

• Step 7 – Once your time has elapsed and the instant pot has started to beep, you need to release the pressure. We recommend using a natural method. This usually takes about ten minutes. 

• Step 8 – Throw in some fresh coriander and stir it into the Dal Tadka. At this point, if your consistency is off, you can fix it. Simply set the instant pot to sauté with a little extra water. This should take about two minutes. 

• Step 9 – Your Dal Tadka should be ready to eat now. All you need to do is serve it with a side of your choice and enjoy!

One of the biggest advantages of cooking this delicious Indian dish in an instant pot is that you can do pot-in-pot cooking. In essence, this means that you can cook more than one food at the same time. 

How Do You Cook This Dish in a Stovetop Pot?

If you want to make this dish using a stovetop pot. This section will be for you. We have laid out instructions below for you to follow if you want to use this method. 

• Step 1 – To start things off, you should pressure-cook the dal or lentils in about three cups of water. After three to four whistles, it should be done. 

• Step 2 – In a pot, heat up ghee or oil in a kadai. Once the oil is hot, add cumin seeds and allow them to sizzle for a few minutes. 

• Step 3 – Throw in asafetida, minced garlic, minced ginger, chopped green chili, and curry leaves. Allow these herbs and spices to sauté for about fifteen seconds. 

• Step 4 – You must then add your chopped onion to the pot and sauté them until they are soft and brown. 

• Step 5 – Add chopped Roma tomatoes for about two to three minutes or until they have softened. 

• Step 6 – At this point, add the rest of your spices. This should include turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and garam masala powder. Allow these spices to fry for a few minutes. 

• Step 7 – You must now add cooked and mashed dal to the pot. Mix everything together, and then add water and salt. 

• Step 8 – Allow this mixture to boil for between two and three minutes on a medium heat. When it is done, add some chopped fresh cilantro and mix that in as well. 

• Step 9 – Now, all that is left is to eat your delicious restaurant-style Dal Tadka. Serve it with a side of your choice and eat it while it is hot. 

This is a super simple recipe to follow and one that you should not struggle with. There is not much difference between making this dish in a stovetop pot and making it in an instant pot. It is just up to you to pick an option that suits your needs. 

What is Usually Served with Dal Tadka?

You might be wondering what you can serve with your Dal Tadka. There are a few common sides that are enjoyed with this dish. Some of the most popular options are basmati rice, jeera rice, brown rice, or quinoa. 

Alternatively, you can enjoy a delicious salad or pickles as a side if you prefer. If you enjoy flatbread, you might want to pair your Dal Tadka with flatbread, roti, or paratha. 

We particularly love enjoying this dish with veggie side dishes like the following: Aloo Gobi, Bombay Potatoes, Cabbage Potato Curry, Carrot Beans Stir Fry, and Aloo Beans. 

But you can enjoy this dish with any side dish you prefer. At the end of the day, there is no right or wrong choice when it comes to picking a good side. 

Tips and Tricks to Make Cooking this Dish Easier

Despite being one of the easiest dishes that you can make, there are things you can do to make it easier.

• Lentils – It is essential that you soak your lentils before you start cooking. The toor dal must be soaked in water for a minimum of thirty minutes. By doing this, you can help your lentils cook faster and more evenly. 

• Consistency – You might get to the end of making your Dal Tadka and find that it is a little too watery. Simply cooking it for two to three minutes longer can really help thicken your Dal Tadka. 

• Variation – If you want to make your Dal Tadka a little different, you can always not add the onion, ginger, and tomatoes. The dish will end up just as good. 

You can alter this dish as you see fit, but we recommend staying true to the recipe. You will end up with a delightful traditional Indian-style dish.

How Do You Store Leftover Dal Tadka?

There are two main ways that you can store leftover Dal Tadka. If you intend to eat it within two to three days, we recommend refrigeration. Simply put your Dal Tadka in an airtight container and warm it up when you are ready. 

Alternatively, if you do not intend to eat your leftovers within a few days, you might want to freeze your food.

Simply put your Dal Tadka in a freezer-safe bag or container and store it in the freezer. You can enjoy leftover Dal Tadka for up to three months using this storage method. 

To reheat your leftovers, all you need to do is put your food in a pot or microwave-safe bowl and heat it up. Bear in mind that your Dal Tadka might thicken up at this stage. So, feel free to add some water to it. 

If the Dal Tadka is frozen, allow it time to thaw before you warm it up.  

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed this guide to making restaurant-quality Dal Tadka at home.

This dish is not only packed with flavor but also surprisingly easy to make.

With just a few steps, anyone can recreate and enjoy this fantastic Indian classic right in their own kitchen. Enjoy every delicious bite!

Frequently Asked Question