• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Feast with Safiya
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Modern Indian
    • Authentic Indian
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegetarian
    • Vegan
    • Quick and Easy
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Modern Indian
    • Authentic Indian
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegetarian
    • Vegan
    • Quick and Easy
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Modern Indian
    • Authentic Indian
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegetarian
    • Vegan
    • Quick and Easy
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
×

Moong Dal Recipe | Indian Yellow Lentil

Published: Oct 23, 2022 · Modified: Jan 8, 2023 by FeastwithSafiya · This post may contain affiliate links.

Spread the love

Jump to Recipe

Moong dal is my go-to recipe for my weekly menu. If you like lentils and lots of garlic then this recipe is for you. Cooked moong lentils with garlic and cumin seed tempering make such a hearty meal. Eat it as is, with rice or flatbread for a wholesome meal.

Yellow moong dal close up shot

Jump to:
  • Yellow Moong Dal
  • Ingredients to Cook Moong ki Dal
  • How to Cook Mung Lentils?
  • How to Serve Yellow Indian Lentil?
  • What to Serve with Dal-Rice?
  • Kitchen Tools You’ll Need:
  • Moong Dal Recipe | Indian Yellow Lentil

Yellow Moong Dal

Moong ki dal aka yellow split mung lentils are one of the staple lentils in South Asia. Whole mung beans, mung lentils, and moong dal are the same thing. Yellow moong dal is made from skinned and split mung beans. Yellow split lentils are quicker to cook compared to whole green mung beans or mung lentils with skin.

There is no one way or right way to prepare dal. Every region or I should say every household in India has its own version of moong dal recipe. It's all about your personal preference and what you have on hand in your pantry.

Mung lentil soup in a bowl

Poor or rich, all households in India prepare Moong dal at least once or twice a week. Yellow moong dal is inexpensive, and a great source of vegetarian protein, fiber, potassium, and iron. It is also an easy-to-digest lentil. That being said, this recipe would make a great healthy meal, woot woot!

Ingredients to Cook Moong ki Dal

Dal is such a versatile Indian recipe. You can use the same recipe with different lentils and create your own version of dal. How cool is that? I personally like cooking moong ki dal because it cooks fast, is healthy, gluten-free, and easy to whip up using a handful of ingredients.

Yellow lentil soup
  • Moong Lentil (dal): I am using skinned and split yellow moong lentils.
  • Tomato: I am using one small Roma tomato for this recipe. I love the flavors of softened tomatoes in my dal. It gives a slightly sweet and tangy flavor to dal.
  • Ground Spices: I like to keep the moong dal recipe simple. I am using a tad bit of turmeric, cumin, coriander, salt, and chili powder to mildly season peeli (yellow) dal.
  • Tadka (Tempering): simple minced garlic and cumin seeds tempering is my favorite part of this recipe. I highly recommend using freshly minced garlic for dal tempering.

How to Cook Mung Lentils?

  • Rinse ½ a cup of yellow moong dal (skinned and split mung lentils) with water a couple of times until the water runs clear.
  • Lentils are quicker to cook in a pressure cooker or in an Instant pot. I am using an Instant pot for this recipe but the same instructions can be followed for stove-top cooking in a pressure cooker or a regular pot.
Yellow split moong dal lentil
  • Add washed and cleaned moong dal, 2 cups of water, 1 small chopped tomato, ½ teaspoon cumin powder, ½ teaspoon coriander powder, ½ teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon turmeric powder in an instant pot.
  • I like using more turmeric powder in my dal recipes. You may add as per your taste preference.
moong bean lentil, spices and chopped tomato in a bowl
lentils in an instant pot
  • Pressure cook mung dal in an instant pot on a high-pressure setting for 12 minutes. Let the steam release naturally. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes. If you are in hurry, fold a kitchen towel and put it on top of the IP vent to release the steam.
  • If you are using a pressure cooker, pressure cook on the stovetop on medium heat for 4 whistles then turn off the heat. Let the vent release naturally. Cook for 5-6 whistles if you plan on manually releasing the vent for a quick meal.
Moong dal in Instant pot
A round skillet with tempering ingredients
  • Once the venting is released, start preparing for dal tadka (tempering).

Tadka (Tempering)

  • Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of oil of ghee in a small skillet. Heat oil over medium heat then add 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds.
  • Once the cumin starts to change color, add minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the garlic is golden. Turn the heat off then add ¼ teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder to tadka (tempering).
  • Quickly add the tempering to mung dal. Stir to mix the tempering in the dal.
  • Serve it immediately with plain rice, or flatbread and your favorite side dish.

How to Serve Yellow Indian Lentil?

I like to serve dal with plain rice, or roti(Indian flatbread), a vegetarian side dish, and Indian salad (kachumber) or pickle.

Plain rice, dal and stir fried cabbage on a plate
Indian vegetarian food on a plate

What to Serve with Dal-Rice?

We Gujaratis (folks from the western part of India) love serving dal with chawal (plain rice) and at least one or two vegetable curries like aloo palak, stir-fried cabbage, and pickles.

  • Aloo palak recipe. Indian Spinach with Potato recipe.
    Aloo Palak | Indian Spinach Potato Recipe
  • Gluten-free chickpea flour stuffed peppers
    Stuffed Peppers-Bharela Marcha nu Shaak
  • Bhindi ki Sabzi
    Bhindi Sabzi | Okra Stir Fry
  • Gujarati stir-fried cabbage in a bowl
    Gujarati Stir-Fried Cabbage Recipe (Sambharo)
  • Green chili and yellow lemon pickle
    Chili Pickle | Gujarati Athela Marcha Recipe
  • Shishito Pepper recipe
    Shishito Pepper Pickle(Athela Marcha)
  • Indian curried Brussels Sprouts recipe.
    Indian Spiced Brussels Sprouts Recipe
  • Indian tomato salad flat lay.
    Tomato Salad with Cumin and Lime

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need:

  • Instant Pot
  • Good Kitchen Knife
  • Cooking Utensil
Yellow moong dal close up shot

Moong Dal Recipe | Indian Yellow Lentil

Safiya | FeastwithSafiya
Quick and easy Moong dal recipe with Instant pot, pressure cooker, and regular pot instructions. This Indian lentil curry recipe makes a great light meal.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 12 mins
Total Time 22 mins
Course Main Course, Side Dish, Soup
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4
Calories 197 kcal

Ingredients  

  • ½ cup moong dal (yellow mung lentil) , thoroughly washed
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 small tomato (Roma, vine, or other similar variety) , chopped
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ½ teaspoon corinder powder (ground coriander)
  • ½ teaspoon cumin powder (ground cumin)
  • ½ teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt , or to taste

Tadka (Tempering)

  • 3 Tablespoons oil or ghee , less for lower calorie meal
  • 4 medium garlic cloves , minced
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon kashmiri red chili powder , optional

Garnish

  • 2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • ¼ teaspoon garam masala

Instructions 

  • Rinse moong dal with water a couple of times until the water runs clear then drain all the water.
  • Add 2 cups of water, washed and cleaned moong dal, chopped tomato, cumin powder, coriander powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, turmeric, and salt to an Instant pot.
  • Pressure cook mung dal on high heat setting for 12 minutes. Let the steam release naturally. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes. If you are in hurry, manually release the steam. (Fold a kitchen towel and put it on top of the IP vent to release the steam. It helps prevent steam from making cabinets dirty.)
  • See notes for stovetop cooking instruction.
  • Once the venting is released, start preparing for dal Tadka (tempering).

Tadka (Tempering)

  • Add oil of ghee in a small skillet. Heat it over medium heat then add 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds.
  • Once the cumin starts to change color, add minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the garlic is golden.
  • Turn the heat off then add ¼ teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder to the tempering. (Skip this step if not using chili powder)
  • Quickly add the tempering to mung dal. Stir to mix the tempering in the dal. Serve it immediately with plain rice, or flatbread and your favorite side dish.

Notes

Pressure Cooker Cooking Instructions (Stovetop)

Follow steps 1 and 2 then pressure cook moong lentils in the pressure cooker on the stovetop on medium heat for 4 whistles then turn off the heat. Let the vent release naturally. Cook for 5-6 whistles if you plan on manually releasing the vent for a quick meal.

Stovetop Cooking Instructions (Regular Pot)

Follow steps 1 and 2 then simmer moong lentils in a large saucepan on the stovetop on medium heat. Allow for it to come to a simmer then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot with its lid, and allow the dal to cook for 15 to 18 minutes.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 4g ,Calories: 197kcal ,Carbohydrates: 19.9g ,Protein: 7g ,Fat: 10.8g ,Saturated Fat: 1.4g ,Sodium: 594mg ,Potassium: 457mg ,Fiber: 4.9g ,Sugar: 3g ,Calcium: 47mg ,Iron: 3mg
Have I inspired you to cook?Mention @feastwithsafiya on Instagram or use #feastwithsafiya
  • keema puff pastry headshot
    Keema Puff Pastry | Savory Meat Pastry
  • baked sweet potatoes with roasted chile and sour cream in a bowl
    Baked Sweet Potatoes with Roasted Green Chile
  • People holding oven roasted tandoori chicken
    Easy Oven Baked Tandoori Chicken Recipe
  • Close up of roasted spicy potatoes
    Spicy Oven Roasted Potatoes

Spread the love
 
11
Shares
 11    
« Gujarati Stir-Fried Cabbage Recipe (Sambharo)
Easy Oven Baked Tandoori Chicken Recipe »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

feastwithsafiya

Hi, I'm Safiya! I'm an author, food photographer, recipe developer, and the creator behind Feast with Safiya. So glad you stopped by..more about me

Popular Recipes

  • " "
    30+ Easy Ramadan Recipes
  • Indian cucumber, onion and tomato salad
    Kachumber Salad | Cucumber Tomato Salad
  • Indian shrimp curry with turmeric rice in a bowl
    Easy Indian Shrimp Curry Recipe
  • Bowl of rice and shrimp
    Shrimp Biryani Recipe (Indian Prawns and Rice)
  • Yellow nylon khaman in a box
    Nylon Khaman Recipe | Gujarati Khaman
  • chickpea salad in a white bowl
    Indian Chickpea Salad | Kala Chana Chaat

Footer

Recipes by Category

Footer

Info

Home

About

Contact

Copyright Policy

Privacy Policy

Stay Connected!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

back to top

Copyright © 2022 Feast with Safiya. All Rights Reserved.

Website designed by Safiya