Moong Dal Tadka – A simple comforting and a popular Indian dal recipe! Cooked Moong Dal is tempered with spices and garlic. Pair this delicious dal tadka with roti, cumin rice or rice. Learn how to make this delicious moong Dhaal Tadka at home step by step. Make this mung dal tadka in Instant Pot too.
Dishes like this Daal Tadka with roti is simply comforting, yet totally delicious. There are many days when we just want to eat something elementary, healthy and tasty. When we talk about contentment and complacency in our meals, every one has their own choices and they are mostly associated with childhood and growing up memories. Food that Mum’s makes, always has a personal touch of warmth and coziness. She exactly knows what makes us really happy.
Now this Moong Dal served with roti and a bowl of yogurt is my son’s ultimate comfort food.
BTW – THIS LIST FOR 9 EVERYDAY INDIAN MEALS IS AWESOME. DON’T FORGET TO CHECKOUT THE EXTENSIVE MEAL PLAN IDEAS.
So, WHAT IS DAL TADKA ?
Dal = Lentils
Tadka = Tempering
Moong Dal also known Mung Dal or Split Petite Yellow Lentils is one of the most commonly used Dal in India. It is native to India and is used in an assortment of food, be it savoury or sweet. Moong Dal is one of the widely cooked dal and every house hold has their own variation to this recipe.
As simple as the name suggests, prepare a tempering/ seasoning with spices and garlic and add it to the cooked dal.
My mum’s dal tadka recipe has absolutely no frills. Just cook the moong dal with tomatoes & green chillies and then temper/ tadka with mustard seeds, cumin seeds and asafoetida. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.
This moong dal recipe is among the first of the recipes that I have learnt to cook . So I would highly recommend to anyone – be it first timer cooks or bachelors who would like to indulge in simple Ghar ka Khana recipes.
Over the years, my dal tadka recipe has had so many variations – one recipe without garlic, dal with panch phoran, dal with just a garnish of coriander leaves and lemon juice. Now we have one final fool proof recipe that’s 100% approved by family and friends.
I have this request from my family to make this dal tadka at-least once a week for dinner. Specially when this dal is so quick to prepare, healthy and delicious I really enjoy cooking them.
THIS MOONG DAL TADKA
is so easy to prepare
recipe uses moong dal also known as petite split yellow lentils, thats available locally in your grocery stores.
has a simple tadka with basic Indian pantry ingredients.
makes a healthy, delicious and comforting meal
can be made Vegan if you swap Oil for Ghee!
pairs really well with rice and roti
THE MOONG DAL TADKA RECIPE
To prepare this moong dal recipe, I use my stove top pressure cooker or Instant Pot to cook the dal. You can even use your stove top pan too, if you don’t have one.
Moong Dal is one of the quick cooking dal after Red Lentils in my opinion. So use either of the three methods to cook them well.
Also you can prepare this Dal Tadka with Red Lentils too if thats what you have it handy.
As the recipe name states Moong Dal Tadka, the flavor in this dhal comes from tarka/ tadka/tempering/ seasoning. I do like to add a tadka of cumin seeds, mustard seeds, fennel seeds, curry leaves , garlic and dried red chillies. However you can make a simple tadka of just cumin seeds and mustard seeds too.
I really love doing my tadka in Ghee right towards the end, which makes this Daal Tadka extremely flavoursome. However to make Vegan Dal Tadka, I use oil.
To make One Pot Moong Dal recipe or INSTANT POT MOONG DAL TADKA in one go, first do the tempering in the pot. Then add the dal, water, turmeric and pressure cook until the dal is cooked well. Garnish with lemon juice and coriander leaves.
Easy Recipe Inspirations to make with Lentils
Butternutsquash red lentil dal
MOONG DAL TADKA INGREDIENTS
Moong dal also known as Split Yellow peas Lentils is the essence of this dal. To make Dal Tadka, you can use just mung dal or a combination of dals like tuvar dal, chana dal and mung dal. You may also use Red Lentils as an alternative, if you don’t Moong Dal handy.
Turmeric powder lends a beautiful color to the dal apart from the marvellous healing properties.
Tomato
Green chillies adds spice to the dal. But you can also use chilli powder as an alternative.
Coriander leaves or Cilantro adds the finishing touch to my dal and its almost compulsory to achieve the perfect flavors.
Lemon juice compliments really well in the dal, but you can leave it out too.
Tadka Ingredients
Ghee / Oil – I love using Ghee to temper my dal, which adds amazing flavors. But to make it VEGAN DAL, I often use Sunflower Oil.
Seeds – I love using cumin seeds, mustard seeds and fennel seeds for tadka. However, you can also use Panch Phoran or Indian 5 Spice mix for seasoning which comprises of cumin seeds, mustards seeds, onion seeds, methi seeds and fennel seeds.
Garlic compliments the dal really well. So, I really love adding them to my tadka.
Dried Red Chillies
Curry leaves
HOW TO MAKE DAL TADKA?
To make Moong Dal, first and foremost step is to cook the Moong Dal.
HOW TO COOK DAL IN A STOVE POT?
Soak the Moong Dal in hot water for at least 1 hour. This step will enable quick cooking. Add enough water to the moong dal and cook covered until well done.
My preferred method of cooking the moong dal is Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot.
Once the dal is cooked, simply whisk it through for a smooth consistency. I did not find the dal thick, so no water is added.
Add 1/4 to 1/2 Cup water to the dal and whisk it through, if the dal is too thick.
HOW TO COOK MOONG DAL IN INSTANT POT ?
Place the moong dal, water, diced tomato, turmeric powder, green chilli and salt to the Instant Pot. Pressure Cook on HIGH for 5 MINUTES. Allow the pressure to release naturally if you have got time or QPR after 15 minutes.
HOW TO COOK MOONG DAL IN PRESSURE COOKER ?
Place the moong dal, water, turmeric powder, tomatoes and green chilli in a pressure cooker. Seal the pressure cooker and cook on high heat for 3 whistles. Turn off the flame Allow the pressure to release naturally.
1.Take 1/2 cup moong dal in cup.
2. Rinse the dal at least 4-5 times until clear.
3. Leave the rinsed dal in the cup and measure out the water.
4.Add the the moong dal, water, turmeric powder, tomatoes and green chilli in a pressure cooker.
5.Cook the dal and set it aside.
6.Whisk the Dal to a smooth consistency.
7.To prepare the tempering/ tadka , heat oil/ ghee in a pan.
8.Add the cumin seeds, mustard seeds and fennel seeds. Allow the seeds to splutter.
9.Now add asafoetida, followed by garlic and dried red chilli and fry until the garlic turns light brown.Simply turn off the flame and add some curry leaves.
10.Transfer the prepared seasoning to the moong dal.
11.Squeeze lemon juice
12. Garnish with coriander leaves.
Serve your delicious moong dal with rice or roti for everyday comforting meal.
THE BEST MOONG DAL TADKA RECIPE
- 1/2 Cup Moong dal
- 2 Cup Water
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 Tomato diced into quarters
- 1 -2 green chillies
- 2 tbsp Coriander leaves
- 1 tsp Lemon juice optional
- For Tadka
- 2 tsp Ghee / Oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/2 tsp fennel seeds optional
- 5 cloves garlic sliced
- 1 Dried Red Chilli
- 5 - 6 curry leaves
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Dry roast the Moong Dal in a heated pan until you could feel the aroma coming up. Allow it cool. This step is completely optional.
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Wash the dal at least 4-5 times in water until clear.
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Add moong dal, water, turmeric powder, salt, diced green chillies to the pressure cooker and pressure cook until dal is cooked well.
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Once the dal is cooked, simply whisk it through for a smooth consistency.
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Add 1/4 -1/2 Cup water if the dal is too thick. Otherwise you can leave it out.
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Heat 2 tsp of oil/ ghee in another pan, now add cumin seeds & mustard seeds. Allow them to splutter.
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Add asafoetida .
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Add garlic and dried red chilli and fry until the garlic is light brown . Turn off the flame and add the curry leaves.
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Transfer the prepared tempering to the dal.
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Garnish with coriander leaves and add a squeeze of lemon juice.
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Serve your moong dal tadka with roti / rice for everyday Indian meal.
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