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dal fry | Punjabi dal fry | dhaba style dal fry | Indian dal curry soup |

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Tarla Dalal

 16 January, 2025

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About Dal Fry down arrow
Ingredients down arrow
Methods down arrow
Like dal fry down arrow
How to make Dal Fry down arrow
Tempering dal fry down arrow
Nutrient values down arrow

dal fry | Punjabi dal fry | dhaba style dal fry | Indian dal curry soup | with amazing 26 images.

dal fry recipe is a popular Punjabi dal fry. A mixture of moong and masoor dal cooked to perfection in dhaba style dal fry and perked up with an aromatic tempering along with fried onions and tomatoes. This dal fry has a very pleasing texture and irresistible flavour too.

From roadside dhabhas to global Indian restaurants, almost all diners serve this all-time favourite dhaba style dal fry.

A thoughtful combination of everyday ingredients come together in the form of a tadka to give this dal frydal fry a thoroughly enjoyable flavour that lingers on the palate for a long time. dal fry with masoor dal is made with the most basic ingredients yet the outcome is beautiful.

Generally, authentic dal fry is made with made with toor dal and chana dal but here we have slightly twisted the recipe by making dal fry with masoor dal and toor dal. This is our version of it.

The aroma tingles your nostrils, while the flavour teases your taste buds – so enticing is this dal frydal fry that it is hard to believe that it is simple, everyday fare made with the commonest ingredients!

The addition of nigella seeds to the tempering is a special touch, which leaves a lingering flavour of dal fry on your taste buds even after you finish your meal.

You can serve the dal fry with rotis, parathas, naans, plain steamed rice or jeera rice. It is simple and easy to cook, but gives irresistible results, so do give it a try!

Learn to make dal fry | Punjabi dal fry | dhaba style dal fry | Indian dal curry soup | with detailed step by step recipe photos and video below.

Dal Fry recipe - How to make Dal Fry

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Preparation Time

10 Mins

Cooking Time

22 Mins

Total Time

32 Mins

Makes

4 servings

Ingredients

For Dal Fry

For The Garnish

Method

For dal fry
 

  1. To make dal fry, combine the dals, 2½ cups of water, turmeric powder, green chillies, ginger, garlic and salt in a pressure cooker, mix well and pressure cook for 2 whistles.
  2. Allow the steam to escape before opening the lid and keep aside.
  3. Heat the 2 tbsp ghee in a deep non-stick kadhai, add the mustard seeds, nigella seeds and dry kashmiri red chilli and sauté on a medium flame for a few seconds.
  4. Add the onions and sauté on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes or till the onions turn translucent.
  5. Add the tomatoes and ¼ cup of water, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
  6. Add the cooked dal mixture and 1½ cups of water, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 3 to 4 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
  7. Heat the remaining 1 tbsp ghee in a small non-stick pan , add the chilli powder, immediately pour over the dal and mix well.
  8. Serve the dal fry immediately garnished with coriander.

dal fry | Punjabi dal fry | dhaba style dal fry | Video by Tarla Dalal

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Dal Fry recipe with step by step photos

Like dal fry

 

    1. If you like dal fry | Punjabi dal fry | dhaba style dal fry | given below is the list to similar recipes :
How to make Dal Fry

 

    1. For the dal fry recipe, clean and wash yellow moong dal and masoor dal. You can use any dal you cook on regular basis to prepare basic dal fry or a combination of dals like toor dal, moong dal, chana dal, and masoor dal to make dal fry recipe more rich in protein. 
    2. Add enough water and soak both the dals in water for 2 hours. Ensure you cover it with a lid while soaking.
    3. After 2 hours, drain them completely with the help of a strainer.
    4. Add the soaked and drained dals in a pressure cooker.  You can cook the dals directly on the stovetop in a pan but it will take around 45-60 minutes to cook completely.
    5. Pour 2½ cups of fresh water.
    6. Add turmeric powder. dal fry | Punjabi dal fry | dhaba style dal fry | is not heavily spiced or seasoned as it will totally change the flavor. Apart from the regular spices, we won’t be using anything in this recipe.
    7. Add green chillies and ginger. Adjust the quantity as per the spice level you can handle.
    8. Add garlic and salt. If you are Jain, skip adding the lehsun.
    9. Mix well and pressure cook for 2 whistles or until the dals are very well cooked. The key for smooth dal fry is to cook the dals very well. Allow the steam to escape before opening the lid and keep aside.
    10. Stir the dal once, using a wire whisk or ladle mash the dal further so it’s almost smooth and no lumps remain. 
Tempering dal fry

 

    1. To temper, dal fry recipe, heat the ghee in a deep non-stick kadhai. Ghee imparts an aroma and rich flavor to dal fry however vegans can use oil. 
    2. Once the ghee melts, add the mustard seeds.
    3. Add nigella seeds. We are not using cumin seeds but nigella to give a strong aroma and warm, toasted-onion flavor to the dal fry.
    4. Add dry Kashmiri red chilli.
    5. Mix well and sauté on a medium flame for a few seconds.
    6. Add the onions.
    7. Sauté on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes or till the onions turn translucent.
    8. Add the tomatoes.
    9. Add ¼ cup of water.
    10. Mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes, while stirring occasionally or until the tomatoes are soft and mushy.
    11. Add the cooked dal mixture.
    12. Add 1 1/2 cup of water. The consistency of dal fry is very important. It should not be either thin or thick, just runny enough to mix easily with rice. You can also add a pinch of garam masala powder or coriander-cumin seeds powder to uplift the flavors of dal fry.
    13. Mix well and cook on a medium flame for 3 to 4 minutes, while stirring occasionally so that the flavors develop. Our restaurant-style dal fry is ready.
    14. Garnish dal fry with coriander. To make Dhaba style dal fry, add a dhungar at the end. It will give a nice smoky flavor to the dal fry. For adding smoke flavor to the dal fry, heat a piece of coal until red. Keep a bowl in the centre of the dal and keep this hot coal piece in the bowl. Drizzle a tsp of ghee over the coal and immediately close the lid of the pan. Let the smoke soak in the dal for 3-4 minutes. Then remove the bowl and give the dal a gentle mix. 
    15. Serve dal fry immediately with steamed rice, peas pulao or jeera rice. You can even serve dal fry | Punjabi dal fry | dhaba style dal fry | along with sabzi roti and salad to make a complete meal. 
Nutrient values (Abbrv)per plate
Nutrient values (Abbrv) per serving
Energy245 cal
Protein13.1 g
Carbohydrates32.6 g
Fiber5.4 g
Fat7 g
Cholesterol0 mg
Sodium8.8 mg

Click here to view Calories for Dal Fry

The Nutrient info is complete

Your Rating*

user
shivani

March 13, 2025, midnight

I always like dal fry. My son eats rice only when i prepare dal fry. This recipe is yummm.. i use toor dal and muug dal. Is it ok?

5 
user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

Hi Shivani, yes it fine to use both the dals..

user
Dipti

March 13, 2025, midnight

I am very happy with all your recipes .they are awesome. I wanted to know if I want to make 15 servings of dal fry how much quantity will I need ? Thank you

5 
user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

Hi Dipti, We have a quantity conversion option on our recipe page. Below the Soaking time: 2 hours Preparation Time: 10 mins Cooking Time: 22 mins Total Time: 2 hours 32 minutes Makes 4 servings (4 serving), check for, Showing ingredients for ___ servings.

user
Colleen Chatterton

March 13, 2025, midnight

I googled the internet to find a simple recipe for dal. This came up. I tried it today with good success. I''m just home from traveling and did not have all the spices, but I went ahead with what I had, and even so, it came out quite delicious. Thanks so much for posting this recipe which is simple to do and quite delicious.

5 
user
Bindi shah

March 13, 2025, midnight

awesome recipe tarlaji.... everyone loved it

5 
user
Manali Gawad

March 13, 2025, midnight

Very tasty

5 
user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

Thanks for the feedback !!! keep reviewing recipes and articles you loved.

user
Shimoli Shah

March 13, 2025, midnight

The recipe is superb.. But lots of advertisement r popping up, so can''t read & follow the recipe properly. Do the needful steps.

5 
user
Good

March 13, 2025, midnight

Nice recipe

5 
user
Foodie #661453

March 13, 2025, midnight

yummmm...I just love it

5 
user
saida

March 13, 2025, midnight

I thought it''s tough dish but it''s so simple. My kids nd hubby like very much. Thanks for easy dishes like this...

5 
user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

Hi Saida, Thank you for your kind words. Do try more and more recipes and let us know how you enjoyed them. Happy Cooking !!

user
Suvarna

March 13, 2025, midnight

5 
user
sushmita

March 13, 2025, midnight

Hi.. I tried this recipe today and it came very well. Everyone in my family liked it. Simple but easy dish. Can v try this same recipe with toor dal?

5 
user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

Hi Sushmita, We are very happy to know you have loved the recipe./ Do try more and more recipes and let us know how you enjoyed them. Happy Cooking !!

user
Anagha

March 13, 2025, midnight

Simple and testy receipe, my family loved it. I add little red chilli powder as we prefer spicy food. Thank you so much. I always look for your recepies S they are authenticated and simple too

5 
user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

Anagha, thanks for your kind words. Glad you liked the dal fry. Keep reviewing the recipes you have loved.

user
Sandhya Kaura

March 13, 2025, midnight

I never liked split masoor dal earlier; but I loved this recipe; especially the flavor of nigella seeds. Even my husband and son enjoyed it!

4 
user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

Hi Sandhya , we are delighted you and your husband loved the Dal Fry recipe. Please keep posting your thoughts and feedback. Happy Cooking.

user
asmita

March 13, 2025, midnight

5 
user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

Hi Asmita , we are delighted you loved the Dal Fry recipe. Please keep posting your thoughts and feedback. Happy Cooking.

user
Anandita P

March 13, 2025, midnight

Hi Tarladalal! ?? I''m new to cooking... Tried a few recipes of yours and loved them all... I''ll be getting married in a few days... Suggest the best recipes ever so that I can impress my in-laws... I would be very grateful to you!

5 
user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

Hi Anandita, we are delighted you loved recipe. Please keep posting your thoughts and feedback. We would not have anything specific, you can search recipes our website, and try them. Hope you can make them happy. Happy Cooking.

user
Chandan Shrivastava

March 13, 2025, midnight

hello, Sorry to point out that but read your article and correct the spelling. Check `Also lots of onion.`

5 
user
Ranjita Singhdeo

March 13, 2025, midnight

Really tasty & healthy dal I have done it for dinner & my hubby just loved it.Thanks for the receipe.

5 
user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

Hi Ranjita , we are delighted you and your husband loved the Dal Fry recipe. Please keep posting your thoughts and feedback. Happy Cooking.

user
Ravi Rathod

March 13, 2025, midnight

Helpful

5 
user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

Hi Ravi , we are delighted you loved the Dal Fry recipe. Please keep posting your thoughts and feedback. Happy Cooking.

user
Kully

March 13, 2025, midnight

I am new to cooking. What should I do if I do not have a pressure cooker? Is it possible to put the mixture into a pot & just leave to cook for a longer period of time? If so, any advice - temperature, length of time etc. Thanks

5 
user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

Hi Kully, Pressure cooker will be easy to buy as you can use it to make a lot of recipes, till you buy it take enough water in a deep pan, cover and cook the dal in it with all ingredients till soft and continue the recipe

user
Healthy Eating

March 13, 2025, midnight

Really tasty Dal and becomes healthy when you cut the ghee quantity down. I love the mouth feel of the pressure cooked dal and this is a classic North Indian dal.

5 
user
Foodie #650295

March 13, 2025, midnight

My favorite dal recipe so far. It''s amazing how few simple ingredients can make an amazing dish. This dal is so comforting like eating mom''s cooking when you''re sick. Next time I''ll have to make double because my family gobbled it all up! Thank you Ms. Tarla for a wonderful recipe.

5 
user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

Hi Foodie , we are delighted you loved the Dal Fry recipe and thank you for your kind words that inspire the Tarla Dalal team. Please keep posting your thoughts and feedback and review recipes you have loved. Happy Cooking.

user
Chandan Ankur Karani

March 13, 2025, midnight

5 
user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

Chandan, your valuable comments will help thousands of food lovers to try the recipe based on your review. Thanks.

user
Sheetal Shah

March 13, 2025, midnight

Good to know why dal fry is healthy. Also thanks for the suggestion for what to have with dal fry.

5 
user
julian Pinto

March 13, 2025, midnight

what is Nigella seeds (kalongi) . please post picture to my mailbox . Also is it available anywhere in India

5 
user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

Available all over India. All you had to do is click on the ingredient and it will lead you to the explanation. https://www.tarladalal.com/glossary-nigella-seeds-552i

user
Shreesha

March 13, 2025, midnight

What size is one serving? How many grams or cups is one serving of dal fry?

5 
user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

We estimate what a person eats and then determine how many servings the recipe makes. What is important are all the health facts.

user
Lakey

March 13, 2025, midnight

Hello, Very informative article. You mentioned 245 calories per serving, can you elaborate on the serving size? How many grams is a serving? A cup, or small cup or big cup? please specify the amount in grams to avoid confusion. I just want to know the serving size. Thanks & Regards

5 
user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

We don?t weigh the weight of the food we cook. We estimate the amount a serving size is. The key to take from the analysis of a recipe is if it''s healthy and fits into your lifestyle. When in doubt, eat less of that recipe.

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Moksha Prashant Vyas

March 13, 2025, midnight

So bad _x0001F624__x0001F612__x0001F623__x0001F44E__x0001F98D_

5 
user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

Hi Moksha, Thank you for your feedback. Could you please elaborate what you did not like about this recipe.

user
Foodie #677930

March 13, 2025, midnight

4 
user
Laya

March 13, 2025, midnight

Thank u so much for this wonderful recipe. My husband was craving for some Gud DAL fry since some days.. He wanted something similar to wat his mom used to make for him as a kid. N I made this as I knew ur recipes wudnt go wrong. N he loved it. N said it''s exact replica of wat his mom used to make for him. Will come bk to try more. Thanks again.

5 
user
Tarla Dalal

March 13, 2025, midnight

Hi Lava, We are delighted you loved the recipe. Please keep posting your thoughts and feedback and review recipes you have loved. Happy Cooking.

user

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