How to Make Dal Fry | Easy Indian Dal Recipe

 

Dal Fry is one of the most popular and comforting Indian dishes made with lentils, spices, and ghee. It is flavorful, aromatic, and pairs perfectly with rice, roti, or naan.

In this recipe, you will learn how to make delicious, restaurant-style Dal Fry easily at home with simple ingredients and step-by-step instructions.

Ingredients

For Cooking Dal:

• Toor Dal (Arhar Dal) – 1 cup
• Water – 2.5 cups
• Turmeric – ½ tsp
• Salt – as needed

For Tempering (Tadka):

• Ghee – 2 tbsp (oil works too)
• Cumin Seeds – 1 tsp
• Dry Red Chili – 1
• Green Chili – 1 (chopped)
• Ginger-Garlic Paste – 1 tsp
• Onion – 1 small (finely chopped)
• Tomato – 1 medium (chopped)
• Red Chili Powder – ½ tsp
• Coriander Powder – ½ tsp
• Turmeric Powder – ¼ tsp
• Garam Masala – ½ tsp
• Kasuri Methi – 1 pinch
• Fresh Coriander – for garnishing  

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How to Make Dal Fry (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Cook the Dal

1.     Wash the dal thoroughly.

2.     Add dal, water, turmeric, and salt to a pressure cooker.

3.     Cook for 3–4 whistles.

4.     Lightly mash the dal for a smooth consistency.

Step 2: Prepare the Tadka (Tempering)

1.     Heat ghee in a pan.

2.     Add cumin, dry red chili, and green chili.

3.     Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a few seconds.

4.     Add chopped onions and cook until golden brown.

5.     Add tomatoes and cook until soft.

6.     Add spices – red chili powder, turmeric, coriander powder, and garam masala.

Step 3: Mix Dal with Tadka

1.     Pour the cooked dal into the pan.

2.     Mix well and cook on low flame for 3–4 minutes.

3.     Add kasuri methi and fresh coriander leaves.

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outh Indian Cabbage Curry | Cabbage Poriyal with Coconut | Easy & Healthy Vegetarian Recipe

Serving Suggestions

Serve Dal Fry hot with:

• Steamed Rice
• Jeera Rice
• Roti / Chapati
• Butter Naan

Pro Tips

• Ghee enhances the flavor of Dal Fry—use it for best results.
• Add a few drops of lemon juice for extra freshness.
• A small cube of butter can make the dal richer.

Conclusion

Dal Fry is an easy, flavorful, and classic Indian dish loved by everyone. With this simple recipe, you can make a restaurant-style dal at home anytime.

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Some images in this blog post are AI-generated and used only for illustrative purposes. The final dish may look slightly different in real life.