Instant Pot Dal Makhani or Kali dal is made with Whole Urad Dal,Rajma and Channa Dal in instant pot or pressure cooker methods.This authentic dal makhani recipe is Vegetarian, Gluten Free & can easily made dairy free.
Who here loves punjabi dal makhni ? I certainly do! It takes patience and love to turn a few cups of dried lentils into creamy goodness of Dal Makhani but it's so worth the effort.
Dal Makhani apart from the famous instant pot butter chicken are the most sought after punjabi recipes!
You don't need buckets of butter or cream to make authentic dal makhani in instant pot.In my opinion, you don't need cream at all except maybe some on special occasions.Though I do put a nice dollop of butter in it but in the large scheme of things it doesn't add too many calories.
You can avoid butter too if you want your dal to be vegan and dairy free.
Traditionally the dal is made on stove top, simmered for hours together but we neither have the time or equipment for such a feat.We will make this creamy dream kali dal in 1 hour 20 minutes.
My son loves it.It's possibly the only way he will eat rice!
Restaurant Style Dal Makhani Recipe
Ingredients used to make dal makhni
The ingredients used in my Restaurant Style Dal Makhani Recipe are pretty simple and very easily found in indian grocery stores.
- Black Whole Urad Dal
- Small Red Rajma or kidney beans
- Channa Dal
- Onions
- Tomato
- Whole Spices - Cumin and Coriander Seeds
- Oil
- Butter
- Cream
- Aromatics- Ginger,Garlic & Green Chilli
How to make Instant Pot Dal Makhani
Step 1 - Soak the dal, kidney beans and channa dal in water for 6-8 hours or overnight.
Step 2- Make the Indian Bhuna Masala or the base sauce in the instant pot in SAUTE mode.This step is important and will add maximum flavour.If you prefer, make this on the stove top.
to make in instant pot - Heat the instant pot in SAUTE mode, add oil.Once it's hot, add cumin.This helps in releasing the cumin flavour.Add onions,Ginger Garlic and saute till golden brown.
Add all the powdered spices- Chilli powder,Coriander powder
Add Pureed Tomatoes and cook till reduced a bit.About 3-4 more minutes.
Step 3- Add all the Lentils- Black dal, kidney beans and channa dal along with salt and 3 times the water.Pressure cook on HIGH for 35 minutes.You are looking to make mushy dal, not el dente. It should be melt in your mouth texture.
Step 4- Add the rest of the butter and drizle with cream. Serve with rice or rotis.
Step 5- Mash the dal ,Add butter and mix. Garnish with cream and serve along with rotis or rice.
Pro Tips and Tricks
- If you have forgotten to soak the dal overnight, soak it in very hot water for 1-2 hours.This will give you similar results as soaking overnight.
- Cook the onion tomato masala well on slow heat, till most water evaporates and it becomes a paste.
- Mash the dal to get the creamy consistency.
- To make it healthy- only garnish the dal with butter and cream instead of mixing it up.
Here are some Instant Pot Dal recipes for you
Instant Pot Langarwali Dal
Instant Pot Dal Khichdi
Instant Pot Channa
Instant Pot Spinach Dal
Instant Pot Dal Palak
Instant Pot Hyderabadi Khatti Dal
Equipment Needed
Ingredients
Lentils
- 1 Cup Black Whole Dal Black Urad Dal/Madras Dal
- ¼ Cup Kidney Beans /Rajma
- 2 tablespoon Channa Dal
- 1 tablespoon Oil
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 Cup Onion chopped up
- 3 medium Tomatoes pureed- about 1.5 cups
- 1 Green Chilli slit
- 1 tablespoon Ginger
- 1 tablespoon Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Butter add more for enhanced butter taste
- Salt to taste
Spices
- 1 tablespoon Coriander Powder
- 1 teaspoon Red Chilli powder adjust as per your need
Garnish(Optional)
- 2 tablespoon Cream Skip this for healthier version
Instructions
- Wash and Soak the dals together overnight.
The Slow Way
- Add 3 cups of water,Soaked dals along with 1 teaspoon of salt in the instant pot.
- Pressure Cook for 35 minutes.
- At the end of 35 minute, let the pressure release naturally or wait for 10 minutes before releasing the pressure
- Use a masher or a large spoon to mash the dal.
- Meanwhile, add oil/ butter in a pan.Once hot, add cumin and let it splutter.
- Add grated or slivered Ginger and chopped onions saute till the onions are pink and translucent.
- Add the chilli powder. Saute for 20-30 seconds till the chili has released its color.
- Add pureed tomatoes or tomato puree..Add 1-2 tablespoon of water in case the masala is burning or getting dry. Cook for about 10-15 minutes till the oil separates.
- Add this masala to the pressure cooked dals. Add more butter if you wish.
- Select "SLOW COOK" for 3- 6 hours.
- Open every 1-2 hours and check if the dal is sticking to the bottom. Use a mallet to mash some more.
- Add a cube of butter, chopped coriander, slivered ginger and a drizzle of cream.
- Serve hot.
Instant Pot Method
- Heat the instant Pot in SAUTE mode. Add Oil.
- Once hot, Ginger and onions and saute on 3-6 minutes till it's translucent.
- Add the chilli powder. Saute for 20-30 s.
- Give it a mix and add pureed tomatoes or tomato puree. Sauté for additional 5 minutes. Cancel Saute.
- To the inner pot - Add 3 cups of water,Soaked dals* along with 1 teaspoon of salt and half the butter.Select the PRESSURE COOK setting. Pressure cook in SEALED position for 40 minutes.Let the steam release naturally.(if using unsoaked dals, pressure cook for 70 minutes)
- Open the pressure cooker and give it a good mix. Mash some of the dal.
- Add rest of the butter, drizzle cream on top while serving.
Notes
1. Soak the dals in boiling water for 1 hour.
2. Increase the instant pot cooking time to 1 hour 15 minutes.
Nutrition
FAQs for making Dal Makhani in Instant Pot
How to make Dal Makhani Vegan/Dairy Free
To make Dal Makhani Vegan/Dairy Free- use oil instead of butter.Skip the dairy cream and add cashew cream instead.
How to make Dal Makhani without soaking the dal overnight
If you have forgotten to soak the rice overnight, soak them in boiling water for 1 hour before pressure cooking them.
What to serve Dal Makhani With?
Serve Dal Makhani with Jeera rice or naans.
Whats the texture of Dal Makhani
Dal Makhani should be super smooth.You should not be able to feel the lentils at all.They should have melted in the pot.
Can this recipe be doubled
Yes, absolutely.For Instant pot cooking- keep the cooking time same and make sure you do not over fill the inner pot.
Can this recipe be halved
Absolutely.For Instant pot cooking- keep the cooking time same and make sure you do not over fill the inner pot.
Can Dal Makhani be frozen
Yes.It freezes very well.In deep freezer for 3 months.
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