This restaurant-style dal makhani comes together in about 1 hour and delivers all the creamy richness you expect from the classic North Indian dish. Whole urad dal and rajma are cooked until tender, then simmered in a spiced tomato-onion base and finished with butter and cream. Perfect for serving with naan or jeera rice at festive gatherings or weeknight dinners.
Drain the soaked urad dal and rajma. Rinse them well in fresh water and drain the water. Add to the Instant Pot with 4 cups of water and ½ teaspoon of salt.
Cook for 30-35 minutes (high pressure). Let pressure release naturally (~15 minutes). Lentils should be soft and mashable.
While dal cooks, heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and bay leaf. Let them bloom for a few seconds.
Add the onion and saute until golden, about 10 minutes. Add ginger-garlic paste and green chili. Cook for 2 more minutes.
Stir in crushed tomatoes, coriander, cumin, turmeric, chili powder, and garam masala. Cook until thick and the oil begins to separate. This should take about 15 minutes.
Add cooked dal and rajma to the masala along with ½ cup water. Lightly mash some lentils for creaminess. Simmer on low for 10-12 minutes, stirring often. Add more water if needed to adjust the consistency.
Reduce the heat, stir in cream, and adjust the seasoning. Crush kasoori methi between your palms and add it.
Garnish with cream swirl and fresh cilantro. Serve hot with jeera rice or naan.
Notes
Always soak urad dal and rajma overnight for the best texture and reduced cook time.
Kashmiri chili powder is mild and used mainly for its vibrant color. It can be substituted with mild paprika if needed.
Lightly mashing some of the lentils makes the dal naturally creamier.
For extra richness, add a small knob of butter just before serving.