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Dal makhani served in a white bowl with rice in the background.

Dal Makhani

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.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Servings: 6
Author: Shilpa

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 231kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 106mg | Potassium: 254mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 440IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 4mg
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