Dal Tadka Recipe 🍲

Dal Tadka is a popular Indian lentil dish made with cooked dal and flavorful tempering of garlic, onions, tomatoes, and spices.

Ingredients

For Dal

1 cup toor dal (arhar dal)

3 cups water

1/2 tsp turmeric

Salt to taste

For Tadka

2 tbsp ghee or oil

1 tsp cumin seeds

4–5 garlic cloves (chopped)

1 onion (finely chopped)

1 tomato (chopped)

2 green chilies

1 tsp red chili powder

1/2 tsp garam masala

Fresh coriander leaves

Method

Wash and pressure cook dal with water, turmeric, and salt for 3–4 whistles.

Mash the cooked dal lightly.

Heat ghee in a pan.

Add cumin seeds and garlic; sauté until golden.

Add onions and cook until light brown.

Add tomatoes and green chilies; cook until soft.

Mix red chili powder and garam masala.

Pour this tadka over the cooked dal and simmer for 5 minutes.

Garnish with coriander leaves.

Serving Suggestions

Serve hot with rice, jeera rice, or roti.

Add a spoon of butter for restaurant-style taste.

Tips

Use ghee for richer flavor.

You can mix moong dal with toor dal for a softer texture.

Add smoked charcoal flavor for dhaba-style dal tadka.