Dal Tadka is a North Indian dal (lentil) recipe made from Toor Dal & gets its distinct taste from a flavorful & aromatic tempering of ghee, cumin seeds, heeng (asafoetida) & red chillies.

Even though it is the most common dish in Indian cuisine, it enjoys an iconic place due to its distinct taste and aroma. Dal tadka is also a favorite and most demanded food at Indian restaurants and dhabas.

Dal tadka can be prepared using toor dal cooked in a spicy onion tomato masala. You can also use a mix of different dals and most commonly used ones are toor dal (split pigeon peas), chana dal (split chickpeas), moong dal (yellow lentil) or masoor dal (red split lentil).

The tempering for this dish is prepared in desi ghee (clarified butter) which gives it an amazing flavor. However, you can also use vegetable oil to prepare the tempering.

Seasoning it with a variety of spices like jeera (cumin seeds), garlic and ginger and topping with fresh coriander leaves makes this dish aromatic and delicious. A dash of heeng (asafoetida) further enhances its taste and aroma.

Dal tadka tastes best when served hot and goes well with hot pulkas, chapati, naan etc. It also makes a fantastic combination when eaten along with hot steamed rice or jeera rice

To make Dal Tadka at home follow the detailed step by step recipe with photos posted below.

See more related recipes like:

• Dal Fry
• Dal Makhani
• Dal Palak
• Moong Dal
• Sabut Masoor Dal
• Panchmel Dal
• Lauki Chana Dal

Dal Tadka Recipe | Punjabi Yellow Dal with Tadka

Dal Tadka is a North Indian recipe made from Toor Dal & gets its distinct taste from a flavorful & aromatic tempering of Ghee, Cumin Seeds, Heeng & Red Chillies.

4.74 from 120 votes

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Recipe Info

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings 4

Category Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Nutrition

Calories: 185kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g

Ingredients For Dal Tadka Recipe | Punjabi Yellow Dal with Tadka

 

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For the Dal

• ▢ 1 Cup Toor Dal (Arhar Dal / Split Pigeon Peas)
• ▢ 1 Medium Sized Onion
• ▢ 2 Medium Sized Tomatoes
• ▢ 1-2 Green Chillies
• ▢ 1 Inch Piece of Ginger
• ▢ 1 Teaspoon Rai (Black Mustard Seeds)
• ▢ 1 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder (Haldi)
• ▢ 1/2 Teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
• ▢ 1 Teaspoon Salt
• ▢ 1/2 Teaspoon Garam Masala
• ▢ 1.5 Tablespoons Oil or Ghee
• ▢ 1/4 Cup Coriander Leaves (Cilantro or Dhaniya)

For the Tempering

• ▢ 1 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds (Jeera)
• ▢ 5-6 Garlic Cloves
• ▢ 2 Whole Dried Red Chillies
• ▢ 1/4 Teaspoon Heeng (Asafoetida)
• ▢ 1/2 Teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
• ▢ 2 Teaspoons Oil or Ghee

Step By Step Instructions for Dal Tadka Recipe | Punjabi Yellow Dal with Tadka

 

1. Wash the toor dal 3-4 times and soak them in warm water for 15-20 minutes.
   1 Cup Toor Dal (Arhar Dal / Split Pigeon Peas)
   
2. Drain the water and add the dal to a pressure cooker. Also add 3 cups of water.
   
3. Add salt and turmeric powder to the dal and stir to mix. Close the lid of the pressure cooker and cook till you get 1 whistle. Then let the steam come out before opening the cooker.
   1 Teaspoon Salt, 1 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder (Haldi)
   
4. Add some ghee in a pan. You can also use vegetable oil or butter instead of ghee.
   1.5 Tablespoons Oil or Ghee
   
5. Add black mustard seeds (rai) when the ghee becomes hot. Fry till the rai starts to splutter.
   1 Teaspoon Rai (Black Mustard Seeds)
   
6. Add chopped onions to the pan along with finely chopped ginger and green chillies.
   1 Medium Sized Onion, 1 Inch Piece of Ginger, 1-2 Green Chillies
   
7. Fry till the onions turn golden brown and start leaving fat.
   
8. Now add pureed or chopped tomatoes. Fry till the tomatoes are cooked.
   2 Medium Sized Tomatoes
   
9. Add red chilli powder and garam masala to the gravy.
   1/2 Teaspoon Red Chilli Powder, 1/2 Teaspoon Garam Masala
   
10. Cook for 2 minutes or the the gravy is nicely roasted.
    
11. Add the cooked dal to the prepared onion tomato masala, and mix well.
    
12. Also add some chopped coriander leaves on the top.
    1/4 Cup Coriander Leaves (Cilantro or Dhaniya)
    
13. To prepare the tempering, heat 2 teaspoons of ghee in a small pan.
    2 Teaspoons Oil or Ghee
    
14. Then add cumin seeds and fry till they start to splutter. Add a pinch of asafoetida (heeng).
    1 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds (Jeera), 1/4 Teaspoon Heeng (Asafoetida)
    
15. Add minced garlic cloves to the ghee and fry till they turn light brown.
    5-6 Garlic Cloves
    
16. Also fry dried red chillies. Finally add a little bit of red chilli powder to give color to the tempering.
    2 Whole Dried Red Chillies, 1/2 Teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
    
17. Pour the tempering on top of the dal. Mix everything together before serving. This dal tastes best when served hot along with some mild flavored rice. It can also be served in the side of any Indian bread and dry vegetable dish.
    

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