IndianMain course

Dal fry

Name: Dal fry
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 38 min
Total time: 38 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1 cup Toor dal; 2-1 Water; 1 tsp Salt; 1/4 tsp Turmeric; 3 tbsp Ghee; 1 cup Chopped tomatoes; 1/2 tsp Cumin seeds; 1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds; 2 Bay Leaf; 1 tbsp Green Chilli; 2 tsp Ginger; 2 tbsp Cilantro; 1/2 tsp Red Pepper; 1/2 tsp Salt; 1 tsp Sugar; 1/4 tsp Garam Masala

This dal fry starts with toor dal, soaked and then simmered until it's soft and thick, almost like a soup. The key to its character is the tempering, or tarka, built from ghee, whole spices, and aromatics like ginger and green chili. Tomatoes are cooked down into that fragrant base before the whole mixture is stirred into the cooked lentils. A final touch of cilantro and garam masala brightens everything up. Serve it warm with naan.

Recipes.zone

August 14, 2026

Back

7 steps · 38 min total

Soak the Dal

Wash the toor dal thoroughly, then transfer it to a bowl and cover with about 3 cups of water. Let it soak for at least 1 hour; the dal will visibly swell and nearly double in volume. Once soaked, drain the water completely.

Cook the Dal

Combine the soaked dal with 2-1/2 cups water, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp turmeric in a pot. Bring it to a simmer over medium-high heat.

Cook for approximately 30 minutes, or until the dal is very soft and breaks down easily, resembling a thick soup. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Prepare the Tempering

In a separate frying pan, heat 3 tbsp ghee over medium heat. Once shimmering, add 1/2 tsp cumin seeds and 1/2 tsp mustard seeds. Cook until the mustard seeds begin to crackle and pop.

Immediately add the 2 bay leaves, 1 tbsp green chili, 2 tsp ginger, and 1/2 tsp red pepper. Stir this aromatic mixture for just a few seconds, until fragrant.

Cook the Tomatoes

Add the 1 cup chopped tomatoes, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp sugar to the pan. Stir well and continue to cook, breaking down the tomatoes with your spoon, until they are tender and mushy, forming a thick sauce.

Finish the Tempering

Stir in 2 tbsp cilantro and 1/4 tsp garam masala. Cook for about 1 minute more, allowing the flavors to meld.

Combine and Simmer

Pour the prepared tempering mixture directly into the cooked dal. Stir everything together thoroughly and let it simmer for another 1 minute to allow the flavors to combine.

Serve

Serve the dal fry warm, alongside naan.

Dal fry