Punjabi Dhaba Daal Instant Pot Recipe - Creamy, Rich and Yummy (2024)

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You are going to love this Punjabi Dhaba Daal Instant Pot Recipe if you like Costco Madras Lentils. It is finger licking delish and every bite is worth devouring. Creamy and Decadent and what not. It tastes best with Tandoori Roti in my opinion. But goes very well with Rice and Naan too.

I have included Stove Traditional Pressure Cooker Instrcutions + a Small Video for everyone’s benefit.

Punjabi Dhaba Daal Instant Pot Recipe - Creamy, Rich and Yummy (1)

Creamy and Delicious Punjabi Dhaba Daal Instant Pot Recipe

Punjab is an agriculturally rich state of India. The diet of Punjabis (people of Punjab) relies heavily on beans and dry legumes.

Punjab grows a variety of dry beans and legumes which includes – Red Kidney Beans, Split Gram (chana Daal), Whole Black Gram Lentils (sabuturad), Black Lentils (Masoor), Black Eye Beans (Lobiya/Rongi) and many more. Wheat is another large crop from Punjab.

If you are wondering why I am giving an Agriculture lecture on Punjab, then I must tell you that I have a small part of my heritage from Punjab. My Nana Nani (maternal grandparents) grew up in Punjab and lived there till they had to move to Delhi at the time of India-Pakistan Partition in 1947.

As a part of that heritage, my mum introduced and fed us with a variety of beans and legumes. I love my beans and legumes. Since I am a vegetarian, this food group makes a good part of my PROTEIN REQUIREMENT. I try and include as many beans and legumes in my family’s diet as possible.

You must include Beans & Legumes in your Diet on regular basis.

  • These are perfect source of VEGETARIAN PROTEIN and Environmentally Friendly as well.
  • Beans & Legumes are a rich source of FIBER.
  • They are good source of Vitamin B.
  • Rich source of Minerals.
  • Help combat Blood Sugar levels and cholesterol levels.
  • Promote Heart & Gut Health.
Punjabi Dhaba Daal Instant Pot Recipe - Creamy, Rich and Yummy (2)

What is Punjabi Dhaba Daal?

To understand that, let me tell you what is DHABA.

Dhaba is an Indian Diner. A small Mom & Pop kinda “Eat in” restauranton the roadside. It probably doesn’t have much of ambiance per say but the FOOD IS FINGER LICKING DELISH.Just like every dinerhas its own menu and recipe, similarly, every Dhaba has its own recipes and style of cooking. It may vary from region to region.

Food is cooked in the simplest of cookware on top of mud ovens. And it is cooked for long hours on simmer. Sometimes, earthen pots are used to cook.

Especially, the dhaba of Punjab are known for their daals. Masoor, Sabut Urad, Chana, Rajma, and Chhole are used heavily in the diet.

Punjabi Dhaba Daal is a mix of daals cooked together for long hours and with the simplest of ingredients. Mostly Chana dal (split bengal gram), Sabut Urad (Whole Black Gram Lentils), and Rajma (Red Kidney Beans).

Why should you make Punjabi Dhaba Daal in Instant Pot?

OMG, you should totally make Punjabi Dhaba Daal in Instant Pot. The top reasons are –

  • It gives the creamiest texture of dhaba daal in Instant Pot in much less time. No long hours of cooking any more. A good recipe and good timing is all you need to make this delicious creamy daal in IP.
  • It is better than that MADRAS LENTILS from COSTCO that you are addicted to.
  • Making Dhaba Daal or any kind of beans and legumes in Instant Pot is completely aMESS FREEprocess.
  • Cooking in Instant Pot is aHANDS-FREEprocess hence making itEFFORTLESS & CONVENIENT.NO Attending to it at all once you put on the settings.
  • It is so safe to use that even your teenager can cook without the fear of getting burnt. Instant Pot isCOMPLETELY SAFE. It is a great gadget to get your older kids to cooking. Easy Peasy & Lemon Squeazy.
  • It is the mostEFFICIENTform of cooking I have come across. And this is coming from a IP hater convert to IP lover. So, yes you can totally believe me.

IF YOU TRY IT, THEN DO GIVE A SHOUT OUT ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA –FACEBOOK,INSTAGRAM,PINTEREST, ANDTWITTER.

Can Dhaba Daal be VEGAN and GLUTENFREE?

Traditionally Indian Daals are cooked in Ghee or a Ghee Tempering is added towards the end. But you can adapt this recipe to make it Vegan Daal by swapping the Ghee with Vegetable Oil or Olive Oil or oil of your choice.

All the Indian Daals are stew consistency and are naturallyGluten-free,unless there is a recipe that calls for wheat or gluten addition. That is highly unlikely. At least I have not come across any such recipe besides a Daal Dhokli where wheat dumplings are added to Split Pigeon Daal.

Different Indian Daal or Dahl (as many spell it) Recipes

Here are some Daal Recipes from Indian Cuisine from simplyvegetarian777

Punjabi Rajma (Red kidney Beans) in IP, Chana Masala (Indian Chickpeas Curry) in IP, Bukhara Daal in IP, Daal Maharani (Mix Daal), Lehsuni Daal (Garlic Daal with Red Lentils), Punjabi Sookhi Urad Daal , Daal Panchratni (Mix of 5 Beans Daal)and many more.

Oh Boy, I didn’t realize that I have so many on the blog and still many more to put there.

Punjabi Dhaba Daal Instant Pot Recipe - Creamy, Rich and Yummy (3)

Some Other VEGETARIAN INSTANT POT RECIPES from the blog

Corn Chowder, Creamy Spinach Pasta, Pav Bhaji, Asian Corn Soup, Red Thai Curry, Punjabi Kadhi, Vegetable Pulao and more.

Madras Lentils Ingredients

We use amazon affiliate links. This doesn’t cost anything extra for you if you chose to purchase the ingredients via our links. We suggest the ingredients based on our personal favorites.

Whole Urad Dal

Red kidney Beans

Chana Dal

Indian Spices

Ghee

Check out the playing SMALL VIDEO of Punjabi Dhaba Daal in Instant Pot for better understanding

This is how to make Punjabi Dhaba Daal Instant Pot Recipe

Punjabi Dhaba Daal Instant Pot Recipe - Creamy, Rich and Yummy (4)

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5 from 4 votes

Punjabi Dhaab Daal Instant Pot Recipe

You are going to love this Punjabi Dhaba Daal Instant Pot Recipe. It is finger licking delish and every bite is worth devouring. Creamy and Decadent and what not. It tastes best with Tandoori Roti in my opinion. But goes very well with Rice and Naan too.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Indian

Keyword costco madras lentils, instant pot beans and lentils, instant pot beans stew, instant pot daal, instant pot dahl, instant pot indian recipes, instant pot punjabi daal, instant pot vegetarian recipes, punjabi dhaba daal

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Author simplyvegetarian777

Ingredients

Daals (Beans & Legumes)

  • 1&1/2 cups Whole Urad (Whole Black Gram Lentils)
  • 1/2 cup Rajma (Red Kidney Beans)
  • 1/2 cup Chana Daal (Split Gram Beans)

Fresh Produce

  • 1 large Onion finely chopped
  • 3 large or 5 small Tomatoes finely chopped
  • 1 large piece Ginger finely chopped
  • 1-2 Green Chillies (skip it if you want mild curry) finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic (optional) finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup Heavy Cream

Oil & Spices

  • 1 tbsp Ghee or Cooking Oil
  • 1 tbsp Butter
  • 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
  • 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
  • 1 tbsp Coriander powder
  • 1/2 tsp Red Chili powder (use less for mild curry)
  • 2&1/2 tsp or to taste Salt
  • 1 tsp Garam Masala

5 cups of WATER

    If you do not want the long list of spices mentioned above, then use 1 tbsp or to taste Curry Spice Mix. I recommend MDH or Shaan spices. Or you may use Daal Spice mix bought from the Indian Store or Amazon.

      Daal Tempering (optional)

      • 1/2 tbsp Ghee or Oil
      • 1 tsp Cumin seeds
      • 1/2 tsp Red chili powder

      Instructions

      WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING.

        Soaking The Beans

        • Take Whole Urad (black lentils grams), Rajma (red kidney beans), Chana Daal (split gram).Wash all the daals and soak them together for atleast 6 hours. If you can soak overnight then better. When ready to cook, drain the daal and set aside.

        SAUTE MODE on INSTANT POT

        • Place the Inner Pot inside the Instant Pot and Plug it in. Press SAUTE MODE and set on HIGH.

        • Once the screen displays HOT, add 1 tbsp ghee or oil. Wait for 2-3 seconds and then add cumin seeds. Once these start sizzling in few seconds, add finely chopped onions, ginger and green chilies to it. Saute for few seconds. Cover with a glass lid and Cook till onions are soft and pink. It will take about 5 minutes. Keep stiring in between to avoid any burning at the bottom. On a side note - I use any glass lid of my large stove top pans.

        • Open the glass lid. Add finely chopped tomatoes and all the spices mentioned above or 1 tbsp of Daal Masala or MDH Daal Makhani Masala. Give it a good stir. Cover again with glass lid and cook. Saute in between. It will take about another 5 minutes for tomatoes to cook well with onions. Take off the lid and give it a good stir. Add all the SOAKED DAALS and 5 cups of WATER. Stir and Mix. CANCEL THE SAUTE MODE.

        MANUAL / PRESSURE COOK MODE

        • Place the lid of the Instant Pot and place the vent to SEALING. Press the MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK Button and set it on MORE/HIGH for 30 minutes.

        • Once the timer goes off and it beeps indicating the cooking is done, let it sit. Follow NPR (natural pressure release). Add 1 tbsp Butter & 1/2 cup Heavy Cream to it. Give it a good stir.Taste test it and adjust salt to your liking.If it is too thick for you then add the desired amount of water and let it simmer on High Saute Mode for about 5-10 minutes. Keep stirring though.

        • The Daal is practically ready. But if you want to enjoy authentic daal, then Tadka or Tempering is a must.

        How to make TEMPERING or TADKA

        • Take a small pan and heat ghee or oil in it. Ghee is the authentic way to do it. My vegan friends or the folks trying for the first time, go with cooking oil. Okay now, After you heat the ghee/oil in a pan, lower the heat to medium and add cumin seeds to it. Once they start crackling, add red chili powder and switch off the heat.

        • Add this hot tempering to the Punjabi Dhaba Daal. For garnish, you may add chopped cilantro/coriander leaves or even fresh mint leaves.

        Serving Suggestion

        • Serve it hot with tandoori roti or naan or rice. It tastes divine. It tastes the best the next day since it absorbs all the flavors so nicely.

        Traditional Pressure Cooker Method for Punjabi Dhaaba Daal

        • You will follow all the instructions as mentioned in SAUTE MODE as is. Place the large pressure cooker on stove and heat ghee/oil and then follow the above instructions. The Water quantity will be 6 cups. When you come to Manual / Pressure Cook Mode, you will place the cooker lid with its weight on. Lock it.

        • Let the pressure build on high heat. Once the whistle or weight of the cooker goes off the first time, lower the heat to medium-low. Let it cook on that heat for about 25-30 minutes. Then switch off the gas stove. Let the pressure escape naturally. Once the pressure is released, open the lid. Stir and add Tadka or Tempering.

        I am sure you are going to try this out soon. It is the best dream woven around a lazy weekend. I promise that this will be a regular Daal cooked in your kitchen.

        Can’t make it now? PIN PUNJABI DHABA DAAL FOR LATER!

        Punjabi Dhaba Daal Instant Pot Recipe - Creamy, Rich and Yummy (5)

        In my kitchen, you will always EAT HAPPY & STAY HAPPY!

        Sonal

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        Punjabi Dhaba Daal Instant Pot Recipe - Creamy, Rich and Yummy (2024)

        FAQs

        How much time does it take to cook dal in an instant pot? ›

        No matter what kind of dal you are making, the general formula is roughly the same: add 1 cup rinsed lentils, water (the amount depends on the type of lentil), turmeric, and salt to the Instant Pot, set to high (or in some cases, as you'll see below, low) pressure, and cook for anywhere between six to 20 minutes with ...

        Can you cook dal without a pressure cooker? ›

        Place it on the stovetop on medium high and allow for it to come to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, cover the pot with its lid, reduce the heat to medium, and allow the dal to actively simmer on medium heat for 15-20 minutes.

        How long to boil dal? ›

        Allow to soak for 30 minutes. Bring dal, water, and salt to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until beans are very tender and mixture has thickened, 15 to 20 minutes.

        What to avoid when using pressure cooker? ›

        Pressure Cooker Don'ts:
        1. Don't open the pressure cooker while cooking. ...
        2. Don't release the pressure before it's time. ...
        3. Don't overfill the pressure cooker. ...
        4. Don't add thickeners. ...
        5. Don't give up after one bad experience.
        Oct 5, 2018

        What foods should not be cooked in a pressure cooker? ›

        Here are six things you should always avoid cooking in a pressure cooker.
        1. Dairy products. Foods containing dairy, like milk, cream, or yogurt, should not be pressure-cooked. ...
        2. Fried foods. Cooking fried foods is a strict no no, when it comes to pressure cookers. ...
        3. Quick cooking vegetables. ...
        4. Cakes and bakes. ...
        5. Eggs in the shell.
        Jul 23, 2023

        Is dal good for high pressure? ›

        It is a dieter-friendly dal that is rich in potassium and iron, both of which are important minerals for keeping blood pressure in check. Potassium helps lower blood pressure and protects against muscle cramping.

        Why does my dal taste bitter? ›

        Be careful how much turmeric you add to your daal, because that's another thing that can make it go bitter. If you are using spinach, it could be bitter too. Taste your raw spinach to check its bitterness. Remove the stalks too.

        Should dal be soaked before cooking? ›

        So, always wash and soak them before cooking. Split dals take 6 to 8 hours to soak whereas heavy legumes, such as Rajma, Chana or Chole, should be cooked after soaking for 12 to 18 hours to get the right taste and texture. The best option is to soak the lentils and legumes overnight.

        How much dal is required for 2 people? ›

        Estimate about 100 to 150 grams of dal per person.

        Is the Instant Pot better than the pressure cooker? ›

        The key benefit of a traditional pressure cooker is that it can deliver a higher pressure than all but the most expensive Instant Pots, so it cooks even more quickly: where most Instant Pots deliver a maximum pressure of 12psi, traditional pressure cookers can go up to 15psi.

        Do you need liquid to pressure cook in Instant Pot? ›

        Your Instant Pot needs liquid to work. If there's not enough, your pot won't be able to create enough steam to build pressure. About 1 cup is the minimum amount of liquid, so if you're cooking a recipe that will absorb water, like rice or beans, you'll need even more.

        Should steam come out of Instant Pot while pressurizing? ›

        It's normal for a small amount of steam to leak from the valve while the pot is heating up, but if it continues to leak steam during the pressure-cooking cycle, you may have a problem. This issue could be a sign that you need to clean out and reposition the valve.

        How much time does it take to cook dal in a pressure cooker? ›

        If you are using a a mix of toor dal & moong dal, pressure cooking for 10-12 minutes will be enough to get a relatively smooth dal. But if you are using only toor dal, you will need to pressure cook for 14 minutes to get a smooth dal. Because moong dal cooks faster than toor dal.

        How much time does it take to make dal? ›

        In a deep saucepan, bring water, turmeric and 1 tablespoon of oil to a boil over high heat. Add dal. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until dal is very soft. If the water starts to dry up, add another 1/2 cup water.

        How long to cook dal Instant Pot reddit? ›

        1. dump the dal, water and spice mix.
        2. pressure cook for 35 minutes.
        3. natural release.
        4. mash using potato masher till dal has melted.
        5. just before serving, heat up the tasks, and pour over dal.
        Jun 14, 2021

        Does Instant Pot cook faster than pressure cooker? ›

        Whether you use a traditional stovetop pressure cooker or an Instant Pot, the results are the same: amazing food in less than 1/4 of the time normal cooking takes. But the Instant Pot does more than just cook.

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