How to Make Dal Makhani (Indian Lentils) - A Step-by-Step Guide

Dal Makhani is a classic Indian dish that is loved for its rich and hearty flavors. This dish is made with black lentils and kidney beans that are slow-cooked with a blend of aromatic spices and finished with a touch of cream. It is a popular staple in North Indian cuisine and is often enjoyed with rice or naan bread.

What sets Dal Makhani apart from other lentil dishes is its creamy and luscious texture, which comes from simmering the lentils in a flavorful tomato and cream-based sau...

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup lentils
  • ¼ cup dry kidney beans (Optional)
  • water to cover
  • 5 cups water
  • salt to taste
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
  • 4 cardamom pods
  • 1 cinnamon stick, broken
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 1 ½ tablespoons ginger paste
  • 1 ½ tablespoons garlic paste
  • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste
  • 1 cup canned tomato puree, or more to taste
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons ground coriander
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 2 tablespoons dried fenugreek leaves (Optional)
  • ½ cup cream (Optional)

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 2 hrs
  • Additional Time: 2 hrs
  • Total Time: 4 hrs 15 mins
  • Servings: 6
  • Yield: 6 servings

  • Place lentils and kidney beans in a large bowl; cover with plenty of water. Soak for at least 2 hours or overnight. Drain.
  • Cook lentils, kidney beans, 5 cups water, and salt in a pot over medium heat until tender, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Remove from heat and set aside. Keep the lentils, kidney beans, and any excess cooking water in the pot.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook cumin seeds in the hot oil until they begin to pop, 1 to 2 minutes. Add cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, and cloves; cook until bay leaves turn brown, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-low; add ginger paste, garlic paste, turmeric, and cayenne pepper. Stir to coat.
  • Stir tomato puree into spice mixture; cook over medium heat until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Add chili powder, coriander, and butter; cook and stir until butter is melted.
  • Stir lentils, kidney beans and any leftover cooking water into tomato mixture; bring to a boil, reduce heat to low. Stir fenugreek into lentil mixture. Cover saucepan and simmer until heated through, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes. Add cream and cook until heated through, 2 to 4 minutes.
  • Nutrition

    390 cal.

    • Total Fat: 22g
    • Saturated Fat: 10g
    • Cholesterol: 48mg
    • Sodium: 420mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 37g
    • Dietary Fiber: 16g
    • Total Sugars: 3g
    • Protein: 13g
    • Vitamin C: 8mg
    • Calcium: 111mg
    • Iron: 7mg
    • Potassium: 757mg