10+ Instant Pot Lentil Recipes (Including Indian Dals)

Here's a collection of 10+ easy Instant Pot Lentil Recipes that turn dried lentils into healthy, delicious, and budget-friendly vegetarian meals for your family.

Enjoy these multi-cuisine recipes including soups, stews, and a wide variety of Indian dals.

6-photo grid of lentil recipes including soup, curry and pudding

Lentils are a great source of plant-based fiber, protein, iron, antioxidants, and many vitamins. They're a pantry staple in my home! Lentils are naturally vegan and gluten-free and so budget-friendly.

I grew up eating a variety of lentils since they're such an integral part of everyday Indian cooking. In India, lentils are known as pulses, or more commonly as Dal (in Hindi). From simple 'everyday' dals, like Toor, Masoor to hearty Chana Dal, or a fancier Dal Makhani, there's a lentil for every occasion.

I prefer pressure-cooking lentils in the Instant Pot since they turn out creamy and evenly cooked in such a hand-off style of cooking. It's a set-it-forget-it method that I've been using for more than 20 years.

Check out this detailed informative post that explains how to cook lentils in the Instant Pot. In that post, I have listed the cook times of different kinds of lentils and Dals, including soaked as well as unsoaked cooking instructions.

All recipes in this collection are vegetarian and gluten-free. They can easily be made vegan by replacing ghee (if used) with any plant-based oil. These popular recipes have been tried & enjoyed by readers around the world! Hope you enjoy them too!

Bookmark this page for our growing collection of Instant Pot Lentil Recipes.

Easy & Healthy Instant Pot Lentil Recipes

lentils and spinach in black bowl with tempered ghee and Indian spices

Dal Palak / Spinach Dal in Instant Pot

This Dal Palak recipe is a blend of split lentils and baby spinach quickly prepared in the Instant Pot then tempered with sweet ghee and warm Indian spices.

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Indian yellow lentils called dal tadka garnished with oil and cilantro

Dal Tadka | Dal Fry

Easy Instant pot recipe for a hearty and delicious Dal Tadka, or Dal Fry, with the option to make rice in the same pot. Ready in a little over 30 minutes!

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Ethiopian red lentil stew in bowl with cilantro

Misir Wot - Ethiopian Red Lentils

Easy 30-minute recipe for Misir Wot, an Ethiopian lentil stew made by cooking red lentils in clarified butter with Berbere spice blend.

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madras lentils in a bowl garnished with cream, butter and cilantro

Dal Makhani

Dal Makhani is a rich and creamy north-Indian curry made with black lentils, kidney beans, herbs, and toasted spices. Here's a restaurant-quality recipe made easy using the Instant pot.

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instant pot Indian chana dal with green chili in bowl with fresh cilantro on side

Chana Dal in Instant Pot

Instant Pot Chana Dal is a mildly spiced North Indian style curry made with split chickpeas in a traditional onion-tomato gravy, and it's ready in 45 minutes!

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Instant Pot Lentil Soup

A Zesty Instant Pot Lentil Soup recipe that is both Mediterranean and Middle Eastern inspired offers a hearty and comforting one-pot meal.

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instant pot sambar recipe in gray bowl with curry leaves on the side

Instant Pot Sambar (Lentils & Vegetable Stew)

A quick and easy Instant Pot recipe for an authentic south-Indian lentil and vegetable stew called Sambar. It comes together in 40 minutes and is best enjoyed with rice, idli or dosa.

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Moong Dal

This Moong dal recipe is a mildly spiced yellow lentil curry that's ready in under 30 minutes. Enjoy this healthy, vegan and gluten-free Indian dal with rice or your favorite Indian bread.

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Dahi vada garnished with chutney and cilantro

Dahi Bhalla (Dahi Vada)

Easy & authentic recipe for Dahi Bhalla, or Dahi Vada, a popular Indian street food. Soft lentil fritters are served in yogurt sauce topped with zesty chutneys.

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fermented rice and lentil batter in stainless steel bowl with spoon

Idli Dosa Batter Recipe

This Idli Dosa Batter is a no-fail Instant Pot recipe for fermenting the perfect batter so you can make pillow-soft idlis or crispy-thin dosas at home.

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A bowl of white peas dip garnished with onions, tomato, cilantro and a wedge of lime

Pigeon Peas Dip | Matar Chaat in Instant Pot

Easy dump & start pressure cooker recipe for Matar chaat, a popular Indian pigeon peas dip! Enjoy it as a dip or as a flavorful meal with a side of Naan or Kulcha.

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Indian lentil pudding called Moong Dal Halwa garnished with chopped nuts

Instant Pot Moong Dal Halwa (Indian Lentil Pudding)

Moong Dal Halwa is a rich and decadent Indian dessert made with split mung beans (moong dal), ghee, saffron, cardamom, and lots of love. Here is my easier take, a pressure cooker version of a cherished family recipe.

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I hope you enjoy these easy lentil and dal recipes. If you make any of them, do share a picture on your favorite social media and tag #SpiceCravings. If there's a lentil recipe that you would like to see on the blog, simply comment below and let us know!

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10+ Instant Pot Lentil Recipes