This post contains affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
This rich and creamy Caramelized Onion Dal is the perfect comfort food for a cold day! It is bursting with flavor from caramelized onions and whole spices which are tempered in oil! Serve with rice for a delicious Indian meal.
Coming at you with a simple lentil dal that is bursting with flavor. This is another dal that I just made one night when I was craving a light dal and rice meal.
This caramelized onion dal is a creamy concoction of two types of lentils – red and yellow ones – which are cooked on the stove or using an Instant Pot and then simmered along with fragrant seasoned oil – tadka (called tempering).
The caramelized onions add a whole bunch of umami flavor while the cumin and black pepper mixture added to the tempering provide some heat and a refreshing flavor!
To take this dish to the next level of deliciousness we serve this lentil dish drizzled with another round of tempering. This second mix of whole spices fried in oil until sizzling and aromatic gets folded through the creamy dal just before serving
Use whatever lentils you have on hand. I used a mix of yellow and red lentils. You can cook them on the stovetop or in the instant pot. For all kind of Indian lentils with their names and pictures see my post here.
More daal recipes:
Dhaba Style Butter Dal (vegan)
Sabut Moong Dal  Creamy Green Mung Beans
Vegan Handi Lentils (Creamy Indian Dal)
Masoor Dal Tadka (Indian Split Red Lentil Dal)
Spicy Urad Dal (Black Gram Lentil Dal)
Caramelized Onion Tadka Dal
Ingredients
For the lentils:
- 1/2 cup red lentils, or masoor dal
- 1/2 cup petite yellow lentils, or moong dal (or you can use more red lentils)
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves , optional
- 3 cups water
For the tadka/ tempering spices:
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon black peppercorns
For the first tadka/ tempering:
- 2 teaspoons oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 inch ginger, minced
- 1/2 hot green chili, minced, I use serrano or Indian or Thai
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 5-6 curry leaves, (fresh or dried or frozen)
For the second tadka/tempering:
- 1 teaspoon oil
- The crushed spices from above
Instructions
- Cook the lentils; To cook the lentils in the instant pot, wash the lentils really well and drain. Add the to the instant pot with the rest of the ingredients and pressure cook for 7 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes and then open the lid.
- To cook the lentils in a saucepan add the washed and drained lentils with all the ingredients for the lentils to a saucepan, partially covered, and cook (20 mins or longer). You might need to add 1/2 cup more water if the lentils thicken too much. Transfer the lentils to a serving dish.
- For the tempering spices; add the cumin seeds and black peppercorns to a mortar and pestle and crush them. You can also use a spice grinder to make them into a coarse mixture and set them aside.
- For the first tempering: heat the oil in a medium skillet, once hot, add half of the crushed cumin and peppercorn mixture then add the onion and a good pinch of salt and cook until the onion is translucent.(5-7 mins) Then add the garlic, ginger, green chili, and the rest of the salt and continue to cook until the onion is golden (2-4 mins). Add the garam masala and curry leaves and cook for another half a minute.
- Add this caramelized onion mix to the cooked lentils. (Or add cooked lentils to the caramelized onion skillet). Gently stir but donât mix completely. You want some clusters of caramelized onion throughout the dal.
- Make the second tempering: Heat the oil in a small skillet, once hot add the remaining cumin seeds/ peppercorn mixture and cook until the mixture becomes fragrant. Then pour it over the dal/cooked lentils. Garnish it with cilantro and lemon juice.
- Store in a closed container for upto 3 days. Freeze for upto a month.To make ahead: keep the tempering separate and heat and add just before serving
Video
Notes
- Curry leaves: If you cannot find curry leaves , leave them out and add 2 bay leaves and lime juice
- To make this without onion and garlic: use neutral veggies such as peeled and chopped zucchini, summer squash or opo squash(lauki) , or chopped celery or fennel instead of onion. Add a generous pinch asafetida or 1 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves as a substitute for garlic.Â
- Oilfree: sautĂŠ onion in broth. Dry toast the cumin pepper mixture on a dry skillet until fragrant and then use.Â
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Ingredients:
- For the lentils, I used a mix of red lentils and yellow lentils(masoor dal and moong dal). You can use all red or all yellow or any lentils you have on hand
- Â fresh tomato adds acidity and sweetness
- spices: For the tempering, we fry crushed cumin seeds and black peppercorn in some oil then add garam masala
- as with most daal recipes, fresh ginger, garlic, and chili are added to the tempering after the whole spices
- curry leaves add a nutty and earthy flavor to this daal – use dry or fresh or frozen
Tips & Substitutions:
- If you cannot find curry leaves , leave them out and add 2 bay leaves and lime juice
- To make this without onion and garlic: use neutral veggies such as peeled and chopped zucchini, summer squash or opo squash(lauki) , or chopped celery or fennel instead of onion. Add a generous pinch asafetida or 1 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves as a substitute for garlic.
How to make caramelized onion dal:
Cook the lentils: To cook the lentils in the instant pot, wash the lentils really well and drain. Add the to the instant pot with the rest of the ingredients and pressure cook for 7 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes and then open the lid.
To cook the lentils in a saucepan add the washed and drained lentils with all the ingredients for the lentils to a saucepan, partially cover, and cook. You might need to add 1/2 cup more water if the lentils thicken too much.
For the tempering spices; add the cumin seeds and black peppercorns to a mortar and pestle and crush them. You can also use a spice grinder to turn them into a coarse mixture and set them aside.
For the first tempering, heat the oil in a medium skillet. Once hot, add half of the crushed cumin and peppercorn mixture then add the onion and a good pinch of salt and cook until the onion is translucent.
Then add the garlic, ginger, green chili, and the rest of the salt and continue to cook until the onion is golden. Add the garam masala and curry leaves and cook for another half a minute or so.
Transfer the cooked lentils to a serving bowl. Â add this onion mixture to the lentils. (Or transfer cooked lentils to the skillet with the onions). Gently stir but donât mix the onions in completely.
Make the second tempering: Heat the oil in a small skillet, once hot add the remaining cumin seeds/ peppercorn mixture and cook until the mixture becomes fragrant. Then pour it over the dal/cooked lentils. Garnish it with cilantro and lemon juice.
Storage:
Store in a closed container for upto 3 days. Freeze for up to a month. To make ahead: keep the tempering separate and heat and add just before serving
What to serve with this caramelized onion dal
Serve with flatbread, roti , naan or with rice. and a side or cauliflower potatoes, crispy cumin potatoes or green bean carrots. and a side salad-Â Â Kachumber Salad.
Ooo comfort food in a bowl! Just so divine! Absolutely delicious recipe, Richa!
Yay!!
Wow! Risha’s, your Dal was one of the best I’ve had. The flavors evolved with every bite. The lentils were perfectly cooked, and the combination of red and yellow lentils added a nice texture. The caramelized onions, garlic, ginger, and spices created a rich, deep flavor, especially with the addition of curry leaves and garam masala. The second tempering really brought everything together, adding a fragrant kick. Visually, the contrast between the golden lentils and the dark, fragrant tempered spices made the dish look stunning. Overall, it was a delicious, well-balanced dish that Iâd definitely make again!
I love your recipes and books. Thanks!
Thank you for taking the time to write such a thoughtful review!
Thank you so much for this amazing recipe! It was fun to make and when it was done, I honestly couldnât believe I had made something so delicious in my own kitchen. It feels nourishing and warming to eat, and the onions add a nice sweetness.
You’re so sweet!
This recipe looks amazing.
Can I use green moong dal?
Or yellow split peas?
I donât have yellow moong dal.
Saving a trip to the store.
You can use all red or all yellow or any lentils you have on hand.
Wow Richa!
A super tasty & quick recipe! I didn’t have a fresh tomato so I subbed 2 TBSP of tomato paste and added a splash more than 3 cups of water.
I’m running on empty for veg in my fridge so this was a life saver recipe!
Thank you for another winner!
Yay!!
What kind of oil do you use?
Organic sunflower or safflower
Oh. My. Stars. This is so ridiculously good. It’s been a while since I made a new recipe and immediately decided to put it in regular rotation. Richa – THANK YOU âşď¸
Awesome! So happy you liked it.
I just found this recipe and will make it soon. But,,,,,just what is meant by “tempering?” I see your directions but do not know why that word is used. Is it some kind of chemical change that tempering does? Thanks.
Also, please post again or show me how to find it ….the explanation of all those crazy DALS!!! Such legumes, dals, pulses, etc. are what I want to cook. I use lots of lentils and chickpeas, Chana, that is. I make your easy recipe for “Chana Saag” almost every week. Your Indian recipes are my favorites. It helps keep us from simply defaulting to those “fake” meats that my family likes.
Great questions! The tempering of spices is a traditional method to extract the full flavor. By letting the spices simmer in hot oil, the essence and aroma (and flavor!) of the spices heightens. This whole mixture, the spices in hot oil, is referred to as the tempering, or tadka. Here is the link to the post about the Dals đ https://www.veganricha.com/indian-dals-names/
Great tasting and easy to make! Thanks!
thank you!
I never leave reviews but WOWEEE. This was one of the easiest and most comforting meals I’ve had in I don’t even remember when. This is a meal that you can knock out when your internal battery is a 5% but you still want to treat yourself nice.
My husband and I have already fought over the leftovers.
I’m not super confident with tempering spices but this was a great logical introduction. Also, once you make Richa’s Garam Masala, you will never go back to store bought.
Spectacular!
thank you so much for leaving this review! so, so glad you enjoyed!
Hi, Iâm interested in trying this. Could I sub ground cumin for cumin seed, and if so, about how much? Thanks
Hi! Yes! Use ½ teaspoon of ground cumin to replace 1 teaspoon of cumin seed
I have fenugreek seed. Can that be substituted for leaves? Also, it doesnât say how long to cook lentils if not using an instapot. Thanks!
20 mins.
Use a quarter of the amount listed in ground seed form