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Moong dal chaat is a simple lentil salad-style snack or meal made with moong dal(split skinned green mung bean) . It’s very refreshing and not too heavy. Perfect for the hot summer days! Glutenfree Soyfree Nutfree
Table of Contents
Chaat is a family of snacks that originated in India, typically served as street food. They’re all kinds of formats of chaat, from nacho style, to stewy, to crisp orbs filled with chutneys, to salad style snacks, to hot sandwiches and more. Many of the dishes combine several textures and flavors together for flavor explosion in each bite. This moong dal chaat combines cooked yellow lentils with crunchy onion, tomato, cilantro and green onion and some spices and lime! It’s refreshing and a great snack or side on hot days! It is delicious, allergy friendly and satisfying! You have got to try it.
You can make this recipe with whole or sprouted moong beans. I like to make this recipe with the split and skinned version, yellow moong dal.
You can also use whole red/brown lentils (rather than split red lentils), because the split ones will cook way too quickly and get mushy. You can use any cooked lentils or beans for this type of chaat.
Moong daal (split mung beans) is easily available in Indian stores, Asian stores or online.
Why You’ll Love Moong Dal Chaat
- refreshing, hot-weather dish
- packed with protein and FLAVOR
- mix of sweet and savory ingredients is so addictive!
- naturally gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free
More Ways to Use Moong Dal
- Vegan Omelet with Mung Bean “Egg”
- Sabut Moong Dal
- Mom’s Simple Moong Dal Tadka
- Moong Chilla – Lentil pancakes
Moong Dal Chaat (Indian Yellow lentil Salad)
Ingredients
For the moong dal:
- 3/4 cup petite yellow lentils/ moong dal, , (split and skinned green moong beans), washed and soaked for at least an hour
- 1 teaspoon oil, (omit for Oilfree and dry toast the lentils)
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, or Indian red chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
For the toppings:
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1 green chili such as serrano , minced, or use 2 tablespoons bell pepper
- 1/2 inch ginger, minced
- 1/4 cup or more grated carrot
- 1 tomato, chopped small
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onion
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons chopped mint,, optional
- 1/4 cup or more chopped apple, or pomegranate or other crunchy fruit
- 1/2 teaspoon chaat masala, or use 1/4 teaspoon Indian sulfur salt (kala namak)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, preferably lightly toasted
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons or more lime juice
Instructions
- Cook the lentils. Wash and soak the moong dal if you haven’t already. Soak in hot water for at least 15 minutes if you are in a hurry. Drain and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the oil. Once the oil is hot add the drained moong dal and cook for 2-3 minutes. Then add the spices and water and mix in. Cover and cook for 6-8 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed and the dal is cooked.
- Switch off the heat. Transfer the cooked dal to a bowl and fluff. Prepare your toppings if you haven’t already, then add all the chopped veggies to the bowl and toss well. Then add the spices and lime juice and toss again. Taste and adjust salt and flavor. Add more chopped crunchy veggies or fruits and more lime juice if needed and serve.
- Store:
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- moong dal – Split and skinned green moong beans or yellow petit lentils both work in this recipe. Make sure to wash them and soak for at least an hour before cooking.
- oil – To toast the dal before simmering.
- salt and dried spices – Cayenne or Indian red chili powder adds heat, and turmeric adds flavor and color to the cooked dal. Chaat masala, ground cumin, and paprika add even more flavor to the finished salad.
- aromatics – Fresh red onion, green chili, and ginger add so much flavor and crunch to moon dal chaat!
- veggies – Carrot, tomato, and green onion add more freshness and flavors.
- fresh herbs – The cilantro and mint make this dish so delicious and refreshing!
- fresh fruit – Apples, pomegranate seeds, or other sweet, crunchy fruit are a contrast to all of the amazing spices in this dish.
- lime juice – A squeeze of lime just before serving adds a lovely zing.
Tips
- Don’t skip soaking the dal before cooking! It will take much longer to cook if you don’t soak. If you can’t soak for an hour, at least give it a 15 minute soak to soften the dal.
- If the red onion is too strong, soak in cold water for 10 mins and drain it well before adding to the salad. That will mellow out the flavor of the raw onion.
How to Make Moong Dal Chaat
Cook the lentils. Wash and soak the moong dal if you haven’t already. Soak for at least 15 minutes if you are in a hurry. Drain and set aside.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the oil. Once the oil is hot add the moong dal and cook for 2-3 minutes. Then add the spices and water and mix in.
Cover and cook for six to eight minutes or until all the water has been absorbed and the dal is cooked.
Switch off the heat. Transfer the cooked dal to a bowl to cool and fluff it up. Prepare your toppings if you haven’t already then add all the chopped veggies to the bowl and toss well.
Then add the spices and lime juice and toss again.
Taste and adjust salt and flavor. Add more chopped crunchy veggies or fruits and more lime juice if needed and serve. You can also add in crushed tortilla chips. Serve as is as a salad or with tortilla chips or crisp pita bread. Or as a side with roasted veggies or bbq tofu or jackfruit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chaat is a family of snacks that originated in India, typically served as street food.
It is naturally gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free.
Serve as is as a salad, or serve like bean dip with tortilla chips or crisp pita bread. Or as a side with roasted veggies or bbq tofu or jackfruit.
You can also use this salad to top some leafy greens like lettuce or spinach. You can also add it to wraps or a side with veggie curries or flatbread.
Store in closed container in the fridge upto 3 days.
Yes use red lentils and cook 1-2 mins less time. With brown lentils, you’ll need 2.5 cups water and 25-30 mins cooking time.
So good! I ate it as a main dish on its own, and I can’t wait to make it again with summer fruits like mango or pineapple! I also think edamame would be a great addition!
yay! So glad you liked it!
This was pretty easy and quick. A nice change of flavors and light in calories. I only wish it made more!!
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Oh gosh! This was so refreshing and perfect for the hot day today! Going into our rotation! Loving your salads lately
Awesome!
Made this for dinner with my boyfriend last nightโwe were both impressed! This was so quick, easy, and delicious. We ended eating it in wraps with some lettuce and vegan yogurt. Iโll be making this all summer!
Yay!