Plant-PoweredUnder 30 MinutesLow-Calorie

Buttery Instant Pot Pigeon Pea Dal

4.3 · 4 ratings

This buttery Instant Pot pigeon pea dal (toor dal) is warm, cozy and ridiculously easy, simmered with cumin, turmeric and cherry tomatoes and served over rice.

Total20 min
Serves4
Calories175
Protein7g
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Bowl of buttery Instant Pot pigeon pea dal served over rice

Nothing will warm your soul and keep you cozy like this ridiculously easy and delicious Buttery Instant Pot Pigeon Pea Dal! It's simple, clean, comforting and done in no time.

The recipe

Buttery Instant Pot Pigeon Pea Dal

4.3 from 4 ratings

Prep
5 min
Cook
15 min
Total
20 min
Serves
4
Colorful Recipes kitchen-tested
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Press Sauté mode on the Instant Pot. Add the oil and, once hot, add the cumin seeds and let them crackle.

  2. Add the chopped onion, garlic and all remaining spices and sauté until fragrant and the onions turn golden brown.

  3. Add the tomatoes, rinsed dal and water. Mix well, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pot.

  4. Close the lid of the Instant Pot and cancel Sauté mode. Select Manual and cook on high pressure for . Once the are up, wait and then release the pressure.

  5. Add the lemon juice, adjust the salt as needed and mix well.

  6. Serve over rice, topped with cilantro if desired.

Notes

The peas must be split pigeon peas, NOT whole pigeon peas. Thanks to those of you who commented to help clarify this!

Nutrition Facts

4 servings per recipe
Serving size1 bowl (about 1 cup)
Amount per servingCalories
175
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7.5g10%
Saturated Fat 5.7g29%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 591mg26%
Total Carbohydrate 21.9g8%
Dietary Fiber 5.3g19%
Total Sugars 2.3g
Includes 0g Added Sugars0%
Protein 6.5g13%

* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Macro mix

  • 14% Protein 6.5g
  • 48% Carbs 21.9g
  • 38% Fat 7.5g

Protein score

3.7g protein per 100 calories

Treat yourself

Nutrition is an estimate per serving, calculated from USDA ingredient data and will vary with brands and portions. Optional items not included: cilantro for garnish. The full 1 tsp of salt is counted. Use it as a guide, not medical advice.

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Behind the recipe

The story, tips & photos

Bowl of buttery Instant Pot pigeon pea dal served over rice

It's been so cold over here, and all I want is warm, comforting food like this bowl of heaven above.

Why you'll love this pigeon pea dal

I love the buttery texture of these lentils, with all the different flavors of the spices mixed in with rice. The combination is so filling and satisfying. I find myself going back for seconds even when my belly is very full. It's just so tasty that I can't get enough of this stuff!

Buttery pigeon pea dal with cherry tomatoes and cilantro

By the way, I'm SO loving my Instant Pot! It has been my best kitchen appliance purchase. Especially in the 3rd trimester, I'm too tired to stand in the kitchen for too long, so the Instant Pot has been so convenient! It's a single kitchen appliance that does the job of seven different ones. It cuts down on cooking time and on dirty dishes! #WinWin

Instant Pot pigeon pea dal (toor dal) in a white bowl

Instant Pot, Instant Pot, Instant Pot! You're so AMAZING! In my head, I'm whispering this like Maui does to Moana.

You're so amazing!

Leftovers and reheating

This recipe is done in no time in the Instant Pot, and it comes out so beautifully. Leftovers are even more amazing the next day. The lentils tend to thicken overnight, so you can enjoy them as is or add a bit of water when reheating if you prefer a thinner consistency.

Spoonful of thick, buttery Instant Pot pigeon pea dal

The really awesome part is that this recipe is so simple, clean and nutritious. You'll feel good about yourself eating this bowl of yumminess.

Pigeon pea dal and rice garnished with fresh cilantro

My mouth is watering just looking at these pictures!

Close-up of spiced Instant Pot pigeon pea dal with tomatoes

I hope you enjoy this as much as we did. Buttery Instant Pot Pigeon Pea Dal will definitely become a January staple for us, and it could for you too! Enjoy!

What I've used in this recipe:

Instant Pot electric pressure cooker

Here's a complete list of my kitchen essentials.

BUTTERY INSTANT POT PIGEON PEA DAL

Buttery Instant Pot pigeon pea dal with rice and lemon

Questions & comments 12

Leave a comment
  1. KKelly

    Made this according to the recipe with 1/2 c split pigeon peas and it was very watery, not creamy. I added another 1/2 cup washed split pigeon peas and put it on for another 10 mins and it turned out great! I will add 1 c next time.

  2. EEd

    I just now made this and it turned out wonderful! I substituted ghee for the coconut oil and added one minced green chili to the tadka. It doesn’t get any easier than this! Thanks Christine!

    1. ChristineAuthor

      Yum that sounds delicious! Thanks Ed for sharing and I’m so glad you liked this recipe!! Definitely one of the easiest recipes. Enjoy 🙂

  3. ChristineAuthor

    Thanks Liz for the feedback! I’m glad you like it either way and hope you make this again with split pigeon peas.

  4. LLiz

    I made the same error. Used whole pigeon peas. I’m eating it and it’s great, but definitely undercooked texture. Oops! Still tasty otherwise, will use different peas or cook longer next time.

  5. CCJ

    The recipe is for SPLIT pigeon peas. The author didn’t specify that in the ingredients, but you can see the dried split lentils sprinkled in the photos. I’ve made the recipe countless times & it cooks exactly as specified using SPLIT pigeon peas.

    1. ChristineAuthor

      Thanks CJ for pointing this out! I updated the recipe. It also makes me happy that you’ve made this countless of times 🙂 enjoy!

  6. SSean

    My peas ended up hard also

    I think the problem was that I am using Goya dry Pigeon Peas and that is not what this recipe calls for

    https://www.instacart.com/shopping/products/147538-goya-pigeon-peas-16-oz

    The site is really great

    Thanks

    1. ChristineAuthor

      Thank you Sean for the feedback! I hope you made this again with split pigeon peas 🙂

  7. LTLynn T CLARK

    Followedd recipe. Pigeon peas were harf. Required23 more mintes under pressue ti get to soft chew. Delicious flavor.

    1. ChristineAuthor

      Hmm interesting, Lynn. Did you make any alterations to the recipe? I make this a the time with no issues but so glad you like the flavor!

    2. Jjulie

      did you use whole peas or split?

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