• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Spring Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • Sweets
  • About
  • How To's

Where Is My Spoon

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Spring Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • Sweets
  • About
  • How To's
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Spring Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • Sweets
    • About
    • How To's
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ร—
    Where Is My Spoon > Recipes > By Cuisines > Asian and Indian

    Yellow Dal Recipe

    Published by: Adina January 12, 2019 ยท Last modified: January 18, 2024 5 Comments
    Jump to Recipe
    pinterest imag of yellow moong dal tadka on a silver plate.

    Super spicy and vegan moong dal tadka or yellow dal recipe. This economical and flavorsome yellow moong dal curry is just as delicious as the best restaurant version.

    spicy lentil curry dal

    Dal, Dahl, Dhal or Daal? Moong dal, mung dal, mung dhal or moong dhal?

    There is no general agreement about the right way of spelling dal... Dahl? Or dhal? Or daal? Moong or mung?

    The best explanation for these different ways of spelling I found is that โ€œHindi is a phonetic language, meaning itโ€™s spoken the way itโ€™s written, and when you translate it to English, that could be left to a tiny bit of interpretation.โ€ (Indian as Apple Pie -the link opens in a new tab)

    Dal, for instance, is the Indian term for dried, split pulses like lentils, peas, or beans. But not only. It is also the term used when speaking about a dish made with lentils.

    Jump to recipe
    • Dal Types
    • What is tadka?
    • How to make moong dal?
    • How to serve moong dal tadka?
    • Indian menu, including dal
    • More curries
    • Recipe
    • Yellow Dal Recipe

    Dal Types

    There are countless ways of cooking a good dal tadka recipe; this recipe using yellow moong dal lentils is just one of them (the Amazon affiliate link opens in a new tab).

    You can make it using regular chickpeas, split chickpeas (chana dal), brown chickpeas (Kala chana), black-eyed peas, whole mung beans, yellow moong lentils (moong dal), split pigeon peas (toor dal), black lentils (urad dal), red lentils (masoor dal) and kidney beans (rajma). Most of the time, when cooking a dal recipe, I make masoor dal using red lentils.

    moong dal tadka recipe

    What is tadka?

    Tadka is a Hindi word meaning tempering. Tempering is used in Indian cuisine as well as in the cuisines of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

    Herbs and whole spices are fried in oil, thus releasing their essential oils and changing or enhancing their taste. Both these roasted spices and the oil are then poured into the dish. The whole tempering process takes place at the beginning, roasting the spices in oil before adding the remaining ingredients.

    For this recipe, I temper the lentils at the end of the cooking process. First, I cook the yellow split lentils, mash them lightly, and add the spices and the oil.

    How to make moong dal?

    • Cook the yellow lentils with turmeric according to the packetโ€™s instructions for about 30 minutes, but check the package. The lentils should be really soft so that you can mash them lightly.
    • Make the tadka or tempering by roasting the spices in oil. Stand by and stir continuously for about ยฝ minutes.
    • Add the chopped onions and cook for about 4 minutes until they are softer.
    • Add the lime leaves, chili, and garlic, and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and sugar, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes are softer.
    • Mix the yellow lentils and the tadka together.
    • Adjust the taste with salt and lemon juice.

    How to serve moong dal tadka?

    • I usually serve these spicy lentils over rice with plain yogurt or raita on the side. If I donโ€™t feel like rice, I might bake naan bread.
    • But I often serve as part of a larger Indian curry meal.
    • I cook Indian food for guests very often. There are many reasons for that. First of all, Indian food is amazing! Then, curries are so suitable to prepare in advance and just reheat when the guests are there. That reduces stress significantly.
    • Most importantly, most of the people I know are not familiar with Indian food, and I just like to surprise them, to be the one to introduce them to such amazing flavors. I have never failed until now.

    Indian menu, including dal

    • Usually, I would cook chicken balti, zucchini curry, this recipe, or red lentil dal, raita; some Indian-style chopped salad, rice, or naan bread. Followed by dessert, which is shrikhand most of the time.
    • Alternatively, make an Easy Beef Potato Curry or a Spicy Turkey Meatball Curry.
    • For a vegan meal, try the Vegan Potato Curry with Tofu or the Cauliflower Curry with Potatoes.
    • You can serve moong dal with all of these curries.

    Do you like this recipe?

    Please leave a good rating in the recipe card below. Stay in touch through social media: Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. Donโ€™t forget to tag #whereismyspoon when you try a recipe!

    More curries

    • turkey coconut milk curry in a bowl with a spoon in it.
      Creamy Turkey Coconut Milk Curry
    • slow cooker lamb curry topped with red onions on a silver plate.
      Slow Cooker Lamb Curry with Coconut Milk
    • paneer curry sprinkled with parsley on a silver plate.
      Paneer Curry Recipe (Tikka Masala)
    • kidney bean curry
      How to Make Rajma โ€“ Indian Kidney Bean Curry

    Recipe

    yellow moong dal served on rice on a silver plate.

    Yellow Dal Recipe

    Super spicy moong dal tadka or yellow dal recipe. Perfect as a main meal with rice or as a side dish for other Indian dishes.
    4.50 from 10 votes
    Print Pin Share GrowSaved! Rate
    Course: Asian and Indian Recipes
    Cuisine: Indian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2 -4 servings
    Calories: 298kcal
    Author: Adina
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients 

    Lentils:

    • 1 cup moong dal split yellow moong lentils, 200 g
    • 3ยฝ cups water 850 ml
    • ยฝ teaspoon turmeric

    Tadka:

    • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 1 ยฝ teaspoon brown mustard seeds
    • 1 onion about 150 g/ 5.3 oz/ about ยพ cup chopped
    • 3 lime leaves Note 2
    • ยฝ - 1 teaspoon chili flakes to taste
    • 3 large garlic cloves
    • 2 tomatoes about 150 g/ 5.3 oz
    • ยฝ teaspoon sugar
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice more to taste
    • fine sea salt

    Instructions

    • Cook yellow lentils: Place the moong lentils in a saucepan. Add the water and the turmeric. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for about 30 minutes or according to the packet's instructions. The lentils should be soft. Mash lightly.
      1 cup moong dal/ 200 g + 3ยฝ cups water 850 ml +ยฝ teaspoon turmeric
    • Finely chop the onions, garlic and tomatoes. Keep them separated.
      1 onion + 3 large garlic cloves + 2 tomatoes
    • Cook: Heat the oil in a pan. Add the cumin and the brown mustard seeds. Stir for about 30 seconds. Add the onions and cook, stirring often, for about 4 minutes.
      2 tablespoons vegetable oil + 1 teaspoon cumin seeds + 1 ยฝ teaspoon brown mustard seeds
    • Add the lime leaves, chili flakes, and chopped garlic and stir for 2-3 minutes. Add the chopped tomatoes and the sugar and stir for 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes are slightly softened.
      3 lime leaves + ยฝ - 1 teaspoon chili flakes + ยฝ teaspoon sugar
    • Combine: Add this mixture to the cooked lentils and mix well. Add sea salt to taste. Add the lemon juice, stir again, and only add more if you feel it is necessary to taste.
      1 tablespoon lemon juice + fine sea salt
    • Serve the moong dal tadka with rice/ naan bread and yogurt/raita or as suggested above.

    Notes

    1. Nutrition: The nutrition information is calculated for 2 servings when serving the lentil curry as a main meal. If the moong dal is part of a larger meal, the quantities would be enough for 4 to 6 people.
    2. Substitute: You can use curry leaves instead.
    ย 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1/2 of the dal | Calories: 298kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Sodium: 1338mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 10g
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @adinabeck or tag #WhereIsMySpoon!

    More Easy & Flavourful Asian and Indian Recipes

    • marinated honey lime chicken thigh with soy sauce.
      Sticky Honey Lime Chicken Thighs
    • ground turkey teriyaki rice bowl on a striped kitchen towel.
      Ground Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowl
    • creamy chicken tandoori curry served over basmati rice in a bowl.
      Chicken Tandoori Curry
    • japanese bacon okonomiyaki drizzled with mayo and sprinkled with green onions.
      Bacon Okonomiyaki - Japanese Cabbage Pancakes

    Sharing is caring!

    269 shares
    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Reddit
    • X

    web banner representing all the websites logos that featured our food blog.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sue says

      June 04, 2023 at 2:33 am

      5 stars
      Really delicious I will be making this every week.thank you for a fantastic recipe can you recommend a spicy lentil curry please.

      Reply
    2. Donna Chabot says

      February 09, 2023 at 4:24 am

      5 stars
      Love this recipe! Iโ€™ve made this twice in the last month:)

      Reply
      • Adina says

        February 09, 2023 at 8:35 am

        I am so happy to hear it! Thank you for the feedback and the rating.

        Reply
    3. angiesrecipes says

      January 13, 2019 at 7:22 am

      Mouthwatering! I am too a fan of dal.

      Reply
    4. Balvinder says

      January 13, 2019 at 1:59 am

      Wow, lovely Adina! whenever we want something light for dinner, it is this daal or the red lentil. You have done full justice to the recipe.

      Reply
    4.50 from 10 votes (8 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    Primary Sidebar

    Hello! Where Is My Spoon is a blog where you will find delicious and family friendly recipes, all made from scratch. From simple healthy soups to sumptuous cakes for special occasions, all our recipes have been tried and loved by our family and our friends.

    More about me โ†’

    Potluck Recipes

    • bowl with potato salad with dill pickles sprinkled with chives.
      Potato Salad with Dill Pickles
    • napa cabage ramen salad in a gray bowl with sunflower seeds around it.
      Napa Cabbage Ramen Salad
    • feta and spinach triangles close up on a plate.
      Feta and Spinach Triangles
    • cherry loaf cake sliced on a vintage cloth with a knife and fresh fruit around it.
      Fresh Cherry Loaf Cake

    Popular Recipes

    • air fryer frozen chicken breast after cooking, one whole and one sliced piece.
      Frozen Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer
    • juicy, golden brown brats cooked on the stove in a skillet.
      How to Cook Brats on the Stove
    • lifting one piece of baked chicken breast with a spoon.
      How to Bake Frozen Chicken Breast
    • stapled sliced pork belly slices sprinkled with parsley, pool of fat in the back.
      How to Cook Pork Belly Strips

    Footer

    โ†‘ back to top

    Info

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Statement

    Contact

    If you have any questions or want to work with me, please email me @ contact@whereismyspoon.co

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright ยฉ 2025 - Where Is My Spoon. All rights reserved.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.