Dry Moong Dal Recipe (Easy and Delicious) | Indian Ambrosia (2024)

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Jump to Recipe

This dry moong dal recipe is nutritious, full of flavor and easy on the stomach. It is made with a few, readily available ingredients and comes together very quickly. A simple dal recipe that works as a side dish in an elaborate Indian meal or as a complete meal on its own with roti (Indian bread) and onion raita (spiced yogurt).

Dry Moong Dal Recipe (Easy and Delicious) | Indian Ambrosia (1)

It is no secret that in Indian cooking, most lentils have a soup like consistency with a lot of liquid. However, moong or mung dal (split yellow lentils) tastes really good in a dry form: soaked and drained moong lentils are stir-fried in onions, tomatoes, garlic and spices (mmm...) until soft. The dal is topped with green chillies and cilantro for a fresh sabzi style dish.

Serve this pot of deliciousness with some piping hot roti and dollops of raita, and you'll be in foodie heaven, I promise! It's nothing fancy, for sure, but the best things in life are often simple and easy:)

Jump to:
  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 💭 Top tips
  • Serving suggestions
  • More dal recipes for you
  • 📖 Recipe

🥘 Ingredients

Here's a picture of the ingredients needed for this dry moong dal recipe. Exact amounts are mentioned in the recipe card further down in the post.

Dry Moong Dal Recipe (Easy and Delicious) | Indian Ambrosia (2)

🔪 Instructions

Preparation

  • Wash and soak the moong dal in water for about an hour.
  • Dice the onions and chop the garlic and tomatoes.

Cooking

  • Heat the oil in a saucepan and add the cumin seeds. When they start to sizzle, add the diced onions and fry on medium heat until the onions are golden in color.
  • Add the garlic and fry for one minute.
  • Add the tomatoes, powdered spices, salt, and a quarter cup water. Keep stirring until the tomatoes break down.
  • Drain the dal and add it to the above masala. Mix well and stir the dal with a spoon for five minutes, adding splashes of water to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.
  • Add half a cup water, lower the heat, and cover the dal with a lid. Cook for 15 minutes or until the dal is tender and most of the liquid has evaporated.
  • Top with green chillies and cilantro. Serve hot.

💭 Top tips

  • Don't over brown the onions - While frying the onions, add the garlic just as the onions start to caramelize and turn a golden color.You do this so your dal does not have an unappealing brown tinge and looks fresh and bright yellow. Taking the browning too far also changes the taste, so avoid it.
  • Don't over cook the dal - The dal should be tender but not mushy. We want a thick consistency with very little liquid and with the grains separate and not clumped together.
Dry Moong Dal Recipe (Easy and Delicious) | Indian Ambrosia (3)

Serving suggestions

  • There are so many possibilities when it comes to dal! The simplest way to have this dry moong dal is with Indian flatbread or roti.
  • You can also experiment with a few 'add-ons' to see what you like best! For example, a fresh salad consisting of sliced cucumbers, onions and tomatoes tastes great with dal and roti.
  • Add some achar (pickle) and a raita for an even tastier combo.
  • Go for a full Indian meal and include a simple sabzi (vegetable curry) to the mix. Aloo shimla mirch (potatoes and green peppers) or a mixed vegetable curry work well here. Both are quick and easy recipes, so you don't have to work too hard to get this combination going.

More dal recipes for you

If you love the idea of trying different lentils in their 'Indian dal' avatar, there is an infinite variety to choose from! Here are just a few tried and tested recipes on the blog.

  • Whole Masoor Dal - Curry style brown lentils with a tempering of ghee, onions, garlic, and cumin.
  • Chana Dal - Split and husked brown chickpeas that get transformed into a creamy, flavorful curry that tastes so good with rice.
  • Dal Makhani - Indian black lentils and kidney beans cooked in tomatoes, spices, butter and cream.Impossibly smooth and buttery and tastes awesome with homemade whole wheat naan.
  • Maash Dal - Split black gram lentils (husked) with a unique nutty taste which gets enhanced with a tempering of ginger, green chillies, and a dash of mint.
Dry Moong Dal Recipe (Easy and Delicious) | Indian Ambrosia (4)

📖 Recipe

Dry Moong Dal Recipe (Easy and Delicious) | Indian Ambrosia (5)

Dry Moong Dal Recipe

Saima Zaidi

This dry moong dal recipe is nutritious, full of flavor and easy on the stomach. It is made with a few, readily available ingredients and comes together very quickly. A simple dal recipe that works as a side dish in an elaborate Indian meal or as a complete meal on its own with roti (Indian bread) and onion raita (spiced yogurt).

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Soaking Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins

Course Side

Cuisine Indian

Servings 4

Calories 318 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup moong dal
  • 3 tbsp cooking oil
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1.5 cup red onions diced
  • 1 tablespoon garlic chopped
  • 1 cup tomatoes chopped
  • 1 tsp red chilli powder
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • ¼ teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 2 green chillies
  • ½ cup cilantro leaves chopped

Instructions

  • Wash the moong dal until the water runs clear. Soak it in a pyrex bowl with enough water to cover it and keep it aside for one hour.

  • Dice the onions and chop the garlic and tomatoes.

  • Heat the oil in a saucepan and add the cumin seeds. When they start to sizzle, add the diced onions and fry on medium heat until the onions are golden in color.

  • Add the garlic and fry for one minute.

  • Add the tomatoes, all the powdered spices and salt. Add a quarter cup water if the masala is too thick. Stir it with a spoon until the tomatoes break down.

  • Drain the dal and add it to the saucepan. Mix well and stir the dal with a spoon for five minutes, adding splashes of water to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.

  • Add half a cup water, lower the heat, and cover the dal with a lid. Cook for 15 minutes or until the dal is tender and most of the liquid has evaporated.

  • Top with green chillies and cilantro. Serve hot.

Notes

  1. Do not over brown the onions. Add the garlic just as the onions start to caramelize and turn a golden color.
  2. Do not over cook the dal. The consistency of the dal should be thick with very little liquid. The grains should be separate and not clumped together.

Nutrition

Calories: 318kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 14gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 686mgPotassium: 219mgFiber: 8gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 701IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 3mg

Keyword dry moong dal, Indian dal

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Comments

  1. Lynne S says

    Dry Moong Dal Recipe (Easy and Delicious) | Indian Ambrosia (6)
    Really delicious, I'm excited to look around your site for more recipes to try! Thank you for this recipe, one I will be making part of our rotation.

    Reply

    • Saima says

      Thank you Lynne!

      Reply

Thanks for coming! Let me know what you think:

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Dry Moong Dal Recipe (Easy and Delicious) | Indian Ambrosia (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Mung Dal and moong dal? ›

Moong dal is the split version of whole mung beans also known as green gram (with or without skin). Yellow mung dal or yellow lentils is without skin and split green moong dal is with the skin.

Does Mung Dal need to be soaked? ›

Cooking in pot: You can follow the same recipe and cook the lentils in a pot. Soaking: You may soak the mung dal for at least 30 mins before cooking to cut down the cook time, especially if cooking in a pot. Vegetables: For more nutrition, you may add a small chopped carrot or 1 cup of chopped spinach.

Is moong dal good for fatty liver? ›

Moong dal might help effect the unwanted enlargement of fat cells in the liver and may not allow the accumulation of fat in it, thus it might help with fatty liver (hepatic steatosis). Moong dal might also have an effect on the immune system of the body and might help reduce an unnecessary activation of it.

Can we eat moong dal daily? ›

Mung beans are good because they supply protein and fiber and they protect the liver and you can eat them daily. Mung beans are popular as fresh salads and cooked as lentils or soup in India, China, and Southeast Asia. Mung beans are rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, fiber, oligosaccharides, and polyphenols.

Are mung beans healthier than chickpeas? ›

Mung beans and chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans) are both legumes. As such, they have similar nutritional content and benefits. Compared to mung beans, chickpeas are slightly higher in calories, sugar, protein and carbs.

What are the three types of moong dal? ›

There are three types of moong dal - Yellow, Split Green Moong, and Whole Green Moong Dal. It is one of the most easily cooked dals. You can just soak it for 5 minutes and put in the pressure cooker for cooking.

What are the side effects of soaked moong dal? ›

Some more serious side effects include dizziness, diarrhoea , and nausea as well. Beans can cause body sensitivity and for many people moong beans can also lead to breathlessness , and itching on the skin, Too much dietary fibre in moong dal can also cause stomach problems and poor absorption of nutrients.

Which dal has highest protein? ›

Among the dals mentioned, Kulthi Dal (horse gram) generally has the highest protein content. Horse gram is known for its rich protein content, and it is often considered one of the best sources of plant-based protein.

Which dal does not need soaking? ›

Toor dal or yellow pigeon peas are a must-have in Western and Southern India. Rich in protein and folic acid, they're typically sold split and skinned. Like chana dal, toor dal can go from store to table rather quickly, as they do not require soaking. These make for a good pairing with amazing rice dishes.

What are the side effects of eating too much moong dal? ›

As moong dal is rich in protein, prolonged overconsumption may be harmful to certain individuals. Raw moong dal can also exacerbate gas and bloating issues. According to a Times Now report, individuals with uric acid problems should avoid consuming whole pulses.

What are the side effects of moong dal? ›

If you are sensitive to certain beans, taking moong dal daily can result in side effects like shortness of breath, itching, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Every food is good when taken at moderate levels. The benefits of moong dal are because of the dietary fiber present in them.

Which dal does not cause gas? ›

Moong Dal (Yellow Lentils): Moong dal is easy to digest and is often recommended for people with digestive problems. It is light on the stomach and less likely to cause gas or bloating compared to other dals.

Which dal is the healthiest? ›

One of the most nutrient-dense pulses known to us is urad dal, or black lentil. Urad dal, being low in fat and calories, aids in better digestion. It is considered to strengthen our nervous system, increase energy levels, improve heart health, and strengthen our bones because it is high in protein and vitamin B3.

Can moong dal cause gas? ›

Yes, moong dal may cause gas. This is especially true for people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. This is because of the presence of certain sugars called alpha-galactosides, which are found in most beans. They belong to a group of carbs that may escape digestion and get fermented in the colon by gut bacteria.

What do we call moong dal in English? ›

Moong Dal is also known as Green Gram Beans when whole, Split Green Gram when split with the skin on and as Split and Skinned Green Gram when de-skinned (yellow). The Moong Dal is native to India and is the most commonly used dal.

Is mung and moong the same thing? ›

Mung beans (vigna radiata), also called 'moong' in South Asia, are small green dried beans that belong to the legume family. They are an integral part of many forms of Asian cuisines. In fact, Chinese bean sprouts are sprouted from mung beans. Mung beans are now becoming increasingly popular in North America.

Which type of moong dal is best? ›

List of the Best Moong Dal in India
Best Moong Dal in IndiaAmazon RatingAmazon Price
Organic Tattva Moong Dal4.4/5Click Here
DeHaat Honest Farms Pesticide Free Unpolished Moong Dal4.0/5Click Here
Pure & Sure Organic Moong Dal4.3/5Click Here
Safe Harvest Pesticide-Free Goodness Mung Dal4.3/5Click Here
6 more rows
Feb 26, 2024

What is another name for mung Dahl? ›

The mung (pronounced and sometimes spelt moong) bean, also known as the green gram, mash or moong, is a pulse – and edible seed of the legume family. It originated in Iran, dating back 4,500 years and is popular in Asian cuisine - used in both savoury and sweet dishes.

What's another name for moong dal? ›

Moong Dal is also known as Green Gram Beans when whole, Split Green Gram when split with the skin on and as Split and Skinned Green Gram when de-skinned (yellow). The Moong Dal is native to India and is the most commonly used dal.

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