Chana Dal Recipe (Bengal Gram Dal)

Name: Chana Dal Recipe (Bengal Gram Dal)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1 cup (205 grams) chana dal ((Bengal gram)); 3 cups (710 ml) water (to pressure cook (more if using pot)); ½ teaspoon turmeric; 2 tablespoons (30 ml) ghee or oil; ¾ cup (100 grams) onions ((1 medium onion fine chopped)); ½ tablespoon ginger (minced/grated (6 grams from ¾ inch root)); 1 tablespoon garlic (minced/ grated (11 grams from 4 to 5 medium cloves)); 1 cup (150 grams) tomatoes ( (2 medium chopped finely)); 1 Indian bay leaf ( (optional)); 2 inch cinnamon piece ((Ceylon/cassia, read notes)); 1 black cardamom ((omit if you don’t like)); 3 green cardamoms ( (or use ¼ tsp ground)); 1 teaspoon sea salt ( (adjust to taste)); ½ teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder ( (adjust to taste)); ½ teaspoon garam masala ( (adjust to taste)); 1 teaspoon coriander powder; ½ teaspoon cumin powder; 1 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves ( (kasuri methi)); ½ teaspoon amchur ((mango powder or sub with chaat masala or 2 tbsps lemon juice while serving)); 3 tablespoons coriander leaves ( (cilantro chopped finely)); 1½ to 2 tablespoon ghee or oil ((30 ml)); ½ teaspoon cumin seeds; 2 green chilies (deseed & slit or dried red chilies (or both, omit if making for kids)); 2 garlic cloves (chopped (4 grams)); ½ inch ginger (juliennes (4 grams)); ¼ teaspoon asafoetida ( (hing, optional)); ¼ teaspoon red chili powder ((optional, only if required))

Instructions

Prep:15minCook:30min

Chana dal is a healthy, protein packed and delicious Indian dish where Bengal gram is cooked in a spicy onion tomato masala. It is can be eaten with rice, roti or plain parathas. Make it in the Instant pot or Stove top with this recipe.

Updated at: Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:05:36 GMT