Easy Methi Dal Recipe

Methi Dal is a delicious Indian lentils recipe where toor dal is cooked with methi leaves. Top it with a tadka and serve it with rice. You can also make this Fenugreek Lentil stew on the stovetop. It's packed with flavors, easy to make, and very comforting.

Indian Dals

While lentils have recently become extremely popular in the west, India has been using lentils in their cuisine for centuries.

The word Dal means pulses - lentils and beans but even the stew-type dish made with it is called Dal. There are hundreds of dal varieties thanks to India's diverse population.

The Indian Dal is a slow-cooked soft and mashed lentils dish that's mildly flavored and is popularly eaten with rice. It's considered comfort food for us.

Every state/city/town has its own version of Dal depending upon the season and crops. It's amazing how so many different kinds of recipes can be made using lentils. 

I love my Dal which is why you will find a variety of recipes here. I try to feature different Dal recipes from all over India.

What is methi

Fenugreek or methi is a slightly bitter yet very nutritious green leafy vegetable. It is rich in minerals dietary fiber and vitamins.

It's a very popular green vegetable used in Indian cuisine. Some recipes with fenugreek leaves on the blog are Aloo Methi, Vegan Methi Matar Malai, and Methi Ghavan.

Fenugreek also comes in the form of seeds and dried leaves that's called Kasuri Methi. In today's recipe, we will only be using fresh green leaves.

When paired with lentils which are rich in protein, this methi dal becomes a power-packed dish.

Methi dal is a delicious dish made with lentils, fenugreek leaves, spices, and herbs. This Indian Dal recipe is aromatic and comforting too.

Fenugreek or methi leaves (in Hindi) - Fresh fenugreek leaves are preferred. You can find them at any Indian grocery store. If fresh ones are not available, you can also use frozen ones.

However, do not substitute leaves with methi seeds. Kasuri methi can be added but more as a garnish and not as a main ingredient. Just 1-2 tablespoons are enough.

Lentils - I have used tur or toor dal in this recipe. But you can make this dal with pretty much any lentil variety - masoor dal, chana dal, or moong dal. You can also mix them up.

Ghee - it's essential to add ghee to Dal and since it's made from dairy, I use homemade vegan ghee. It gives this Dal the same aroma and flavor.

Other veggies - Onions, and tomatoes give this Dal a sweet yet tangy flavor.

Herbs and spices - cilantro, cumin seeds, bay leaf, garlic, serrano pepper or green chilies, turmeric powder, paprika or chilly powder, and garam masala.

Instant Pot

Soaking toor dal 15 minutes prior is an optional step that you can do if you have the time.

1. Turn on the Instant Pot on saute mode and add vegan ghee. Temper cumin seeds and fry bay leaf.  Then add minced garlic, chopped onions and serrano peppers. Saute till the onions turn translucent.
2. Add the chopped tomatoes along with salt. Cook till they turn soft.
3. Next, add and washed and chopped methi leaves. Mix and continue to saute it for a minute.
4. Add the rinsed toor dal, turmeric powder, paprika, and salt to this. Mix and add water to get the desired consistency. Turn off the Instant Pot and close the lid. Select manual/pressure mode, keep the valve in sealing position. Pressure cook for 8 minutes. Release the pressure naturally and then open the lid. Garnish with garam masala and chopped cilantro and mix it all together. Chef Tip - Add water to get the desired consistency. You can also mash the toor dal a bit if needed.

Stovetop

For the stovetop version, I cook the toor dal separately in a pressure cooker first.

Add washed dal, water, salt, and half a teaspoon of turmeric powder into the cooker. Pressure cook it for 15 minutes or 3 whistles.

Open the lid after the pressure releases and mix and mash the lentils. Add water if it's too thick.

• Heat vegan ghee in a pan. Temper cumin seeds and fry bay leaf.  Then add minced garlic. Saute till the garlic releases an aroma. 
• Then add the chopped onions and saute till they turn translucent. Add tomatoes and cook till they turn soft and pulpy.
• Next, add split green chillies and the washed and chopped methi leaves. Mix and continue to saute it for 2-3 minutes.
• Add boiled tur dal and salt to this. Add water to get the desired consistency and bring it to a boil. Add garam masala and chopped cilantro to garnish it. 

Methi leaves can be swapped with any other greens like spinach, beet leaves, or baby kale. If you are unable to find fresh methi leaves, use frozen methi. If you like the flavor of curry leaves, onion and garlic, add them along with ginger paste and saute till the onions turn translucent.

Recipe FAQs