Description
Dal Makhani is a rich and creamy lentil dish made primarily from urad dal (black gram) and rajma (kidney beans). The dish gets its name from the word makhani, meaning butter or cream, which is the secret to its velvety, indulgent texture. Dal Makhani is a perfect example of Punjabi cuisine’s ability to create bold, flavorful dishes that are satisfying and comforting.
Ingredients
Scale
Lentils
- ¾ cup whole urad dal (black gram)
- ¼ cup rajma (kidney beans)
- Water for soaking and cooking
For Masala Base
- 2 tbsp ghee or butter
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves
- 2 green cardamoms
- 1 black cardamom
- ½ cup finely chopped onions
- 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
- 1–2 green chilies, slit
- 1 cup tomato puree
- ½ tsp red chili powder
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tbsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
- ¼ cup fresh cream
Optional Smoky Flavor (Dhungar Method)
- 1 small piece of charcoal
- ½ tsp ghee
Instructions
1. Soak & Cook Lentils
- Soak urad dal and rajma overnight in water.
- Rinse and pressure cook with 3 cups water for 18–20 whistles until soft and creamy.
- Mash slightly and set aside with the cooking liquid.
2. Prepare Masala
- Heat ghee in a pan. Add bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, cardamoms.
- Sauté onions until golden. Add ginger garlic paste and green chilies.
- Stir in tomato puree, red chili powder, and salt. Cook until oil separates.
3. Combine & Simmer
- Add cooked lentils with stock to the masala.
- Simmer on low heat for 30–45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add garam masala, kasuri methi, and cream. Simmer for another 10 minutes.
4. Optional Dhungar (Smoky Flavor)
- Heat charcoal until red hot. Place in a small bowl inside the dal.
- Drizzle ghee on charcoal and immediately cover the pot.
- Let it smoke for 2–3 minutes, then remove the bowl.
Notes
Serve Dal Makhani with butter naan or steamed basmati rice, and top with a dollop of cream or butter for a truly indulgent, restaurant-style touch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: Moderate
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