Tarka Dal, a cherished dish in South Asian cuisine, warmly invites diners into a world of rich flavours and cultural traditions. This humble yet heart warming lentil dish originates from India, where it holds a special place in countless households and eateries as a symbol of comfort and hospitality.
Tarka Dal embodies simplicity with the beauty of lentils cooked to perfection with with a fragrant tempering of spices. The dish typically features split yellow lentils (masoor dal) or pigeon peas (toor dal), cooked until soft and creamy. These two delicious ingredients create a luscious base that is both nourishing and satisfying.
To prepare Tarka Dal, the lentils are gently simmered with water, with aromatic ingredients such as garlic, ginger and turmeric. This infuses the dish with layers of savoury depth and warmth. As the lentils cook, they absorb the flavours of the spices, transforming into a velvety texture that delights the senses.
The magic of Tarka Dal truly comes to life with the addition of the “tarka” or tempering—a vibrant mixture of spices sizzled in oil. This is then poured over the cooked lentils. This final touch elevates the dish with a burst of colour and aroma. Hardly surprising with mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dried red chilies and curry leaves together in harmony. They leave behind a tantalizing fragrance and complexity to the dish.
Served alongside steamed rice or freshly baked bread such as naan or roti. Tarka Dal extends a warm invitation to savour each spoonful, allowing the flavours to unfold on the palate. Its versatility also makes it a delightful accompaniment to a variety of dishes, adding a comforting touch to any meal.
Whether enjoyed at home with loved ones or savoured in a bustling restaurant, Tarka Dal extends a gracious welcome, inviting diners to partake in the timeless tradition of sharing food, stories, and laughter. With its gentle flavours and heartfelt warmth, this beloved dish continues to bridge cultures and create cherished moments of connection around the dining table.
Tarka Dal is a superb comfort food and a warming dish on a cold day. Serve this as a side dish or enjoy it as a main dish with a spoonful of cooling yoghurt. The lentils in this dish are high in protein but low if fat and highly nutritious. This is a traditional Indian vegetarian dish using lentils (Dal) and spices that make this a superb dish with its peppery flavour and orange/yellow colouring. Serving Tarka Dal on a bed of freshly cooked rice makes this a popular dish. Also this dish will be very popular even to non-vegetarians as it is tasty, filling, aromatic with a vibrant colour.
Tarka Dal
Ingredients
- 175 g split mung beans washed
- 175 g red lentils
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 medium tomatoes chopped
- 2 tsp birds eye chillies chopped
- 1 tsp turmeric ground
- 2 tbsp sunflower oil
- 30 g butter
- 2 tsp cumin seeds
- 5 cloves garlic chopped
- 3 cm ginger grated
- 2 tsp salt to taste
- 2 tsp garam masala
- 1 bunch coriander chopped
Instructions
- To make the dal, place both dal in a large saucepan and pour over 3 pints of water.175 g split mung beans, 175 g red lentils
- Add the chillies, the turmeric and salt and bring to the boil.2 tsp birds eye chillies, 1 tsp turmeric, 2 tsp salt
- Reduce the heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil and butter in a small saucepan over a medium heat.2 tbsp sunflower oil, 30 g butter
- Add the cumin, garlic, ginger, onion and tomatoes and cook for 12–15 minutes.1 medium onion, 2 medium tomatoes, 2 tsp cumin seeds, 5 cloves garlic, 3 cm ginger
- When the dal is cooked, stir in the onion and tomato mixture and the garam masala, bring back to the boil, then remove from the heat.2 tsp garam masala
- Garnish with coriander before serving with the chapatis.1 bunch coriander
43 comments
If you love Indian food then you will love this recipe.
The whole family enjoyed this meal. It was mild enough for everyone but still had plenty of flavour. I might add extra chilli for my own portion.
A lovely homemade dal with a perfect balance between spices and creaminess. I would make a larger batch next time because it disappeared quickly.
A lovely traditional-style dal with a fantastic depth of flavour. I added extra cumin seeds for a slightly stronger spice profile.
A great dish for vegetarians and anyone looking for a meat-free option. The flavours were rich and satisfying without being heavy.
This was a delicious and nourishing meal. The lentils were cooked perfectly and the spices created a lovely warmth without overpowering the dish.
A brilliant vegetarian recipe that does not feel like it is missing anything. The lentils make it wonderfully filling.
Absolutely delicious Tarka Dal. The spices were perfectly balanced, and it made a wonderfully comforting meal with rice. I added a little extra chilli for more heat.
Excellent recipe with great results. The texture was perfect, although I added a little extra water because I prefer my dal slightly thinner.
A fantastic recipe that delivers restaurant-style flavours at home. The only change I made was adding slightly more garlic.
A delicious, warming and wholesome meal. My only suggestion would be to serve it with a fresh side salad to add some crunch.
This has become one of my favourite lentil dishes. The flavours are delicious and it reheats very well the following day.
This dish was packed with flavour and very satisfying. I added some fried onions on top, which worked really well.
A lovely combination of spices and lentils. The final tempering really brought the dish together and made it feel special.
A fantastic vegetarian recipe that even meat lovers will enjoy. It was full of flavour and paired beautifully with basmati rice.
This was a huge hit at our dinner table. Everyone enjoyed the creamy lentils and fragrant spices. I would recommend serving it with warm naan.
This recipe has become a regular in our household. It is easy to prepare and tastes even better when made ahead.
A tasty and affordable meal that the whole family enjoyed. The flavours developed even more the next day, making the leftovers even better.
Really enjoyed this recipe. The lentils were cooked beautifully, and the spices created a lovely warming taste. I added extra coriander for freshness.
A really enjoyable dish with a lovely balance of spices. I added fresh coriander before serving, which lifted the flavours beautifully.
A fantastic homemade version of a classic Indian favourite. The lentils were creamy, filling and full of flavour. I would recommend cooking it slightly longer for an even richer texture.
A simple recipe with impressive results. The flavours were rich and satisfying. I found it needed a little extra seasoning, but otherwise it was excellent.
Really enjoyed this recipe. It was easy to follow and produced a deliciously fragrant dal. Served with naan bread and it was better than many takeaway versions.
A delicious and comforting meal that was easy to prepare. The aroma while cooking was amazing, and the final tempering added the perfect finishing touch.
The flavours in this Tarka Dal were outstanding. It was even better after resting for a while, allowing the spices to blend together.
A great recipe for anyone new to Indian cooking. The instructions were easy to follow and the results were delicious.
This dish was full of delicious Indian-inspired flavours. The aromatic spices made it very enjoyable, and it worked perfectly as part of a larger meal.
Really impressed with this recipe. It was creamy, aromatic and filling. A great option for a budget-friendly family meal.
This is a recipe I will definitely make again. It was easy, economical and packed with flavour. A little more spice would suit my personal taste.
I loved how simple this Tarka Dal was to prepare. The finished dish tasted like something from a restaurant. I would personally add more ginger next time.
This Tarka Dal was absolutely delicious and very comforting. It paired perfectly with rice and made a wonderful evening meal.
This recipe created a beautiful bowl of dal. It was hearty, warming and full of flavour. I would suggest adjusting the spice level depending on personal preference.
A very tasty Tarka Dal that was comforting and filling. I added a splash of coconut milk for a slightly creamier variation.
The perfect accompaniment to curry night. It complemented other dishes beautifully and was surprisingly filling on its own.
The perfect comfort food for a cold evening. The lentils were soft, creamy and satisfying. I added a squeeze of lemon at the end, which gave it a lovely freshness.
A wonderful dish packed with flavour and comfort. The garlic and spices worked beautifully together. My only suggestion would be to increase the chilli if you enjoy a stronger kick.
This Tarka Dal was full of wonderful aromas while cooking. The tempering of the spices at the end made such a difference. I would suggest making extra because everyone wanted seconds.
A beautiful vegetarian dish that proves simple ingredients can create amazing flavours. The spice combination worked perfectly, although I would reduce the chilli slightly for younger family members.
Really tasty and full of authentic flavours. I added a little yoghurt on top when serving, which gave it a lovely cooling contrast.
I enjoyed every spoonful of this Tarka Dal. The combination of textures and spices was excellent. Next time I may add spinach for extra colour and nutrition.
Absolutely loved this Tarka Dal. It was packed with flavour, easy to make and perfect with rice or flatbreads. I will definitely be making it again.
This was my first time making Tarka Dal and it was a huge success. The flavours were warming and authentic. I might add more garlic next time because I love the extra depth it brings.
A wonderful example of how simple ingredients can create something special. The texture was excellent, although I prefer my dal slightly thicker.