Indian · serves 2

Dal Makhani

Slow, rich, and completely worth clearing an evening for.

70 min A proper cook Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1 cup whole urad dal, soaked overnight
  • 1/4 cup rajma, soaked overnight
  • 3 tomatoes, pureed
  • 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 tsp red chilli powder
  • 1 tsp kasuri methi
  • 80g butter
  • 1/2 cup cream

Method

  1. Pressure cook the soaked dal and rajma with salt for 8 whistles, then 20 minutes on low. It should be completely collapsed.
  2. Butter in a heavy pot, ginger-garlic paste, tomato puree, chilli powder. Cook 10 minutes.
  3. Add the dal with all its water. Now simmer on the lowest flame for 30 minutes, stirring every few minutes.
  4. Mash against the side of the pot as you go. That's what makes it creamy, not the cream.
  5. Kasuri methi, cream, and one last knob of butter.

Questions people ask about Dal Makhani

How long does Dal Makhani take?

About 70 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a proper cook. A good part of that is unattended, so you can get on with something else once it is going.

What can I use instead of rajma in Dal Makhani?

Use canned kidney beans, rinsed. Skip straight to the gravy step.

Can I make Dal Makhani ahead of time?

Yes, and it is better for it. Cool it fully, refrigerate for up to three days, and reheat gently with a splash of water. The flavours settle overnight.

Is Dal Makhani vegetarian?

Yes, it is vegetarian. It is not vegan as written because it contains dairy; swap the dairy for a plant alternative and the rest of the method is unchanged.

Do I need a pressure cooker for Dal Makhani?

A cooker is faster but not essential. In an open pot, expect roughly three times the cooking time and keep an eye on the water level, topping up with hot water rather than cold.

What do you serve with Dal Makhani?

Roti or plain rice, with something sharp on the side: curd, pickle or sliced onion. It serves two as written. Double everything to feed four, but use a wider pan so the food still browns rather than steams.

Don't know what to cook? Let it decide →

Read more on the technique

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