Punjabi home dal · Grainy and soft
Urad Dal Recipe (Dhuli Urad, Punjabi Style)
Soak 1 hour. Less water. Gentle stirring.
Recipe by Farwa ZeeshanTested in the NineFoods home kitchenDhuli urad dal (maash ki dal) should be soft but grainy, with each lentil separate. It turns sticky and gluey when overcooked with too much water or stirred hard. The fix is soaking, using measured water, cooking gently and folding rather than whisking.
The 3 laws of urad dal
Why this recipe works
Dry dal
Even cooking.
Too much
Too much water makes it gluey.
Whisking
Keeps grains whole.
Shopping and prep list
Ingredients
Dal
Tarka
The NineFoods urad gauge
Is the dal done?
Press a grain between your fingers.
Method · 2 stages
Step by step
Cook
- Bring water, turmeric and salt to a boil, add dal, ginger and chillies.
- Cover and cook on low without stirring. Use the gauge above.
Tarka
- Fry cumin, onion and garlic in ghee until golden.
- Add chilli and pour over the dal; fold gently.
Chef's troubleshooter
What went wrong? Pick the symptom
Why
Too much water or stirring.
Fix next time
Use 1.75 cups water per cup and fold gently.
Why
Not soaked.
Fix next time
Soak 1 hour.
Why
Weak tarka.
Fix next time
Use more ghee, garlic and onion.
Why
Normal for urad.
Fix next time
Skim foam and lower the heat.
Swap smart
Ingredient roles and substitutes
| Ingredient | Job in the dish | Swap with |
|---|---|---|
| Dhuli urad | Base | Moong dal |
| Ghee | Tarka | Oil |
| Ginger | Digestive and flavour | Ginger paste |
| Onion tarka | Sweetness | Garlic only |
After the meal
Serve, store, reheat
Serve with
Roti or rice with achar.
Store
Fridge 3 days.
Reheat
Sprinkle water, cover and warm on low.
How we tested this recipe
Tested in a home kitchen, not a studio
Recipe developed and tested by Farwa Zeeshan, who cooks and tests every NineFoods recipe on a regular home stove.
- Cooked from start to finish with the exact quantities above for 4 servings, using both the metric and US cup measures.
- Every one of the 2 stages was timed at the stove; heat levels and the 'look for' cues are what we saw in the pan.
- The doneness check (is the dal done) and the troubleshooter come from batches that went wrong, and how we fixed them.
- Reheating and storage advice was checked on leftovers, not guessed.
Keep cooking
Related recipes and guides
Quick answers
Urad Dal FAQ
How do I stop urad dal getting sticky?
Use measured water and fold gently instead of stirring.
Is urad dal the same as maash dal?
Yes, dhuli urad is called maash ki dal in Pakistan.
How long should I soak urad dal?
About 1 hour.
Is urad dal high in protein?
Yes, it is one of the most protein-rich lentils.