Published: November 18, 2018 | Updated November 14, 2020 | By Harini

Gujarati Dal Recipe – Sweet & Spicy

Name: Gujarati dal recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 3/4 cup arhar dal (toor dal or split pigeon peas); 1/4 cup peanuts; 2 green chilies (slit); 1/2 teaspoon minced ginger; 1 tomato (chopped); 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder; 1/2 teaspoon chili powder; 2 kokum pieces; 2 teaspoons jaggery; 1 tablespoon coriander leaves; 3 teaspoons ghee or oil; 1 teaspoon mustard seeds; 1 teaspoon cumin seeds; 1/2 teaspoon methi seeds; 2 cloves; 1/2 inch cinnamon stick; 3 dried red chilies; 10 curry leaves

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Gujarati dal recipe is a mildly spiced sweet and sour dal that is a staple in Gujarati cuisine. If you are looking for different yet yummy tasting dal recipe do try this one from Gujarat. This sweet and spicy healthy, comforting dal is made with arhar dal or toor dal or split pigeon peas. Here is how to make sweet and spicy Gujarati dal with step by step photos.

Dal is a staple in almost all Indian homes. Dal is the common name for cooked and seasoned lentils in India. There are various types of dal recipes that I rotate at home to avoid boredom and this Gujarati dal is a favorite at home.

Making Gujarati dal is very easy and quick too. You just need to cook the dal, simmer with spices powders and finally make the tadka. You can also make this dal in pressure cooker. I have included the instructions below.

Gujarati dal is slightly thin and has a sweet and sour taste. I have not made it very thin as we do not prefer it that way. You can easily adjust the consistency by adding more or less water while the dal is simmering.

The sweetness comes from jaggery and sourness is from dried kokum. Also this dal has peanuts for texture that I absolutely love. I am known for adding peanuts in all possible recipes at home 🙂

This no onion garlic Gujarati dal tastes best with soft buttery Gujarati rotis, jeera rice or even plain basmati rice.

If you like Gujarati food just like I do you might as well like to make handvo, dal dhokli, khaman, muthiya, khandvi recipes.

How To Make Gujarati Dal In Pressure Cooker?

To make Gujarati dal in pressure cooker, first of all add 3/4 cup picked and rinsed toor dal or arhar dal in a pressure cooker. Add 2 cups water, 1/4 cup peanuts, 2 or 3 dried kokum pieces, slit green chilies, turmeric powder, red chili powder, 2 teaspoons jaggery, 1/2 teaspoon minced ginger and salt to taste. Pressure cook up to 4 whistles.

Once the pressure is released, add required water to adjust consistency and simmer the dal. Meanwhile heat 3 teaspoons oil in a small pan. Temper with mustard seeds, cumin seeds, methi seeds, dried red chilies, curry leaves, cloves and cinnamon. Add to the cooked dal and mix well. Serve with rice or roti.

Serve Gujarati dal with jeera rice, peas pulao or plain steamed basmati rice and ghee. A side of potato fry, salad or chips will be good too.

Recipe Notes and Tips

Instead of kokum you can use lemon juice or tamarind juice. Add tamarind juice while simmering the dal or lemon juice just before serving. Tamarind will alter the color a bit tough

You can use a mix of arhar, chana and moong dal in this recipe.

More dal recipes you might like

How To Make Gujarati Dal Recipe Step by Step

Pick and rinse arhar dal well. Add to a pressure cooker. Also keep peanuts in a small cup.

Add water and pressure cook until smooth and cooked.

once the pressure is released mash the dal well.

Add tomatoes, green chili, ginger paste and mix well. Also add turmeric powder, chili powder, salt, jaggery, kokum and boiled peanuts.

Mix well add required water and cook for 8-10 minutes in medium flame.

Heat 3 teaspoons oil in a small pan. Temper with mustard seeds, methi seeds, cloves, cinnamom piece, curry leaves and dried red chilies.

Add to the simmering dal. Mix well and add coriander leaves.

Mix and remove from flame. Serve Gujarati dal hot with rice or roti.