Butter chicken with garlic naan and basmati rice at SPICE ROOM Denver
Back to Recipes
A comforting bowl of yellow dal tadka, a classic Indian lentil soup tempered with aromatic spices | SPICE ROOM Denver
dal
lentils
vegetarian
vegan
comfort food
healthy
MAINS

Comforting Dal Tadka

ByCulinary TeamLast updated

Creamy yellow lentils tempered with aromatic spices and garlic - the ultimate Indian comfort food.

Easy
Prep: 10 minsCook: 30 minsServes: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 cup yellow lentils (toor dal)
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 3 cups water
  • 3 tbsp ghee
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 4 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 2 dried red chilies
  • 1 medium tomato, diced
  • 1 tsp red chili powder
  • fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. 1

    Wash lentils thoroughly. Add to pot with water and turmeric.

  2. 2

    Pressure cook for 3 whistles or simmer until completely soft, about 25 minutes.

  3. 3

    Mash the dal with a whisk until creamy. Add water for desired consistency.

  4. 4

    For tadka: Heat ghee in small pan until very hot.

  5. 5

    Add cumin seeds and let them splutter. Add garlic and fry until golden.

  6. 6

    Add dried chilies, tomato, and chili powder. Cook for 1 minute.

  7. 7

    Pour sizzling tadka over the dal. Garnish with cilantro and serve with rice.

Chef's Notes

Dal Tadka is the heart and soul of Indian home cooking. This humble lentil dish, finished with a sizzling tempering of spices, is pure comfort in a bowl. It’s nutritious, affordable, and absolutely delicious.

SPICE ROOM Kitchen, Culinary Team at SPICE ROOM Denver

SPICE ROOM Kitchen

Culinary Team

The SPICE ROOM culinary team collaborates on recipes inspired by generations of family cooking traditions from across India and Nepal. Every recipe we share is tested and refined in our Denver kitchens to bring you authentic flavors at home.

Indian Cuisine
Himalayan Cuisine
Home Cooking

Skip the cooking

Try Comforting Dal Tadka at SPICE ROOM

Love this recipe? Taste the original at any of our 3 Denver locations — made fresh by our chefs daily.

West 38th Ave — 3157 W 38th Ave, Denver, CO 80211East Colfax Ave — 3100 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206Ralston Rd — 7355 Ralston Rd Unit H, Arvada, CO 80002
Order NowReserve a TableAll Locations

Serving neighborhoods across Denver:

Denver Food GuideDenver's Best RestaurantBest Restaurant DenverHighlandsCapitol HillArvadaLakewoodLittletonCentennialHighlands RanchCherry Creek

Related Dishes

View Full Menu →

Explore More

Denver Food GuideFull MenuHappy Hour & DrinksCatering ServicesOur 3 Locations

Share This Recipe

Embed this recipe card on your blog or website with the code below.

Comforting Dal Tadka

Comforting Dal Tadka

Prep: 10 mins · Cook: 30 mins · Serves: 4

Key ingredients: 1 cup yellow lentils (toor dal), 1/2 tsp turmeric, 3 cups water, 3 tbsp ghee, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 4 cloves garlic, sliced…

Get Full Recipe →

Recipe by SPICE ROOM Denver

<blockquote cite="https://denverspiceroom.com/blog/comforting-dal-tadka" style="max-width:400px;font-family:Georgia,serif;border:1px solid #D4A853;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;margin:1em auto;">
<img src="https://denverspiceroom.com/food/dal-tadka.webp" alt="Comforting Dal Tadka" style="width:100%;height:200px;object-fit:cover;" />
<div style="padding:16px;">
<h3 style="margin:0 0 8px;font-size:18px;color:#1A1A2E;">Comforting Dal Tadka</h3>
<p style="margin:0 0 8px;font-size:13px;color:#666;">Prep: 10 mins · Cook: 30 mins · Serves: 4</p>
<p style="margin:0 0 12px;font-size:12px;color:#888;">Key ingredients: 1 cup yellow lentils (toor dal), 1/2 tsp turmeric, 3 cups water, 3 tbsp ghee, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 4 cloves garlic, sliced…</p>
<a href="https://denverspiceroom.com/blog/comforting-dal-tadka?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=recipe_embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline-block;padding:8px 16px;background:#D4A853;color:#1A1A2E;text-decoration:none;border-radius:8px;font-size:13px;font-weight:bold;">Get Full Recipe →</a>
<p style="margin:8px 0 0;font-size:10px;color:#aaa;">Recipe by <a href="https://denverspiceroom.com?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=recipe_embed" style="color:#D4A853;">SPICE ROOM Denver</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>