Toor Dal (Arhar Dal)
Toor dal and arhar dal are two names for the same split pigeon pea — the everyday yellow dal behind dal tadka, sambar and Gujarati dal. Mild, nutty, and quick to a creamy finish.
Buy Toor Dal
Toor Dal in Indian languages
| Language | Name | Pronounced |
|---|---|---|
| English | Pigeon pea / red gram | split pigeon peas |
| Hindi | अरहर / तूर दाल | Arhar / Toor dal |
| Tamil | துவரம் பருப்பு | Thuvaram paruppu |
| Telugu | కంది పప్పు | Kandi pappu |
| Kannada | ತೊಗರಿ ಬೇಳೆ | Togari bele |
| Malayalam | തുവര പരിപ്പ് | Thuvara parippu |
| Marathi | तूर डाळ | Tur dal |
| Bengali | অড়হর ডাল | Arhar dal |
| Gujarati | તુવેર દાળ | Tuver dal |
| Punjabi | ਅਰਹਰ / ਤੂਰ ਦਾਲ | Arhar / Toor dal |
How to cook it
- Soak
- Optional — 15–20 minutes shortens the cook
- Pressure cooker
- 3–4 whistles (typical)
- Water ratio
- 1 cup dal : 3 cups water
- Stovetop
- Open pot ~30–40 minutes after soaking
Add a few drops of oil or a pinch of turmeric to keep it from frothing over.
Nutrition per 100 g
| sugar | 0 g |
|---|---|
| energy | 343 Kcal |
| protein | 22 g |
| carbohydrate | 63 g |
Indicative values for the dry pulse; cooking changes them.
Storage
Keep in an airtight container away from sunlight; use within 6–8 months for the best texture.
Cook it tonight
TraditionalSambarSouth Indian lentil stew with tamarind and vegetables.Prep 15 mins · Cook 30 mins · Serves 6
TraditionalToor Dal FryHomestyle pigeon pea dal with garlic and cumin.Prep 10 mins · Cook 20 mins · Serves 4
Healthy & VeganDal Veg StewA light and fragrant coconut-flavored lentil and vegetable stew.Prep 10 mins · Cook 25 mins · Serves 4
TraditionalDal DhokliGujarati-style wheat dumplings simmered in dal.Prep 20 mins · Cook 30 mins · Serves 4Common questions
- Is toor dal and arhar dal the same?
- Yes — they are two regional names for the same split pigeon pea. Toor is common in the south and west, arhar in the north.
- Do I need to soak toor dal?
- Soaking is optional. A 15–20 minute soak helps it cook faster and more evenly, but a pressure cooker handles unsoaked dal in 3–4 whistles.
- What is toor dal called in English?
- Split pigeon peas, also called red gram.