Masoor Dal (Red Lentil)
Masoor is the fastest weeknight dal. Whole masoor (brown) holds its shape for hearty curries; malka masoor (skinned, orange) breaks down into a smooth dal in minutes.
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Masoor Dal in Indian languages
| Language | Name | Pronounced |
|---|---|---|
| English | Red lentil | red lentil |
| Hindi | मसूर | Masoor |
| Tamil | மைசூர் பருப்பு | Mysore paruppu |
| Telugu | మసూర్ పప్పు | Masoor pappu |
| Kannada | ಮಸೂರ್ ಬೇಳೆ | Masoor bele |
| Malayalam | ചുവന്ന പരിപ്പ് | Chuvanna parippu |
| Marathi | मसूर डाळ | Masoor dal |
| Bengali | মুসুর ডাল | Musur dal |
| Gujarati | મસૂર દાળ | Masoor dal |
| Punjabi | ਮਸਰ ਦਾਲ | Masar dal |
How to cook it
- Soak
- None needed (malka); whole masoor benefits from 20 min
- Pressure cooker
- Malka 2–3, whole 3–4 (typical)
- Water ratio
- 1 cup dal : 2.5 cups water
- Stovetop
- Malka ~15 minutes; whole ~25 minutes
Malka masoor turns from orange to pale gold as it cooks — a sign it's ready.
Nutrition per 100 g
| sugar | 2 g |
|---|---|
| energy | 353 Kcal |
| protein | 26 g |
| carbohydrate | 60 g |
Indicative values for the dry pulse; cooking changes them.
Storage
Airtight and dry; use within 6–8 months.
Cook it tonight
Healthy & VeganDal Veg StewA light and fragrant coconut-flavored lentil and vegetable stew.Prep 10 mins · Cook 25 mins · Serves 4
Modern & FusionDal Burger PattyHealthy and flavorful moong or masoor dal patties for delicious homemade burgers.Prep 15 mins · Cook 15 mins · Serves 4 Patties
TraditionalMasoor Dal CurrySimple red lentil curry with mild spices.Prep 5 mins · Cook 15 mins · Serves 4
Healthy & VeganQuinoa Dal BowlA complete superfood meal bowl with high-protein quinoa, dal, and fresh greens.Prep 10 mins · Cook 20 mins · Serves 2Common questions
- What is masoor dal in English?
- Red lentil. Skinned and split it is orange (malka masoor); with skin it is brown (whole masoor).
- Does masoor dal need soaking?
- Malka masoor needs no soaking and cooks in around 15 minutes. Whole masoor cooks faster with a short 20-minute soak.
- Which dal cooks the fastest?
- Malka masoor and dhuli moong are the quickest — both are ready in roughly 15 minutes.