Quick Moong Dal
Quick yellow split-mung lentils
Ingredients
- 200 g Moong dal (yellow split mung)
- ½ tsp Ground turmeric
- 2 tbsp Ghee
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 1 Green chili
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 tbsp Cilantro (optional)
Method
- Rinse the moong dal until the water runs clear.
- Simmer the dal with the turmeric, salt, and plenty of water until very soft, about 15 minutes.
- Make the tadka: heat the ghee, sizzle the cumin seeds, sliced garlic, and slit chili until golden.
- Pour the sizzling tadka over the dal and stir through.
- Scatter with cilantro and serve over rice.
Tap “Start cooking” for live timers that flag what to get ahead on while something simmers.
About Quick Moong Dal
Quick moong dal is a everyday Indian lentil dish built on yellow split mung beans, one of the fastest-cooking and most digestible of the pulses. Simmered with turmeric until they collapse into a soft, golden pottage, the lentils need no soaking and turn tender in about fifteen minutes, which is what makes this such a reliable weeknight staple across North Indian kitchens. The dish is finished with a tadka, the sizzling tempering of ghee, cumin seeds, garlic, and green chili that is poured over the top just before serving, a step that defines the flavor far more than the simmering does.
On the plate it is mild, comforting, and gently earthy, with the nutty warmth of cumin and the sweet edge of fried garlic lifting an otherwise soft, soothing base. The turmeric gives it both color and a subtle bitterness, while the slit green chili adds a whisper of heat rather than a punch. Traditionally it is ladled over steamed rice or scooped up with roti, and it pairs naturally with a simple vegetable or a spoon of yogurt. Light, high in fiber, and easily made vegan by swapping the ghee for oil, it is the sort of nourishing meal Indian households cook without a second thought.
Quick Moong Dal: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Quick Moong Dal?
A serving has about 248 calories — 12.6g protein, 33.5g carbs, 7.8g fat, 8.8g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Quick Moong Dal gluten-free?
Based on its ingredients, Quick Moong Dal has no gluten-containing components, so it's naturally gluten-free — as always, check that any packaged ingredients you use are certified gluten-free to be safe.
Is Quick Moong Dal dairy-free?
Not as written — it uses Ghee. Swapping it for a plant-based alternative makes it dairy-free.
How long does Quick Moong Dal take to make?
About 20 minutes start to finish, but only around 6 of those are hands-on — the rest is largely unattended cooking time you can step away from. In the Homecooked app the timers and parallel steps are sequenced for you so the hands-on part feels even shorter.
Do I need every ingredient to make Quick Moong Dal?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out cilantro — it's optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Quick Moong Dal make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.