Dahl Masala is a pre-measured Indian spice blend for authentic lentil curry — the most cooked dish in India, vegan, high-protein, and ready in about 30 minutes. One packet makes one pot serving 3–5.
What Is Dahl?
Dahl (also spelled dal, daal, or dhal) is the backbone of Indian cooking — a thick, soupy lentil dish eaten at virtually every meal across the subcontinent. It's India's comfort food, protein source, and daily staple all in one. There are hundreds of regional variations, but the core is always the same: lentils + spices + time.
It's also one of the cheapest, healthiest meals you can make — a pot of dahl costs about $3 in ingredients and provides plant protein, fiber, and iron.
How to Cook Dahl
Ingredients
- 1 packet moji masala® Dahl Masala
- 1 cup red lentils (masoor dal) or yellow lentils (toor dal)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tbsp garlic-ginger paste
- 2 tbsp ghee or cooking oil
- 3 cups water
- Fresh cilantro and lemon for garnish
Step-by-Step
- Rinse lentils: Wash in cold water until it runs clear. This removes starch and prevents foaming.
- Cook lentils: Boil lentils in 3 cups water for 15–20 minutes until soft and starting to break down. Skim any foam.
- Make the tadka (tempering): In a separate pan, heat ghee. Sauté onions until golden. Add garlic-ginger paste, cook 1 minute. Add the moji masala® Dahl Masala packet, stir 30 seconds.
- Add tomatoes: Cook until soft, about 3 minutes.
- Combine: Pour the spiced tadka into the cooked lentils. Stir well and simmer 10 minutes.
Serve over basmati rice or with warm roti. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and fresh cilantro.
Flavor Profile
Earthy, comforting, and mildly spiced. Cumin and turmeric provide the foundation, with a gentle warmth from the garam masala. Dahl is one of the mildest Indian dishes — universally approachable.
Tips and Variations
- Red lentils cook fastest: They break down into a creamy consistency in 15 minutes — perfect for beginners
- Tadka is the secret: The fried spice tempering added at the end is what transforms plain lentils into dahl
- Add spinach: Stir in a handful of spinach during the last 5 minutes for dahl palak
- Freezes beautifully: Make a double batch and freeze individual portions for weeks of easy meals
Why Choose moji masala® Dahl Masala?
Our blend includes the spices for both the lentils and the tadka — everything in one packet. Vegan, gluten-free, no fillers, no MSG. The easiest introduction to Indian home cooking.
Shop Dahl Masala → | Watch the cooking video →
