Is rajma (kidney beans) necessary in Dal Makhani?

Yes, a small portion of rajma gives an authentic taste and texture. You can skip it, but the flavour won’t be the same.

What if I don’t have a pressure cooker?

You can slow cook in a heavy-bottomed pot for 2–3 hours until soft. Slow simmering often makes the flavor even better.

How do I make my Dal Makhani creamy like restaurants?

Simmer for a long time on low heat and finish with butter and cream. Lightly mashing the dal adds to the creaminess.

Can I skip the cream?

Yes, but the traditional richness comes from cream.

What’s the difference between Dal Makhani and Maa ki Dal?

Maa ki Dal is simpler and made only with whole urad dal. Dal Makhani uses rajma, butter, cream, and longer cooking time—making it more tasty.

Dal Makhani (Punjabi-Style)

Name: Dal Makhani (Punjabi-Style)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 105 min
Yield: 5
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1 cup sabut urad dal (whole black gram); 0.25 cup rajma (red kidney beans); 4 cups water; 0.5 cup onion, chopped; 1 green chilli chopped; 1 bay leaf; 1 in cinnamon stick; 2 black cardamom pods; 3 cloves; 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste; 0.5 tsp salt; 0.5 tsp turmeric powder; 2 tbsp ghee (clarified butter); 1 tsp cumin seeds; 1.5 tbsp Kashmiri red chilli powder; 1 cup ground tomatoes; 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste); 1 cup water; 2 tbsp cream; 0.5 tsp garam masala; 1 tsp Kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves), crushed; 2 tbsp butter; 2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves, for garnish; 1 tbsp oil; 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped; 0.5 tsp cumin seeds

Leena Kohli (@leenakohli)

Indian Lunch Dinner Main Course Vegetarian

Dal Makhani is a rich and creamy North Indian popular Punjabi dish, made with whole black lentils and kidney beans simmered in aromatic spices, butter, and cream. It’s that one dish we almost always order at restaurants — and a favourite for family lunches, festive dinners, and special get-togethers.

The best part? You don't have to wait for an occasion or a restaurant visit- with this recipe, you can recreate the same **restaurant-style Dal Makhani **at...

Stuck mid-recipe?

Chefadora AI has the answer - timers, swaps, step-by-step help.

Prep Time

15min

Cook Time

1hr 30min

Total Time

1hr 45min

How to make Dal Makhani (Punjabi-Style)

Soak & Boil the Lentils

Step 1
Rinse urad dal and rajma 2-3 times. Soak overnight in plenty of water, then drain.
Step 2
Add soaked dal and rajma to a pressure cooker along with water, onion, green chilli, bay leaf, cinnamon, black cardamoms, cloves, ginger-garlic paste, salt, and turmeric.
Step 3
Pressure cook on high heat for 1 whistle, then reduce the heat and cook for 7-8 more whistles. Let the pressure release naturally.
Step 4
Check if the lentils are soft. If not, add ½ cup water and cook for 2–3 more whistles.
Step 5
Once cooked, discard the bay leaf, cinnamon, and cardamoms.

Prepare the Masala

Step 1
Heat ghee in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them crackle.
Step 2
Stir in Kashmiri red chilli powder, then quickly add the ground tomatoes to prevent the spice from burning.
Step 3
Add salt and cook until the ghee separates from the masala.
Step 4
Add the cooked dal to the pan. Stir well, add 1 cup water (or more if needed), and let it simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes. Stir occasionally and mash a few lentils for a creamier consistency.
Step 5
Mix in butter, kasuri methi, and garam masala. Finally, add cream, stir, and switch off the heat.

For Tempering

Step 1
Heat oil in a small pan. Add garlic and cumin seeds, and sauté until golden.
Step 2
Pour the tempering over the dal and stir gently.

For Serving

Step 1
Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
Step 2
Serve hot with naan, tandoori roti, paratha, or rice.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories

225.1kcal (11.25%)

Protein

9.6g (19.28%)

Carbs

19.7g (7.18%)

Sugars

3.2g (6.48%)

Healthy Fat

6.3g

Unhealthy Fat

9.1g

% Daily Value based on a 2000 calorie diet

Tips & Tricks

Always soak urad dal and rajma for at least 8 hours. This ensures creamy, soft lentils.
The longer the dal simmers on low heat, the richer the taste becomes.
Place a hot coal in a small bowl inside the pot, drizzle with ghee, and cover for 3-4 minutes for a smoky flavor.
Add butter and cream at the end to keep the taste balanced and prevent the dairy from curdling.
Dal Makhani tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen overnight.

FAQS

Is rajma (kidney beans) necessary in Dal Makhani?
Yes, a small portion of rajma gives an authentic taste and texture. You can skip it, but the flavour won’t be the same.
What if I don’t have a pressure cooker?
You can slow cook in a heavy-bottomed pot for 2–3 hours until soft. Slow simmering often makes the flavor even better.
How do I make my Dal Makhani creamy like restaurants?
Simmer for a long time on low heat and finish with butter and cream. Lightly mashing the dal adds to the creaminess.
Can I skip the cream?
Yes, but the traditional richness comes from cream.
What’s the difference between Dal Makhani and Maa ki Dal?
Maa ki Dal is simpler and made only with whole urad dal. Dal Makhani uses rajma, butter, cream, and longer cooking time—making it more tasty.

Loading reviews...

Dal Makhani (Punjabi-Style)

Stuck mid-recipe?

Ingredients

For Boiling