My Instant Pot Langar Dal recipe has been one of the most requested recipes on all my social media channels, so I decided to share it with everyone on my blog with my tricks and tips. The authentic way of preparing this dal is by using a large container and letting it simmer for hours on a stovetop, but I am preparing it using my Instant Pot to save time so that everyone can enjoy this hearty and nutritious meal.

Langar Dal, or sometimes also known as Amritsari Dal, is served in Gurudwaras (Sikh Temples) all over the world. Langar is the term used in Sikhism for the kitchen in a Gurudwara. The kitchen is run by volunteers who prepare free meals for all visitors. Everyone sits on the floor to eat Langar and everyone is treated equally. To learn more about the meaning of Langar, you can visit, Langar Facts.

Growing up in Iran, Gurudwara was an integral part of our lives. We were connected to the Gurudwara spiritually but there was also a social aspect to it. It was a place to meet everyone and catch up and the best part for me was to help with langar preparations, serving the langar to all the visitors, and then helping out with washing dishes afterward.

Langar is usually a basic and humble vegetarian meal. Dal is India’s basic yet favorite food which is prepared in every Indian household. It comes as no surprise that Dal is the most served dish in all Gurudwaras. It is usually served with phulkas (chappati), side of achar, and a simple sabzi (vegetable).

What kind of Dals are used in Instant Pot Langar Dal?
For this recipe, I have used black split urad dal, chana dal (chickpea dal), and rajma (red kidney beans). Rajma is optional but I feel they add a great flavor and texture to the dish.

Do I need to soak the Dals?
The dals need to be soaked for an hour but since kidney beans take longer to cook, you should soak them overnight.

TIPS:
If you forget to soak the dal overnight, you can soak it in boiling water the same day for 2 hours.
Alternatively, you can use canned kidney beans and add them once the dal is cooked in the instant pot.
The second tempering-This option is completely optional; however, I would highly encourage this additional step as it enhances the flavor.

Where can I buy all the Indian Ingredients for this recipe?
Indian spices are readily available at all Indian Grocery Stores; however, I recently curated a list of Online Indian Grocery Stores that carry an extensive range of Indian spices and groceries. I am sharing the link here for your convenience: Online Indian Grocery Stores in the USA.

How can I make this recipe vegan?
You can make this recipe 100 percent vegan by replacing the Ghee with oil or vegan butter.

What can I eat with Langar Dal?
This dal is best enjoyed with roti ,naan, kulcha, or plain rice. I am sharing some of my other recipes with you here:

• Onion Kulcha
• Pudina Naan
• Parathas
• Shahi Paneer
• Palak Paneer Dhaba Style