11 Quick 30-Minute Indian Dinner Recipes for Workdays

4. Quick Dal Tadka — Comforting Yellow Lentils in Half an Hour

Why it works: Dal tadka relies on lentils that cook quickly or on canned lentils to cut time even further. Prep: 5–7 minutes to rinse dal and chop aromatics. Cook: 15–20 minutes; use pressure cookers or instant pots to reach this window easily. Cook washed moong or toor dal with turmeric and salt; meanwhile, prepare the tadka by frying cumin, garlic, dried red chili, and ghee until aromatic and then pour it over the cooked dal. The tempering step gives deep flavor with almost no extra effort. Serve with quick jeera rice or warm flatbreads. Dietary note: dal is naturally gluten-free and vegetarian; add a squeeze of lime for brightness and sprinkle with fresh coriander before serving. Cultural note: dal is a daily comfort in many homes and pairs with rice, rotis, or simple sides for a balanced, fast meal.