12 Rules for Perfect Instant Pot Indian Cooking

4. Sort and (When Helpful) Soak Lentils

Sorting and rinsing lentils eliminates stones and dust that can affect cooking and texture. Rinse until the rinse water is mostly clear, then decide whether to soak. A 15–30 minute soak often reduces pressure-cook time and helps dals cook evenly; Research Agent testing indicates short soaks trim cooking needs by a minute or two and reduce the risk of undercooked cores. Soaking can also help reduce foaming during pressure cooking. Different pulses behave differently: split dals like masoor and toor typically cook quickly and may not need a long soak, while whole legumes and older pulses benefit from a soak. If you’re in a hurry, rinse thoroughly and add an extra minute or two to pressure time rather than skipping these checks. For very old pulses, try a longer soak overnight or choose a different pulse to avoid unpredictable results.