12 Rules for Perfect Instant Pot Indian Cooking

5. Master Liquid Ratios

Water is your texture dial. The research consensus recommends roughly 3–4 cups of water per cup of lentils for many dal styles, though the exact number depends on the type of dal and whether you want a thick or soupy result. Gujarati-style dals skew toward thinner, more soupy finishes, while South Indian sambar leans toward moderate thickness. For basmati rice alone, use a 1:1 to 1:1.25 rice-to-water ratio in PIP setups because the rice is insulated in a separate bowl and receives gentle steam. When you pressure-cook, spices and aromatics also contribute moisture, so account for that. If a recipe calls for a certain consistency, start in the middle of the suggested range and adjust in future batches based on family preferences. Measuring cups and a simple scale will turn recipe memory into repeatable results, so you can reliably make dal the way your family prefers.