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    Home » Dal » Sri Lankan Dhal Mallum

    Sri Lankan Dhal Mallum Recipe

    Published: May 2, 2023 by Pavani · 12 Comments

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    blue bowl with Sri Lankan dal.

    Sri Lankan Dhal Mallum is a simple everyday lentil dish that is hearty, comforting and delicious. Red lentils are seasoned with cooked onions and grated coconut in this recipe.

    This is an easy side dish to make. I use the instant pot to cook the lentils to make it even more easier. Dhal curry is a perfect side dish to serve with rice and some Sri Lankan eggplant pickle.

    Blue bowl with Sri Lankan dhal mallum.

    Table of contents

    • About the recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
      • Cook lentils
      • Make Dhal Mallum
    • Expert Tips
    • You might also like
    • Recipe Card

    About the recipe

    I love exploring international vegetarian dishes from around the world. In that quest, I found that Sri Lankan cuisine is exotic with its with influences from South Indian, Indonesian, Dutch and other South east Asian cuisines.

    Here I have a everyday lentil dish from Sri Lanka. Dhal mallum is a simple and easy to make dish. Unlike Indian dal recipes, this dhal curry does not have any tomatoes or tamarind. Even without these ingredients, this dal is absolutely delicious.

    Spoon holding dhal mallum.

    Lentils are cooked along with onion, garlic and chilies. These impart a lot of flavor to the dal. Also adding some fried onions afterwards along with grated coconut makes this dish irresistible. My kids love it. It is a great side dish to serve with either rice or bread.

    Ingredients

    For the details of the exact quantities of each ingredient and the list of ingredients needed, check the printable recipe card below.

    Here are the ingredients you need to make Sri Lankan style dhal mallum recipe:

    • Red lentils aka masoor dal ~ these are quick and easy to cook.
    • Onions - I love using red onions but feel free to use any variety you have on hand.
    • Garlic, green chilies and curry leaves.
    • Mustard & cumin seeds.
    • Turmeric, red chili powder and salt.
    Ingredients needed, details in recipe card.

    Instructions

    For the detailed instructions on how to make the recipe with exact timings, check the printable recipe card below.

    Here is how to make Sri Lankan dal recipe:

    Cook lentils

    You can cook the lentils either in a pressure cooker or on the stove top. I have also included details instructions for both in the recipe card.

    Combine lentils and water in the Instant Pot. Add the chopped onions, green chilies, turmeric and mix well. Cook on high pressure/ manual for 1 minute. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes and quick release the remaining. Set the cooked dal aside.

    4 panel photo showing the addition of ingredients to instant pot.

    Make Dhal Mallum

    Heat oil in a sauté pan on medium heat. Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Once the seeds start to splutter, add curry leaves and the remaining onions and the garlic. Cook till the onions are translucent.

    4 panel photo showing the sautéing of onions in a pan.

    Add the cooked dal, red chili powder, salt and grated coconut. Mix well and cook for 3~4 minutes. Serve hot with rice.

    2 panel photo showing the making of the dal.
    blue bowl with Sri Lankan dhal curry and a spoon.

    Expert Tips

    • You can cook the red lentils either in an instant pot/ pressure cooker or on the stove top. Just make sure to use more water to cook on the stove top.
    • I love using red onions in this Sri Lankan dhal curry recipe, but you can use any variety you have on hand.
    • Store leftover dhal mallum in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months.

    You might also like

    Here are a few more delicious Sri Lankan recipes that you might also like:

    • Bowl with Sri Lankan kale mallung.
      Sri Lankan Kale Mallung Recipe
    • Sri Lankan Egg Curry Recipe
    • Sri Lankan Seeni Sambol Buns for #BreadBakers
    • Homemade Sri Lankan Curry Powder
      Sri Lankan Curry Powder Recipe

    I love hearing from you!! If you’ve tried this and liked it, then don't forget to let me know. Give a star rating and let me know in the comments below. Also tag me in your creations on Instagram @cooks_hideout. I love sharing photos when people make my recipes. You can use the hashtag #cookshideout too.

    Recipe Card

    blue bowl with Sri Lankan dhal curry and a spoon.

    Sri Lankan Dhal Mallum

    Sri Lankan Dhal Mallum is a simple everyday lentil dish that is hearty, comforting and delicious. Red lentils are seasoned with cooked onions and grated coconut in this recipe.
    Author: Pavani
    Print Pin Rate
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
    Total Time: 25 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine: sri lankan
    Servings: 6 Servings

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup Red Lentils
    • 1¼ cup Water*
    • 1 Large Onion, ¼ chopped and the rest thinly sliced
    • 2~3 Green Chilies, slit in half
    • ¼ teaspoon Turmeric
    • 1 tablespoon Oil
    • 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
    • 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
    • 8~10 Curry leaves
    • 2 Garlic cloves, finely minced
    • ½ teaspoon Red Chili powder
    • To taste Salt
    • 3 tablespoons Fresh or dry coconut, grated
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions

    Cook lentils in Instant Pot:

    • Combine lentils and water in the Instant Pot. Add the chopped onions, green chilies, turmeric and mix well. Cook on high pressure/ manual for 1 minute. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes and quick release the remaining. Set the dal aside.
      1 cup Red Lentils, 1¼ cup Water*, 1 Large Onion, ¼ chopped and the rest thinly sliced, 2~3 Green Chilies, slit in half, ¼ teaspoon Turmeric

    Cook lentils in Stove Top:

    • In a medium size sauce pan, combine lentils, 2 cups of water, along with chopped onions, green chilies, turmeric and mix well. Bring the mixture to a boil on medium-high flame. Lower the heat and simmer until the lentils are tender, but not mushy. Drain the lentils, if needed.
      1 cup Red Lentils, 1 Large Onion, ¼ chopped and the rest thinly sliced, 2~3 Green Chilies, slit in half, ¼ teaspoon Turmeric

    Make Dhal Mallum:

    • Heat oil in a sauté pan on medium heat. Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Once the seeds start to splutter, add curry leaves and the remaining onions and the garlic. Cook till the onions are translucent, about 3~4 minutes.
      1 tablespoon Oil, 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds, 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds, 8~10 Curry leaves, 2 Garlic cloves, finely minced
    • Add the cooked dal, red chili powder, salt and grated coconut. Mix well and cook for 3~4 minutes. Serve hot with hot rice.
      ½ teaspoon Red Chili powder, To taste Salt, 3 tablespoons Fresh or dry coconut, grated

    Video

    Notes

    • You can cook the red lentils either in an instant pot/ pressure cooker or on the stove top. Just make sure to use more water to cook on the stove top.
    • I love using red onions in this Sri Lankan dhal curry recipe, but you can use any variety you have on hand.
    • Store leftover dhal mallum in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 59mg | Potassium: 346mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 116IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cooks_hideout or tag #cookshideout!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mrs TJ

      January 10, 2018 at 9:30 am

      Nice dish.. we too make a kootu very similar to this.. as you have said we do add tomatoes and pressure cook the lentils.. a good twist to the original version!

      Reply
    2. Usha

      January 10, 2018 at 1:04 pm

      Such a comforting dal. Addition if coconut is interesting

      Reply
    3. Sandhya Ramakrishnan

      January 11, 2018 at 9:00 pm

      Love this variation of our dal with coconut. It looks wonderful and love the flavors.

      Reply
    4. Srivalli

      January 12, 2018 at 1:02 am

      Lovely dish and I too enjoyed reading through the cuisine..hopefully I should be able to cook..love your setup pavani..

      Reply
    5. Padmajha PJ

      January 12, 2018 at 3:25 am

      Such a simple dish! My kids will love it too. Like the addition of fried onions and grated coconut!

      Reply
    6. Priya Suresh

      January 12, 2018 at 10:29 am

      Such a simple and comforting dal, and the addition of coconut makes this dal mallum more interesting.

      Reply
    7. Jayashree

      January 12, 2018 at 7:03 pm

      A dry preparation with dal is something new to me. Looks good.

      Reply
    8. Kalyani

      January 13, 2018 at 1:13 pm

      simple flavours. amazing dish ! well done, Pavani..

      Reply
    9. Harini

      January 15, 2018 at 2:34 pm

      A very comforting dal version.

      Reply
    10. Chef Mireille

      January 15, 2018 at 11:28 pm

      with coconut and my fave lentil - looks delicious

      Reply
    11. Nisha Ramesh

      January 25, 2018 at 12:17 pm

      This sounds so interesting Pavani. I love mung dhal and I would relish it.

      Reply
    12. Sanat Biswal

      December 04, 2022 at 1:25 am

      5 stars
      Nice Recipe

      Reply

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    91 shares