---
title: "Panchmel Dal Recipe (Rajasthani Pancharatna Dal)"
url: https://www.whiskaffair.com/panchmel-dal-panchratna-dal/
date: 2025-06-26
modified: 2025-09-17
lang: en
author: "Neha Mathur"
description: "Panchmel Dal (Panchratan Dal) is a popular Rajasthani lentil recipe made with a combination of five lentils. It is traditionally served with bati, but you can also enjoy it with steamed rice or phulka. You can make it in a traditional stovetop pressure cooker or an instant pot."
categories:
  - "Dal"
  - "Indian"
  - "Rajasthani"
image: https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Panchmel-Dal-2-3.jpg
word_count: 1307
---

# Panchmel Dal Recipe (Rajasthani Pancharatna Dal)

**Panchmel Dal (Panchratan Dal)** is a popular [Rajasthani](https://www.whiskaffair.com/panchmel-dal-panchratna-dal/) lentil recipe made with a combination of five lentils. It is traditionally served with bati, but you can also enjoy it with steamed rice or phulka. You can make it in a traditional stovetop pressure cooker or an Instant Pot.

Here are a few more Indian dal recipes you can include in your everyday meals: [Navratan Dal](https://www.whiskaffair.com/navratan-dal/), [Toor Dal](https://www.whiskaffair.com/toor-dal-recipe/), [Urdachi Dal](https://www.whiskaffair.com/urdachi-dal-recipe/), [Hyderabadi Khatti Dal](https://www.whiskaffair.com/hyderabadi-khatti-dal-recipe/), and [Dal Maharani](https://www.whiskaffair.com/dal-maharani-recipe/).

![A bowl of Panchmel Dal topped with fried onions and a dried red chili, garnished with fresh herbs, sits on a rustic tray with jute fabric, fresh green chilies, and coriander leaves nearby.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Panchmel-Dal-2-1.jpg)

## Table of Contents
- Ingredients- How To Make Panchmel Dal- Pro Tips By Neha- Storage Suggestions- Other Rajasthani Recipes We Recommend- Panchmel Dal Recipe (Rajasthani Pancharatna Dal) Recipe

Panch means "five," and Mel refers to "mix or fusion" in Hindi.

**Panchmel Dal (Pancharatna Dal)** is a Rajasthani lentil curry made using a mix of 5 different lentils. Each home has its own combination of lentils to make this recipe. Some use yellow moong dal and white urad dal instead of green moong dal and black urad dal. These little changes make the taste and texture of the dal very different.

In this post, I am sharing the Rajasthani panchmel dal recipe my mom has been making for years.

This dal is** usually served with [baati](https://www.whiskaffair.com/rajasthani-baati/), **but** **can also be served with rice, phulka, or tawa paratha. It also pairs well with jeera rice or steamed white rice.

You can cook the lentils in a** traditional stovetop pressure cooker or **an Instant Pot. I use my 3-quart Instant Pot (or 3-liter pressure cooker) to cook this recipe. If you want to scale it up, use a bigger cooker or Instant Pot. The cooking time will remain the same.

## Ingredients

### To Cook The Dal

- **Lentils** - This panchratan dal recipe uses five different types of lentils: toor dal, green moong dal, black urad dal, chana dal, and pink masoor dal.

- **Others** - You will also need salt, turmeric powder, and water

### For The Tempering

- **Ghee** - Replace ghee with coconut oil or another cooking oil to make the recipe vegan.

- **Asafetida (hing)** - Skip adding asafetida to make panchmel dal gluten-free.

- **Others** - cumin seeds, dry red chilies, onions, garlic, fresh ginger, green chilies, cilantro (fresh coriander leaves), and lime juice.

## How To Make Panchmel Dal

### Cook The Lentils

#### In An Instant Pot

**Step 1:** Add 1/4 cup toor dal, 1/4 cup green moong dal, 1/4 cup black urad dal, 1/4 cup chana dal, and 1/4 cup pink masoor dal in a bowl and wash them well with water. Soak the dal in water for 30 minutes.

![Soaked lentils.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Panchmel-Dal-Step-1.jpg)

**Step 2:** Drain the water and add the soaked dal to an Instant Pot. Add 3 cups of water, 2 tsp of salt, and 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder, then stir to combine.

![Soaked lentils, water, salt and turmeric powder added in an instant pot.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Panchmel-Dal-Step-2.jpg)

**Step 3:** Close the lid of the Instant Pot. Set the valve to the sealing position.

![Lid of the instant pot secured.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Panchmel-Dal-Step-3.jpg)

**Step 4:** Press PRESSURE COOK and set the timer to 12 minutes at high pressure. Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Release the remaining pressure manually and open the lid.

Whisk the cooked dal using a wire whisk. If the dal is too thick, add some boiling water. Check for salt and add more if needed.

![Cooked dal.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Panchmel-Dal-Step-4.jpg)

#### In A Stovetop Pressure Cooker

- Follow the recipe until turmeric powder is added to a stovetop pressure cooker. **Add 4 cups of water instead of 3 cups as in the Instant Pot recipe**. Secure the lid.

- Cook for 1 whistle on high heat.

- Now reduce the heat to low and cook for 12 minutes.

- Remove the cooker from the heat and let the pressure release naturally.

- Open the lid and whisk the cooked dal using a wire whisk.

- If the dal is too thick, add some boiling water. Check for salt and add more if needed.

### Temper The Pancharatna Dal

**Step 5:** Heat 1/2 cup ghee in a small pan over medium-high heat. When the ghee is hot, add 1/4 tsp asafetida, 1 tsp cumin seeds, and 3-4 dry red chilies and fry for 4-5 seconds. Add 1 cup chopped onions, 2 tsp chopped green chilies, 2 tbsp chopped garlic, and 1 tsp chopped ginger.

![Onions, ginger, garlic, green chilies and dry red chilies added to hot ghee.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Panchmel-Dal-Step-6.jpg)

**Step 6:** Cook until the onion turns golden brown, stirring frequently.

![Onions fried until golden brown.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Panchmel-Dal-Step-7.jpg)

**Step 7:** Pour the tadka over the cooked dal and mix well. Add 2 tbsp lime juice and mix well. Garnish with 2 tbsp of chopped cilantro and serve hot.

![Tempering poured over ready panchmel dal.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Panchmel-Dal-Step-8.jpg)

## Pro Tips By Neha

If you do not have all five lentils in your pantry, you can also make this dal panchmel with two or three lentils.

Soaking the lentils beforehand helps reduce cooking time and makes them easier to digest.

You can also make it a no-onion, no-garlic panchmel dal recipe by skipping onions and garlic from the tempering.

## Storage Suggestions

Leftover pancharatna dal can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in a pan or in the microwave until hot. If the dal has thickened after refrigeration, then add some hot water and heat.

You can also freeze it for upto 2 months. Thaw, reheat, and serve.

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## Other Rajasthani Recipes We Recommend

[![A bowl of Ker Sangri with fresh coriander and a lemon slice, placed on a dark rustic surface.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Ker-Sangri-2-3-600x800.jpg)](https://www.whiskaffair.com/ker-sangri/)Veg Curries

### Ker Sangri Recipe
[![Made using edible gum resin (gond), whole wheat flour, heaps of makhana, chironji, and enriching dried nuts and seeds, Gond Ke Laddu is a healthy snack or dessert option. Make these for the upcoming winter season and feed your family for their good health (vegetarian).](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Gond-ke-Laddu-2-3-600x800.jpg)](https://www.whiskaffair.com/gond-ke-ladoo/)Indian Sweets & desserts

### Gond Ke Laddu
[![A white bowl filled with Mirchi Ka Kutta, sits on a rustic surface, surrounded by green chili peppers, garlic cloves, and scattered seeds.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Mirchi-Ka-Kuta-2-3-600x800.jpg)](https://www.whiskaffair.com/mirchi-ka-kuta-spiced-crushed-green-chillies/)Indian Vegan

VIndian Vegan
### Mirchi Ka Kutta Recipe
[![A white bowl filled with haldi ki sabzi served with a piece of roti on the rim.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Haldi-Ki-Sabji-2-3-600x800.jpg)](https://www.whiskaffair.com/kacchi-haldi-ki-sabzi/)Veg Curries

### Haldi Ki Sabji Recipe (Fresh Turmeric Sabzi)

![A bowl of Panchmel Dal topped with fried onions and a dried red chili, garnished with fresh herbs, sits on a rustic tray with jute fabric, fresh green chilies, and coriander leaves nearby.](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Panchmel-Dal-2-3-150x150.jpg)

[ Print Recipe](https://www.whiskaffair.com/wprm_print/panchmel-dal-recipe-rajasthani-pancharatna-dal)

- 5 from 1 vote

## Panchmel Dal Recipe (Rajasthani Pancharatna Dal)

**Panchmel Dal (Pancharatna Dal)** is a popular Rajasthani lentil recipe that is prepared with a combination of 5 lentils. It is traditionally served with baati but you can also enjoy it with steamed rice or phulka. Make it in a traditional stovetop pressure cooker or in an Instant pot.

Prep Time10 minutes minsCook Time40 minutes minsSoaking Time30 minutes minsTotal Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course: Main CourseCuisine: Indian, RajasthaniDiet: Vegetarian
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 292kcal
Author: [Neha Mathur](https://www.whiskaffair.com/about-me/)

### Ingredients

#### To Cook The Lentils
¼ cup toor dal- ¼ cup green moong dal- ¼ cup black urad dal- ¼ cup chana dal- ¼ cup pink masoor dal- 2 teaspoons salt or to taste- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
#### For The Tempering
- ½ cup ghee- ¼ teaspoon asafetida (hing)- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds- 3-4 whole dry red chilies- 1 cup chopped onions- 2 tablespoons chopped garlic- 2 teaspoons grated ginger- 2 teaspoons chopped green chilies- 2 tablespoons lime juice- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (fresh coriander leaves)US Customary - Metric

### Instructions

#### Cook The Lentils

#### In An Instant Pot
- Add all the dal in a bowl and wash them well with water.- Soak the dal in water for 30 minutes.- Drain the water and add the soaked dal in an instant pot.- Add 3 cups of water, salt, and turmeric powder and stir to combine.- Close the lid of the instant pot. Set the valve to the sealing position.- Press PRESSURE COOK and set the timer to 12 minutes at high pressure.- Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.- Release the remaining pressure manually and open the lid.- Whisk the dal using a wire whisk.- Add some boiling water if the dal is too thick for your liking. Check for salt and add more if needed.
#### In A Stovetop Pressure Cooker
- Follow the recipe until adding turmeric powder to a stovetop pressure cooker. Secure the lid. Add 4 cups of water instead of 3 cups as in the Instant Pot recipe.- Cook for 1 whistle on high heat.- Now reduce the heat to low and cook for 12 minutes.- Remove the cooker from the heat and let the pressure release naturally.- Open the lid and whisk the dal using a wire whisk.- Add some boiling water if the dal is too thick for your liking. Check for salt and add more if needed.
#### Temper The Dal
- Heat ghee in a small pan over medium-high heat.- When the ghee is hot, add asafetida, cumin seeds, and dry red chilies and fry for 4-5 seconds.- Add onions, green chilies, garlic, and ginger, and cook until the onion turns golden brown, stirring frequently.- Pour the tadka over the cooked dal and mix well.- Add lime juice and mix well.- Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot.

### Video

### Notes
If you do not have all five lentils in your pantry, you can also make this dal panchmel with two or three lentils.
Soaking the lentils beforehand helps reduce cooking time and makes them easier to digest.
You can also make it a no-onion, no-garlic panchmel dal recipe by skipping onions and garlic from the tempering.

### Nutrition
Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 808mg | Potassium: 294mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 245IU | Vitamin C: 38mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 3mg