Dal Bhat

Name: Dal Bhat
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Nepal
Ingredients: 2 cups rice; 1 cup lentils (masoor or mixed dal); 1 onion, chopped; 2 tomatoes, chopped; 1 tsp turmeric; 1 tsp cumin seeds; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp ginger, minced; 2 tbsp ghee or oil; Seasonal sautéed greens, for serving; Salt, to taste

4 servings15 min prep35 min cookEasy Nepal

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Dal Bhat

Story updated September 17, 2026

Dal bhat, lentils and rice, is the everyday staple meal across Nepal, reflecting the Himalayan nation's reliance on lentils and rice as dietary cornerstones for centuries. It's less a single invented dish than the foundational, endlessly varied meal eaten daily across Nepali households.

Ingredients

Scale:· 4 servings

2 cups rice
1 cup lentils (masoor or mixed dal)
1 onion, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ginger, minced
2 tbsp ghee or oil
Seasonal sautéed greens, for serving
Salt, to taste

Instructions

1Cook the rice separately until fluffy.
2Boil the lentils with turmeric and salt until soft, then mash slightly.
3Heat ghee, sizzle cumin seeds, then sauté garlic, ginger, and onion until golden.
4Add tomatoes and cook until softened.
5Pour the onion-tomato tempering into the cooked lentils and simmer 5 minutes.
6Serve the dal alongside the rice with sautéed seasonal greens and pickle.

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