Time-Saving Kitchen Hacks: Cook Dal and Rice Together in a Pressure Cooker—A Complete Meal Ready in Just 15 Minutes..
- byShikha Srivastava
- 13 May, 2026
How to Cook Dal and Rice in a Pressure Cooker: In today's fast-paced life, everyone wants their meals to be prepared quickly and without requiring too much effort. Especially for working professionals and homemakers, cooking *dal* (lentils) and rice on a daily basis is an essential yet time-consuming task. In such a scenario, discovering a method that allows you to cook both *dal* and rice simultaneously can result in significant savings of both time and cooking gas.

Very few people are aware that by utilizing a pressure cooker correctly, you can prepare delicious *dal* and rice at the very same time. This technique is not only simple but also helps reduce the consumption of electricity and gas. This is precisely why this particular trick is currently going viral across social media platforms and in the realm of kitchen hacks.
If *dal* and rice are a daily staple in your household, this method could prove to be incredibly beneficial for you. It minimizes the number of utensils that need washing, and the meal gets ready in no time. Here, we present the easiest and most effective way to cook *dal* and rice together in a pressure cooker—a method that will allow you to complete your cooking chores in mere minutes.
**First, Thoroughly Wash the Dal and Rice**
Before cooking, it is essential to wash the *dal* and rice 2–3 times with clean water. This helps remove any dust and excess starch. You can use *Arhar* (Pigeon Pea), *Moong* (Green Gram), or *Masoor* (Red Lentil) *dal*. Additionally, soaking the rice for about 10 minutes ensures that it cooks faster and turns out perfectly.
**Place the Dal at the Bottom of the Cooker and the Rice on Top**
Begin by adding the *dal* to the pressure cooker, along with turmeric, salt, and the appropriate amount of water. Next, place a metal stand inside the cooker and set a steel container (or bowl) on top of it. Add the rice and water to this container. Ensure that the water level in the rice container is just right to ensure the rice turns out fluffy and non-sticky.
**How Many Whistles Are Needed for the Meal to Be Ready?**
If you are cooking *Arhar* or *Chana* (Chickpea) *dal*, 3–4 whistles are usually sufficient. *Moong* and *Masoor* *dals* cook relatively faster, so 2–3 whistles should be enough to get the job done. Cooking over medium heat ensures that both the lentils and rice cook thoroughly, eliminating any risk of them burning.
**Enhance the Flavor with a Tempering**
Once the lentils are cooked, add a *tadka* (tempering) consisting of ghee, cumin seeds, garlic, and green chilies. This multiplies the flavor manifold. If desired, you can garnish it with fresh coriander leaves. The pleasure of enjoying piping hot *Dal-Chawal* (lentils and rice), accompanied by *papad* and pickles, is truly unique.

**This Cooking Method Offers Many Benefits**
Cooking lentils and rice simultaneously saves cooking gas and reduces the time spent in the kitchen. Furthermore, since fewer utensils are used, the cleanup process becomes much easier. This is precisely why this method is becoming increasingly popular among small families and working professionals today. If you wish to prepare a delicious and healthy meal in a short amount of time, cooking lentils and rice together in a pressure cooker is the easiest approach. It saves on gas, time, and effort—all at once. Once you adopt this simple trick, you will likely prefer cooking your meals this way every day.
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