Post published on March 20, 2025 by vspiceroute

Last post modified on April 23, 2025 by vspiceroute

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Dhansak is a flavorful and hearty dish that originates from the Parsi cuisine of India, blending elements of Persian and Indian culinary traditions. Traditionally made with meat, the vegetarian version of Dhansak features a medley of lentils, vegetables, and a rich, aromatic blend of spices. You can serve the dish with brown rice and accompany it with a sweet-sour sauce, making it a balanced meal.

The core of Dhansak is the combination of lentils, which provide protein, and vegetables like pumpkin, carrots, and spinach, making it both nutritious and filling. Additionally, the dish gets its distinct flavor from a mixture of spices such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, and cinnamon, along with tamarind or jaggery, which add the characteristic tangy-sweet taste. It’s a popular choice for those seeking a plant-based, hearty, and wholesome meal with deep, complex flavors.

Whether you’re new to vegetarian recipes or a long-time fan of Indian cuisine, Vegetarian Dhansak is a dish that brings warmth, depth, and a unique flavor experience to the table. Perfect for a comforting meal, it’s both vegan and gluten-free, making it suitable for a variety of dietary preferences.

This flavorful vegetarian Dhansak recipe can be made easily at home, and it’s perfect for anyone looking to explore Parsi-inspired vegetarian dishes.

How to make Dhansak?

  1. Wash and soak the dals in water for 30 minutes 
  2. Cut the veggies (bottle gourd, tomato, eggplant, onions, potato)  into large chunks or cubes 
  3. Wash and chop fenugreek leaves 
  4. Chop ginger and garlic  into small pieces 
  5. Put the instant pot on sauté mode 
  6. Add oil to instant pot and let it heat 
  7. Once it heats up add cumin seeds and asafetida powder 
  8. Then add ginger, garlic and onions 
  9. Let it sizzle for few minutes, then add remaining veggies and let it cook for few minutes 
  10. Add the soaked lentil 
  11. Add red chili powder, dhansak masala (available in stores), raw mango powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder and salt 
  12. Add jaggery powder and tamarind paste 
  13. Add 3 cups of water 
  14. Hit the cancel button 
  15. Put the instant pot on high pressure and using manual button pressure cook for 15 minutes 
  16. Once the instant pot naturally releases, use the hand blender to grind the veggie and dal into a smooth paste like texture 
  17. Add a tadka using oil, dry red chilies, and onions 
  18. Garnish with cilantro and serve it along with rice or bread 

Serving suggestions:

  1. Serve with Brown Rice: Traditionally, Vegetarian Dhansak is served with brown rice or jeera rice (cumin rice). The rice complements the rich lentil and vegetable curry, soaking up the flavors for a balanced meal.
  2. Serve with Bread: You can easily enjoy Dhansak with Pav or Slices of bread for a wholesome meal
  3. Accompany with Salad: A fresh, light cucumber salad or onion-tomato salad works well to add a refreshing contrast to the rich and spicy Dhansak.
  4. Pair with Raita: Serving vegetarian raita (yogurt with cucumber or mint) alongside Dhansak helps balance the spice levels and adds a cool, creamy texture.
  5. Add a Sweet-Sour Sauce: Traditionally, a sweet-sour tamarind chutney or jaggery syrup is drizzled over Dhansak, enhancing the dish with a tangy sweetness.
  6. Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Garnishing with fresh cilantro (coriander leaves) or mint adds a fresh, aromatic finish.
  7. Serving as a One-Pot Meal: Dhansak is a hearty, filling dish on its own. It can be served as a complete mealwithout needing many sides, especially when paired with rice and chutney.
  8. Ideal for Special Occasions: Vegetarian Dhansak is a great dish to serve during festive occasions or when entertaining guests. Its rich flavors and vegetarian-friendly nature make it a hit at gatherings.

Storage:

1. Cool Down Before Storing

Allow the Vegetarian Dhansak to cool down to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which could make the dish soggy or lead to bacterial growth.

2. Store in Airtight Containers

To maintain freshness and flavor, store the cooled Vegetarian Dhansak in airtight containers. This will prevent moisture from affecting the texture of the dish and protect it from absorbing other odors in the fridge.

3. Refrigeration

You can store it in the fridge for 3-4 days.

4. Freezing

If you want to store Dhansak for a longer period, it can be frozen. Transfer the dish into a freezer-safe container or freezer bags, ensuring there is no excess air inside. Vegetarian Dhansak can be frozen for up to 3 months.

5. Separate Rice and Dhansak

If possible, store the rice and Dhansak separately. This helps preserve the texture of the rice and prevents it from becoming too soggy when reheated.

6. Reheating

To reheat, it’s best to do so on the stove over low heat with a splash of water to maintain the consistency. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but stir the dish halfway through to ensure even heating.

7. Check for Freshness

Before serving any leftovers, always check for any signs of spoilage, such as changes in smell or appearance.

Vegetarian Dhansak in an Instant Pot | Parsi inspired vegetarian dish | One pot meal in an Instant Pot

Vegetarian Dhansak is a popular Parsi dish made with a mix of lentils, vegetables, and aromatic spices. This hearty, flavorful curry is typically served with rice and a tangy-sweet sauce. The dish combines ingredients like pumpkin, carrots, and spinach, providing a nutritious and satisfying meal. It is known for its rich, complex flavor profile, thanks to a blend of spices such as cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Vegetarian Dhansak is a versatile, plant-based dish that is perfect for those seeking a filling, wholesome meal.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 9 minutes
Course lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Indian food, one pot meal, pari cuisine, parsi inspired, persian cuisine
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup Toovar dal
  • 1/2 cup orange masoor dal
  • 1/4 cup chana dal
  • 1/4 cup yellow moong dal
  • 1 and 1/2 cup bottle gourd pieces
  • 1/2 cup potato pieces
  • 1 cup tomato pics
  • 1 cup eggplant pieces
  • 5 cloves of garlic
  • 1 cube ginger chopped
  • 1/2 cup onion pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1/4 tsp asafetida powder
  • Salt as needed
  • 1 tsp red chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 2 tsp Dhansak masala
  • 1 tablespoon jaggery powder
  • 1 tsp tamarind paste
  • 1 tsp raw mango powder
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 cup chopped methi leaves
  • 1 and 1/2 tsp crushed kasoori methi
  • 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro to garnish
  • Slices of bread or 2 cups rice to serve

Instructions
 

  • Wash and soak the dals in water for 30 minutes
  • Cut the veggies (bottle gourd, tomato, eggplant, onions, potato) into large chunks or cubes
  • Wash and chop fenugreek leaves
  • Chop ginger and garlic into small pieces
  • Put the instant pot on sauté mode
  • Add oil to instant pot and let it heat
  • Once it heats up add cumin seeds and asafetida powder
  • Then add ginger, garlic and onions
  • Let it sizzle for few minutes, then add remaining veggies and let it cook for few minutes
  • Add the soaked lentil
  • Add red chili powder, dhansak masala (available in stores), raw mango powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder and salt
  • Add jaggery powder and tamarind paste
  • Add 3 cups of water
  • Hit the cancel button
  • Put the instant pot on high pressure and using manual button pressure cook for 15 minutes
  • Once the instant pot naturally releases, use the hand blender to grind the veggie and dal into a smooth paste like texture
  • Add a tadka using oil, dry red chilies, and onions
  • Garnish with cilantro and serve it along with rice or bread
Keyword dhansak, healthy recipe, one pot recipe, protein and veggies, vegan recipe, vegetarian dhansak