What to Eat With Dal: 12 Tasty Dishes - A Pinch of Adventure (2024)

Dal (or dhal, or daal) is a soupy, spiced Indian dish made with lentils.

There are many different types, though it generally uses tomatoes and onions and is orange in color.

Dal is a favorite around the world, and really, that’s no surprise; after all, it’s healthy, fulfilling, and so tasty.

If you’re serving dal and really want to make it shine, try plating it with a stellar side dish!

I’ve compiled all of my go-to sides with dal in this list, so you’ll be spoilt for choice! It includes all types of recipes, so you’ll never have to wonder about what to eat with dal ever again.

Ready to get cooking? Let’s dive in!

1. Parotta Bread

This flakey flatbread is so easy to make at home and only uses four ingredients: flour, water, salt, and ghee (or butter).

To prepare it, you simply combine your ingredients (by hand or with a mixer), let the dough rest for thirty minutes, butter and fold the dough (to get the perfect buttery layers), and fry in a hot pan.

Parotta with dal is a truly classic combination! It allows you to eat with your hands by using the bread to pinch and scoop. The buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture is the perfect complement to a protein-packed, spicy dal.

2. Naan Bread

Unlike parotta, naan is a leavened bread – meaning it incorporates rising agents that lead to it being thicker and more bubbly than unleavened flatbreads.

This recipe uses baking powder and baking soda instead of yeast, which means it’s much quicker as you don’t need rising time.

It also uses milk and yogurt, to make it soft and give it a delicate flavor (if you’re making a vegan meal, it may be simpler to make parotta with a butter substitute).

I almost always serve naan bread when I’m making dal or curry as it’s a staple for a reason. You can top your naan with butter and garlic, or even stuff it with cheese, meats, or potatoes!

3. Chapati

If you’re after a healthier bread recipe that’s still delicious, try chapati! This roti-like flatbread uses whole wheat flour and is soft, chewy, and pliable. It’s also naturally vegan. I love topping it with a little butter (or margarine), parsley, and garlic.

When it comes to what to serve with dal if you’re after a really hearty and homey meal, chapati is a no-brainer!

It’s great as a side, as well as for dipping or scooping. Because it bends so well without tearing, you can even use chapati as a wrap base.

4. Jeera Rice

This easy rice recipe takes standard basmati rice to the next level by adding in ghee, cumin, coriander, and salt (as well as oil, if you’re using precooked rice).

To make the recipe authentically, it’s important to use whole cumin seeds rather than ground spice. This gives each bit a crunchy texture and a wonderfully authentic burst of flavor.

Dal is traditionally served with rice, so this recipe is a great option to make that plain side a little more special.

I usually mix my dal with rice on a plate or in a bowl, but you can do it bite by bite or eat them separately if you prefer!

5. Tandoori Chicken

Looking for a meat dish to serve with your dal? This classic tandoori chicken is an excellent option – smoky, tender, and packed with flavor.

This flavor comes from a signature spice mix: ginger, garlic, cumin, cinnamon, garam masala, ground coriander, and smoked paprika.

These are combined with olive oil and yogurt, which give the chicken its shiny, crispy skin and decadent moisture.

This recipe comes together in under half an hour including cooking time, and it’s made in the oven; it really couldn’t be easier!

6. Sabji

This sabji uses suran (elephant foot yam), so make sure to add the instructed level of acid so it is prepared properly!

To make it, you can even use frozen suran. Once boiled, combine it with toasted cumin seeds, peanuts, green chili, yogurt, and cilantro. The result is a moist, flavorful, and healthy dish!

As this dish doesn’t use ground spices, it’s appropriate to eat during the vrat and other religious fasting days.

If you’re serving it during another time (or not practicing), you can add turmeric, red chili, coriander, and garam masala if you prefer more kick to your dish.

7. Roasted Vegetables

When it comes to what goes with dal, roasted vegetables are always a great choice for a side dish!

You can use any veggies you prefer or have on hand, but this recipe uses sweet and regular potato, zucchini, eggplant, garlic, tomato, green beans, and onions for a varied and delicious taste.

You can also season your veggies with Indian spices to create cohesion in your meal!

While curried vegetables are technically more authentic, I prefer this roasted recipe as it adds some freshness alongside the slow-cooked dal.

8. Saag (Spinach Curry)

Saag is a great option as a main, but I also enjoy it as a vegetable side dish! It consists of cooked spinach with a generous helping of butter, onion, garlic, and spices.

In other words: It’s pretty much classic cooked spinach with delicious Indian spices!

Saag is a great side with any main, but especially dal. Try it, and you'll love the addition of salty, soft greens to the creamy primary dish.

9. Cauliflower Rice (for a low-carb option)

If you're looking to serve rice with your dal but want to keep it low-carb and low-calorie, try this cauliflower rice recipe! It’s a great option if you want a vegan and gluten-free meal as well.

This recipe is surprisingly simple to make! It only takes twenty minutes, and all you have to do is cut and blend a head of cauliflower and then season and cook it.

I especially love the variation with slivered almonds; it adds a delightful fatty crunch while still being extremely healthy.

10. Cucumber Raita

Be warned: raita is seriously addicting! This simple sauce or side dish is quick and easy to make; simply combine whisked yogurt with cucumber, green chilies, coriander, mint leaves, cumin, black pepper, chaat masala, and salt.

This recipe is ideal with dal as a cooling addition to the hearty and spicy meal. Learn from me: make sure to press the water out of your prepared cucumber! Otherwise, your raita might become watery or separated.

11. Chicken Biryani

Can’t decide between rice or chicken? You don’t have to – just make this chicken biryani recipe!

It’s a little bit longer and more complex than most of the other recipes on this list, but that’s because you get two sides in one.

To make this recipe perfectly, make sure to use brown onions (dried out and slow-cooked) as well as fresh spices and basmati rice.

What results is nothing short of a fragrant, moreish, meaty wonder!

12. Fried Fish

Indian takeaways first became popular in the UK, so why not adapt a proper British twist and serve fried fish with your dal?

This recipe is simple and brings the fish n’ chip shop right to your own kitchen.

To make it, all you need is a good filet of walleye, cod, whitefish, or tilapia, as well as flour, oil, bread crumbs, eggs, and water (or dark beer if you want to go the extra mile).

While this combo isn’t strictly traditional, it still goes together amazingly well. Don’t knock it until you try it!

📖 Recipe