Dhal and rice is popular comfort food in many Guyanese households. It’s accompanies a variety of vegetable dishes and is perfect when ladled over rice and served with any kind of meat curry. It is made from dried yellow split peas and can take 45 minutes or more to cook on the stove top, but cooking it in the instant pot significantly reduces the time. What I love most about the instant pot version is that I can set it and forget it instead of hovering over the stove top to gotay (mashing and swirling repeatedly) with a dhal ghutni. Using the instant pot is the easiest way to make Guyanese dhal and if you haven’t used your IP yet, this is a good recipe to get you started!
Also check out:
How to cook dried chickpeas in the instant pot.
Guyanese dhal bounjal-style (version two)
After experimenting, I’ve found that the timing doesn’t have to be exact as it is in this recipe. A few more minutes of pressure cooking is okay and you could even leave it on natural release for as long as you need to. The longer it slow release the less splatter you’ll have through the valve. It takes approximately 30 minutes for pressure to completely release (naturally). So if you’ve got multiple things cooking at the same time, you can literally set this dhal in the IP and forget it. However, I don’t recommend pressure cooking for less than 10 minutes unless peas are soaked in water first.
No soak vs. soak
No soak- For this recipe you can use dried peas, straight from the bag, rinsed of course. Pressure cook anywhere from 10-12 minutes then let it natural release between 10-15 minutes. Turn valve to vent to release additional pressure after slow release. The dhal will be slightly chunky, but completely tender.
Soaked- Soak peas in water overnight or for 30 minutes minimum then cook – pressure cook for 5 minutes then natural release 10 minutes. After screen reads LO:10, turn valve from sealing to venting until all pressure releases.
I am using yellow split peas for this recipe. You can also use a combination of yellow and green split peas.
Add turmeric, curry powder, garam masala and geera (not pictured) and salt.
Prep onion, garlic and wiri wiri peppers. You may also use chili or scotch bonnet peppers in place of wiri wiri.
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Below is the instant pot I am currently using. It is perfect for a family of 4 – 6
Open lid when ready. You’ll notice all the peas are at the bottom of the pot and water on top. Use dhal ghutni or a whisk to blend. I added a handful of frozen spinach to the pot before cooking.
Chunkay
After dhal is done cooking, the process is finished by tempering with garlic and geera, also known as chunkay. This step adds another layer of flavor. It creates a smokiness that is iconic to the taste of Guyanese dhal. Oddly, my father does not like to chunkay his dhal, but will do it if he knows we are coming over to eat. He says it gives him heartburn so he leaves this step out when cooking for himself and mom. If you feel the same, then skip this step! The flavor is slightly different, but still very, very good.
Guyanese dhal (instant pot version)
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried yellow split peas, rinsed
- 2 tablespoon oil
- ½ medium yellow onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2-3 wiri wiri peppers
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon geera (roasted cumin)
- ½ teaspoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ¼ cup tomato, diced
- handful of frozen or fresh spinach (optional)
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 ¼ cups water
Chunkay
- 1 large garlic clove, sliced (or two small ones)
- ½ heaping teaspoon geera (cumin seeds)
- 2 tablespoon oil
Instructions
Prep
- Rinse and drain split peas, set aside. Slice onion, mince garlic and chop tomato. Set aside.
Cook
- Press SAUTE and wait 30 seconds for instant pot to heat up. Add 2 tablespoon oil. Add onion, garlic, pepper, and spices. Fry until onions become tender.
- Add yellow split peas. Fry a few minutes then add tomato, spinach and water.
- Press CANCEL to get out of SAUTE mode.
- Secure the lid, turn the pressure valve to "sealing".
- Press PRESSURE COOK and set time to 12 minutes.
- When time is up and instant pot beeps, let pressure naturally release until screen reads LO:15.
- Now turn valve to "venting." When all pressure is released, open lid.
- Use a whisk or dhal ghutni to mash dhal and make smooth.
Chunkay
- In a small sauce pot or ladle, add 2 tablespoon oil. Heat on low. Add geera and fry a few minutes. Add garlic. When garlic is dark brown, remove from heat. Quickly pour over dhal and cover with lid to avoid splatter. Stir to layer flavors.
- If dhal is too thick for your liking, boil ½ cup of water and add a little at a time until desired consistency is reached. Press "SAUTE" and let everything simmer 2-3 minutes to emulsify. Dhal will thicken slightly when cool.
Notes
If you'd like to soak your peas before cooking follow these directions: Soak peas in water overnight or for 30 min minimum then cook. Follow instructions to make dhal. Pressure cook for 5 min (instead of 12 min) then slow release 10 minutes. After screen reads LO:10, turn valve from sealing to venting until all pressure releases.
When I was growing up my mom would sometimes make dhal and roti by itself for dinner. We’d break off pieces of roti and let it soak in a bowl of dhal. The roti would get soft and pillowy. With every bite came a slurp, making sure to get all the dhal off my fingers before going in again.
Shazee says
Thank you so much for this recipe!! This gives me a reason to buy an Instapot which Ive been wanting. LOL.
Alica says
Haha, yes, get one! I had mine in the box for months before using it lol.
Asha says
This is also how I make my dhal! So much easier than the traditional way.
Alica says
Yes! Definitely a time saver!
Leona Coleman says
Do you have a 2020 Guyanese Book that I can purchase.
Alica says
Hi Leona,
I’m sorry, what type of book are you looking for?
Mary says
This is exactly how I’ve been making my dhal now for the last few years. No soaking overnight, wash prep and ready in less than 20 mins. ✨?
Alica says
So easy! Thanks for your comment ?.
Doina says
Hi Alica, I’ve got one of your recipes from a friend and than I start to look on you site for more:-)
Thanks for shearing them.
I will definitely try this one to.
Greetings,
Doina
Alica says
Hi Doina,
That’s wonderful, hope you enjoy the recipes ?.
Judy Briones says
Thank you,
Life is not as we remembered; However, our food will always be as it uses to be. Thank you bring back the soul in West Indian cooking.
Alica says
Hi Judy,
Thanks for those kind words! I appreciate it ?.
Shireen says
Hi Alica,
I love all your recipes. Thank you so much for creating this blog.
Quick question about how to chunkay: what temperature should the stove be on while waiting for the oil to heat up? Medium, Medium-High? I tried this recipe today but the oil wasn’t hot enough.
Alica says
Hi Shireen,
When you heat the oil to chunkay, keep the heat at medium. Garlic cooks faster so add the geera first then after a min or two, add the garlic. Keep frying until it’s golden to almost dark brown. Hope that was helpful!
Alana says
Thank you for posting this shortcut because I’m notorious for burning dhal. I have a Power Pressure Cooker XL and followed the instructions then put the setting on “meat” for 15 minutes. It was perfect after mixing with a whisk. On my 1st try I didn’t close the valve and it burned lol so lesson learned… make sure your power pressure cooker xl valve is on closed.
Be well & stay safe everyone 🙂
Alica says
Hi Alana, thanks for sharing that safety tip! Glad it turned out well the second time around.
Baby says
Tomato in dhall?
Alica says
Yes, it is a very small amount. My mom has always made it with a small tomato. She learned this from an East Indian friend. It adds to the flavor.