Urad dal (split black gram)
उड़द दाल / urad dal
- Flavor and role
- Hulled, split black gram, white inside; when ground it becomes sticky, helping fermented batters rise well. In tempering it turns nutty and crisp.
- Typical dishes and uses
- Idli, dosa, vada, dal makhani (whole black gram), chutney tempering
- Substitutes
- Hard to replace. Hulled mung beans can be used for idli; they rise less but still work.
- Storage
- Keep sealed at room temperature for 6 months to 1 year. It attracts insects easily, so refrigerate in summer.
- Main countries
- India · Sri Lanka
Updated 2026-10-10