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How can I fix dal that has become too thick?
Add a little hot water or unsalted cooking liquid and mix gently until the consistency is suitable. Reheat thoroughly if the dal has cooled.
More that helps
Reassess salt and seasoning after diluting, because the flavour will also become less concentrated.
Why it happens
Dal thickens as starch from the pulses disperses into the liquid and as the mixture cools. Evaporation also concentrates it. Some pulses break down more readily than others, so the same water ratio will not produce the same consistency across all dals.
How it works
Hot liquid restores fluidity and reduces the concentration of dispersed starch. Adding cold liquid can cool the dish abruptly and make the starch-rich mixture seem even more set until reheated.
Blends this tip helps with
By the BhumiSutra kitchen team. Updated 25 October 2026. All products and figures on this prototype site are demonstration data.