Dal tadka calories and macros
Real numbers for 1 katori (150 g), calculated from a stated recipe. We show our work below.
By Shivam Verma Updated
One katori of dal tadka (150 g) has roughly 180 calories, with about 9 g protein, 24 g carbohydrate, and 5.5 g fat. Dal tadka is the everyday restaurant and home dal: toor (or a toor and moong mix) cooked soft, then finished with a tempering of ghee, cumin, garlic, and chilli. The lentils themselves are light, around 110 calories a katori, and the tadka is what lifts the number. A light home tempering keeps it near 150, a standard one lands at 180, and a restaurant dal fry with a generous ghee tadka crosses 220. That single spoon of ghee is the whole difference, since it adds about 45 calories on its own. Dal tadka is one of the better everyday choices: high in plant protein and fibre for its calories, filling, and cheap. The honest advice is the same as for every dal, count the ghee in the tadka rather than assuming the lentils tell the whole story.
Related guide: Which Dal Has the Most Protein? All 5 Compared
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180calories
Protein
9 g
Carbs
24 g
Fat
5.5 g
How we calculated this
- Toor dal, cooked110 g
- Ghee for tadka5 g
- Onion, tomato, garlic, cumin, chilli35 g
One katori of home dal tadka with a standard ghee tempering. Restaurant dal fry uses more ghee.
Ingredient values from USDA FoodData Central. Cross referenced against IFCT 2017 (ICMR-NIN).
Confidence: high
How the preparation changes it
| Tempering | Calories | Protein (g) | Carbs (g) | Fat (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light tadkaMinimal ghee in the tempering. | 150 | 8.6 | 23 | 3 |
| Standard dal tadkaThe everyday preparation. Headline number. | 180 | 9 | 24 | 5.5 |
| Restaurant dal fryA generous ghee tadka, richer finish. | 225 | 9.2 | 25 | 10 |
Common questions
How many calories in 1 katori of dal tadka?
About 180 for a standard home katori. A light tadka is nearer 150, and a restaurant dal fry with generous ghee is about 225. The lentils are only around 110; the tempering ghee moves the rest.
How much protein is in dal tadka?
About 9 g a katori, from the toor dal. With rice it becomes a complete protein, and a katori of dal with rice is roughly 340 calories and 13 g protein.
Is dal tadka good for weight loss?
Yes, it is one of the better staples: high protein and fibre for its calories, and filling. The only thing to watch is the ghee in the tadka, which is where the calories hide.
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These figures are estimates from stated recipes, for general information. They are not medical or dietary advice. If you manage a health condition, check with a registered dietitian or your doctor.
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