Description
A quick, comforting, and flavorful red lentil dahl recipe that comes together in just 30 minutes using simple pantry staples. Perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or coconut oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
- 1 cup red lentils, rinsed well
- 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth for non-vegetarian)
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
- Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- 2. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pot. Cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- 3. Stir in the ground cumin, turmeric, coriander, and cayenne pepper. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant.
- 4. Add the rinsed red lentils, vegetable broth, and undrained diced tomatoes to the pot. Stir everything together to combine.
- 5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and have broken down, creating a creamy consistency. Stir occasionally.
- 6. Season the dahl with salt and black pepper to taste. Add more cayenne if you prefer a spicier kick.
- 7. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired.
Notes
Store leftover dahl in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It can also be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approx. 250-300 (will vary based on broth and oil)
- Sugar: Approx. 5g
- Sodium: Approx. 600mg (will vary based on broth)
- Fat: Approx. 8g
- Carbohydrates: Approx. 35g
- Fiber: Approx. 10g
- Protein: Approx. 15g