Red Lentil Dahl Recipe

This Red Lentil Dahl Recipe is deliciously full of flavor yet is incredibly easy to make.

Made with dried red lentils and seasoned with garam masala, this Indian inspired comfort food is a savory and creamy texture enjoyable meal.

What is Red Lentil Dahl?

Red Lentil Dahl is a creamy stew made from dried and split lentils that are cooked to perfection with seasonings.

I like how easy and flavorful this tasty meal is..

Have you tried my my Vegan Meatloaf with Lentils?

That meatless meatloaf is a delicious meal made with vegan ingredients including vegetables and walnuts. Both this recipe for lentil dahl and that recipe for 'meatloaf' are great tasting recipes that can be made with lentils.

Garam masala is a secret ingredient used to give this dahl a great flavor. You can find garam masala here.

Why we love red lentil dahl

This red lentil dahl is deliciously full of flavor yet is incredibly easy to make. The dahl can be made vegan or vegetarian, making it perfect for a meat-free dinner the ultimate warming comfort food.

Here is what else we like about this recipe.

• Lentil dahl is a satisfying alternative to the usual meat based stew.
• This recipe can be made vegan by using coconut milk or vegetarian using Greek yogurt for serving.
• It takes about 40 minutes to make this from scratch.
• Red lentil dahl can be served on its own or with something else as a side dish.
• Experts tell us that Red lentils are a healthy and nutritious choice as they are packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, making it a .
• This lentil dahl is great when served with naan bread and/or rice, and lime wedges on the side for a citrusy burst of freshness.

Ingredients needed to make dahl with red lentils.

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• Olive Oil- Used for sautéing the onion and garlic.
• Onion. Your onion should be diced.
• Garlic. Chopped small or minced works.
• Ginger. Grated or minced.
• Seasonings; Garam masala, paprika, cumin, red chili flakes, and salt and pepper.
• Vegetable Broth Used for flavor and moisture.
• Red lentils Dried red lentils were used in making my dahl.
• Coconut Milk. Helps to give this dish a creamy texture.
• Tomatoes . Use a can of diced tomatoes along with the juice.
• Lime juice. Freshly juiced lime is preferred.
• For serving; Greek Yogurt (or coconut cream) and fresh parsley.

Tips for making the best lentil dahl

While about any kind of lentil can be used to make dahl, red lentils are a popular choice. When selecting your lentils to use, use dry lentils that are free from debris (you can easily sift the lentils to remove the debris).

More helpful tips for you.

1. When cooking your lentils, resist the urge to overcook them. Overcooking lentils can make them mushy and can ruin the texture of this dish.
2. Red chili flakes are used to give this dish a bit of a 'zip'. Feel free to omit or adjust the amount of chili flakes to suit your personal heat preferences.
3. Vegetable broth is used for flavor and moisture. If you are not concerned about vegan/vegetarian dahl, you can sub in another broth such as chicken or beef broth.
4. Whole fat coconut milk was used in this recipe to make this recipe creamy. Lower fat coconut milk could be used, however this may slightly affect the taste and texture of the cooked dish.
5. Not a fan of garam masala? It can be substituted with curry powder or the seasoning of your choice.
6. To thin out your dahl, add additional broth. Or, to thicken your dahl, add additional coconut milk or cream.

How to make this Red Lentil Dahl Recipe.

Total time: 40 minutes

Prep Time: 15 minutes .
Cook Time: 25 minutes .
Servings: 4 (as a main dish) .

1. Start by sautéing the aromatics. In a large skillet on medium-high heat, heat your olive oil for one minute (image 2 above). Then stir in the onion and cook until softened (about two to three minutes). Stir in the garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant (about a minute) before adding the garam masala, paprika, cumin and chili flakes.
2. Simmer. Stir in the vegetable broth, dried lentils, coconut milk and chopped tomatoes and then bring the ingredients to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, then cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes or until the lentils are tender and the sauce has thickened (image 3).
3. Final touches. Stir the lime juice through the dahl and season to taste with salt and pepper. Then you can remove the skillet from the heat.
4. Serve. You can top the dahl with the Greek yogurt (or coconut cream) and fresh parsley leaves. Then serve with the naan bread and lime wedges.

Expert Tip 👉 Your Dahl will thicken further as it cools.
You can add additional vegetable broth to loosen the sauce before serving or when reheating the dahl.

How to store dahl.

Once your lentil dahl has fully cooled, it should be stored in an airtight container. When properly stored, dahl should keep for up to five days when refrigerated or frozen for up to a few months. It is recommended that the coconut milk be added after thawing frozen dahl rather than when making the dish.

You may also be interested in these lentil and related recipes.

• Easy Vegan Lentil Wraps
• Vegan Lentil Cakes in Garlic Sauce
• Mediterranean Diet Chickpea and Vegetable Stew
• Best Tasting Chickpea Burger
• Teriyaki Chickpea Lettuce Wraps
• Vegan Chocolate Pudding Recipe

Print the recipe for Red Lentil Dahl

Red Lentil Dahl Recipe, a delicious meal recipe for a creamy and flavorful vegan stew inspired by Indian cooking.

Please see recipe post for further details on this recipe.