My favourite red lentil dal
This red lentil dal is easy to make, loaded with flavour, and makes the perfect healthy Indian dish or side.
One of my favourite Indian dishes is dal. I’ve had this dish in Indian restaurants here in Montreal, on a yoga ashram up in the mountains of Rishikesh, and even in New Delhi! Wherever I am this dish has never ceased to wow me with its vibrant flavours.
Red lentil dal is one of those great dishes to make at home because you can make a small batch, or a huge batch of it, and it stays well in the fridge for a good week or two! (Really, it’s great to have lying around for daily lunches or snacks!)
It’s loaded with plant-based protein and iron, and it’s totally budget-friendly. (You can even get 5 pounds of the red lentil in this recipe for $15 on amazon!)
I’ve seen some red lentil dal recipes online that have many ingredients and cooking steps, but this recipe I kept to the basics, using only simple and mostly fresh ingredients.
I like to eat this dish with whole grain naan bread, quinoa, or rice.
My favourite red lentil dal
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Cook
- Cuisine: Indian
Description
My favourite red lentil dal
Ingredients
- 1 cup (dry) red lentils
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp avocado oil (or vegetable oil)
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse your lentils until the water runs clear.
- Add your lentils to a pot with water, 1/2 of the onion, and the turmeric. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat, cover, and let simmer for 45 minutes. If your lentils are too thick, add a bit more water.
- Heat avocado oil in a pan on medium-high heat.
- Add the other half of the onion, garlic, and ginger, and mix together on medium for 2-3 minutes. Pour the seasoning into the pot of lentils and mix.
- Next add the cumin, salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Serve with naan bread, rice, or on its own.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 201
- Sugar: 2g
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 16g
- Protein: 13g
Straightforward and yummy! It’s what I love about all your recipes I’ve tried. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed!
I’m a huge fan of Jess’ recipes. Whenever I’m looking for a quick and healthy recipe, Choosing Chia is the first place I look. I’ve reviewed a number of Jess’ recipes over the years, but tonight is the first time I’ve made this dal. I had all the ingredients on hand already, so this was simple and easy to prepare. And, oh so good!! I will be making a double or triple batch next. Yum!!
So I did this delicious meal already 4 times and not even once I had chance make a picture of it ?. Love it xx
Hi Vladka, so glad to hear you enjoy this recipe! One of my favourites for an easy weeknight dinner!
This looks so delicious. I love dal. The color from the turmeric is so so beautiful. And I agree with the previous comment, some dal recipes are so lengthy it feels intimidating. But this recipes looks equally as delicious and with a less daunting process! Pinning for later:)
Thanks Maria! I tried to keep it as simple as possible. Its my favourite because it gets most of the flavour from fresh ginger and garlic. Hope you make it and enjoy it!
I’m just getting into dahl and this recipe looks nice and easy. I was previously discouraged from making it at home because of too many ingredients. I’m definitely going to try your recipe, probably with some homemade vegetable stock instead of the water. Is there any specific reason the lentils need to be cooked in water rather than stock?