This gloriously golden red lentil dal is the ultimate in comfort food. Fragrant, creamy and utterly delicious this simple dal recipe will be on the table in under 30 minutes!
Dal, daal, dhal or dahl, whatever you call it is one of my ultimate comfort foods.
It also seems to be one of those polarising foods.
Some people, like me, love dal for its comforting hug in a bowl qualities, while others deride its simplicity. That and the fact that its made from lentils. But dal’s simplicity is the main part of its charm.
If you belong to the camp that believed dal was difficult to make at home, let me tell you it isn’t. In fact, this red lentil dal is ready in under 30 minutes.
The other charming thing about making this simple red lentil dal recipe is the beautiful aromas that fill the air. The earthiness of cumin, the slight citrus notes of coriander seeds and the sweetness of cinnamon begins the act of comforting you before you even take a bite.
We all know the health benefits of turmeric, and this dal is lovely and golden thanks to a generous helping of turmeric. Some of the health benefits of turmeric include:
- it’s a powerful natural anti-inflammatory – when I suffered recent back pain instead of taking anti-inflammatory medication I took turmeric tablets which worked just as well.
- apparently, it helps ward off Alzheimer’s
- contains anticancer properties
- has a positive effect on cholesterol which also helps reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke
While naan is a fabulous accompaniment to this turmeric dal I like to make flatbreads as they are quick and don’t require time to rise. I use this recipe here and slather it with garlic butter. Along with steamed basmati rice and fresh coriander (cilantro) and
Along with steamed basmati rice and fresh coriander (cilantro) and squeeze of lemon it’s the ultimate satisfying meal.
For a lighter lunch-time version of this red lentil dahl, I like to serve it with a side of watercress or rocket (arugula) or oven baked kale chips in place of rice.
So tell me, do you like dal? What is your favourite version?
This golden vegan 30-minute turmeric red lentil dal is packed with turmeric and totally delicious!Click To Tweet
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For this recipe you’ll need:
Red Lentil Dal
A wonderfully fragrant dal spiked with turmeric and spices.
Ingredients
- 2 tbs olive oil
- 1 onion diced
- 1 tbs grated ginger
- 1 red chilli deseeded and finely chopped
- 1 tomato finely chopped
- 2 tbs coriander (cilantro) roots and stalks finely chopped
- 6 leaves curry
- 1 tsp yellow mustard seeds
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 1 cup red lentils
- 3 cups vegetable stock
- 1 cup coconut milk
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lemon juiced
Instructions
- Place a large pot over your smallest burner set to a medium heat. Add the olive oil (you can also use coconut oil or ghee) and the onions, ginger, chilli, tomato and coriander roots. Add a couple of pinches of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are sweet and golden, around 5 minutes.
- Add the curry leaves and mustard seeds. When the mustard seeds start to pop add the rest of the spices and garlic. Cook until fragrant. Add the lentils, stock and coconut milk and when it starts bubbling reduce the heat to low.
Let the dal bubble away for 20 minutes or so or until the lentils collapse and the dal becomes beautifully creamy. Taste and adjust the seasonings as necessary and add a squeeze of lemon.
The BEST vegan dhal recipe I’ve ever tried. Thanks so much! I followed it to the letter and it’s so good!!
I love cooking with lentils but I’ve never made dahl before. This recipe looks really tasty. I’m going to try making it. Lots of wonderful health benefits too!
Just one question: Do you stir the lemon juice into the dahl at the final stage of cooking or do you simply squeeze it over the top when serving it?
I suggest adding the lemon juice right at the end of cooking, before serving. I hope you enjoy it 😀
This is so delicious! The flavour develops over time. Thank you for sharing Jennifer.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Trish 🙂
Fantastic recipe, Jennifer — it’s one of my new favorites! Thank you so much! Nicki
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Nicki. It is one of my absolute favourites. I often make enough so I have left-overs for lunch the next day and instead of rice I serve them with oven baked kale chips for a bit of crunch. 🙂
I just made this the other night, I couldn’t find any curry leaves where I live (Stockholm) so instead I used 1 small lime rind and it worked perfectly. It was so easy to do and except for the ginger I already had all of the ingredients at home. This is my favourite recipe! Thank you!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Alicia! The lime rind is a great substitute. Next time, if you have some handy, you might like to throw in some bay leaves as well as this will also help replace some of the flavour that the curry leaves impart. 🙂
I am now making it again for the fourth time for a vegan dinner party and I finally found some curry leaves in a Indian store. Now onto my vegan naan bread.And again Love, love, love this recipe!!
I just made this for dinner, and it is FANTASTIC! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful recipes. This one is going to be a regular.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Muchi!! It is a favourite in our house too. In fact we had it for dinner the other night. 🙂
The Dahl must be good my Husband has asked me to make it twice in one week. But can’t take all the credit if it wasn’t for Jennifer’s wonderful receipe. So thank you for the receipe. I love this website.
Thank you so much Carol! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, and that you husband enjoyed it enough to ask for it twice in one week!! 🙂
Thank you so much, I have been making a different version of red dahl which is ok but not very exciting to me. I just made your version for the first time – DELICIOUS! So much more flavorsome, the cinnamon is a revelation YUM YUM YUM, and even better my 7yr old son liked it too!
Oh Maureen, you made my day! I’m so glad you and your son enjoyed it. 🙂 It’s amazing what a few extra spices can do.
Dal is so good for you. I cannot imagine anyone not liking it. I may be a little biased as my husband is from India. He would love your version.
I couldn’t imagine anyone not liking it either. 🙂
I’m definitely in the dal camp! My version is much simpler than this – just garlic and cumin for seasoning. Yours looks delicious though, and your photos are gorgeous 🙂
Your version sounds wonderful Helen 😀
I have never made dal before, but all the spices with the red lentils sound amazing! Definitely need to try it out, especially since it takes only a half an hour!
You definitely need to give dal a try Melissa. It really is so easy!
I love dahl. Or dal. Or dhal. 🙂 Love the spices you’ve used and how quick and easy it is too.
Thanks Nancy 🙂
Sometimes the simplest foods are the tastiest. I love cooking lentils too, they are not only healthy and delicious, but also filling, which means you won’t be tempted to have one too many snacks after your meal. Your recipe is easy to follow and looks amazing.
I love lentils too Daniela. It is sad that they are so often overlooked as they are so delicious and filling too! 🙂
A mouthwatering dish! I love red lentils and Indian food.
Cheers,
Rosa
Thanks Rosa 🙂
This looks perfect, Jennifer! Definitely adding this to my must make list! xo