Authentic Red Lentil Dal Recipe that’s simple, cozy, and comforting! Made in one pot in just 30 minutes, this rich and creamy dal is protein-rich, made with simple ingredients, and guaranteed to be the best-tasting dahl you’ll ever try.
Want more Indian-inspired recipes? Be sure to try my Indian butter chickpeas or the healthy spinach soup recipe while you’re here.
A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Red Lentil Dal
🕒 Ready In: ~30 minutes
👪 Serves: 8 Servings
🧑🍳 Main Ingredients: Red lentils, onion, ginger, garlic and authentic Indian spices
📖 Dietary Info: Plant-based protein, vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan option.
📌 Difficulty: Easy, one pot recipe
Why you’ll love this red lentil dal?
This dal recipe is the way my mom makes dal—true, authentic Indian-style. Traditional dahls are made using simple ingredients, without coconut milk or stock. It’s pure comfort served with rice, papad, and a roti or paratha, topped with a spoonful of ghee. One bite instantly transports me back to my mom’s kitchen. This recipe is protein-rich, nutritious, wholesome, comforting, and deeply satisfying.
- maria doss
Jump to:
What is red lentil dahl? Dahl, dal, dhal, or daal is a staple in Indian kitchens, made by simmering dry lentils in a spiced, aromatic stew or curry. Dahl can be made with a variety of lentils, and this recipe uses red lentils, also known as masoor dal. It’s similar to my instant pot kale dal, which I make with yellow moong dal and fresh kale leaves, offering a comforting and wholesome meal that’s simple to prepare.
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More Indian Vegetarian Curries
Red Lentil Dal
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups red lentils
- 2 to 3 tablespoons coconut or vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 onion (medium to large), chopped (about 1 ½ cups chopped)
- 3 large garlic cloves chopped
- 2 teaspoons chopped ginger
- 1 teaspoon salt divided (or use as needed)
- 3 medium Roma tomatoes, chopped (about 1 ¼ cups)
- 1 Serrano pepper, slit (or use ½ jalapeno)
- ½ to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 2 teaspoons corainder powder
- 1 to 2 tablespoons Kasoori methi optional
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 1 to 2 tablespoons ghee
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Soak lentils. Before you start chopping and prepping, rinse the red lentils in water a couple of times, then drain. Add fresh water and let them soak while you continue with the other ingredients. 👉 This short soaking time helps the lentils cook a little faster and gives them a creamier texture.
- Saute onion, ginger and garlic. Heat the coconut oil in a large pot until it’s hot. Add the cumin seeds and toast them for a few seconds until fragrant. Then add the chopped onion, garlic, ginger, and about ½ teaspoon of salt. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are soft and lightly golden.
- Saute tomato and spices. Add the chopped tomato, green chili pepper, coriander, cayenne, turmeric, and kasoori methi. Sauté, stirring frequently, for 5–7 minutes, until the tomatoes soften, become glossy, and the mixture starts to come together. 👉 If the mixture begins to stick or brown at the bottom, add a couple of tablespoons of water.
- Cook dal. Drain the soaked dal and add it to the pot along with 3 cups of water. Stir to combine, cover, and cook over medium-low heat for about 15 minutes, until the dal is soft and tender. 👉 Check every 5 minutes, and if the liquid is evaporating too quickly before the dal is cooked, lower the heat, cover, and continue cooking.
- Finish. Uncover the pot and stir in the remaining salt, sugar, chopped cilantro, and ghee. Remove from heat, then use a flat-bottomed ladle to gently mash the dal against the bottom of the pot. This will thicken it and create a creamy texture.
- Serve. Enjoy the dal hot, served with rice and papad, or with rotis or whole wheat flatbreads.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
