Red Lentil Dal {Quick, Easy, Vegan}

Lentil Dal is a favorite weeknight meal in our home that we happily eat at least once or twice a month. 

Besides being delicious, Lentil Dal is one of our favorite recipes because it's just so incredibly convenient. It relies largely on pantry staples and veggies I almost always have on hand like onions, garlic, and bell peppers.

It also keeps well in the refrigerator for several days, reheats well and makes a delicious, quick lunch later in the week. So, consider making enough for leftovers. 

What is Dal?

The word "Dal" has two definitions.

1. It is the generic Hindi word for dried split peas or lentils
2. It's also a thick stew made from lentils

As is the case with man Indian dishes, there are many variations in lentil dal recipes, with different versions relying on different ingredients, and family and cultural traditions.

But in every recipe for dal, there are two two components that are essential: soft and tender lentils, and cooked spices and other aromatics known a tadka. After that, a variety of ingredients might be added - potatoes, tomatoes and other vegetables.

Ingredients Needed to Prepare this Recipe

• Red Lentils. You can also use brown or green lentils if you like, but the cooking time will vary. Brown lentils take slightly less time to cook than red lentils. Green lentils take much longer to cook, requiring 45 minutes to 1 hour. Red lentils are often used in dal because they break down more than brown or green lentils, creating a soft, porridge-like stew.
• A yellow onion. Yellow onions are the perfect all-purpose onion. They type of onion I use the most often because their balance of astringency and sweet is perfect for nearly every kind of dish.
• A red bell pepper and a jalapeño.
• Tomato paste and dried spices. Tomato paste and spices like cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, cardamom, and paprika create layers of flavor.
• Garlic, ginger, lemon, and cilantro. This combination of these 4 ingredients adds an aromatic brightness that elevate this dish and keeps it tasting light and fresh.

Step-by-Step Photos and Instructions

There are only three super easy steps to making lentil dal:

1. Cook the lentils
2. Make a Tadka
3. Stir the Tadka into the cooked lentils

Cooking red lentils is as easy as adding them to a saucepan with water and a bit of salt and letting them simmer for 20-30 minutes until soft, thick, and falling apart. 

While the lentils cook, make the tadka: Cook some diced onion in a skillet with a bit of oil until soft. Add some tomato paste, garlic, and spices, and cook for a coupe of minutes to let the flavors bloom.

Add the tadka to the saucepan with the cooked lentils and let it all simmer together for a few minutes so the flavors blend and get happy.

Add a tablespoon or two of lemon juice and taste for seasoning.

Spoon the dal over bowls filled with cooked rice.

What's the Difference Between Red, Green, and Brown lentils?

Lentils come in a rainbow of colors, from red to green to brown, and every shade in between.

Brown lentils can range in color from light tan to nearly black, take about 20-30 minutes to cook, and contain a slightly nutty, earthy flavor. 

Green lentils have a stronger flavor than brown lentils and taste a bit peppery. Green lentils also take longer to cook and tend to retain a firm texture even after cooking. 

Because brown and green lentils are whole and contain an outer covering, they tend to hold their shape after cooking. This makes them a great choice for salads, garnishes, and side dishes. 

Red lentils are split and do not include their outer covering. Red lentils generally take 20-30 minuets to cook and have a tendency to fall apart when cooked through.

This quality of breaking apart makes them perfect for dal and other vegetable curries, because they naturally thicken the stew all by themselves, no other thickening agent required.

All varieties of lentils are nutritions, high in fiber and protein, and cook quickly. Lentils are also quite inexpensive, readily available, and have a long shelf-life. I almost always have a package or two on hand for quick weeknight dinners.

Besides Dal, Red Lentil Soup with Aleppo Pepper and Spanish Style Sausage and Lentil Soup are among our favorite quick, easy, and healthy weeknight meals.

How Do You Serve Dal?

After allowing the lentils and tadka to cook together for a few minutes, remove the pot from the heat and stir in a bit of fresh lemon juice. Start with about 1 tablespoon, taste the dal, and add as much more as you like.

To serve Dal, ladle the rich stew over bowls of tender, cooked basmati rice or fragrant, spicy Indian Rice. Sprinkle a bit of chopped, fresh cilantro over the dal and serve with additional lemon slices on the side. A dollop of unscented, plain yogurt or homemade labneh is also delicious.

I love serving dal with soft naan, warmed in the oven and slathered with butter. While you can find packaged naan in many supermarkets, homemade naan is an incredible treat.

More Delicious Plant Based Recipes:

• Black Bean Soup with Pickled Onions and Cilantro Oil
• Vegan Broccoli Soup with Nacho Cheese and Crispy Fried Potatoes
• Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry with Coconut
• Curried Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Crispy Mushrooms
• General Tso's Cauliflower with Sriracha Rice
• Israeli Salad with Pomegranate Vinagrette

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