Quick & Easy Red Lentil Dahl
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Ready in 30 minutes or less, this Indian Red Lentil Dahl is easy to make and full of flavor. Serve with rice and vegan naan for an incredible feast!
Made in 1 pot in under 30 minutes, Red Lentil Dahl is so incredible you will have trouble stopping at 1 bowl! Budget friendly red lentils are the star of this Indian dish, full of plant protein and fiber.
I threw in some spinach just because I love greens. Serve with rice for a complete meal!
Some dahl recipes require cooking the lentils separately before adding to the fragrant sauce, but I wanted to keep the recipe as easy as possible. It all cooks just fine in 1 pot, and if you want it to be thinner in consistency (more soupy), simply add more broth or water. Easy peasy.
Instant Pot Red Lentil Dahl
You can make this in an Instant Pot. Use the Sauté feature and cook the onion, then garlic and ginger. Add the spices, stir, then add the lentils, coconut milk, tomatoes and broth. Seal, and cook at high pressure for 10 minutes. Do a quick release, then add the lemon juice and stir in the spinach.
Want more Indian-inspired vegan recipes?
- Quick & Easy Vegetable Korma
- Vegan Tikka Masala
- Vegan Butter Chicken
- 20 Minute Chickpea Curry
- Cauliflower Sweet Potato Curry Soup
Quick & Easy Red Lentil Dahl
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped small
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and grated
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper chili flakes
- 1 1/2 cups dried red lentils
- 14 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 13.5 ounce can full fat coconut milk
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- half a lemon, juiced
- 3-4 cups baby spinach
For serving
- 4 cups cooked brown or white rice
- Vegan Naan
Instructions
- In a large pot or pan over medium heat, sauté the chopped onion in the olive oil for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Then add the garlic and ginger and cook 1 more minute, until fragrant.
- Add the garam masala, turmeric and red pepper flakes to the pan and stir into the onion mixture. Add a few tablespoons of water if the mixture is too dry.
- Now add the dried lentils, canned tomatoes and their juices, coconut milk and vegetable broth to the pan. Stir well and turn the heat to high. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, until the lentils are cooked and soft. Stir occasionally.
- Squeeze the lemon juice into the pan, and stir in the spinach as well until wilted. Add salt to taste. I used 1 teaspoon.
- Serve with brown or white rice and Vegan Naan. Enjoy!
Notes
- Leftover dahl will keep in the refrigerator for about 4 days in a covered container. It also freezes well.
- May use light coconut milk if desired, it simply won't be as creamy. If you can't have coconut, you may substitute Cashew Cream instead. Unsweetened almond/cashew/soy milk may work as well.
- To make it in the Instant Pot: Use the sauté feature to cook the onions, then the garlic and ginger. Add spices and stir. Turn off the Instant Pot for a moment, and add the lentils, tomatoes, coconut milk and broth. Seal and cook at high pressure for 10 minutes. Do a quick release, then add the lemon juice and stir in the spinach until wilted. Serve.
- Nutritional information is an estimate only and does not include rice or naan.
Nutrition
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105 Comments on “Quick & Easy Red Lentil Dahl”
up top, i mean … after the second pic. not at the bottom in the notes section. you got it covered down there.
Thank you for pointing that out! I will fix it now. I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe!
just a perfectionist … under the instant pot instructions you forgot to mention adding the can of tomatoes. im sure everyone will figure it out but i thought it was worth a mention. lovely recipe, i will try it soon!
Excellent Recipe and dish. Thank you.
SOOOOOOOO DELICIOUS!!! Than n you so much for this recipe! My soul is sooooooi happy after eating this beautiful meal. Instead of spinach I used water crest and it came out better than I imagined! Once again, thank you!
You are so welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed the Dahl! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review and comments!
This is excellent, thank you!
I’m so glad you love it! Thank you for sharing your review!
So so so very good! I pressed and cut a block of tofu, then threw in the cubes alongside the lentils to simulate paneer.
This is a very simple, nourishing meal that comes together quickly with the help of frozen cubes of ginger and garlic.
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your review! Your meal sounds delicious!
Love this recipe!
My big saucepan isn’t big enough to add all the veggie broth at once, so I add a cup at the same time as the other stuff then add more as I stir. I usually don’t use all 3 cups but I like lentils a little less soup-y.
Thank you for sharing your review Sylvia! I’m glad you love the dahl. It is one of my favorites!
My husband and I love this. I usually add 1/2 pepper, a defrosted bag of chopped cauliflower and a whole bag of spinach. We use the juice from 1 whole lemon. Thanks for the great recipe! We make this at least once a month.
I’d love to try this recipe. Unfortunately, one of my kids doesn’t like coconut. What would you recommend as a substitute? Add plant-based yoghurt at the end? Use soy milk? Ay suggestions would be super!
Hi Erica. You may substitute Cashew Cream instead. Unsweetened almond/cashew/soy milk may work as well. Happy cooking!