Yellow lentil dahl is loved for its simplicity, yet it never fails to deliver a burst of flavors. The combination of lentils, spices, and herbs creates a comforting and satisfying dish that’s perfect for a quick and wholesome meal. It’s a versatile recipe that can be enjoyed on its own as a vegetarian main course or paired with rice or bread for a complete and balanced meal. If you’ve never tried to make your own dahl, this recipe is a great intro to the dish. Let’s begin!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow lentils
- 4 cups water
- 1 tablespoon oil or ghee
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
- Juice of 1 lemon or lime
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Rinse the yellow lentils thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. In a large saucepan, combine the lentils and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and cooked through.
- While the lentils are cooking, heat oil or ghee in a separate pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent and lightly golden. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and chili powder. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly to release the flavors.
- Add the diced tomatoes to the pan and cook for a few minutes, allowing them to soften and meld with the spices. Once the lentils are cooked, add the tomato-spice mixture to the lentils and stir well to combine. Let the dahl simmer for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. If needed, adjust the consistency by adding more water.
- Stir in the lemon or lime juice and season with salt to taste. Feel free to adjust the spices and seasoning according to your preference.
- Serve the yellow lentil dahl hot, garnished with fresh cilantro leaves. It pairs wonderfully with rice or naan bread for a complete meal.
Notes
For a creamier texture, you can use an immersion blender to partially blend the lentils before adding the tomato-spice mixture. Also, feel free to add other vegetables such as spinach or diced carrots to make it even more nutritious and flavorful. Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day. The flavors tend to deepen and intensify with time. Happy eating!
*Please keep in mind that the following nutritional information is based on estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 225
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 11g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 0g
