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    Oh My Veggies » Vegetarian Recipes » Gluten Free Vegetarian Recipes

    Gloriously golden Red Lentil Dal {vegan + gluten-free}

    Published: May 17, 2016 · by Nicole · Updated: Aug 22, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    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!

    Red lentil dal recipe - this gloriously golden vegan dahl is the ultimate in comfort food | DeliciousEveryday.com

    Dal, daal, dhal or dahl, whatever you call it is one of my ultimate comfort foods.

    It also seems to be one of those polarizing 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.

    And did I mention that you can make this whole dish in just one single pot? I love recipes that let me cook without messing up the whole kitchen!

    If you love one-pot recipes too, make sure you grab this free printable with all my most popular one pot vegan recipes.

    Red lentil dahl with coconut milk - ready in 30 minutes this beautiful golden dahl is the ultimate in comfort food | DeliciousEveryday.com

    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?

    (And don't forget to snag your free copy of my favorite one-pot vegan recipes!) 

    Still hungry? Check out some of my other favorite lentil recipes like this mushroom lentil salad, this 5-minute vegan lentil salad, or this creative take on vegan moussaka.

    Vegan Red lentil dal - served with steaming rice and naan bread this vegan dahl is the ultimate in comfort food | DeliciousEveryday.com

    Recipe

    Red Lentil Dal

    This gloriously golden red lentil dal is the ultimate in comfort food. Fragrant, creamy and utterly delicious this simple dal recipe is packed with flavor from turmeric and spices. And it will be on the table in under 30 minutes!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Email Recipe
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Indian, Vegan
    Keyword: Delicious Everyday, how to make dal, red lentl recipe, vegan dal recipe
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 386kcal
    Author: Oh My Veggies

    Ingredients

    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 onion diced
    • 1 tbsp grated ginger
    • 1 red chilli deseeded and finely chopped
    • 1 tomato finely chopped
    • 2 tbsp 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
    US Customary - Metric

    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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 386kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 14gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 12gSodium: 722mgPotassium: 771mgFiber: 16gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1005IUVitamin C: 40mgCalcium: 69mgIron: 7mg
    Craving more veg-friendly recipes? Shop our collection of vegetarian and vegan cookbooks, including our new Vegan Thanksgiving and Vegan Christmas cookbooks!
    This gloriously golden vegan red lentil dal is the ultimate in comfort food. Packed with turmeric this delicious meal is ready in under 30 minutes!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. anastasia says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      I will make the recipe today for my friends and I.Greetings from Greece.

      Reply
      • Nicole says

        November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

        Hope you enjoy it! And Greece is one of my favorite places in the world!

        Reply
    2. Amira says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      5 stars
      I have attempted to make Dhal a number of times and have always been disappointed it didn't turn out the delicious, comforting flavourful curry I had been pining for. Until now...This is everything you would want in a Dhal recipe, its absolutely divine. I followed the recipe exactly (curry leaves really give it that authentic flavour). I de-seeded the chilli and it was very mild which was perfect for my son - who ate the entire dowl (he is 5yrs). The balance of spices is perfect. The only thing I may do differently next time is brown the onions slightly on their own before adding the tomato as it was hard to get a caramelisation. Id also add the mustard seeds straight after id browned the onions, as they wouldn't pop when added to the tomato mix. But that's just being picky - it was a delicious meal, one ill add to my own recipe specials. Thank you indeed x

      Reply
      • Nicole says

        November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

        I'm so glad you enjoyed it - thanks for coming back to let me know!

        Reply
    3. Carol Uden says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious!!!

      Reply
    4. Roseann says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      5 stars
      The whole family loves this! Full of flavor, and the coconut milk gives it a wonderful luxurious texture. This is now my “go to” dal recipe! Great as a main dish with basmati rice, or as a side with grilled fish.Big THANKS for this recipe!

      Reply
    5. Amanda says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      5 stars
      So happy I found this recipe. Everyone in the family loves it. It is now our staple recipe on the evenings that we have sporting practice. Family going every which way all over Sydney. I pop it in the slow cooker in the morning and leave it simmering all day. Everyone comes home and dinner is warmed and ready to go for them. Everyone loves it. Always gets the tick off from the whole family.

      Reply
      • Nicole says

        November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

        It makes me so happy to hear this! I'm glad you're enjoying the recipe and thanks for sharing!

        Reply
    6. Jasmine says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      5 stars
      Yummm! I added a can of diced tomato’s (and took out a cup of stock and the fresh tomato), I didn’t add curry leaves, and I added sweet potatoes and baby spinach. Delicious!

      Reply
    7. Suzie says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      5 stars
      I didn't have curry leaves, and I did add cannot diced tomatoes and whole can of coconut milk with one sweet potato. it was great!

      Reply
    8. Therese says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      5 stars
      Amazing full of flavour, easy to prep and cook.Thank you

      Reply
    9. Ellie says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      5 stars
      Definitely took us more than half an hour but soo delicious! Best lentil dish I've ever made!

      Reply
    10. angela says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      5 stars
      I have made this Dahl over 30 times and wouldn’t change a thing, its absolutely delicious and always crowd pleaser!

      Reply
    11. Skye Lyon says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      5 stars
      I have made this recipe so many times...and usually add a few veggies like potato, carrot, cauliflower. My question is that I have run out of dried red lentils, and can only find tetra packs of pre cooked red lentils, would this work? I can imagine it wouldn't soak up as much liquid...?Could I use dried green lentils and just cook it for longer?

      Reply
    12. R clugh says

      November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

      Really should have posted earlier as I’ve been using this recipe for over 2 years now and come back very frequently as it’s not become a staple in our household. Great recipe and so easy to make. We have with brown rice sometimes or even a whole meal paratha. Can’t recommend enough!

      Reply
      • R Clugh says

        November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

        Now become a staple! Just to be clear 😇

        Reply
    13. atozkitchen says

      February 04, 2025 at 2:31 am

      5 stars
      Red Lentil Dal is such a comforting and nutritious dish!????✨ This gloriously golden dal is packed with warm spices, protein-rich lentils, and a creamy texture that makes it perfect with rice or naan. Plus, it's vegan and gluten-free, making it a wholesome meal for everyone. Have you tried adding coconut milk for extra richness????????? #RedLentilDal #VeganComfortFood #GlutenFreeEats #PlantBasedProtein

      Reply
    14. personal recipe book says

      February 13, 2025 at 4:37 am

      5 stars
      This red lentil dal recipe looks absolutely delicious! I love how simple yet flavorful it is, with all the aromatic spices and creamy coconut milk. The health benefits of turmeric are a great bonus too. Definitely trying this soon—thanks for sharing.

      Reply
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    Nicole is a life long vegetarian and the author of the popular vegan cookbook, Weeknight One Pot Vegan Cooking. She loves sharing her recipes and showing the world just how easy and delicious meatless meals can be!
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