No Oil Vegan Red Lentil Dahl Recipe (Masoor Dal)

 

This heartier, more filling easy red lentil dahl is not only vegan but also oil-free and gluten free and made with pantry staples!

It's super easy to make in one pot so you'll never have trouble finding time for dinner. This healthy Masoor Dal recipe can be on your table within 30 minutes - meaning it makes an ideal weeknight meal when preparing ahead or freezing beforehand (greater convenience).

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Jump to:

• What is dahl?
• Ingredients
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Instruction 
• Storage
• Serving options
• Tips
•  More Vegan Recipes
• 📖 Recipe

I created this inspired indian dal because I love the spices from Indian cuisine. There are many delicious dishes and many are quick to prepare.

What is dahl?

Dal, also sometimes spelled Dahl or Daal is a dish from is an indian food you will also find in the Pakistani cuisine. 

This dish is usually made from legumes such as chickpea lentils, beans or peas. 

Due to the long cooking time, the legumes boil to a puree that is then well seasoned with curry powder. A dal can be served as a main course or as a side dish or starter.

Ingredients

Let's take a look at the ingredients that go into this red lentil dal recipe. You can find the exact quantities below in the recipe card.

• Split or Whole Dry Red Lentils
•  Ginger
•  Onion
•  Fresh Garlic
•  Chilli Powder
• Cumin Seeds
•  Garam Masala Spice
•  Mustard Seeds
• White Pepper
• Ground Coriander
•  Turmeric Powder
•  Vegetable Broth
•  Small Diced Tomatoes, cannned
• Brown Rice (I love Basmati Brown Rice)

Garnish

• Fresh Cilantro or fresh Parsley

 

Substitutions

Here you can see how you can replace which ingredients. There are not many substitutes because this red lentil dahl does not consist of many foods.

Red Lentils

Are you wondering the kind of lentil you can use?

 As the name of the dish suggests, the red lentil dal consists mainly of red split lentils.

 Red lentils are usually split. If you don't want to use lentils, I can imagine that yellow split peas can taste good here. I think brown lentils would not work as good.

With these, however, the cooking time is extended to 1 hour.

White Pepper

Instead of white pepper, you can use black pepper as well. I love the milder white pepper to add to recipes.

Tomatoes

If you do not want to use canned tomatoes, you can also use fresh tomatoes. I would use 1-1.5 cup diced tomatoes for this indian curry.

Ginger

You can either use ginger powder or fresh ginger. I prefer fresh minced ginger.

Variations

I always offer to my recipes some kind of variations. You can add your own taste to this masoor dal tadka.

Lime

To use less salt and a great note to it, add some fresh lime juice.

Coconut Milk

Add a few tablespoon full-fat coconut milk to add some more creaminess. You can also use some sunflower seed cream.

Indian Flavors

Instead of Garam Masala you can add other Indian Flavors to add different flavors to this amazing red lentil stew.

Instruction 

 This dish is very easy to prepare.

In a non-stick pan, sauté the diced onions and chopped garlic until translucent. If necessary, add 1-2 tablespoons of water repeatedly.

 Add chili, ginger, cumin and garam masala, mustard seeds and fry briefly. Add the lentils and vegetable stock and bring to a boil.

 Simmer on medium heat for about 15 minutes or until lentils are soft. 

Add the tomatoes 10 minutes before the end of the cooking time.

Season the red lentil curry with sea salt and some pepper.

 Arrange the lentils on four plates and serve with brown rice, cauliflower and homemade naan bread.

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)

 You can make this indian red lentil dal in an instant pot. To do this, sauté everything as in the instructions on sauté mode.

Add the veggie broth, lentils, tomatoes and then cook under high pressure for about 7-10 minutes. Then release the pressure and only season with salt and pepper.

 Meal Prep

 If you want, you can prepare this red lentil dal in advance.

Simply prepare everything for a few days. Awesome meal prep recipe!

Storage

 Do you have leftovers or have you prepared the lentil dahl in advance? It's easy to store.

How to refrigerate 

 The red lentil dahl can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 4 days.

 Simply put them in a pot or in the microwave to warm them up. Add a dash of water.

How to freeze

 Freeze the red lentil dal in portions. Then you can always take out a portion and defrost and warm it up.

 I always freeze it in 4-serving sizes.

 The dahl will keep in the freezer for about 4-6 months.

Serving options

 As already mentioned, you can serve the following with this staple dish.

• rice
• roasted cauliflower
• indian bread like vegan naan bread 
• flatbread
• bulgur
• quinoa
• spelt berries

Tips

 In order to get a lot of aromas in this indian red lentil dahl, I recommend roasting the spices briefly before you add any liquid and lentils.

 Add a little more vegetable stock for a soupy consistency.

If you add the coconut milk, make sure the dal is no longer boiling bubbly, but only simmers. Otherwise, the coconut milk may curdle.

To get a good taste, steam the onions vigorously until they get a nice brownish color. Make sure that the pan is already hot before you add the onions. This way the onions will caramelize easier without adding oil.

 If you want it spicier, with more flavor, add a little more garam masala.

 More Vegan Recipes

 Tikka Masala

 Chickpea Curry

 Cauliflower Broccoli Curry

 Red Thai Curry

📖 Recipe