Coconut Dal (Creamy Red Lentil Dahl in 30 Minutes)
This coconut dal is creamy, cozy, and packed with warm spices. The red lentils cook quickly, the coconut milk makes everything velvety, and the whole dish comes together in just 30 minutes. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Servings: 4
Calories: 285kcal
Equipment
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Can opener
- Citrus squeezer (optional)
- Ladle (for serving)
Ingredients
- 1 cup red lentils
- 1 onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger minced
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 can coconut milk
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon oil
- Salt and pepper
- Juice of half a lemon
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot and cook the onion until soft.
- Add garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant.
- Stir in all the spices and let them warm in the pot.
- Add the red lentils and mix to coat them with the spices.
- Pour in the coconut milk, tomatoes, and broth.
- Simmer until the lentils are tender and the dal becomes thick.
- Stir in lemon juice, taste, and adjust the seasoning.
- Serve hot with rice or naan.
Notes
- Add more broth if the dal thickens too much.
- If you want more heat, add chili flakes or cayenne.
- You can swap crushed tomatoes for diced if you prefer a chunkier texture.
- Freeze leftovers for easy meal prep.
Nutrition
Calories: 285kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 241mg | Potassium: 520mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 226IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 4mg
