This easy and delicious yellow lentil dal is full of protein and bright flavors! It’s great on its own or served over fragrant Basmati rice for a quick and healthy mid-week meal!
I can put together an elaborate family dinner, but when I’m cooking for myself I’m perfectly happy with simple fridge finds. Sometimes that means a lot of fruit, a few slices of smoked salmon with tomatoes, and a piece of good dark chocolate to finish. Working in food means you’re surrounded by dishes and images all day, so at home I’m often content with something quick and unfussy — though I do enjoy experimenting when inspiration strikes.
When I feel inspired — usually in the late afternoon — I plan what I’ll cook after work. The key to actually making a planned recipe is having the right ingredients on hand. If they’re missing, I’m liable to make a quick peanut butter and jelly toast and call it a vegan panini. On one of those inspired days I set out to make a vibrant vegan meal I hoped my husband would enjoy: a golden yellow lentil dal.
I set up my daughter with Play-Doh and a Russian cartoon — she only speaks Russian, and I plan to keep it that way so she doesn’t pick up my choice words and so she becomes bilingual — then I got to work. I rifled through the pantry for Indian spices after attending a vegetarian cooking class with my husband the week before. Dal had been one of the dishes we made and I wanted to recreate the flavors at home.
Quick note: dal refers to split dry lentils, beans, or peas — nothing fancy, just the basics of many Indian dishes.
This dal came together with fresh ginger and garlic, a bit of curry powder, ground turmeric, garam masala, and a generous portion of yellow lentils. The result was comforting, savory, and simple — exactly what I wanted: flavorful, nourishing, and easy to make.
Below is a straightforward recipe you can make in about 20 minutes. Serve it over basmati rice, garnish with cilantro and a squeeze of lime, and adjust spices to taste. It’s a dependable mid-week meal that’s satisfying and wholesome.
Yellow Lentil Dal with Curry
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3.9 from 11 reviews
- Author: Mila Furman
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 people 1x
Description
This easy and delicious golden yellow lentil dal with curry is full of protein and bright flavors. It’s simple to make and perfect over basmati rice for a comforting, healthy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons coconut or olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely diced
- 1 Thai chili, finely diced (or to taste)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
- 1.5 cups yellow lentils (split)
- 1 tbsp ground turmeric
- 2 teaspoons curry powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 3–4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- juice of half a lime
- salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- cilantro, for garnish
- lime wedges, for serving
- cooked basmati rice, to serve
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add the onion, garlic, ginger, and chili and sweat gently over medium heat. Do not allow them to brown; you want them soft and fragrant.
- Add the lentils, turmeric, curry powder, garam masala, diced tomatoes, and 2 cups of the vegetable broth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cook with the lid slightly ajar for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. If the lentils absorb the liquid before they’re tender, add more broth. The dal should be thick but still saucy.
- When the lentils are tender and the texture is to your liking, stir in the lime juice and adjust seasoning and heat as needed. Serve over cooked basmati rice.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and lime wedges.
Notes
- Spice strength varies: the potency of your curry powder and turmeric will affect flavor. Start with smaller amounts and add more if needed.
- Nutritional information, when provided, should be used as a guideline only.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Entree, Vegan
- Cuisine: Indian
