Red Lentil Dahl Soup is easy to make with a couple of unusual steps to complete this flavorful and satisfying soup. A great dinner or lunch that has so many great spices.
Dahl, dhal, daal, dal - any way you spell it this is a wonderful standard dish in Indian cuisine.
Since it's not our typical soup in the western world you just might be thrilled to be able to add it to your list of great homemade soups.
I once heard that if you could make a great soup from scratch then you are a good cook. That is a good enough reason to try out this recipe, don't you think?
Find out how easy it is to be a good cook.
The fun is in the ingredients and the way everything comes together in one pot.
Traditionally Red Lentil Dahl Soup is served with naan bread, but hey, homemade rolls are a good thing too. I tear the bread and dunk. So so good.
📋 Ingredients
- Red lentils are sturdier than brown lentils.
- Vegetable broth adds flavorful liquid for the soup.
- Coconut oil is a nice base for sauteeing.
- Cumin seeds are also unusual but give more of a tasty kick.
- Black mustard seeds have a wonderful tangy flavor.
- Hot green chili has a little texture and heat.
- Onion is the best base for so many recipes. They cook up sweet and taste great.
- Ginger root is another spicy flavor but closer to cinnamon in taste.
- Ground coriander is mildly sweet with a nutty aroma.
- Turmeric one of the best spices out there and adds flavor, health benefits, and a golden color.
- Cayenne pepper is hot in taste so it is used sparingly.
- Tomato is fresh and juicy and adds flavor along with texture.
- Coconut milk is creamy and blends all of the spices together.
- Salt goes a long way for seasoning with just a small amouont.
🔪 Instructions
- Wash the red lentils, drain and set aside.
- Add the lentils to a medium-sized saucepan and cover with the vegetable broth.
- Bring to a boil and then turn down the heat, cover and cook 20 to 23 minutes (or follow your package directions).
- While the lentils are cooking: In a skillet heat the oil to medium-high.
- Add the cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Within a few seconds, they will begin to pop.
- Add the chili and onions.
- Saute over medium heat for about 10 minutes until the onions are translucent.
- Add the fresh ginger, ground coriander, turmeric, and cayenne pepper.
- Cook just to heat through - maybe 30 seconds to a minute.
- Add the tomato, along with its juices, and cook about 5 minutes.
- Take off the heat.
- The lentils should be done. Check them to make sure. You can cook them longer if needed.
- Turn the skillet contents into the pot of lentils and vegetable broth.
- Add the salt and coconut milk and heat through.
- Serve garnished with cilantro (parsley) and paprika.
👩🏻🍳 Can you freeze red lentil dahl soup?
This freezes really well if you only use vegetable broth in the recipe and not the coconut milk towards the end of the instructions.
Just substitute the vegetable broth for the coconut milk.
Freezes for up to 3 months.
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📋 Recipe
Red Lentil Dahl Soup
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups red lentils
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon black mustard seeds
- 1 hot green chili - finely chopped, discard seeds
- 1/2 cup onion - finely diced
- 1 teaspoon ginger root - fresh, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper - optional and you can use more if you like
- 1 large tomato - diced small
- 1/2 cup coconut milk - you could add more broth instead
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Wash the red lentils and drain.
- Add the lentils to a medium sized saucepan and cover with the vegetable broth.
- Bring to a boil and then turn down the heat, cover and cook 20 to 23 minutes (or follow your package directions).
- While the lentils are cooking: In a skillet heat the oil to medium high.
- Add the cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Within a few seconds they will begin to pop.
- Add the chili and onions.
- Saute over medium heat for about 10 minutes until the onions are translucent.
- Add the fresh ginger, ground coriander, turmeric and cayenne pepper.
- Cook just to heat through - maybe 30 seconds to a minute.
- Add the tomato, along with it's juices and cook about 5 minutes. Take off the heat.
- The lentils should be done. Check them to make sure. You can cook them longer if needed.
- Turn the skillet contents into the pot of lentils and vegetable broth.
- Add the salt and coconut milk and heat through.
- Serve garnished with cilantro and paprika.
Nutrition
Brandi Crawford
This soup is so comforting! Perfect timing for fall.
cookilicious
Love lentil dal soup. Its my favorite weeknight meal! Nice post.
Armina Brackeen
Haven't bought coconut milk, other than almond coconut milk to drink.
I've seen coconut milk in a can. Is that the coconut milk to use for the Dahl soup recipe of yours!
Ginny McMeans
Yes Armina, it sure it!
Bethanie Barber
So delicious! And my kids approve!
Ginny McMeans
Wonderful! Thanks for letting me know Bethanie and I love your kids! 🙂
Marty
So delicious! Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe, I enjoyed a bowl of this comforting soup on a snowy Colorado morning. One question about the coconut oil - there may have been a step missing. I sautéed the onion and hot pepper with it as it was likely intended. Thank you again! ❤️
Ginny McMeans
Thank you so much Marty! I am glad you enjoyed this recipe so much. Yes, Those steps are covered in instructions number 4 through 7. I think that's what you mean. Thanks again.
Keely
Outstandingly brilliant. This is the closest I get totally Dahl in my indian
Patrice
Awesome!! So full of flavor. It's going to be a 'go-to' recipe, for sure. Thanks.
Colleen
Excellent and easy. I loved it!
Ginny McMeans
That is wonderful Colleen and Thank you for letting us know!
Nat
Excellent Dal!
I was hopeful and it delivered.
Thank you
Ginny McMeans
That's great Nat and thank you too!
Margot
Hello! I just made this soup and it is very delicious! I tasted it before I added the coconut milk and it tasted great. I find that adding the coconut milk doesn't really add anything to the soup. And when I opened the can, it was solid like butter. Is that normal because it's the first time i buy coconut milk. Im going to make this soup again and I'll eat basmati rice with it.
Ginny McMeans
Hi Margot, I am so happy you loved the soup. Yes, coconut milk in a can is near solid with some water in it too. Sometimes the water is at the top and sometimes it is trapped underneath the coconut milk. There isn't much. It makes the soup creamier and I think you will also be pleased with the results with the coconut milk. It will be great with basmati rice.
Mona T
I love getting dal soup at our Indian restaurant but I just made this and love it even more. Wonderful flavors melded together and it is entirely vegan. I think that if one wanted even a more complex flavor, a little chicken broth or 'better than bouillon chicken" added in would flip it from being vegan but still a very nutritious dish! I will be making this again-thank you!