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    You are here: Home / Soups and Stews / Red Lentil Dahl Soup

    Red Lentil Dahl Soup

    Published: February 3, 2016. Last Updated: September 25, 2022 by: Ginny McMeans

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    Two photos one above the other with a close up of golden soup with paprike as garnish. Text through the center as a description.
    Red Lentil Dahl Soup is in a wide silver bowl with loop handles/ The rich yellow soup has red paprika and fresh green herbs sprinkled in an arc.

    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.

    Red Lentil Dahl Soup is in a wide silver bowl with loop handles.

    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?
     

    Jump to:
    • 📋 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Can you freeze red lentil dahl soup?
    • 📋 Recipe
    The rich yellow soup has red paprika and fresh green herbs sprinkled in an arc.

    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.
     

    The rich yellow lentil soup has red paprika and fresh green herbs sprinkled in an arc.

    📋 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.

    Red Lentil Dahl Soup is in a silver handled bowl, garnished with spices.

    📋 Recipe

    Dahl Soup is in silver handle bowl against black.

    Red Lentil Dahl Soup

    Ginny McMeans
    Red Lentil Dahl Soup is easy to make with a couple of unusual steps to complete this flavorful and satisfying soup
    4.67 from 42 votes
    Print Save Saved
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Soup
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 4 Servings
    Calories 347 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ cups red lentils
    • 3 cups vegetable broth
    • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • ½ teaspoon black mustard seeds
    • 1 hot green chili - finely chopped, discard seeds
    • ½ cup onion - finely diced
    • 1 teaspoon ginger root - fresh, finely diced
    • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
    • ½ teaspoon turmeric
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper - optional and you can use more if you like
    • 1 large tomato - diced small
    • ½ 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

    Serving: 12OuncesCalories: 347kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 18gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 1296mgPotassium: 760mgFiber: 21gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 510IUVitamin C: 5.7mgCalcium: 52mgIron: 6.5mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Mona T

      May 06, 2020 at 1:07 pm

      5 stars
      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!

    2. LJ

      January 19, 2022 at 5:49 pm

      5 stars
      Gooooooooooooosh darn this was freakin good! Literally tasted like my local Indian restaurant. I left out the coconut milk, I didn't think I needed it. So, so good. Don't change anything, use the correct spices!

    3. Sue C

      May 09, 2022 at 3:18 pm

      5 stars
      This is my all time favourite Dahl recipe (and I've made zillions). The mustard seeds and cumin seeds add the perfect little crunch.

    4. Caroline

      September 27, 2022 at 3:27 pm

      5 stars
      This was absolutely delicious! I didn't have vegetable broth so I used 3 general teaspoons of "Better than Bouillon" seasonal vegetable base along with 3 cups of water in which to cook the lentils. I didn't have cumin seeds so just used ground cumin instead. I also didn't use the chili as my kids don't like it hot. Despite all those changes, it tastes almost the same as my favorite lentil soup at "Aux Vivres" in Montreal. I had been looking a while to recreate this lentil soup...and this did it! thank you!

    5. Marla

      December 04, 2022 at 4:23 pm

      4 stars
      Loved this soup. Easy to make. Would add 1/2 the salt next time.

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    For years I dabbled in cooking vegan food, but since I became a mom it has become more important for me than ever. What I’m after is a great collection of healthy and not time-consuming vegan recipes that make the whole family look forward to meals together.

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