Vegan Lentil Dahl

This vegan lentil dahl recipe is easy to make using items you already have in your house! It's ready in 25 minutes and makes enough so that you'll have leftovers for the rest of the week!

We're not sure if this lentil recipe is going to save the World's inflationary problems right now, but if you're looking for a cheap meal, looking to cut back on meat, or just want a delicious dinner this is the recipe for you!

The Details

Dal, which has several spellings (Dahl, Daal, Dal) but they all mean the same thing, is a term from India that is used to describe dried pulses such as lentils and split peas. Red Lentil Dahl is a dish using red lentils, a mix of spices, and coconut cream to make them irresistible. There is a reason that this dish is a staple in India!

Lentils are vegan, gluten-free, and have a ton of protein and extremely important fiber. They also don't need to be soaked overnight like some other dried beans, I'm looking at you chickpeas!

How To Make Vegan Lentil Dahl

This vegan lentil dahl recipe doesn't require any special skills or tools and all of the ingredients should be found in a well-stocked kitchen! Because of how easy and accessible this recipe is we make it at least once a week in our house, and for a bonus it makes plenty for leftovers as well!

Ingredients for Vegan Lentil Dahl

• Red Lentils
• Onion
• Broth (we used vegan beef broth)
• Coconut Cream
• Diced Tomatoes, canned
• Spinach, optional
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Garam Masala
• Spices

Kitchen Equipment I used for recipe:

• No Beef Vegan Beef Broth – Better Than Bouillon is top-of-the-line broths with deep rich flavors, but the vegan versions can sometimes be hard to track down. In Ontario you can find them at Costco in Winnipeg I usually order them here.
• Cast Iron Skillet Set (10 & 12 in) – So I got this set for my birthday from my mom and it seriously is sooo good! I used the larger (12 in) skillet for this recipe and it worked so well! Great quality skillets for an affordable price!

Instructions for Vegan Lentil Dahl

1. Start by rinsing your 1.5 cups of red lentils under cold water. Chop your 1 whole onion. Mince 5 garlic cloves and grate 1 tablespoon of ginger. Set aside separately.
2. Heat 2 tablespoon of oil in a large cast-iron skillet or similar deep pan on medium-high heat. When heated add your onion and saute until translucent, about 3 min. Next, add your garlic and ginger and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Stir in 1 tablespoon of garam masala, 2 teaspoon of turmeric, 1 teaspoon of cumin, ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of paprika, and ½ a teaspoon of cayenne (optional).
4. Add in 3 cups of broth, 2 cups of diced tomatoes, 1.5 cups of red lentils 1 can of coconut cream, and 2 tablespoon of lemon juice. Mix together, bring the gravy to a boil and reduce heat to simmer for 15-20 minutes.
5. Stir in 1 cup of fresh spinach and cook until spinach is wilted about 5 minutes.
6. Serve over a bed of warm basmati rice with a side of naan bread and top with fresh cilantro.

Full Measurements & Instructions Below!

Commonly Asked Questions

Can you make vegan lentil dahl ahead of time?

Yes, this recipe is perfect to make ahead of time. Allowing the spices to mingle for longer will bring them out more and make the dish more flavourful. It's best to make the rice, naan bread and other sides as fresh as possible though.

How do you store this recipe?

You can store this recipe in an air-tight container for up to 5 days in the fridge. If possible let the recipe cool on the counter before placing it in the fridge as it will be very hot and could heat other items in your fridge.

Can you use coconut milk instead of coconut cream?

Yes, you can easily sub full-fat coconut milk for coconut cream in this recipe. Coconut cream gives the recipe a creamier texture but using coconut milk instead would give you more sauce. You can always allow it to simmer for longer as well so make it creamier if you only have coconut milk.

What else can you serve with?

If you do not want to serve vegan red lentil dahl over a bed of basmati rice you could instead serve it with;

• Potatoes
• Garlic Naan
• Brown Rice
• Quinoa

If you try this recipe, please leave a 5-star review in the comments section below! I’d love to hear from you! You can rate it, comment about it, send us pictures about it on Instagram @RescueDogKitchen.

Other recipes you might like:

• Vegan Butter Chicken
• Vegan Chicken Tikka Masala
• Vegan Sesame Chicken