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One Pot Red Lentil Dal

This One Pot Red Lentil Dal is incredibly full of flavor, entirely vegan, gluten free. Made from only wholesome ingredients in just a single pot, this is a perfect lunch, snack, or dinner.

One Pot Red Lentil Dal in a large white pot.

As you all know, I’m all about simple and easy cooking and baking. I don’t believe that you need overly fancy ingredients or super-complicated steps that you need a Master Chef class for to make delicious food.

What takes this to the next level is if I can whip up the whole dish in one pot. A single pan, good ingredients, and off you go.

You know how it works. I’ve given you some of these recipes before like my One Pot Garlic Butter Lentils or the One Pot Garlic Butter Chickpeas.

And this new Red Lentil Dal is no exception: all you need is 6 ingredients and one pot and we can start.

One Pot Red Lentil Dal garnished with fresh chili and toasted cashew nuts.

My first experience with Dal came when I was at an Indian restaurant with a couple of friends. It was some time ago but I still remember that I was totally in love with it.

Flavor and texture were just perfect.

But ok, whenever something is spicy and contains lentils, there is a good chance of me loving it. There is no denying it.

Still, it fascinated me so much that I really thought I needed to make my own version. And, oh boy, how delicious it turned out to be!

So awesome that I simply need to share it with all of you guys here.

Closeup on the toasted cashews.

With all that being said, I hope you’re in. It’s time you get a big soft spot for this One Pot Red Lentil Dal.

It’s made in one pot, is incredible creamy, satisfying, spicy thanks to jalapeno, full of flavor, hearty, timeless, shareable, made for potlucks, gatherings. And you won’t believe how easy to make this is.

I’m here and can’t wait to show you how pretty it is. Couldn’t believe myself, but hey it’s real.

First heat a bit of oil or vegetable broth for oil free cooking. Add garlic, jalapeno, and onions (optional), then fry for around 4 minutes until the jalapeno begins to soften.

Add lentils, coconut milk, chopped tomatoes, and tandoori spice mix and bring to a boil. Let cook on low heat for 15 minutes and you are done.

A large wooden spoon lifts some Lentil Dal from the pot.

You can serve the One Pot Red Lentil Dal in small bowls plain or with some rice, quinoa or bread. I would guess pasta or potatoes are also delicious with this.

It’s delicious on it’s own for lunch, or a quick dairy free weeknight dinner that comes together in just 20 minutes. Plus it’s made in one pot so it’s a big time saver.

You can make one big batch and eat it all week. It stays good in a closed container in the fridge for several days.

It requires only 6 simple ingredients which you most likely already have in your pantry. So no need to buy fancy ingredients. As always I keep it simple and real.

A single portion of the One Pot Red Lentil Dal in a small blue serving bowl.

Get spicy and dazzled with this One Pot Red Lentil Dal

It’s spicy delicious thanks to these little wonders of jalapenos, which are an amazing source of vitamin C. That’s a power antioxidant which is important to prevent damage from radicals and provides a strong immune booster.

But that’s not the whole selling point. Jalapenos are also high in vitamin A, which is important for eye and skin health.

Plus they are so versatile. You can almost add them to anything. I’m thinking of putting them in homemade bread, especially as an extra to my Hummus Homemade Bread. Man, that’s going to taste fantastic.

A golden spoon in a portion of the Red Lentil Dal.

Be creative and have fun! Add a bit of heat to your favorite meal. But be careful!

Do not use too much. Jalapenos are often underestimated, so if you can’t have spicy food, please start with a reduced amount and add a little bit more next time.

If you need to know more about jalapenos, check this overview “Jalapenos: The Jalapeno Pepper Helps Prevent Colds, Headaches & Chronic Disease“.

Collage of two pictures of the One Pot Red Lentil Dal with recipe title text.

Give this a try, tag me on Instagram and Facebook, take a picture love seeing all your remakes and your feedback.

Cheers, Florian!

One Pot Red Lentil Dal | #vegan #glutenfree #contentednesscooking #plantbased #dairyfree #soyfree

One Pot Red Lentil Dal

Yield: 8
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

This One Pot Red Lentil Dal is incredibly full of flavor, entirely vegan, gluten free. Made from only wholesome ingredients in just a single pot, this is a perfect lunch, snack, or dinner.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup red lentils
  • 1 14 oz can coconut milk
  • 1 14 oz can chopped tomatoes
  • 6 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
  • 1/2 cup onions peeled ad chopped (optional)
  • 1 tandoori spice mix (use ginger, chili, powder, curry and turmeric)
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
  • salt, pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. First heat a bit of oil or vegetable broth for oil free cooking. Add garlic, jalapeno, and onions (optional), then fry for around 4 minutes until the jalapeno begins it soften.
  2. Add lentils, coconut milk, chopped tomatoes, and tandoori spice mix and bring to a boil. Let cook on low heat for 15 minutes and you are done.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 222Total Fat: 4.2gSaturated Fat: 0.6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3.3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 431mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 13gSugar: 4.5gProtein: 14g

Emily

Thursday 31st of March 2022

We are coming into winter in Australia and I've just made my first batch of this for this year! I love any recipe that's all in one pot. Thanks so much.

Florian

Thursday 31st of March 2022

Thanks for your great feedback, Emily! I hope you'll find lots of more recipes to try.

Scott

Wednesday 8th of April 2020

Is there any substitute for the jalapeno seeded and chopped - a store bought version perhaps with the jalapeno ready to go? Not a fan of chopping hot foods if possible - and if not do you have a good technique to keep yourself from getting burned while chopping it? I have never worked with jalapenos before. Any advice or help is much appreciated. Thank you! And am amazing recipe as always.

Florian

Wednesday 8th of April 2020

You can try pickled jalapeños instead of fresh. Start with a small amount and adjust from there for your own liking and taste. If you prefer fresh, then I highly suggested get a pair of kitchen gloves this will help a lot.

Amanda

Sunday 10th of February 2019

Just made this and it is stunning. Needs longer than 15 minutes though. I must have stood there stirring for at least double that! I'd also say it feeds 4 not 8.

I will definitely make it again.

Kathia

Monday 3rd of December 2018

Love it! Simple, vegan and tasty 😋!!!

Florian

Monday 3rd of December 2018

Thanks for your great feedback, Kathia! I hope you'll find lots of more recipes to try!

Chris G

Saturday 12th of May 2018

I've made this twice now, tastes absolutely amazing. I am running into a little problem having the lentils seem undercooked though. They seem a little crunchy Everytime I make this, ant suggestions? I'm using dried lentils but maybe I'm using too high of a heat to bring it to a boil?

Kat

Monday 28th of May 2018

If that happens to me, I soak my lentils for a couple of hours before hand. Another Idea is to use split lentils, but then you would have to watch for burning as they cook faster.

Florian

Saturday 12th of May 2018

Thanks so much for your amazing feedback! I made it all the time and they came out perfectly! I would suggest use low or medium heat for the lentils, it depends on your stovetop.

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