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    Watch What U Eat > Indian Recipes > Red Lentil Curry With Indian Flavors

    Red Lentil Curry With Indian Flavors

    Published: May 31, 2016 · Modified: May 5, 2022 by Watch What U Eat · This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

    Recipe Print
    Indian styled red lentil curry. Vegan, gluten free & healthy dish

    This healthy red lentil curry is prepared using flavorful Indian spices. A protein-filled, vegan, and vegetarian option perfect for lunch or dinner.

    Red lentil curry in two serving bowl garnished with sliced onion and served with plain naan bread on the side.
    Red Lentil Curry

    Lentil curry is a very common delicacy in Indian households. I would say it is a staple diet for many Indians and is popularly known as Dal. Usually, lentils are cooked separately in a pressure cooker and then added to the curry prepared with onions, tomatoes, and spices. And, it tastes amazing with garlic naan bread or plain rice.

    However, I decided to make this curry in one pot. Do you know why? It becomes very messy inside the pressure cooker (Indian one) after the lentils are done and I absolutely hate washing the cooker. Much to my dismay, my pressure cooker is not dishwasher safe.

    Red lentil curry in two serving bowl garnished with sliced onion and served with plain naan bread on the side.

    Generally in India, dal is prepared using split pigeon peas (also known as toor dal), red lentils or mung beans, or sometimes a mixture of lentils. In this curry recipe, I used red lentils because it is commonly available in US local grocery stores (I found it in the Mexican aisle).

    And, making this lentil curry with Indian flavors is really simple. Prepare basic onion and tomato base with spices then add lentils, and water and simmer the mixture until cooked. It is our recent favorite dish and we love it. It is…

    • flavorful
    • tasty
    • satisfying
    • healthy
    • one-pot recipe

    We enjoy this red lentil curry with fresh homemade naan bread. It also goes very well with plain rice.

    Red lentil curry in two serving bowl garnished with sliced onion and naan bread basket in the background.

    How this Red Lentil Curry is Healthy?

    • Red lentils are packed with dietary fibers, healthy proteins, and essential minerals
    • This curry is prepared using very less fat. It does not contain added saturated fat

    Side view of lentil curry in two serving bowl garnished with sliced onion and served with plain naan bread on the side. Image has text overlay 'Red Lentil Curry'

    More Indian Curries You Will Love To Try

    • Coconut Shrimp Curry
    • Red Lentil Curry
    • Coconut Chickpea Curry
    • Chickpea Tikka Masala
    • Browse All Indian Recipes
    Red Lentil Curry -- Protein filled vegan & vegetarian option perfect for lunch or dinner. Also, a healthy & gluten free dish
    Print Pin
    4.50 from 2 votes

    Healthy Indian Red Lentil Curry

    Indian styled red lentil curry. Vegan, gluten free & healthy dish
    Course: Lunch/Dinner
    Cuisine: Indian Inspired
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 40 minutes
    Total Time 50 minutes
    Servings :4
    Calories :260kcal
    Author:Swati Kadam Gulati

    Equipment

    • Sharp Knife (10% Code: WATCHWHATUEAT)

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup red lentil
    • 4 cup water or use vegetable stock
    • 1 medium onion chopped
    • 3-4 red tomatos chopped
    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
    • 1 teaspoon finely chopped ginger
    • 2 tablespoon tomato paste (optional)
    • 1 teaspoon red chili powder (mild for less hot curry)
    • 1 teaspoon garam masala
    • 1 cinnamon stick
    • 1-2 leaves bay
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • salt
    • 1 teaspoon cooking oil
    • FOR SERVING (optional)
    • 1 lime cut into wedges
    • 1 onion sliced
    • Homemade Naan or Rice

    Instructions

    • Heat oil in a pan on medium heat. Add cumin seeds, garlic, ginger and sauté until fragrant
    • Add onions and cook until translucent. Add tomato paste, chopped tomatoes, garam masala and cook until tender or it gets to a sauce like consistency
    • Now add red lentils and water; bring it to boil
    • Add salt, cinnamon stick and bay leaves. Simmer the mixture with lid on for 35-40 min or until the lentil is tender. Serve warm with naan or rice along with a lemon wedge and onion slices

    Nutrition

    Calories: 260kcal
    Tried this recipe?Tag us on Instagram @watchwhatueat or tag #watchwhatueat! OR leave us a comment & rating below. Your feedback is very important to us.
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    About Watch What U Eat

    We are Swati and Tushar, our passion for food and cooking has now led us to share some healthy, tasty recipes and the benefits of eating certain ingredients with the goal of inspiring you to eat well and live well.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shanna Howard says

      June 07, 2016 at 10:00 pm

      i don’t see cumin seeds in the ingredients list

      Reply
      • Swati and Tushar says

        June 07, 2016 at 10:10 pm

        Thank you Shanna for pointing it out. I have made the necessary changes now.

        Reply
    2. Ahu @ Ahu Eats says

      June 07, 2016 at 1:34 am

      Lentils are one of my favorite ingredients to cook with and I am constantly looking for new recipes. This looks incredible – I can’t wait to try it! Will it work with green lentils as well?

      Reply
      • Swati and Tushar says

        June 07, 2016 at 10:13 pm

        I guess this recipe will work with green lentils as well. However, cooking time may vary.

        Reply
    3. Danielle says

      June 06, 2016 at 11:17 pm

      4 stars
      You had me at curry. AND THEN you said naan and I was like, “does she know my life and all the things I love to eat?!?!?!” LOL! Great post this looks absolutely delicious and your photos are lovely =]

      Reply
    4. Eleanor Davoren says

      June 06, 2016 at 9:53 pm

      5 stars
      Going to defo try this. ..yum yum! Excellent photography too!♥

      Reply
    5. M M says

      June 01, 2016 at 4:16 pm

      So making this!

      Reply
    6. Allison says

      June 01, 2016 at 3:30 pm

      Yummm!
      Lentil and curry soup is literally my favourite soup of all time. Saving this recipe! Thanks!

      Reply

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    Hi, we are Swati and Tushar! Our passion for food and cooking has led us to write this blog focusing on healthy recipes to eat well and live well!

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