A red lentil dahl cooked in coconut milk with a fragrant combination of spices. You'll make this delicious staple dish time and time again. Luckily, it makes a big batch!
Recipe by Deryn Macey on January 15, 2024
Prep time: PT5M
Cook time: PT30M
Total time: PT35M
Rating
4.99 stars (122 reviews)
Keywords
coconut red lentil dahl
Ingredients
1 tbsp coconut oil or olive oil
2 white or yellow onion (diced (approx. 4 cups))
4 cloves garlic (minced)
1 tbsp fresh ginger (peeled and minced)
1 tbsp mild yellow curry powder
1 tsp ground turmeric
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
2 cups dry red lentils (375g )
1 can full-fat coconut milk* (14oz.)
3 cups water or vegetable stock*
fresh cilantro (for serving)
cooked basmati rice (optional for serving)
Categories
Main Dish
Cuisine
Indian
Steps
Cook the onions, ginger and garlic in the coconut oil for 5-10 minutes over medium heat in a large saucepan or pot, stirring frequently until soft.
Add all of the spices, salt and pepper and cook for 1-2 minutes while stiring.
Add the coconut milk, red lentils and water or vegetable stock. Bring to a light simmer over low to medium heat and cook for 25-30 minutes, uncovered, until lentils are tender and the dahl has thickened.
Remove from heat and serve topped with fresh cilantro over basmati rice or on its own.
Nutitrion
Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 335 kcal
Carbohydrates: 43 g
Protein: 19 g
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 15 g
Sodium: 403 mg
Sugar: 3 g
Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
Reviews
Lila on 2026-04-09 (5 stars): The dahl was fantastic. I added a can of chickpeas, 3 cups of spinach and two carrots. Very simple to make.
Mairi on 2025-12-27 (5 stars): I have been making this about once a month for the past few years. It is so simple and delicious, the flavours are amazing. I love this recipe!
Badger on 2025-10-19 (5 stars): This was soooo good! It was simple to prepare with items on hand, but came across as something quite special. We both loved it.
I've been searching different web sites for help improving our diet. All that I succeeded in doing was getting my inbox jammed full of stuff everyday. Dozens of emails each week from multiple groups with some really odd recipes!
I appreciate Deryn's Way. "Here's a recipe I think you might enjoy." One recipe...per week! A really good one.
Thanks Deryn for helping me simplify my life!
Sarah on 2025-01-03 (5 stars): Made this tonight because I needed some comfort food (winter cold season got me) and my brother and husband devoured it too. I added some diced baked sweet potato and steamed kale before serving with some short grain brown rice. We will be adding it to our regular rotation!!
Lisl Pullinger on 2024-09-14 (5 stars): Lovely flavors! I like a more mushy dal, so just added more water at the end of the cooking time
Kim C on 2024-01-29 (5 stars): I made this yesterday as part of my lunch prep for the week. This is an easy, quick recipe with a huge flavor!
I used the full-fat coconut milk for a more creamy meal and it didn’t change the macros all that much. Definitely worth it.
Mairi on 2024-01-07 (5 stars): I make this dish all the time, it’s amazing. Thank you!
Yvonne on 2023-08-11 (5 stars): Hello Deryn
Thank you for another delicious recipe. I had some yams that I wanted to use up, so added those along with spinach. Have leftovers in my freezer for another day. Yum!
