Red Lentil Dahl Soup Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (2024)

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Red Lentil Dahl Soup iseasy to make witha couple of unusual steps to completethis flavorful and satisfying soup. It's a great dinner or lunch that has so many great spices.

Dahl, dhal, daal, dal - any way you spell it this isa wonderful standard dish in Indian cuisine.

Since it's not ourtypical soup in the western world you just mightbe 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?

Find out how easy it isto 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 area good thing too. I tear the bread and dunk. So so good.

Table of Contents

Ingredients

Red Lentil Dahl Soup Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (1)
  • 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 chilihas 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 Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (2)

📋 Recipe

Red Lentil Dahl Soup Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (3)

Red Lentil Dahl Soup

Ginny McMeans

Red Lentil Dahl Soup iseasy to make witha couple of unusual steps to completethis flavorful and satisfying soup

4.69 from 54 votes

Print Pin Recipe Save

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes 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.

    Red Lentil Dahl Soup Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (4)

  • 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.

    Red Lentil Dahl Soup Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (5)

  • Add the chili and onions.

    Red Lentil Dahl Soup Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (6)

  • Saute over medium heat for about 10 minutes until the onions are translucent.

  • Add the fresh ginger, ground coriander, turmeric and cayenne pepper.

    Red Lentil Dahl Soup Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (7)

  • 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.

    Red Lentil Dahl Soup Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (8)

  • 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.

    Red Lentil Dahl Soup Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (9)

  • Add the salt and coconut milk and heat through.

    Red Lentil Dahl Soup Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (10)

  • Serve garnished with cilantro and paprika.

    Red Lentil Dahl Soup Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (11)

Video

Notes

Dahl soup is a rich hearty soup made with lentils, vegetables, spices, and herbs. This soup is a good way to add some protein to your diet.

Can I use something else instead of lentils?

You can use split peas or Moong dal, as well as other types of lentils. Bear in mind that different lentils will have a different flavor and texture. Red lentils cook up super fast and also fall apart, whereas other varieties like black or green stay intact and will not make your soup as thick and creamy. Also, some of these require more cooking time, so additional liquid may be needed.

How to serve Dahl soup?

You can serve soup alone, with bread, or with some Basmati rice.

How to store the Dahl soup?

Once your soup is at room temperature, you can store it in a fridge, using an airtight container, for about 3 days. To freeze the soup, place it in a freezer-friendly container and freeze for about three months. To serve; thaw and reheat soup over the stove and serve.

Can I add something else?

The Dahl soup is great if you serve it with some lemon juice. The lemon juice kicks in with a hint of freshness. Also, for garnish, you can use cilantro, but if you do not like cilantro, feel free to use scallions.

Can I substitute coconut milk?

Do not do that – the coconut milk is a staple of the Dahl soup. Not only that it give creaminess, but the coconut milk notes perfectly round up the dish. Make sure you are using canned coconut milk, not coconut milk beverages sold in cartons. Go with full-fat coconut milk for extra richness and creaminess.

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!

More Soups and Stews

  • Vegan Baked Potato Soup Recipe
  • Vegetable Barley Soup Recipe
  • Slow Cooker Red Lentil Soup
  • Creamy Vegan Mushroom Soup

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. M

    Red Lentil Dahl Soup Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (16)
    I added Great Northern Beans and topped w red wine vinegar and olive oil !!! SUCH A GOOD RECIPE 🙂

  2. Winnie

    Red Lentil Dahl Soup Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (17)
    This is our family go to. We love it. We often squeeze lemon juice into the Dahl just before serving.

  3. Evelyn Henderson

    Red Lentil Dahl Soup Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (18)
    Red Lentil Dhal soup, I may not be vegan but this my favourite soup recipe. It’s easy to make and absolutely delicious.

« Older Comments

Red Lentil Dahl Soup Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (2024)

FAQs

Can you freeze homemade dahl? ›

Dal freezes so well, so if the portions are a bit big, just freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months for when you need a little warming up. This recipe is part of a Vegan budget meal plan for two. In March 2023, this recipe was costed at an average of £1.82 when checking prices at four UK supermarkets.

How long does vegan lentil soup last in the fridge? ›

Lentil Soup will easily keep for 5 days in the fridge, making it ideal for cooking on the weekend and serving throughout the week. And it also freezes 100% perfectly for 3 months – even longer!

How to thicken up dahl? ›

You can add 1 or 1/2 teaspoons of coriander powder in order to thicken dal. Blend all or part of it, add cream or yogurt, add flour or cornflour, use a butter and flour paste, blend in bread and add lentils or rice. Lentils will thicken naturally if you simmer them uncovered, and allow the broth to steam away.

Should lentils be soaked before making soup? ›

The other good news: Lentils don't need to soak as beans do (though you do need to sort and rinse them before cooking). Different types of lentils cook in different amounts of time. Red lentils are the fastest cooking and they dissolve as they cook and make for a smooth soup.

Do cooked red lentils freeze well? ›

Cooked lentils and lentil puree can be frozen and used within three months, or refrigerated for up to one week. Be sure that they are sealed tight in air-tight containers or plastic bags to prevent freezer burn. Is there a cooking time difference between split and whole lentils? Yes there is.

How long can you keep lentil soup in the freezer? ›

HOW TO STORE LENTIL SOUP AND FREEZE LENTIL SOUP: Place in an air-tight container and keep in fridge for up to 5 days. To freeze, place in a freezer-safe container and freeze. You can keep this soup in the freezer for 4-5 months.

Should dal be thick or runny? ›

Dal can be thick or quite thin, depending on the where it's being made and how it's intended to be used. For moong, I want the dal to be loose enough to puddle on the plate, never pasty. You can easily thicken the dal by simmering it a bit more (uncovered, of course), or thin it out a bit with some extra water.

How do you enhance the taste of dhal? ›

Therefore, adding spices like cumin, mace, garlic, chilli powder, etc., is a must, or you can pour some Sunrise Tadka Masala and quickly prepare it without any problem. Try this tadka masala in masoor dal, and you can't forget its delicious flavour.

Why does my Dahl taste bland? ›

With any dal, the key is to go further than translucent onions and toward golden brown. You can always deglaze with a splash of water to help them brown evenly. Be generous with the salt. If your dal tastes bland, it likely needs a sprinkle of salt.

What happens if you don't soak red lentils? ›

Here's what happens if you don't soak them: 1> Longer Cooking Time: Beans and lentils that haven't been soaked will generally take longer to cook compared to soaked ones. Soaking helps to soften the beans, reducing the time needed for cooking.

Why did my lentil soup turn brown? ›

the color change you've observed is from oxidation. If you want to prevent this, lay some plastic wrap over the surface of your lentils to prevent air from getting to them, or add some acid, like lime juice, to the recipe.

How do you reheat frozen dahl? ›

To defrost, put it in the fridge for 24 hours. Once defrosted, reheat, and consume within 48 hours. Heat up in a saucepan until hot or place in a microwave for 2 -3 minutes. Lentils, Onion, Garlic, Spices, Ginger, Herbs.

Does lentil curry freeze well? ›

Yes! This lentil curry recipe freezes well because the base of the sauce is coconut milk instead of dairy. Transfer lentil curry to an airtight container or freezer bag and squeeze out excess air; freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating per directions.

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