Indian Lentil Stew – Quick Dal Recipe

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This Indian lentil stew is one of my favorite easy comfort food recipes. The combination of curry, lentils, and sweet potatoes is the perfect balance of textures and flavors.

Indian Lentil Stew

This stew is made with simple and easy-to-find ingredients you can find at your local grocery store. Since lentils do not require soaking, this recipe can easily be made for a delicious and nourishing dinner in minutes.

It is a kid-approved family favorite your family will be asking for. I make THIS quick sweet treat in the oven while the stew is cooking. That might be another reason the kids love this recipe😊.

Lentil curry recipe ingredients

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Indian Lentil Stew Recipe – Dal, dahl, daal, or dhal!

Whichever spelling you choose, the recipe is the same. When making this classic Indian recipe, you can choose any spices (garam masala) or omit them. Note, I use curry powder, not curry leaves.

Indian Lentil Stew

Lentil stew is my favorite easy comfort food recipe. The combination of curry, lentils, and sweet potatoes is the perfect balance of textures and flavors.

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: Indian Lentil Stew, Lentil Curry

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 332kcal

Ingredients

• 2 T Coconut Oil cold-pressed
• 1 Large Onion chopped
• 1 T Curry powder add more to taste if you like
• 2 T Flour
• 20 ounces Vegetable broth
• 1 Cup Dried lentils sorted and rinsed
• 1/2 tsp Salt I use pink salt
• 3/4 Cups Apple juice
• 4 Cups Sweet potatoes peeled and diced (1" pieces)
• 1 1/4 Cup Frozen sweet peas

Optional

• 1/8 tsp garam marsala for spicer stew
• 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk added at the end for creamer stew

Instructions

• In a dutch oven or stockpot, melt the coconut butter over medium heat.
• Add onions and curry powder; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in flour. Gradually add broth, constantly stirring until thickened.
• Stir in lentils and salt. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in apple juice, sweet potatoes, and peas. Heat to boiling.
• Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, occasionally stirring, until vegetables are tender.
• Serve with sour cream, fresh lime wedges, and fresh chopped cilantro, on a bed of fluffy basmati rice, or quinoa and toasty naan bread.

Equipment

Dutch Oven

Cutting Board

Chef Knife 8"

Notes

Options:

• For a creamer, stew adds 1/2 cup full-fat unsweetened coconut milk at the end of cooking time. Thus, making it a coconut curry.
• For a creamer, stew adds 1/2 cup full-fat unsweetened coconut milk at the end of cooking time. Thus, making it a coconut curry.
• Note, I use curry powder, not curry leaves.

Nutrition

Serving: 8g | Calories: 332kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 629mg | Potassium: 803mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 13034IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 5mg

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Lentil Recipe Supplies

• Dutch oven, or stockpot
• Bamboo spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Bamboo cutting board
• Chef knife 8″
• Vegetable brush
• Vegetable peeler
• Garam Masala spice

Cook coconut oil (or olive oil), curry powder, and onions over medium heat. Stir in flour. Slowly add vegetable broth, constantly stirring until thickened.

For a creamer, stew adds 1/2 cup full-fat unsweetened coconut milk at the end of cooking time. Thus, making it a coconut curry. Gradually add broth, stirring until thickened.

Adding lentils to sautéd onions

Stir in lentil and salt. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook lentil mixture at a simmer 20. Note, I used brown lentils in this recipe; however, green or red lentils can be used too (cooking times can vary).

Add diced sweet potatoes to lentils and onion curry mixture.

For a creamer, stew adds 1/2 cup full-fat unsweetened coconut milk at the end of cooking time. Thus, making it a coconut curry.

Vegan lentil stew served with cream, lime, and cilantro.

Make lentil curry stew vegan by omitting the sour cream. Instead, substitute it with a dairy-free vegan sour cream.

Serve curry lentil stew with sour cream and cilantro

Lentil Dal Curry Serving Suggestions

You can serve in the stew in fun bowls (like these adorable ones).

I like offering toppings of chopped fresh cilantro, sour cream, and wedges of lime.

This lentil recipe is best served with hot fluffy basmati rice or quinoa, toasty naan bread, and chai tea. If you like dal recipes, you might enjoy this Dal Cookbook.

Legumes – Meatless Protein

Lentils are made up of over 25% protein; thus, they are the perfect meat alternative with no saturated fat, including brown, black, red, and green lentils.

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Bon Appétit,

Kippi