• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Más Ligeras
  • Recetas
  • Quienes Somos
  • Tienda
  • Español

El Mundo Eats

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Easter
  • Recipe Index
  • Newsletter
  • About Us
  • eBook
  • Español
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Easter
    • Recipe Index
    • Newsletter
    • About Us
    • eBook
    • Español
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • ×

    El Mundo Eats » Vegan

    Published: Apr 20, 2021 · Updated: Feb 1, 2023 by Bea & Marco · This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

    Easy Lentil Turmeric Curry (Dhal)

    Jump to Recipe

    We love our lentils, don't we? I mean, why wouldn't we?

    They're super versatile to cook, a great protein source to have and they are delicious!

    This easy lentil turmeric curry or some people call it dhal curry, is just perfect if you're a beginner in curries or just want to consume lentils in a different way.

    Holding a plate of lentils turmeric curry
    Jump to:
    • Recipe Highlights
    • Lets Talk Ingredients
    • What To Eat It With
    • More Easy Recipe
    • Recipe Video
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Recipe Highlights

    Holding a piece of flatbread dipper in lentils turmeric curry

    Texture and flavour - Creamy, a bit mushy with mild spices flavour lentil curry that doesn't use coconut milk *wink!*.

    Diet - Vegan, plant-based.

    Level - Super easy that you wouldn't believe.

    Size - Perfect for 4-6 people, depending with what you eat it with.

    Occasion - Amazing for meal prep and you can enjoy it the whole week in variety different ways, or make it for a special weekend where you dip this creamy lentil with my favourite flatbread, Malaysian roti canai.

    Lets Talk Ingredients

    Ingredients to make lentils turmeric curry

    Lentil - I use peeled split dry lentils. They cook super fast. You can use any other lentils, of course. Just follow the cooking instructions in your packet and cook them slightly more, for them to get a tad mushy.

    Green chilli - Optional. I love green chillies in curries. Use red of whatever chilli you have. Or simply skip it.

    Cayenne pepper - Optional, for the heat. Add more or less, to your liking. Or simply skip it.

    SUBSTITUTION: You can use chilli powder or chilli flakes. You can also use dried whole chilli, just sautee it together with the onion.

    Lentils turmeric curry in a plate with some flatbreads

    Brown sugar - any sugar will do, no worries.

    Cumin seeds - they have warm, earthy flavour. Perfect for this curry.

    SUBSTITUTION: You can use the same amount of fennel seeds, caraway seeds or 1 star anise.

    What To Eat It With

    Lentil turmeric curry in a bowl view from top

    As I mentioned earlier, this lentil turmeric curry simply goes amazing with my Malaysian roti canai flatbreads.

    But that's not all, my friend. Any flatbreads are amazing with it. Or any breads.

    Or rice, any kind. Or quinoa. Just think of something that can soak up that creamy delicious goodness.

    PRO CURRY LOVER TIP: Make it a day ahead, giving time for the flavours to really blend and it'll taste double delicious.

    More Easy Recipe

    • Quick lentil coconut curry
    • Easy chickpea curry with spinach
    • Quick 30-minute red curry laksa noodle soup
    • Quick 30-minute chicken massaman curry (with peanut and coconut milk)
    • Steamed fish with lime and garlic

    Recipe Video

    📖 Recipe

    Holding a plate of lentils turmeric curry

    Lentil Turmeric Curry

    Quick dinner, great for meal prep. This lentil turmeric curry is something that you can easily make, anytime. Great with any type of rice, quinoa, flatbreads or anything that can soak up the sauce. Do try!
    Author: Bea & Marco
    4.8 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Servings: 4 people
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time30 mins

    Ingredients  

    Lentil

    • 1 ⅓ cup peeled split dried lentil (250 g), washed and drained
    • 2 teaspoon turmeric powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 3 cup water (750 ml)

    Spices

    • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 1 cinnamon stick
    • 1 inch ginger , minced
    • 4 garlic cloves , minced
    • ½ red onion , thinly sliced
    • 1 green chilli , sliced
    • 1 tomato , peeled and cut into cubes
    • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
    • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder

    The rest

    • 1 cup water (250 ml)
    • ½ lemon , the juice
    • 2 teaspoon brown sugar
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Lentils

    • Add all lentils ingredients into a pot and give it a quick mix. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the lentils are tender and a bit mushy. Set aside.

    Tempering The Spices

    • Heat a casserole pan (or anything big enough to fit the lentils later) with some oil. Add all spices ingredients except for turmeric and cayenne pepper powder. Cook for a few minutes until the onion is golden brown.
    • Now add in turmeric and cayenne pepper powders, give it a mix and cook for 1 minute.

    Bring It All Together

    • Finally add in our cooked lentils, together with the rest of the ingredients. Give it a good mix, adjust the seasonings and serve.

    Notes

    Lentils tends to soak liquid. If you're leaving it to eat later, you might find the curry has thickened a bit. Simply add some hot water, give it a quick mix and it's ready to be eaten.

    Nutrition Facts

    Calories: 282.1kcal, Carbohydrates: 49.8g, Protein: 18.6g, Fat: 1.5g, Saturated Fat: 0.2g, Sodium: 649mg, Potassium: 831.9mg, Fiber: 22.8g, Sugar: 5.4g, Calcium: 78.6mg, Iron: 6.4mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @elmundoeats and tag #elmundoeats!

    Originally published on Oct 10, 2017. Updated with improved text, recipe and pictures on Apr 20, 2021.

    More Vegan Recipes

    • Showing the inside texture of half-eaten air-fryer falafel.
      Crispy Air-Fryer Falafel (Gluten Free & Vegan)
    • Some healthy tahini cookies on a plate
      Healthy 3-Ingredient Tahini Cookies
    • Quick lentil coconut curry in a plate view from top
      Quick Lentil Coconut Curry (Vegan & Ready in 30 Minutes)
    • 3 stacked eggless zucchini brownies
      Eggless Healthy Zucchini Brownies

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Comment Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Have you made this recipe? Please leave a comment and rate it, thanks!




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Meena says

      July 27, 2021 at 4:09 pm

      5 stars
      I make this for meal prep for several times now and I make double recipe.
      We love it with quinoa. Thanks for this recipe.

      Reply
      • Bea says

        July 27, 2021 at 6:05 pm

        It's delicious, right? I love to pair it with my roti canai. Yum! Thank you for your feedback!

        Reply
    2. Michelle says

      March 07, 2021 at 6:32 pm

      5 stars
      Easy, quick and flavorful. Perfect with roti.

      Reply
      • Bea says

        March 08, 2021 at 12:26 pm

        Yes, I love to have it with roti also. Thanks Michelle!

        Reply
    3. Ramon says

      December 13, 2019 at 1:30 pm

      4 stars
      I like the recipe, but for me there was a bit too much ground turmeric in it. 2 tsp was more then enough I think.

      Reply
    4. Norman says

      September 29, 2019 at 9:49 am

      5 stars
      Lovely recipe! It's easy and tasty. THANK YOU!

      Reply
      • Bea says

        September 30, 2019 at 8:35 am

        I'm happy that you liked it, thank you!

        Reply
    5. Linda says

      September 20, 2019 at 11:25 am

      Really lovely. I doubled the ingredients and used lots of grated ginger.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Bea and Marco from El Mundo Eats

    Hi! We're Bea & Marco, the married couple behind this food space. I cook, he takes photos & videos. Malaysian & Argentine living in Spain. All eaters welcome!

    More about us →

    Easter Recipes

    • A slice of cake on a plate.
      Carrot Cake With Pineapple
    • Spinach and Ricotta Pie
      Easy Spinach and Ricotta Pie
    • Lemon Meringue Pie
      Lemon Meringue Pie
    • Coconut macaroons on a cooling rack
      Coconut Macaroons
    • Slices of cake on a wooden cutting board.
      Lemon Loaf Cake With Icing
    • Healthy Carrot Cake Cookies

    Popular Recipes

    • Mini cheesecakes on a table
      Easy Mini Cheesecakes
    • Malaysian Flatbread Roti Canai
      Malaysian Flatbread (Roti Canai)
    • Whole Orange Blender Cake
    • tart shells on a cooling rack
      How To Make Tart Shells (Sweet And Savoury)
    • Nasi lemak with all its trimmings
      Rice With Coconut Milk (Malaysian Nasi Lemak)
    • Hokkaido cheese tarts
      Hokkaido Cheese Tart

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Featured in banner.

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Shop

    • Ebook
    • Amazon Storefront

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

    Copyright © 2023 El Mundo Eats