Easy Lentil Curry Recipe (Stove or Instant Pot) (2024)

FAQs

Is lentil curry good for you? ›

This lentil curry without coconut milk is full of fiber and protein and under 300 calories. Lentils are also packed with vitamins and minerals, like iron, B6, and potassium.

Choose Red Lentils For A Shorter Cooking Time And A Creamier Base For All Your Favorite Meals. If you're looking to make a meatless sloppy joe's alternative for tonight's dinner, when grabbing a bag of red lentils, reach for the split variety for a speedier cooking time.

Lentils to do not require soaking like other pulses. Rinse your lentils with fresh water before boiling to remove any dust or debris. Cook on a stovetop, using 3 cups of liquid (water, stock, etc) to 1 cup of dry lentils. Be sure to use a large enough saucepan as the lentils will double or triple in size.

Black Lentils (Beluga lentils)

Thanks to the robust flavor, these lentils pair well with meaty veggies and marinated proteins like mushrooms, tofu, and seitan. Best of all, black lentils are the most nutritious variety of lentils, boasting the highest amount of protein, plus high levels of calcium, potassium, and iron.

While not rinsing lentils may not pose an immediate safety risk, it is generally recommended to rinse them before cooking to ensure a cleaner and more enjoyable meal. If you have already cooked the soup, you can still enjoy it, but be mindful of any potential debris or grit that may be present.

Dal is just boiled lentils, with simple spices added after boiling. A 'curry', on the other hand, is usually heavily spiced. In a curry, the spices are added at the start, not at the end.

Place lentils in a large pot with at least 2 inches of unsalted liquid covering them. Bring to a rapid simmer. Reduce heat to very low, so only slow bubbles appear. Cook your lentils uncovered on low heat for 20-45 minutes (based on the variety) to plump them up while avoiding split skins and mushy results.

Yes, you can overcook lentils; they will become mushy. Much depends on the type of lentil you're using. Some cook quicker and hold their shape better than others. To avoid overcooking them, always follow the cooking directions in your recipe and use the type of lentils called for in the ingredient list.

Red and Yellow Lentils

Good For: Because of their “split” nature, this variety of lentil tends to disintegrate when cooked, making them ideal to use in soups or stews (especially as a thickener), and in casseroles or any other dish where they are pureed.

Why are my lentils still hard after cooking? ›

Keep them moist.

If you don't want dry, hard lentils, make sure to keep a little liquid in the pot! You can always add a little more if the water is evaporating faster than they cook.

Black Beluga lentils have the most flavor, adding a rich, earthy taste and a firm texture that holds up well during cooking. Black lentils will be ready in 20–25 minutes; however, they will fall apart like their brown, green, and red partners once you cook them for too long.

In Hindi, the word 'Sabut' is used for lentils which are whole. The word 'Dal' or 'Dahl' is used for split lentils. The word 'Dhuli' is used for split and husked/skinned lentils.

If you google “how to cook lentils” the typical recipe will instruct to bring a cup of lentils and three or four cups of water to boil, reduce heat, and simmer until tender, twenty to twenty-five minutes.

Lentils aren't rice—they don't need to absorb every last drop of cooking liquid.

Soaking naturally deactivates the harmful compounds and activates all the goodness of the seed and increases its nutritional value manifold. The process of soaking removes the gas-causing elements from the lentils. While legumes contain complex oligosaccharides, a type of complex sugar responsible for bloating and gas.

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat combine water, lentils and salt. Bring pot to a full boil, then adjust and lower heat just enough to maintain a slow, steady simmer. Cover tightly and continue cooking until the lentils are soft and tender, about 15 to 20 minutes or so.