0 from 3 votes
Dal Tadka Recipe
Dal tadka is a hearty and comforting Indian soup made with lentils, chilis, and tons of earthy spices. It’s packed with robust flavors!
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 276 kcal
Course:
Soup
Cuisine:
Indian
Ingredients
Soup
- 1 cup red lentils (See Note 1)
- 1 tablespoon ghee or vegetable oil
- 2 serrano chilis seeded and diced
- 1/2 cup white onion chopped
- 1 cup roma tomatoes seeded and diced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon asafoetida optional
- 4 1/2 cups water or chicken stock
- 2 tablespoon cilantro leaves chopped
Tadka
- 2 tablespoons ghee or vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 3 dried red chilis kashmiri preferred, broken and seeds removed
- 1 teaspoon dry fenugreek leaves crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke optional
Instructions
- Rinse and soak the lentil for 30 minutes.
- To a Dutch oven or large soup pot heat the ghee and saute onions and chiles for 2 minutes and add remaining Soup ingredients along with drained lentils.
- Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes.
- In a large skillet over medium heat add the ghee and cumin seeds. When they begin to sputter and crackle, add remaining tadka ingredients, stirring and saute on low for 2 minutes.
- Using a potato masher or immersion blender (stick blender) mash to desired consistency. I like to leave it slightly chunky and loose. Season to taste.
- Serve with cilantro and tadka spooned over each bowl of lentils.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Substitute with combination of 1/2 split pigeon pea lentils (arhar dal) and 1/2 cup red lentils (masoor dal).
Nutrition Information
Calories
276kcal
(14%)
Carbohydrates
31g
(10%)
Protein
12g
(24%)
Fat
12g
(18%)
Saturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Cholesterol
29mg
(10%)
Sodium
315mg
(13%)
Potassium
559mg
(16%)
Fiber
15g
(60%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
951IU
(19%)
Vitamin C
51mg
(57%)
Calcium
42mg
(4%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 276
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 276kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 31g | 10% |
| Protein | 12g | 24% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 29mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 315mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 559mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 15g | 60% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 951IU | 19% |
| Vitamin C | 51mg | 57% |
| Calcium | 42mg | 4% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.