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Easy Yellow Split Pea and Spinach Dhal (Vegan)
5 from 38 votes

Easy Yellow Split Pea and Spinach Dhal (Vegan)

A comforting vegan dhal made from yellow split peas simmered with spices like cumin, turmeric, cloves, and cinnamon, finished with fresh spinach for color and texture. This dish offers a mildly spiced, creamy consistency that pairs well with rice, naans, or roasted vegetables. Its moderate cooking time allows flavors to develop, with adaptable liquid levels for preferred doneness.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
55 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 285 kcal
Course: Side Dish, Main Course
Cuisine: Fusion, Indian, British

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion diced
  • 3 cm ginger grated or finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic crushed or grated
  • ½ teaspoon chili flakes or to taste, or use fresh chilli if you prefer!
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Turmeric
  • 3 cloves left whole
  • 1 cinnamon stick broken in half
  • 250 g yellow split peas (see note 1)
  • 750 ml vegetable stock from a cube is fine – I use 1 Kallo Organic stock cube, which is vegan and gluten free (see note 2)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato puree
  • 125 g spinach (optional)
To serve:
  • brown rice or white rice / naans / chapatis
  • 1 portion butternut squash cumin roasted
  • 1 portion cauliflower cumin roasted

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place the olive oil and diced onions in a large lidded sauce pan and cook gently, with the lid on for 3-4 minutes, until softened but not browned.
  2. Add the ginger and garlic and cook for 1 more minute over a low heat, with the lid off.
  3. Add the chilli flakes, cumin, turmeric, cloves and cinnamon and cook for 2 more minutes – add a splash or two of water if the pan gets dry.
  4. Add the yellow split peas, vegetable stock and tomato puree, give everything a good stir and then bring to the boil.
  5. Turn the heat down low and cover with a lid. Simmer for 40-45 minutes until most of the liquid is absorbed and the split peas are done to your liking (see note 1).
  6. If all the water gets absorbed before the split peas are done to your liking, add a little more water and continue cooking until they are done.
  7. When the dhal is just cooked, add the spinach on top and stir until all the spinach leaves have just wilted, but still retain some texture. (It will look like way too much spinach to start with, but keep stirring and have faith!)
  8. Serve with brown or white rice and Cumin Roasted Cauliflower and Butternut Squash. (Or serve whatever you like best with a curry!)

Notes

  • Cooking time varies greatly; monitor split peas and adjust liquid as needed to avoid dryness.
  • Start with 750ml liquid and add more if the dhal dries before peas are tender.
  • Salt may be unnecessary if using salty stock cubes; add to taste with low-sodium stock.
  • This dhal freezes well for convenient future meals.

Nutrition Information

Calories 285kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 47g (16%) Protein 17g (34%) Fat 5g (8%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Sodium 793mg (33%) Potassium 893mg (19%) Fiber 18g (72%) Sugar 8g (16%) Vitamin A 3538IU (71%) Vitamin C 13mg (14%) Calcium 89mg (9%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 285

% Daily Value*

Calories 285kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 47g 16%
Protein 17g 34%
Fat 5g 8%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 793mg 33%
Potassium 893mg 19%
Fiber 18g 72%
Sugar 8g 16%
Vitamin A 3538IU 71%
Vitamin C 13mg 14%
Calcium 89mg 9%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.