What Are Lentils, red (masoor dal) and How Can I Use Them?

If lentils, red (masoor dal) have turned up in a recipe or caught your eye at the store, here's what you need to use them with confidence and how to choose them, cook them, store them, what to substitute, and 68 recipes to try them in.

What is lentils, red (masoor dal)?

Lentils should not be eaten raw, due to the presence of anti-nutrients such as phytic acid and tannins; some types of lentils require soaking overnight before cooking as well.

Red lentils require a short cooking time as their husks have been removed, about 10 minutes and have a distintive earthy flavour.

Lentils are used to prepare an inexpensive and nutritious soup all over Europe and North and South America, sometimes combined with some form of chicken or pork. In rare cases the lentils are mixed with dairy and cheese.

Many East Indians are vegetarian and lentils have long been a part of the East Indian diet as an excellent source of healthy protein.

## Nutrition Value and Health Benefits

Lentils contain high levels of proteins, including the essential amino acids isoleucine lysine, and are an essential source of inexpensive protein in many parts of the world for those who adhere to a vegetarian diet.

Lentils are deficient in two essential amino acids, methionine and cystine. However, sprouted lentils contain sufficient levels of all essential amino acids, including methionine and cystine.

In addition to high levels of proteins, lentils also a good source of dietary fiber, folate, vitamin B, and minerals.

Red (or pink) lentils contain a lower concentration of fiber than green lentils (11% rather than 31%). Health magazine has selected lentils as one of the five healthiest foods.

Lentils are often mixed with grains, such as rice, which results in a complete protein dish.

Lentils are one of the best vegetable sources of iron. This makes them an important part of a vegetarian diet, and useful for preventing iron deficiency. Iron is particularly important for adolescents and pregnant women, whose requirements for it are increased.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find lentils, red (masoor dal): Lentils, red (masoor dal) is usually found in the rice & beans section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Lentils, red (masoor dal) is a member of the Legumes and Legume Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

扁豆，红（masoor DAL）

British (UK) term

Lentils, red (masoor dal)

en français

lentilles, rouge (masoor dal)

en español

lentejas, rojo (dal masoor)

How much does lentils, red (masoor dal) weigh?

Related

Legumes and Legume Products

Recipes using lentils, red (masoor dal)

There are 68 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Adai

A simple and scrumptious dish made with rice, green and red lentils and grated coconut.

Lentil Bobotie

Lentil bobotie is a vegetarian South African curry bake with red lentils, golden raisins, and curry powder slow-baked in milk. A hearty, protein-rich plant-based main dish.

Cauliflower & Red Lentil Curry

Warm, cozy and delicious. Used hot curry powder to add extra hint to the dish. Had it with homemade nan bread, yum!

Chickpea, Lentil & Winter Squash Stew

It was so flavorful, instead of broth, we used canned tomato. Served the stew with homemade whole wheat bread, yum.

Curried Cashew Burgers

Veggie burgers with lentils, carrots, cashew with a hint of curry.

Vegetarian Cottage Pie

Tasty vegetable and lentil base topped with mashed potato. Lovely healthy comfort food for a winter night :D Note: though the list of ingredients can at first be daunting, dont be put off. Most are just seasoning that can be added at your own pace.

Butternut, Chickpea & Lentil Curry

This North Indian curry is scrumptious, full of protein, fibre and Irion, packed with flavor. Enjoy this delicious and nutritious dish with some naan or crusty bread.

Favourite Red Lentil Soup

Red lentil soup with caramelized onions, dried mint, and paprika simmered in beef stock. A pantry-friendly soup that purees silky or stays brothy with tender lentils throughout.

Turnip & Lentil Pie

Red lentils, grated turnip, egg whites, and whole wheat breadcrumbs baked until golden and firm. A hearty vegetarian pie with just 5 ingredients that proves plant-based comfort food can be dead simple.

Monika's Dal

Red lentil dal simmered with ghee, turmeric, ginger, and garam masala until thick and creamy. A comforting Indian side dish that comes together in one pot.

Nimbu Rice

A delicious rice dish made with green and red lentils, cashew nuts and seedless raisins.

Lentil Soup 2

Vegetarian red lentil soup with potatoes, carrots, celery, tomatoes, and tamari seasoned with cumin, paprika, and oregano. Naturally thick and creamy as the lentils break down during cooking.

Sunny Splits Soup

Vegetarian split pea and red lentil soup with sunchokes, carrots, and caraway seeds. A hearty, high-fiber bean soup that's naturally vegan and packed with plant protein.

Lentils with Spinach

Red lentils with spinach simmered with onion, garlic, ginger, and chili powder until the lentils break down into a thick, creamy dal. Finished with a stir of yogurt. Vegan-adaptable and high in fiber.

Lentil Vegetable Salad

Warm lentil salad with stir-fried carrots, celery, scallions, and water chestnuts tossed in balsamic vinaigrette. High-fiber, diabetic-friendly, and served on crisp lettuce.

Curry-Laced Tomato-Lentil Broth

Red lentil soup with crushed tomatoes, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and a tadka of popping mustard seeds. Vegan, high-fiber Indian dal broth with warming spice.

Cozy Red Lentil Soup

Indian-style red lentil soup (masoor dal) simmered with ghee-bloomed onion, peppercorns, bay leaves, dried red chilies and grated fresh ginger. Vegetarian, high in fiber, ready in 45 minutes.

Kae Misr Wot

Ethiopian red lentil stew (Kae Misr Wot) simmered with tomato paste and chow spice blend. A vegan, protein-rich puree traditionally served with injera bread.

More Kozhambhu

A scrumptious dish that gets its amazing flavor from plain yogurt, red pepper flakes and a pinch of turmeric.

Renjna's Dal

Red lentil dal with a garlic and jalapeno tadka, cumin seeds, garam masala, and turmeric. A simple, spicy Indian comfort dish ready in about an hour.

Red Lentils with Fragrant Spiced Butter Tadka

Red lentil dal with a fragrant tadka of cumin seeds, onions, garlic, and cayenne fried in ghee, poured sizzling over smooth lentil puree. Classic Indian comfort food with bold spiced butter.

Sweet Red Lentils

Red lentil dal with cinnamon sticks, fresh ginger, green chili, and lemon. A warming, naturally vegan lentil stew with Indian-inspired spices.

Misr Allecha

Misr allecha, an Ethiopian red lentil stew simmered with turmeric, garlic, and hot pepper into a thick, vibrant puree. A vegan, gluten-free side built for scooping with injera.

Red Lentil Lasagna

Vegan red lentil lasagna loaded with broccoli, mushrooms, zucchini, and corn in a tomato-herb sauce, topped with a dairy-free nutritional yeast cheese sauce.

Vegan Lentil & Tomato Soup

Vegan lentil and tomato soup is a fiber-packed weeknight pot built around red lentils, tomatoes and a cheesy hit of nutritional yeast. Pressure-cooker fast or hour-simmered.

Spicy Red Lentils & Rice

One-pot red lentils and rice with mushrooms, carrots, kale, and warm Indian spices topped with cool yogurt. High-fiber, low-fat, and ready in 45 minutes.

Red Lentil Soup -1

Red lentil soup with paprika, bay leaf, dried mint, and parsley simmered in beef or chicken stock until the lentils dissolve into a thick, velvety potage. Puree optional.

False Fish

False Fish is a clever vegetarian dish of rice and red lentils pressed overnight, sliced, breaded, and pan-fried golden to mimic crispy fish steaks. Serve with parsley sauce.

Pasta with Lentils & Spinach

Whole wheat spaghetti with red lentils, sauteed spinach, and toasted pine nuts. A protein-packed vegetarian pasta dinner with lemon brightness and a hint of nutmeg.

Tandoori Duck & Lentils

Tandoori duck marinated in spiced yogurt with cumin, cardamom, and cayenne, then grilled and served over red lentils. Skinned for less fat, the yogurt marinade keeps the meat juicy and tender.

Lentil &Amp; Spinach Casserole

Layered red lentil and spinach casserole topped with sliced tomatoes and baked under nonfat yogurt. A high-protein vegetarian main dish with just five ingredients.

Spicy Greens & Red Lentil Soup

Spicy red lentil soup with mustard greens, dry-toasted cumin and cinnamon, and a finishing splash of white wine. A Middle Eastern-leaning vegetarian soup with deep spice and a peppery green bite.

Spicy Rice & Lentils

Brown lentils and long grain rice simmered with ghee, cinnamon, turmeric, and fresh green chili. A warming one-pot side dish ready in 45 minutes.

Corn & Red Lentil Soup

Hearty red lentil soup with sweet corn, zucchini, sundried tomatoes, and pasta, finished with a miso-tamari swirl for deep umami. Vegan, filling, and ready in under an hour.

Spicy Black Bean & Lentil Salad

Marinated black beans and red lentils on a composed salad platter with red potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers. A tangy mustard-garlic vinaigrette with red pepper flakes ties this high-protein salad together.

Molahu Kozhambhu

A spicy and delicious dish that calls for canned tomatoes, red chili peppers and rice flour.

Eggplant Dal Sauce

Vegan eggplant dal with roasted eggplant folded into red lentils simmered with popped mustard seeds, cumin, coriander, and cinnamon. A smoky Indian lentil sauce.

Lentil Burgers(Satterly)

Vegetarian red lentil burgers bound with breadcrumbs, onion, and garlic. A simple high-protein meatless patty that pan-fries up crisp on the outside and tender within.

Curried Lentil & Carrot Soup

Red lentils and carrots simmer with curry spices into a hearty soup thickened with breadcrumbs. This warming bowl takes just one pot and delivers protein-rich comfort in about an hour.

Shepherdless Pie

Shepherdless pie with red lentils, pearl barley, carrots, and tomatoes under a cheesy mashed potato crust. A hearty vegetarian twist on the British classic.

Lentil Chilli

A hearty vegetarian lentil chili simmered from red lentils, kidney beans, tomatoes, peppers, and fresh chili. High in protein and fiber, easy to make in one pot, and as fiery as you like.

Curried Red Lentil Soup

Curried red lentil soup with turmeric, cumin, ginger, and cayenne simmered until thick and creamy. An oil-free vegan soup that's naturally high in protein and fiber.

Lentil Kufta

Lentil kufta, a Middle Eastern vegetarian patty made with red lentils and bulgur, seasoned with sauteed onions, scallions, and red pepper. No-fry vegan appetizer shaped into balls or one big mound.

Red Lentil Loaf

Vegan red lentil loaf with brown rice, oats, carrots, and sage, served with a creamy red pepper sauce. A hearty plant-based main dish with protein-rich lentils and whole grains.

Liquid Sunshine Soup

Roasted butternut squash and red lentil soup pureed with orange juice and spiced with cinnamon, cumin, coriander, and ginger. A vibrant, velvety vegan bowl.

Lentil Soup with Liver Dumplings

Pureed red lentil soup with bacon and leek, finished with cream and served with poached chicken liver dumplings. A refined European soup with old-world elegance.

Masoor Dal

A delicious side dish that goes well with jerk chicken or curried beef.

Pilaf with Sour Cherries & Lentils

Persian-style pilaf with basmati rice, red lentils and sour cherries perfumed with turmeric and cumin, finished with a buttery golden crust. A sweet-tart, aromatic side or vegetarian main with real character.

Vegan Golden Lentil Soup

Vegan golden lentil soup pureed from red lentils, onion and vegetable stock with a finishing lemon zip. A 35-minute oil-free meal with 17g fiber per bowl.

Lentil Stuffed Peppers

Indian-spiced lentil stuffed peppers fill green bell peppers with red lentils, cumin, ginger, coriander, and chilies. A vegetarian main dish that's high in fibre, plant-protein packed, and bursting with flavor.

All 68 recipes