This Indian Lentil Soup Recipe with red lentils and coconut milk is especially satisfying and protein-rich! Dal Soup is more than just a soup; it’s a warming hug in a bowl! Perfect for those chilly evenings or when you need a little pick-me-up.

indian lentil soup served in bowls
Table of Contents

Indian Lentil Soup is a twist on this classic Indian Red Lentil Dal recipe! Imagine it as a flavorful Indian Dal in soup form! It’s satisfying, vegan, and protein-rich. Perfect for a light meal that still leaves you feeling full.

In winter, a bowl of this Dal Soup is incredibly warming and comforting. Thanks to the fresh ginger and Indian spices, it warms from the inside and is a real immune booster! The coconut milk makes it especially creamy and mild. A splash of lime juice adds freshness.

Plus, this Indian Red Lentil Soup is packed with plant-based proteins and fiber, mainly thanks to the red lentils. 100g of lentils contain 24g of protein and 17g of fiber.

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indian red lentil soup served with naan bread

Why You’ll Love This Soup


  • FULL OF FLAVOR & TEXTURE โ€“ This soup is perfectly seasoned, has a fresh citrus note, and has a wonderful creamy texture with a slight bite thanks to the simmered lentils.
  • HEALTHY & VEGAN – A dish full of plant-based proteins & fiber!
  • WARMING – The warming spices and ginger warm you from the inside, making it especially comforting in winter for both body & soul.

You can serve this Indian Lentil Soup as an appetizer or a light main course. Best in a large bowl, garnished with fresh cilantro, and served with warm Naan bread! If you like, add a dollop of dairy-free yogurt on top.

Note: I like Dal Soup with a slight bite. For this, I only blend it briefly. If you prefer a less chunky consistency, blend it until completely smooth. If you love a good bite, don’t blend it at all!

dal soup served in a bowl with naan bread

Ingredients

See recipe card for quantities.

  • Red Lentils – the main ingredient. Especially high in plant-based proteins & fiber.
  • Tomatoes – canned chopped tomatoes add more flavor. Also works with whole canned or crushed tomatoes.
  • Coconut Milk – adds incredible creaminess.
  • Vegetable Broth – needed for cooking the lentils.
  • Olive Oil – or Ghee.
  • Onion, Garlic, Ginger – add more flavor.
  • Carrots – extra vitamins! The carrots also give the soup a mild sweetness.
  • Turmeric, Cumin, Coriander, Salt, Pepper – these ground spices provide the Indian taste.
  • Lime – a splash of lime juice gives this Dal Soup Recipe an incredible freshness and delightful citrus note! Also works with lemon juice. For an even more intense citrus note, add some grated lime zest.
  • Optional for serving: Fresh cilantro and Naan bread!
Indian Lentil Soup Ingredients

๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿณ Visual Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s a visual guide with step-by-step pictures to ensure success on your first try. This is especially recommended for cooking beginners. โ†’ Also, check out the recipe video to see in less than a minute how easy it is! ๐Ÿค“

  • Rinse the Red Lentils in a sieve under running cold water.
  • Heat Olive Oil in a large pot. Add Carrots, Onion, Garlic, Ginger, Cumin, Coriander, and Turmeric and sautรฉ over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
  • Stir in Red Lentils and Chopped Tomatoes.
  • Deglaze with Vegetable Broth and Coconut Milk. Simmer with a closed lid for 20 minutes on low heat.
Indian Lentil Soup Recipe Step 1-4
  • Blend briefly with an immersion blender! โ†’ I only pulse a few times, so the soup still has some bite. But feel free to blend it until completely smooth!
  • Return the soup to the pot, and season with lime juice, salt, and pepper.
Indian Lentil Soup Recipe Step 5-7
  • Serve in a bowl and garnish with cilantro. Pairs well with warm Naan bread!
indian lentil soup served with naan

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Variations

  • Extra Vegetables – you can add diced celeriac to this soup for extra flavor and vitamins. Simply sautรฉ it with the onion and carrot. You can also add fresh spinach or kale, add them in the last 5 minutes to cook with the soup.
  • Fresh Tomatoes – feel free to use fresh, ripe chopped tomatoes instead of the canned version.
  • Yellow Lentil Soup – use yellow lentils instead of red lentils.
  • Spicy – season to taste with chili powder, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper.
  • Spices – add some of those spices for extra flavor: curry powder, garam masala, or ground cinnamon.

FAQs

No, red lentils do not need to be soaked beforehand. Due to the long cooking time, they almost disintegrate into a mush. Simply rinse under cold water to remove any impurities, then use them for cooking.

The recipe works with red or yellow lentils. Other types of lentils have a longer cooking time, so it’s best to stick with these two varieties.

No, use dried lentils.

๐Ÿซ™ Storage & Freezing Instructions

How long can I store the soup? You can refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

How do I reheat soup? You can put it in the microwave for a few minutes or heat it in a pot on the stove over medium heat. The soup may thicken slightly in the fridge, but it usually liquefies again when warmed up. If itโ€™s still too thick, add some extra water if needed.

Can I freeze the soup? Yes, you can freeze it in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw it directly in a pot over medium heat.

More Red Lentil Recipes

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indische linsensuppe mit naan brot in einer suppenschรผssel

Indian Lentil Soup (Dal Soup)

This Indian Lentil Soup Recipe with red lentils and coconut milk is especially satisfying and protein-rich! Dal Soup is more than just a soup; it's a warming hug in a bowl! Perfect for those chilly evenings or when you need a little pick-me-up.
Author : Aline Cueni
5 from 1 vote

Click on the stars to leave a vote!

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Prep Time :5 minutes
Cook Time :25 minutes
Total Time :30 minutes
Servings : 6
Calories : 248kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 carrots cubed
  • 1 onion minced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 inch piece ginger minced (2 tbsp)
  • 1 ยฝ tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • ยฝ tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 cup dried red lentils
  • 1 x 14 oz can canned diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 3 cups vegetable broth
  • ยฝ lime only juice
  • ยผ tsp salt
  • ยผ tsp pepper
  • some fresh cilantro to garnish

Instructions
 

  • Rinse red lentils in a sieve under running cold water.
  • Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add carrots, onion, garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, and turmeric and sautรฉ over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
  • Stir in red lentils and chopped tomatoes.
  • Deglaze with vegetable broth and coconut milk. Simmer with a closed lid for 20 minutes on low heat.
  • Blend briefly with an immersion blender! โ†’ I only pulse a few times, so the soup still has some bite. But feel free to blend it until completely smooth!
  • Return the soup to the pot, and season with lime juice, salt, and pepper.
  • Serve in a bowl and garnish with cilantro. Pairs well with warm Naan bread!

Notes

  • Optional Spices: Feel free to season the soup with cayenne pepper, garam masala, or curry powder.
  • Make-Ahead:ย Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
  • Reheatย with a splash of water in a small pot or the microwave.

Nutrition

Calories: 248kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 624mg | Potassium: 716mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 3836IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 5mg

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