10+ Red Lentil Recipes for Easy and Delicious Meals

Red lentils are a versatile ingredient that can add nutrition and flavor to a variety of dishes. You can create easy, delicious meals that fit many tastes and dietary needs with red lentils.

Whether you’re looking for comforting soups, hearty stews, or innovative sauces, these tiny legumes can be transformed into satisfying meals.

In this article, you will find a selection of tempting recipes that highlight red lentils. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you’ll discover how to make dishes that not only taste great but also offer health benefits.

Get ready to enjoy the cooking journey and impress your family and friends with your culinary creations!

1) Spicy Red Lentil Dahl

Spicy Red Lentil Dahl is a warm and comforting dish. It’s simple to make and packed with flavor. This vegan recipe uses red lentils, which cook quickly and offer a creamy texture.

You will need spices like turmeric and cumin to create depth. Meanwhile, tomatoes and ginger add freshness, making each bowl satisfying.

You can serve this dahl over rice or enjoy it with naan for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece ginger, grated
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the red lentils under cold water.
2. In a pot, heat oil over medium heat.
3. Sauté onion until soft.
4. Add garlic, ginger, turmeric, and cumin. Cook for 2 minutes.
5. Stir in tomatoes and cook until they soften.
6. Add lentils and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil.
7. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes until lentils are tender.
8. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot, garnished with cilantro.

2) Creamy Coconut Lentil Curry

Creamy coconut lentil curry is a delicious and simple dish. It’s packed with flavor and can be made in less than an hour. You’ll love how the coconut milk adds richness to the lentils.

For this recipe, you only need a few ingredients. The combination of spices, garlic, and ginger creates a warm and comforting meal. Serve it over rice for a complete dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• Salt to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, sauté the onion, garlic, and ginger over medium heat until soft.
2. Add the curry powder and cook for another minute.
3. Stir in the red lentils, coconut milk, and vegetable broth.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes until lentils are tender.
5. Season with salt and garnish with cilantro before serving. Enjoy!

3) Smoky Red Lentil Stew with Greens

This Smoky Red Lentil Stew is a warm and satisfying dish. It’s packed with nutrients and flavor, making it a great choice for a cozy meal.

You’ll start with red lentils, which cook quickly and are high in protein. Adding greens boosts the nutrition and gives the stew a vibrant color.

Spices like smoked paprika and cumin create a deep flavor. You can customize it with your favorite vegetables, too.

Enjoy this stew on its own or serve it with rice or bread.

Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chopped greens (spinach or kale)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
3. Add lentils, broth, smoked paprika, and cumin. Bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Stir in greens and cook for another 5 minutes.
6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

4) Red Lentil Bolognese

Red lentil bolognese is a delicious and hearty option for your weeknight dinners. It combines the protein of lentils with rich flavors from tomatoes and herbs. This dish is easy to make and comes together quickly.

You’ll start by cooking the lentils until they are tender. Meanwhile, sauté onions and garlic to create a flavorful base. Once everything is ready, mix it all together.

This sauce pairs perfectly with your favorite pasta. You can also serve it over zucchini noodles for a lighter meal. Enjoy this comforting dish any time!

Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Herbs (like basil or oregano)

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the lentils under cold water.
2. In a pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add diced onion and sauté until soft.
4. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
5. Add the lentils, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste.
6. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs.
7. Pour in 2 cups of water, and bring to a boil.
8. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes until lentils are soft.
9. Serve over pasta or zucchini noodles. Enjoy!

5) Hearty Red Lentil Soup

This Hearty Red Lentil Soup is a comforting dish that’s easy to make. With its simple ingredients, you can whip up a tasty meal in no time.

Start by sautéing onions, garlic, and carrots in olive oil. Cook until the veggies are soft. This adds great flavor to your soup.

Next, add red lentils, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Bring it to a boil and then let it simmer for about 30 minutes. The lentils will cook quickly.

For extra flavor, mix in herbs and spices like cumin and oregano. A splash of lemon juice at the end brightens the taste.

Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Sauté diced onions, garlic, and carrots until soft.
3. Stir in red lentils, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer.
5. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Add cumin, oregano, and lemon juice before serving.

6) Red Lentil and Spinach Curry

Red lentil and spinach curry is a warm and comforting dish. It is both healthy and delicious, making it perfect for any meal. The blend of spices adds flavor without overwhelming your taste buds.

This curry is simple to prepare and can be ready in about 30 minutes. The creamy texture comes from the lentils, and the spinach adds a nice color and nutrients.

You can serve this curry with rice or bread. It’s a great vegetarian option that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils
• 2 cups spinach, fresh or frozen
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the red lentils under cold water.
2. In a pot, sauté the onion and garlic until soft.
3. Add the curry powder and stir for a minute.
4. Pour in the coconut milk and add the lentils.
5. Simmer for about 15 minutes until the lentils are tender.
6. Stir in the spinach until wilted, then season with salt and pepper.

7) Red Lentil Meatballs

Red lentil meatballs are a tasty and healthy option for meals. They are easy to make and full of flavor. You can enjoy them with pasta, in a sandwich, or as a snack.

To get started, you will need dry red lentils, a shallot, and spices like chili powder and garlic powder. Mixing in some parsley adds freshness to each bite.

Ingredients

• 16 ounces dry red lentils
• 1 shallot, peeled and minced
• 1 tablespoon dry parsley
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Boil the red lentils in water until soft, about 15 minutes.
3. Drain and mash the lentils in a bowl.
4. Mix in the shallot, parsley, and spices.
5. Form the mixture into small balls.
6. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet.
7. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden.

8) Red Lentil Hummus

Red lentil hummus is a delicious and healthy snack option. It’s creamy, colorful, and packed with flavor. You can enjoy it with veggies, pita, or crackers.

To make this hummus, you’ll start by cooking red lentils in water. Then, blend them with tahini, lemon juice, and garlic for a smooth texture. Enjoy the comforting taste enriched with spices like cumin.

This recipe is vegan and gluten-free, making it a great choice for various diets. Plus, it’s easy to prepare!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dry red lentils
• ¼ cup tahini
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 2 cloves garlic
• ¾ tsp salt
• 1 pinch cumin
• 2 ice cubes

Cooking Instructions:

1. Rinse the red lentils and place them in a saucepan with 1 ½ cups water.
2. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat for about 15 minutes.
3. Drain excess water and let cool slightly.
4. Blend lentils with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and cumin until smooth.
5. Add ice cubes and blend again until creamy. Enjoy!

9) Tomato Red Lentil Soup

Tomato red lentil soup is a delicious and hearty meal. It’s simple to make and fills you up nicely. You’ll love how easy it is to prepare.

Start by sautéing onions and garlic in a pot. Then, add red lentils, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth. You can season it with spices like cumin and oregano for extra flavor.

Let the soup simmer until the lentils are tender. You can blend it for a creamy texture or leave it chunky. Enjoy it warm with some bread on the side.

Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Spices (cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until soft.
3. Stir in red lentils, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth.
4. Add spices to taste.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
6. Blend if desired, and serve warm.

10) Turmeric Spiced Lentil Stew

Turmeric Spiced Lentil Stew is a delicious and comforting dish. The earthy flavors of lentils blend perfectly with warm spices like turmeric and cumin. You’ll also love the added nutrients from fresh vegetables.

To start, gather some red lentils. They cook quickly and add a nice creaminess. Ginger enhances the dish with a lovely warmth. You can easily customize it by adding your choice of greens.

This stew is not only healthy but also very filling. It makes a great meal for any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups fresh spinach or kale
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add onion, garlic, and ginger. Sauté until soft.
3. Stir in turmeric and cumin. Cook for 1 minute.
4. Add red lentils and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes.
6. Add spinach or kale. Cook for 5 more minutes.
7. Season with salt and pepper before serving.