Lentils, rice, veggies and LOTS of herbs and spices make this One Pot Lentil Dahl and Rice recipe a dinnertime champion!
I adore one-pot meals. Not only are they easy to make, but they are easy to clean-up after.
This lentil dahl and rice recipe is a comforting and satisfying dish with a vibrant combination of flavors. It showcases the diverse and lively culinary traditions of India encompassed in a one pot dish!
This is simply a warm bowl of hearty, vegetarian deliciousness.
FAQs
Yes you can. However, if red lentil dal is what you are craving then I HIGHLY recommend checking out my Indian Red Lentil Dal recipe!
If you are wanting to add more heat to this recipe you can do so by adding in some red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or even chili flakes into the cooking process along with the other spices in the dish.
Of course! If you are wanting to add even more flavor into this recipe you can substitute in vegetable broth for water when cooking all of the ingredients together.
Recipe Ingredients
Let’s be honest, this recipe is ALL about the spices! So let’s talk about some of the less common ones.
Coriander is a warm and citrusy spice that adds a sweetness and depth to any recipe it’s used in.
Paprika has a sweet and smoky aroma and taste and adds both color and flavor to a dish.
Turmeric has a very earthy almost bitter taste with a slight sweetness and is very popular in Indian and Southeast Asian cuisines.
Cumin has a warm and slightly nutty flavor. It is the key ingredient in many spice blends and curry powder.
Now that we know what kind of flavor profile we are working with, let’s make this recipe!
How to make One Pot Lentil Dahl and Rice
Step 1: Measure out the proper amounts of ground coriander, paprika, turmeric, ground cumin, and cinnamon; place in a small bowl.
Step 2: Heat the oil in a 6-quart Dutch oven on your stovetop over medium-high heat. Add the onions and ginger to the pot and sauté until the onions become semi-translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic along with the pre-measured spices.
Step 3: Add the potatoes, carrots and salt to the pot and give it a good stir. Add the sugar and a tablespoon of water and cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables develop a glaze-like spice coating as the sugar caramelizes in the pan (about 5 minutes).
Step 4: Add the lentils, rice, and 3 cups of water to the pot. Bring the contents to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 18-24 minutes, or until rice, lentils, and potatoes are cooked through and no excess liquid remains.
Step 5: Finally garnish with cilantro and serve with limes and warm naan or flatbread and enjoy!
Storage and Reheating
You can store this recipe in and airtight container in your fridge for 3-5 days. You can freeze this recipe in an airtight container for up to 1 month. However, with it having rice I personally wouldn’t recommend it because rice doesn’t typically hold up well after freezing.
To reheat you can do so in a pot on the stove top over medium heat until everything has warmed through. Or in your microwave until everything has warmed through.
More Delicious One Pot Meals you will Love:
- One Pot Spicy Southern Sausage and Rice
- Saucy Puerto Rican Beans and Potatoes
- Sausage and Peppers Pasta One Pot
One Pot Lentil Dahl and Rice Recipe
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons coriander
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 large yellow onion - diced
- 2 tablespoons minced ginger root
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- 2 russet potatoes - peeled and diced (about 2 ½ cups)
- 1 medium carrot - diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 cups water
- 1/2 cup brown lentils
- 3/4 cup basmati rice
- Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
- Lime wedges for squeezing
- Warm naan or flatbread for serving
Instructions
- Measure out the proper amounts of coriander, paprika, turmeric, cumin, and cinnamon; place in a small bowl.
- Heat the oil in a 6-quart dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onions and ginger to the pot and saute until the onions become semi-translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic along with the pre-measured spices.
- Add the potatoes, carrots and salt to the pot and give it a good stir. Add the sugar and a tablespoon of water and cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables develop a glaze-like spice coating as the sugar caramelizes in the pan (about 5 minutes)
- Add the lentils, rice, and 3 cups of water to the pot. Bring the contents to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 18-24 minutes, or until rice, lentils, and potatoes are cooked through and no excess liquid remains. Garnish with cilantro and serve with limes and warm naan or flatbread.
VIDEO
Nutrition
Very nice! I just tried it tonight and the flavor is outstanding. The hint of sweetness with the backdrop of cinnamon juxtaposed with cumin and ginger is a delightful and playful combination. I’m serving this with tandoori chicken and the house smells like sheer happiness.
This was delish!! I added a can of chickpeas. I did cover it during the summer and had to add some water occasionally.
Hi Kristen, thanks for your review and sharing your changes! – Linda
A great recipe for the instant pot…but how much less water do I use?
Hi Sue,
This is a great question. I’m not sure, but this article might help: https://amindfullmom.com/convert-recipes-pressure-cooking/
If you try it, let us know how it goes!
– Linda
I made it but it turned out as a soup. The mixture was sticking to the bottom of the pan and getting burned.I had to add more water and stir frequently and endede up like a soup. What did I do wrong? I was expecting something like the picture you shared.
Hi Fatima,
I’m not sure what went wrong. If I had to guess, maybe you were simmering at too high of a heat and the water cooked off too fast.
– Linda
Can I use brown rice instead and add 10 minutes onto the cooking time?
Hi Steve,
Yes, you can use brown rice instead. It will take a little more time, I’m not sure if 10 minutes is enough, but just cook it until the rice is as tender as you want it. You will probably need to add a little more water as well.
Give it a go and let us know how it turned out!
– Linda