Low Sodium Lentil Daal

Warm, nourishing, and bursting with flavor, this Low Sodium Lentil Daal is a lighter, heart-healthy twist on a classic comfort food. Made with tender red lentils simmered to perfection and seasoned with fragrant spices like turmeric, cumin, and garam masala, this daal delivers bold taste without excess salt. Fresh garlic, ginger, and a splash of lemon juice brighten the dish, while a garnish of chopped cilantro adds a burst of color and freshness. Perfectly balanced and easy to prepare in under 40 minutes, this one-pot recipe is ideal for a wholesome weeknight dinner. Serve it with fluffy rice or warm naan for a satisfying, low-sodium meal that doesn’t skimp on rich, authentic flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Red lentils
• 3 cups Water
• 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon Coriander powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Garam masala
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 inch piece, grated Ginger
• 3 minced Garlic cloves
• 1 medium, finely chopped Onion
• 1 large, chopped Tomato
• 2 tablespoons, chopped Cilantro leaves
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the red lentils thoroughly under running water until the water runs clear. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, add the rinsed lentils and 3 cups of water. Stir in the turmeric powder.

Step 3

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.

Step 4

While the lentils are cooking, heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and allow them to sizzle for a few seconds.

Step 5

Add chopped onion to the pan, sauté until it becomes translucent.

Step 6

Stir in the garlic and ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 7

Add the chopped tomato and cook until the tomato softens and blends with the onions.

Step 8

Mix in coriander powder, garam masala, and black pepper, cooking the spices for a minute.

Step 9

Once the lentils are cooked, add the onion-tomato mixture to the lentil pot.

Step 10

Stir well and let the daal simmer for another 5-10 minutes, adjusting the consistency with additional water if needed.

Step 11

Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and half of the chopped cilantro.

Step 12

Garnish with the remaining cilantro before serving.

Step 13

Serve hot with rice or naan.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1331.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	545.6

Total Fat 17.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 2.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.5g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1795.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 81.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.1g	0%
Total Sugars 26.4g
Protein 23.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 225.2mg	0%
Iron 12.3mg	0%
Potassium 1648.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 26.7%

Protein: 16.5%

Carbs: 56.8%