Simple Tadka Dal Recipe with Butternut Squash (2024)

Elizabeth Chloe

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This Tadka Dal Recipe is the ultimate vegan comfort food! Warming spices are mixed with red lentils and butternut squash. It’s full of flavour and is such a simple recipe to make, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it sooner!

Simple Tadka Dal Recipe with Butternut Squash (1)

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Oh heyyyy! Did someone say vegan comfort food? I have exactly what you’re looking for with this dreamy Butternut Squash Tadka Dal Recipe <3

You might have noticed I recently shared with you a recipe for a super simple 5 Minute Coriander Chutney. Well, that little chutney was MADE for this tadka dal recipe. In the literal sense and the ‘match-made-in-heaven’ sense too. This simple dal is wonderfully creamy and comforting, while the chutney has a little bit of sweet and sour to balance the whole thing out. Like I said, an absolute dreeaaaaam.

Simple Tadka Dal Recipe with Butternut Squash (2)

Simple Tadka Dal Recipe with Butternut Squash FAQ

What is Tadka?

Tadka is a simple but powerful method of frying spices in oil or ghee. The spices both flavour the oil they are cooked in and release their own essential oils making them more aromatic and flavourful. Both the spices and oil can then be the base of a dish, such as curry, or they can be added to a dish towards the end. Exactly like in this dal.

What is dal?

Dal is a term for split pulses, such as lentils, chickpeas, peas and some beans. Dal is also a type of Indian soup/stew that is made with pulses.

How to store Tadka Dal:

Allow the Dal to cool to room temperature for no more than two hours. Then transfer it to an air-tight Tupperware container and pop it into the fridge. It should be eaten within 3-4 days.

How to freeze Tadka Dal:

Once cooled, transfer the Dal to a freezer safe container. Pop it into the freezer. It should be consumed within 6 months.

To defrost the tadka dal move it from the freezer to the fridge and leave it there overnight. It can take up to 24 hours to fully defrost. Alternatively, you can use the defrost setting on your microwave to thaw the dal.

How to reheat tadka dal:

Transfer the dal to a saucepan and heat over a medium heat on the stove. Allow the dal to simmer for approximately 5 minutes, stirring regularly. Alternatively, you can reheat the dal in the microwave. Microwave on full power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. Ensure the dal is piping hot all the way through before serving. If it is not, heat for a little longer.

Can dal be eaten cold?

It can! Ensure it has been properly stored beforehand.

What to serve with dal?

🍚 Rice is a common accompaniment to dal. Basmati rice in particular.
🍞 Bread such as naan bread, chapati or roti are perfect for dunking and scooping up dal.
🥭 Chutney and pickles are fab accompaniment that adds new texture and flavour to the dal. There are lots of options to choose from, but my favourites are mango chutney, hot lime pickle and 5 Minute Coriander Chutney.
🥛 Yoghurts such as mint yoghurt or raita pair well with dal.
🥗 Salads also go well with dal as they add extra crunch. Indian cumber salad or onion salad pack in lots of flavours.

Why you should make this Butternut Squash Tadka Dal…

  • It’s filled with store cupboard ingredients, making it a super simple recipe to whip up, and cheaper too.
  • It’s vegan! But you don’t have to be vegan to enjoy this dish. We all know we should be cutting down on our meat and dairy consumption, and this dish is a good one to start with!
  • It’s a great dish to make in big batches. Freeze some. Pop it in Tupperware and take for lunches throughout the week. Keep some handy for when you haven’t got much else in the fridge.
  • It’s full of fibre, which is essential for a happy tummy!
Simple Tadka Dal Recipe with Butternut Squash (3)

If you like this recipe you might also like…

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  • Moroccan Vegetable Tagine Recipe
  • Roast Butternut Squash with Raisin Pesto and Couscous
  • Winter Vegetable Soup with Barley and Parmesan
  • Indian Coconut Butter Cauliflower from Half Baked Harvest
Simple Tadka Dal Recipe with Butternut Squash (4)

Simple Tadka Dal Recipe with Butternut Squash

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Simple Tadka Dal Recipe with Butternut Squash (5)

Butternut Squash Tadka Dal

★★★★★5 from 3 reviews

  • Author: Elizabeth Chloe
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Indian
Print Recipe

Description

This creamy vegan dal is full of warming spices, red lentils and butternut squash. The perfect vegan comfort food!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dal

  • 250g red lentils
  • 1/2 butternut squash, peeled and cubed
  • 1L water
  • Salt to taste

For the Tadka

  • 1 onion
  • 3 tomatoes
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1 inch piece of ginger
  • 1 tbsp tomato puree
  • 1 tbsp oil or ghee
  • 2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 2 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp garam masala

To serve

  • 5 Minute Coriander Chutney
  • Roti or Chapati

Instructions

  1. Add the lentils, butternut squash and water to a large saucepan or casserole pot and put over a medium heat. Bring to the boil and skim any ‘scum’ off the top. Reduce to a simmer for 20-30 minutes until the lentils are tender, and beginning to break apart.

For the Tadka

  1. Using a food processor or mini chopper (I use my Bosch Food Processor) pulse the onion, tomatoes, tomato puree, garlic and ginger until a coarse paste forms. Alternatively finely chop the onion and tomatoes and mince or grate the ginger and garlic.
  2. Heat a saucepan or cast iron frying pan over a medium heat with a tablespoon of oil or ghee. Add the cumin seeds and mustard seeds and allow them to sizzle for 1 minute, stirring regularly. Keep a close eye so they don’t burn. Then add the ground coriander and turmeric and stir for 30 seconds before adding the onion, tomato, garlic and ginger paste. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring regularly until most of the water has evaporated. Then add the garam masala.

To put it together

  1. When the lentils and squash are cooked through, add your tadka mixture, stirring to incorporate. Leave to cook for a further 5 minutes. Taste and season with salt.
  2. The dal should have a porridge/soup-like consistency. Add more water if it feels too dry.
  3. Serve with 5 Minute Coriander Chutney and warm roti. Enjoy!

Keywords: Vegan Dal, Dal Recipe, Daal Recipe, Dahl Recipe, Tadka, Tarka

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Simple Tadka Dal Recipe with Butternut Squash (7)Tara

    I adore butternut squash! And eating more plant-based meals is a goal this year, so I cannot wait to try this…

    Reply

    • Simple Tadka Dal Recipe with Butternut Squash (8)Elizabeth Chloe

      Me too! On both the squash and plant-based front. I hope you enjoy!

      Reply

  2. Simple Tadka Dal Recipe with Butternut Squash (9)Cliona Keane

    I’m always looking for new dal recipes, and this is gorgeous! So much flavour and the colour is just so vibrant!

    Reply

    • Simple Tadka Dal Recipe with Butternut Squash (10)Elizabeth Chloe

      Thank you so much Cliona!

      Reply

  3. Simple Tadka Dal Recipe with Butternut Squash (11)Debalina Mitra

    My everyday favourite Tadka Dal for meals throughout the day. However, haven’t tried to make it with Butternut Squash. Will definitely try this one out. Am sure it must be good.

    Reply

    • Simple Tadka Dal Recipe with Butternut Squash (12)Elizabeth Chloe

      Thank you Debalina 😊

      Reply

  4. Simple Tadka Dal Recipe with Butternut Squash (13)sue | the view from great island

    I’m so excited to see this recipe ~ love the golden color! We just went to a fabulous Indian restaurant for my birthday and I’m completely jazzed about making that food at home 🙂

    Reply

    • Simple Tadka Dal Recipe with Butternut Squash (14)Elizabeth Chloe

      Thanks, Sue! Yes, I know exactly what you mean, so much flavour!

      Reply

  5. Simple Tadka Dal Recipe with Butternut Squash (15)kim

    What a delicious recipe! Loving the flavors in this one!

    Reply

    • Simple Tadka Dal Recipe with Butternut Squash (16)Elizabeth Chloe

      Thanks, Kim!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Simple Tadka Dal Recipe with Butternut Squash (2024)

FAQs

What are 3 ways you can eat butternut squash? ›

7 ways to cook with butternut squash
  • Butternut squash soup. ...
  • Spicy squash and spinach soup. ...
  • Roasted butternut squash. ...
  • Butternut squash laksa. ...
  • Moroccan-spiced tomato sauce with roast vegetables and chickpeas. ...
  • Beef and butternut squash moussaka. ...
  • Chilled toffee apple creams.

Do I need to peel butternut squash before roasting? ›

Learn how to roast butternut squash the EASY WAY without any prep work. No pre-peeling, chopping or deseeding (yes really!). Just whole-roast it in the oven until soft and tender. Use for creamy butternut squash soup, ravioli filling and incredible muffins!

What do you eat with dal? ›

Keep scrolling to discover our favourite Dahl dinners.
  • Naan bread. We love to eat our hearty dahl for lunch or a light dinner with just Naan bread. ...
  • Roasted cauliflower. Nothing beats gently spiced and roasted cauliflower served alongside Dahl. ...
  • Make a veg stew. ...
  • Stuffed peppers. ...
  • Bombay potatoes. ...
  • Onion Bhajis.
Feb 6, 2023

What does butternut squash do for the body? ›

Butternut squash contains considerable amounts of fiber, which can help you keep a healthy weight and regulate bowel movements. It's known to help prevent colorectal cancer while the beta-carotene in butternut squash can also improve eye health.

Is butternut squash good for diabetics? ›

Butternut squash contains a type of fiber that's not digestible. If you have diabetes, it can help keep your blood sugar from rising after eating. Butternut squash also has a low glycemic index, which means that its carbs are digested more slowly. This also helps keep blood sugar from rising.

Can you eat butternut squash raw? ›

That's right, you can eat butternut squash raw (yep, we said it). Raw butternut squash is carrot-like and holds up well in crunchy salads and slaws. If opting for raw squash over cooked squash, start by peeling away the tough outer skin (FYI, you can eat the skin when it's cooked.

How can you tell if a butternut squash has gone bad? ›

Keep your eye out for any brown spots or blemishes; these can indicate the start of spoiling. Any soft spots or slimy areas are also a sign that your squash has gone bad. Old squash tends to have soft flesh, leathery skin, and a hollow feel. And, of course, any spots of mold mean it's time to toss your squash.

Should you wash butternut squash before cooking? ›

Then wash winter squash before preparing and eating. Try these 7 Tips for Cleaning Fruits, Vegetables or these steps for washing winter squash: rinse with plain running water while scrubbing the outside with a clean brush, then dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.

Can dogs eat squash? ›

Squash is an excellent choice if you want to feed your dogs fruits or vegetables. It's low calorie, high fiber, and full of nutrients. Squash should be cooked before you feed it to your dog to prevent digestive problems.

Is butternut squash skin good for you? ›

Butternut squash is delicious and packed with vitamins. Choose firm squash that feel heavy for their size. You don't even need to remove the skin; just make sure you wash it well as it goes soft when cooking. Squash is packed with vitamin A, which helps us see in the dark!

Do you serve rice with dal? ›

Dal is traditionally served with rice, so this recipe is a great option to make that plain side a little more special. I usually mix my dal with rice on a plate or in a bowl, but you can do it bite by bite or eat them separately if you prefer!

Which dal to eat at night? ›

Green Gram Dal/Moong Dal

Lowers cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of heart disease. A healthy protein for diabetes that helps in regulating blood sugar levels and good for all weight watchers. Loaded with B vitamins, controls PMS symptoms. You can also eat moong dal at night, as it is easily digestable.

What to eat with dal tadka? ›

So Dal Tadka means lentils finished with a tempering, at the end. Also known as Tarka daal, this is immensely popular in the Indian restaurants. Served with butter naan, tandoori roti, steamed fluffy Basmati Rice or jeera rice, this is a treat for many Indian food lovers. Dal actually refers to any kind of lentils.

What is the best way to eat squash? ›

I love to grill it, roast it, and even eat it raw, but lately, I've been hooked on this sautéed yellow squash recipe. Yellow squash itself has a mild flavor, so I toss it with a bright herb oil as soon as it comes off the heat. Then, I pile on a savory panko topping for crunch.

What is the best way to can butternut squash? ›

Caution: do not mash or puree!

To can pumpkin or squash: Cut the flesh into 1-inch cubes. Boil the cubes in water for 2 minutes. Fill the jars with cubes and cooking liquid, leaving 1-inch of headspace.

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