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? ›

Ditch the struggle. 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.

What Dal is Dal Tadka made of? ›

Tuvar dal – Generally dal tadka is made with tuvar dal or arhar dal also known as split pigeon pea lentils. In this post, I have shared the dal recipe made with tuvar dal. Moong dal – Even moong lentils can be used to make the recipe. At times I make this recipe both with tuvar dal and moong dal.

What does butternut squash do for the gut? ›

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 very healthy? ›

Butternut squash is a plant food packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. As a result, it may help prevent against chronic disease. So, consuming butternut squash and other nutrient-dense foods is a great way to manage chronic disease risk.

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.

Is butternut squash skin good for you? ›

Consider that 1 cup of baked butternut squash, one of the most popular varieties of winter squash, provides 160% of your daily recommended value of vitamin A, along with 7 grams of fiber—and if you eat the peel, you'll get a little extra.

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.

What is the difference between dal and Dal Tadka? ›

In Hindi, the word 'Dal' means 'lentils' and Tadka means 'tempering'. 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.

What is the difference between Dahl and Tarka Dahl? ›

In reality, Tarka signifies that the dhal has been tempered with a mixture of crisp fried garlic, onion and chilli towards the end of cooking, a process which adds a total flavour bomb to the lentils.

What is the difference between Tarka and tadka? ›

Tadka, also known as tarka, refers to both a technique and the infused oil it produces, which adds an extra layer of flavor and texture in many Indian dishes.

How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? ›

In a large bowl mix the cubed squash, garlic cloves and ginger with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the spice mix. Season with salt and pepper and scatter in a single layer in a roasting tray. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes until tender all the way through.

How long to microwave butternut squash to soften for peeling? ›

Microwaving the squash will make it much easier to peel. Simply slice off the top and bottom, poke the squash all over with a fork and microwave it on high for about 3 minutes. When it's cool enough to handle, peel the squash. The softened flesh will make peeling (and slicing) way easier.

How is butternut eaten? ›

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. It's full of fiber and completely edible when softened up a bit).

How do you eat squash? ›

Use a knife to cut squash into bite-size chunks or cubes. Place squash in a large shallow roasting pan or sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and, if desired, another spice blend.

What is the cooking method for butternut squash? ›

Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Place the squash cubes on the baking sheet and toss with a drizzle of olive oil and pinches of salt and pepper. Roast 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.

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