Daal Palak (Lentil & Spinach Curry)

Daal palak, which is also known as lentil and spinach curry, is a wholesome vegetarian recipe that is very popular in North Indian cuisine. It is a simple yet delicious curry that is lightly spiced but packed with flavor.

By
Annika Panikker
Annika Panikker
Annika Panikker
Annika is a chef turned food content creator since 2017, and is currently featured in Simply Recipes. She has been in the food service industry since 2010 and started out as home baker in Mumbai, India when she was 15 years old.
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Published March 02, 2023
Annika Panikker
Bowl of Daal Palak over Rice Topped with Onions and Yogurt, and Served with a Piece of Papad, and in the Surroundings, More Daal Palak in a Dutch Oven, a Bowl with More Papad, a Bowl of Pickled Onions, and a Plate with Another Serving of Daal Palak

Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

This daal palak recipe is a staple in our household. We make it once if not twice every week and it never gets old. Growing up I loved daal and I could eat it with rice, roti, sliced bread or even as a soup on its own. Mum would sneak spinach into the daal, so that unknowingly I would be consuming my five a day. It is one of those “must-have” recipes that comes together quickly, perfect for a weeknight meal or when you need a flavorful vegetarian curry that can feed a crowd in no time. 

There are two parts to this recipe: cooking the daal palak and making the tadka. The lentils are cooked until softened,  anywhere between 20 to 30 minutes. After that we cook it further with the spinach and a few spices. The tadka (whole spices bloomed in ghee) is what brings life into this curry, as it wakes up all the spices adding aromatic appeal to the dish.

Daal Palak in a Dutch Oven on the Counter Next to a Bowl of Yogurt and a Bowl of Pickled Onions

Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

Choosing Your Lentils (Daal)

Traditionally the recipe calls for toor or tuvar daal (also called pigeon pea lentils).Here I have used moong daal (also known as split mung beans or green gram), but you can use red lentils to make this curry. 

Whichever daal you use, make sure to start cooking the daal in room temperature water, without salt. This allows the lentils to cook until soft without having any graininess.

Fresh or Frozen Spinach?

I used fresh baby spinach to make this recipe. You can also use mature fresh spinach with long stems. I would cut the stems before adding it to the daal, as it can be stringy once it’s cooked. 

You don’t have to use fresh spinach, though. If you are using frozen spinach I would recommend adding it frozen into the daal and letting it thaw as the daal cooks. It will release a little water but you can cook it over high heat for a couple of minutes more to thicken it up. 

Ghee Vs. Butter

Ghee is a pantry essential in Indian cuisine and it does provide the best flavor, but you could use regular butter to make the tadka. We have also used oil to make the tadka but my preference has to be butter. 

Table Setting with Daal Palak in a Dutch Oven, Two Servings of Daal Palak in Two Bowl with Rice and Papad, a Plate with Another Serving on Rice with a Piece of Roti, a Small Cast Iron Skillet with Leftover Tadka, and a Bowl of Papad

Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

Help! I Don’t Have Kashmiri Chili Powder!

Kashmiri chili powder is ground red Kashmiri chiles. They originally came from Kashmir in North India but today they are grown in various states all over India. This spice is all about color, heat and flavor. It has a deep red color and smoky and earthy flavor. The spice level is mild. 

As a substitute, you can use cayenne pepper and smoked paprika (1/4 teaspoon of each), which adds an adequate amount of heat to the curry. Or for a slightly spicier daal, you can use simply 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. As with any chili, you can reduce or increase this amount to your palette. Always add less, stir it well, and taste before you increase the amount. The heat can creep up on you in a lentil curry, I speak from eye-watering experience.

Take Time for the Tadka

Without the tadka added at the end, the daal palak would be bland and lifeless. The tadka is made with a combination of ground and whole spices that brings out all the flavors once heated in the fat (in this case, ghee), and when added to the daal it compliments the overall taste and appearance as well.

Make It a Meal

There is no wrong way to serve this daal palak. You can serve it with hot homemade rotis, steamed rice, or bread. I love serving it with pickled onions, yogurt, papad, and rice to make it a complete meal.

Bowl of Daal Palak over Rice Topped with Onions and Yogurt, Served with Pieces of Papad

Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

Daal Palak (Lentil & Spinach Curry)

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Total Time 50 mins
Servings 4 servings

This is a thicker daal recipe. If you would like it thinner add 1/4 cup water into the daal and stir well, then add the tadka. 

Ingredients

For the pickled onion garnish:

  • 1 red onion, sliced 1/4-inch thick

  • Juice of 1/2 lime

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the daal:

  • 1 cup lentils (such as moong dal or red lentils)

  • 4 cups water

  • 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

  • 1 cup fresh baby spinach

  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves

  • 1 tablespoon lime juice

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the tadka:

  • 2 tablespoons ghee

  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

  • 2-5 red chiles (dried or fresh)

  • 1/2 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

To serve: 

  • Yogurt

  • Papad

  • Rice or roti

Method

  1. Make the pickled onions:

    In a small bowl add the sliced onions, lime juice and salt. Using your hands, mix it well and let it marinate for 30 minutes while you make the rest of the recipe.

    Red Onions Sliced on a Cutting Board for Daal Palak Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker
    Sliced Red Onions Mixed with Salt and Lemon to Make Pickled Onions for Daal Palak Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker
  2. Cook the lentils:

    In a medium stock pot add the lentils and 3 cups of room temperature water. Bring to a boil over high heat.

    Skim and discard foam that may gather on the top. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered until soft, approximately 20-30 minutes. Add more water if you need to, and stir the pot if you’re worried the lentils are sticking to the bottom of the pot as they get softer (I usually don’t find this necessary).

    Tip

    If we start cooking lentils in cold water it doesn’t cook them all the way through, leaving a little grainy texture on the palette. I always start with room temperature water.

    Lentils Boiling on a Stove for Lentils and Spinach Curry Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker
    Foam from Boiling Lentils Removed Using a Spatula for Lentils and Spinach Curry

    Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker
  3. Add the spices to the lentils:

    Once the lentils are cooked through, add the ginger garlic paste and turmeric and stir. Cook for 1 minute on low heat.

    Ginger Paste and Turmeric Added to Dutch Oven for Daal Palak (Lentils and Spinach Curry) Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker
  4. Add the spinach:

    Add the spinach and cilantro and cook for 3-5 minutes on low heat until the spinach wilts and the daal is thicker.

    Spinach and Parsley Added to Daal Palak in Dutch Oven

    Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker
    A Dutch Oven Filled with Daal Palak

    Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker
  5. Season:

    Take the pot off the heat and season with salt and lime juice.

    Lime Juice Added to Daal Palak in a Dutch Oven on the Counter

    Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker
  6. Make the tadka: 

    In a small sauté pan over low to medium low heat, add the ghee, cumin seeds, and red chiles. 

    Once it is sizzling, add the Kashmiri chili powder and ground cumin and stir briefly.

    Spices for Tadka Cooking in Ghee in a Small Cast Iron Skillet for Daal Palak

    Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker
    Kashmiri Chili Powder Added to Hot Tadka Mix in the Small Cast Iron Skillet for Daal Palak

    Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker
  7. Add tadka to the daal:

    Pour a little more than half the tadka into the pot with the daal, reserving the rest to be spooned over after serving.

    Daal Palak Topped with Tadka in the Dutch Oven

    Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker
  8. Serve:

    Divide the daal palak between serving bowls (over rice, if you'd like). Top with the pickled onions, papad, yogurt, and add more tadka if you want more heat. 

    Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Keep the leftover pickled onions on their own in a glass jar in the fridge for 1 day.

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    Bowl of Daal Palak over Rice Topped with Onions and Yogurt, Served with Pieces of Papad

    Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
208 Calories
8g Fat
28g Carbs
9g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 208
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 4g 21%
Cholesterol 16mg 5%
Sodium 565mg 25%
Total Carbohydrate 28g 10%
Dietary Fiber 10g 35%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 9g
Vitamin C 28mg 141%
Calcium 71mg 5%
Iron 3mg 16%
Potassium 534mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.