Everyday Red Lentil Dal

• Dal
• 1 cup red lentils ≈ 192 g
• 3 ½ cups water
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
  Swaps for fresh ginger

  Instead of ginger

  • Ground ginger: ¼ tsp ground for each 1 tbsp grated fresh. Warmer and less bright, with no zing.
  • Ginger paste (jar or tube): The same amount. Close; slightly salty or sour from preservatives.

  More for ginger

• 1 medium tomato, chopped
• 1 tsp kosher salt
  Swaps for kosher salt

  Instead of salt

  • Table salt or fine sea salt: About half as much as Diamond Crystal kosher, about ¾ as much as Morton kosher. The same saltiness when measured this way.
  • Salt by weight: 1 tsp is about 6 grams of table salt, 5 grams of Morton kosher, 3 grams of Diamond Crystal kosher. The most reliable way to swap, especially in baking and brines.

  More for salt

• Spiced oil
• 2 tbsp coconut oil or vegetable oil
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
  Swaps for cumin seeds

  Instead of cumin

  • Ground coriander: The same amount. Brighter and citrusy, less earthy.
  • Chili powder: Twice as much. Contains cumin, plus chile heat and garlic.
  • Caraway seeds, ground: Half as much. A related flavor, a bit sharper.

  More for cumin

• 1 tsp mustard seeds (optional)
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
  Swaps for onion

  Instead of onion

  • Another onion: The same amount. Yellow is the all-rounder; white is sharper and crisper; red is milder raw and adds color; sweet onions are mildest.
  • Shallots: The same amount, chopped. Milder and sweeter, with a hint of garlic.
  • Leeks: About 1½ times as much, white and light green parts. Milder and softer when cooked.

  All 4 swaps for onion

• 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  Swaps for garlic

  Instead of garlic

  • Garlic powder: ⅛ tsp for each clove. Mellower and sweeter, with no bite.
  • Jarred minced garlic: ½ tsp for each clove. Milder and slightly sour from the preserving liquid.

  More for garlic

• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
  Swaps for red pepper flakes

  Instead of red pepper flakes

  • Cayenne: About half as much. Even heat throughout, no flakes.
  • Hot sauce or chili crisp: To taste. Hot sauce adds vinegar; chili crisp adds crunch and oil.
  • A fresh hot chile: Half a jalapeño or serrano for each ½ tsp. Fresh, green heat.

  More for red pepper flakes

• ½ tsp garam masala
  Swaps for garam masala

  Instead of garam masala

  • Quick homemade blend: For 1 tsp: ½ tsp ground cumin, ¼ tsp ground coriander, ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon, a pinch each of cloves, cardamom and black pepper. Close and fragrant.
  • Curry powder: The same amount. Earthier and yellow from turmeric; a different but pleasant flavor.

  More for garam masala

• To finish
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
  Swaps for lemon juice

  Instead of lemon juice

  • Lime juice: The same amount. A different, more floral aroma; works almost everywhere.
  • Bottled lemon juice: The same amount. More sour and flatter; fine in cooking and baking, less bright in dressings and drinks.
  • White wine vinegar or white vinegar: Half as much. Sharper, with no citrus aroma.

  More for lemon juice

• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  Swaps for fresh cilantro

  Instead of cilantro

  • Dried cilantro: 1 tsp dried for each 1 tbsp chopped fresh (a third as much). Dried cilantro has almost no flavor; skip it as a garnish and add more of the other seasonings.
  • Flat-leaf parsley + lime zest: The same amount of parsley, plus a little lime zest. Fresh and green, without the soapy taste some people get from cilantro.
  • Thai basil or mint: Half as much. Sweeter and more perfumed.

  More for cilantro

• cooked rice or naan, for serving

Missing something? Tap Swaps next to an ingredient, or see all substitutions.