Red Lentil Dahl Soup Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (2024)

FAQs

Can you freeze lentil dahl? ›

Freezer: To freeze, put it in a freezer-safe container or a plastic bag after being completely cooled. Make sure to leave a few inches of space as the dahl could expand as it freezes. Keep in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thawing and reheating: Place the frozen dahl in the fridge overnight before reheating it.

This French lentil soup makes a slightly smaller batch than some of my other soups. It's about six portions, or four larger portions. However, it's still a good amount of food. And the soup will keep very well in the fridge for up to six days, so it's a great thing to make as part of a weekend meal prep routine.

The agency recommends freezing soups and stews for no longer than two to three months, so you'll want to first look for a date on your food storage container to make sure the soup hasn't been hiding in there for too long.

In this recipe, we're favoring a preparation of dal that starts and finishes with the tempering of aromatics and spices and lentils simmered in a tomato-based broth. This tempering, sometimes called chaunk, tarka, or tadka, is what distinguishes dal from lentil soup.

Cooked lentils and lentil puree can be frozen and used within three months, or refrigerated for up to one week. Be sure that they are sealed tight in air-tight containers or plastic bags to prevent freezer burn.

To freeze: let the dal completely cool and then transfer it to a freezer-safe container (or multiple containers for meal prep purposes). Freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, first let it thaw in the refrigerator, then heat it in the microwave or on the stovetop.

As the veggies hit the boiling water, volatile acids are released into the water and are carried away in the steam. When the pot is covered, the steam and the acids it contains are forced back into the water. Once there, the acids react with the chlorophyll in the vegetables, turning them an unsightly shade of brown.

Lentil Soup will easily keep for 5 days in the fridge, making it ideal for cooking on the weekend and serving throughout the week. And it also freezes 100% perfectly for 3 months – even longer!

Allow to cool on the counter so you do not heat the fridge. Freeze what you don't need right away. Lentils are safe to eat at five days in a cold fridge.

Can you reheat lentil soup from frozen? ›

How you reheat soup has a lot to do with how well frozen soup turns out. It's best to thaw the soup prior to heating, ideally overnight in the fridge, then gently reheat in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently to ensure nothing sticks or burns. The stovetop gives you greater heat control for more even cooking.

Ideally frozen soups should be defrosted overnight in the refrigerator then reheated gently in a saucepan. However it is possible to reheat the soup direct from frozen and this is best done, at least partially, with a microwave.

Absolutely. Not only are red lentils a nutritional powerhouse, packed with protein, fiber, iron, folate, and several other vitamins/minerals, but other ingredients in this Indian lentil dish further boost healthfulness. For example, turmeric has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Since lentils have more fiber, lentils win this round. Lentils contain more protein than Chickpeas. Both chickpeas and lentils are great sources of vegetable protein. However, since lentils have more of this healthy nutrient, lentils win this round.

You don't absolutely have to soak the red lentils but from what I have read, if you soak them and drain the water, it helps to remove some of the phytic acid which makes them easier to digest. Doing so reduces the cooking time, as well!

As soon as you are done serving the dal, put it in the refrigerator with a tight lid on. Refrigerated leftover dals can survive for 5-6 days only if it is stored correctly. Even if you want to eat some of it, make sure you take out only that portion, rather than re-heating the whole container.

To defrost, put it in the fridge for 24 hours. Once defrosted, reheat, and consume within 48 hours. Heat up in a saucepan until hot or place in a microwave for 2 -3 minutes. Lentils, Onion, Garlic, Spices, Ginger, Herbs.

Soups and stews are easy-to-make freezer meals. Once prepared, these entrees can be served with rice or pasta and additional vegetables or fruits to make a full meal. You also can cook batches of lentils, peas or chickpeas and freeze them in single-serving or meal-size portions.