Gluten Free Lemon Lentils
Bright, lemony, and deeply warming, this lentil dish is the kind of weeknight staple that earns a permanent spot in your rotation. Green or brown lentils simmer low and slow with turmeric, cumin, and coriander until they're completely tender and fragrant — no fancy technique required. The real magic happens in the final step: a quick tadka of cumin seeds bloomed in hot olive oil gets poured straight over the lentils, filling the kitchen with a toasty, irresistible aroma. A generous hit of fresh lemon juice and zest cuts right through the earthiness, giving the whole bowl a lively brightness that keeps every bite interesting. Since every ingredient here is naturally free of gluten — whole lentils, ground spices, olive oil, fresh citrus — there's no need to hunt down specialty swaps or scrutinize labels. It comes together in one saucepan plus a small skillet, serves four, and is just as good spooned over rice as it is eaten straight from the bowl with a piece of your favorite gluten-free flatbread. Finish it with a scatter of fresh parsley and you've got a dish that looks and tastes like you put in way more effort than you actually did.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed and picked over
- 3 cups water
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp ground coriander
- ¾ tsp salt, plus more to taste
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
For the tadka
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the lentils, water, turmeric, ground cumin, and ground coriander in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25–30 minutes, until the lentils are completely tender and have absorbed most of the liquid.
- 2
Stir in the salt, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Taste and adjust salt as needed. If the lentils look dry, stir in 2–3 tbsp of water to loosen them to a thick, spoonable consistency.
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