Dal Shorba (Indian Lentil Soup with Ginger and Lemon)
A smooth, gently spiced lentil soup with fresh ginger and lemon. Warming and quick to put together.
Made with Tarka dal base and Homemade vegetable stock. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 mins
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.82 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Put your ready made tarka dal base (see the base recipe), your ready made vegetable stock (see the base recipe), the carrot and ginger in a pan. Bring to a simmer for 10 minutes until the carrot is soft.
10 min - 2
Blend until smooth with a stick blender, adding a little water if too thick.
- 3
Stir in the lemon juice and season to taste.
- 4
Heat the oil in a small pan. Fry the cumin, garlic and chilli for 1 minute until the garlic is golden.
1 min - 5
Ladle the soup into bowls, spoon over the sizzling tarka and finish with coriander.
Tips
- Blend until silky for restaurant style soup, or leave it chunky for more texture.
- Add the lemon at the end so it stays fresh and bright.
- A spoon of coconut yoghurt on top adds a cooling creaminess.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 to 2 hours and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I freeze it?
Yes. Freeze without the tarka for up to 3 months and make a fresh tarka when serving.
Can I use a stock cube?
Yes, but pick a gluten free vegetable cube and use less salt in the soup, as cubes are salty.
How do I make it thicker?
Simmer uncovered for 5 more minutes or add another 100 g of dal.
More made with tarka dal base
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.