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Split Black Lentils

Name: Split Black Lentils
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 200 g Split black lentils, washed and soaked 15 min; 1 pc Onion, finely chopped; 1 pc Tomato, chopped; 1 tsp Ginger, paste; 1 tsp Garlic, paste; 0.5 tsp Turmeric; 1 tsp Red chilli powder; 3 tbsp Clarified butter; to taste Salt; 2 pc Green chilli, slit, for garnish

50 min Easy 4 servings

Serves 4 · Total 50 min · Prep 10 min · Cook 40 min

Updated on 8 November 2026

AI-generated illustration (Gemini)

A comforting Pakistani lentil curry made from split black gram, boiled until creamy and finished with a golden onion-tomato tarka in clarified butter. A simple everyday dish served with rice or roti, it is loved for its earthy flavour and smooth texture.

Quick answer: 50 min in total · serves 4 · main ingredients: Split black lentils, Onion, Tomato, Ginger · amounts in metric and US

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Ingredients

Metric US

200 g 1 cup Split black lentils, washed and soaked 15 min
1 pc 1 pc Onion, finely chopped
1 pc 1 pc Tomato, chopped
1 tsp 1 tsp Ginger, paste
1 tsp 1 tsp Garlic, paste
0.5 tsp 0.5 tsp Turmeric
1 tsp 1 tsp Red chilli powder
3 tbsp 3 tbsp Clarified butter
to taste to taste Salt
2 pc 2 pc Green chilli, slit, for garnish (Optional)

Steps

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Wash the split black lentils well and soak in water for 30 minutes.
⏱ Soaking lentils · 30 min
Drain and add the lentils to a pot with about 4 cups of fresh water, turmeric and salt.
Bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat for 40 to 45 minutes (12 to 15 in a pressure cooker) until the lentils are soft and creamy, stirring occasionally.
⏱ Boiling lentils · 45 min
In a separate pan, heat clarified butter and fry the onion until golden.
⏱ Frying onion · 6 min
Add ginger-garlic paste and chopped tomato, and fry until the oil separates.
⏱ Frying · 7 min
Add red chilli powder, mix well and pour the tempering over the cooked lentils.
Simmer the lentils with the tarka for a few minutes to blend the flavours.
⏱ Simmering · 5 min
Garnish with slit green chillies and serve hot with steamed rice or roti.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Split Black Lentils take?

50 minutes in total: about 10 minutes of prep and 40 minutes of cooking.

Is Split Black Lentils hard to make?

Degchi rates it easy. The method has 8 steps, and 5 of them have a timer you can start on this page.

How many people does Split Black Lentils serve?

This recipe serves 4. Use the toggle above the ingredient list to see the amounts in metric or US measures. For more or fewer portions, scale every amount in the same proportion, or use the servings control in the Degchi app.

Is Split Black Lentils halal, vegetarian or eggless?

It is marked halal in our recipe data. It is vegetarian. It has no egg. It has no beef. Check the labels on any packaged ingredients for your own needs.

What will I probably need to buy for Split Black Lentils?

Everyday staples that Degchi counts as pantry basics: turmeric, red chilli powder, salt. Fresh items you will probably need to buy: onion, tomato, ginger, garlic, clarified butter. Lentils, grains and other dry goods: split black lentils.

Any tips for making Split Black Lentils?

Add a pinch of baking soda while boiling to speed up softening of the lentils. A spoon of extra ghee on top just before serving makes the tarka richer.