Food
Fact-checked

At DelightedCooking, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What Are Yellow Lentils?

Lee Johnson
Lee Johnson

Yellow lentils are small pulses that are yellow in color and often sold “split.” This makes them particularly suitable ingredients for soups and sauces, because they are prone to turning into a puree when cooked. Many different colors of lentils exist, including green, brown, and red, and each color has different flavors and qualities. Yellow lentils are slightly nutty and are usually combined with other ingredients to increase their flavor. Lentils are referred to as dal in Indian cuisine and are included in many different dishes.

Also referred to as toor dal and tuvar dal, yellow lentils can be recognized by their color. The inside of the lentils are bright yellow, but the outer skin is browner in color. Their flavor is mild, but with a distinct nutty note. People remove the skins of the lentils before selling them, and often “split” them as well. They are a good source of protein and are often eaten for that reason by vegetarians or vegans.

Yellow lentils are commonly used in soups.
Yellow lentils are commonly used in soups.

Split lentils have been split in two, as the name suggests. This makes the lentils more suitable for use in soups, stews, and sauces, and makes them easier to grind into flour. Most yellow lentils will be sold split, but they can also be bought whole in some stores. Cooking split lentils breaks them down and turns the hard pulses into a slurry, adding texture to soups and stews.

Creamy yogurt and fresh herbs and vegetables are good additions to an Indian yellow lentil curry.
Creamy yogurt and fresh herbs and vegetables are good additions to an Indian yellow lentil curry.

Many different Indian dishes use lentils, and are often referred to as dals. Dal dishes are based on lentils and include a variety of spices to increase the flavor. Most dals are simmered over a long period of time and served with rice or chapatti bread. Tarka dal and yellow lentil dal are two examples of dishes which use yellow lentils.

Chefs boil lentils in twice their volume of water to cook them. This means that one cup of yellow lentils should be cooked in two cups of water until they achieve the desired consistency. Some chefs prefer to cook lentils in a stock or a sauce than water, in order to add more flavors. Split lentils don’t need to be cooked for as long as whole lentils. Most chefs will cook split lentils for around 20 minutes, or until they have turned into a puree.

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Yellow lentils are commonly used in soups.
      By: gitusik
      Yellow lentils are commonly used in soups.
    • Creamy yogurt and fresh herbs and vegetables are good additions to an Indian yellow lentil curry.
      By: lidante
      Creamy yogurt and fresh herbs and vegetables are good additions to an Indian yellow lentil curry.
    • Yellow lentils are often sold "split" and are used in many Indian dishes.
      By: Arvind Balaraman
      Yellow lentils are often sold "split" and are used in many Indian dishes.
    • Also referred to as toor dal and tuvar dal, yellow lentils can be recognized by their color.
      By: Monkey Business
      Also referred to as toor dal and tuvar dal, yellow lentils can be recognized by their color.