Masoor dal (Lens culinaris), also called red lentil, is a staple food in every Indian household. It is widely cultivated in warm, tropical and temperate zones for its edible and nutritious seeds.

Masoor dal is a good source of carbohydrates, proteins, fibres, vitamins, and other micronutrients. Masoor dal is the vegetable that has the highest level of protein (26%) after soybeans and hemp. Masoor dal is rich in macronutrients, micronutrients, and bioactive components. Its nutritional value is given in the table below.