Red Lentil Curry is a vegan dish that mixes red lentils, garlic, onion, tomato sauce with rich, warm spices. The dish is finished off with coconut cream and topped with fresh parsley. This makes a healthy, comforting meal and the leftovers are even better the next day!
RED LENTIL CURRY
Many of you have made my Moroccan Carrot Red Lentil Soup or Moroccan Red Lentil Soup.
That soup has rave reviews and for good reason.
That soup is one I make a lot – it is so warming and full of flavor. Today’s Red Lentil Curry is another warming, filling vegan red lentil dish.
You guys are going to love the flavor in this dish.
Lentils are a healthy ingredient that I try to cook with as often as I can.
I will make Moroccan Red Lentil Soup, Lebanese Lentil Soup, Mediterranean Lentil Salad and this Slow Cooker Lentil Soup on rotation.
If you are trying to incprorate more healthy ingredients into your diet you should consider lentils. They are packed with vitamin B, magnesium, zinc and potassium.
Lentils are made up of over 25% protein, which makes them an excellent alternative to meat.
WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN RED LENTIL CURRY?
RED LENTILS: I used red lentils in this dish. Make sure you pick over them to get any bad ones out and wash and rinsed until water runs clean.
I find the red lentils hold up the best when it comes to lentils in this dish.
GINGER: The ginger adds a nice flavor to this dish and also offers great health benefits. If you can’t find fresh ginger you can use ground ginger instead.
TOMATOES: I added tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes to this curry dish. You can also use diced tomatoes if that is what you have on hand.
SPICES: The warm, rich spices of curry powder, garam masala and cayenne pepper work nicely to create a dish bursting with flavor.
BROTH: I used vegetable broth to cook the red lentils. You can use whatever broth you have on hand or water but that won’t have as much flavor.
COCONUT CREAM: Coconut cream adds a creamy texture to the dish and makes it vegan. You can also use cream or just leave it out all together.
HOW DO YOU MAKE RED LENTIL CURRY?
Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat.
Add the onion and saute until soft and slightly caramelized, round 7 minutes.
Add the garlic clove and ginger and saute for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
Add the tomato, brown sugar, curry powder, garam masala and cayenne pepper and stir to incorporate.
Add the lentils and the vegetable broth and stir.
Cover with a lid and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat down to low and cook for 20 minutes stirring at the 10 minute mark.
Remove from heat and stir in the coconut cream. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
HOW DO YOU STORE RED LENTIL CURRY?
This dish will last in the fridge for up to 5-7 days if covered.
Dried lentils that have been cooked can be kept covered in the fridge for 5-7 days or frozen for up to 6 months. The only problem with this recipe and freezing it is the coconut cream.
I suggest not adding that if you plan to freeze half of this and just stir in the cream to the part that you are eating.
WHAT SHOULD YOU SERVE WITH THIS RED LENTIL CURRY?
A lot of times when I eat this soup it stands great on its own. I will often warm up a piece of pita or naan to go with it and make a simple salad. Here are some other ideas:
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A Mediterranean Bean Salad or Arugula Salad with Pine Nuts work nicely alongside this dish.
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This Turmeric Cauliflower or these Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables are a nice addition.
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A big bowl of this Lebanese Hummus Recipe or Lemon Hummus is a great side dish to this meal.
OTHER LENTIL RECIPES AND RESOURCES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
What are lentils? Nutrition and Variations by Jessica Gavin
Slow Cooker Taco Lentil Soup by Ambitious Kitchen
Beef and Lentil Stew by A Spicy Perspective
20 Recipes to Make with a Bag of Lentils
Red Lentil Curry
Red Lentil Curry is a vegan dish that mixes red lentils, garlic, onion, tomato sauce with rich, warm spices. The dish is finished off with coconut cream and topped with fresh parsley. This makes a healthy, comforting meal and the leftovers are even better the next day!
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 of a sweet onion, diced
- 3 Garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 Inch ginger knob, peeled and minced
- 1 1/4 Cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon curry powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup red lentils
- 32 ounces vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup coconut cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add the onion and saute until soft and slightly caramelized, round 7 minutes.
- Add the garlic clove and ginger and saute for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
- Add the tomato, brown sugar, curry powder, garam masala and cayenne pepper and stir to incorporate.
- Add the lentils and the vegetable broth and stir.
- Cover with a lid and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat down to low and cook for 20 minutes stirring at the 10 minute mark.
- Remove from heat and stir in the coconut cream. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
This curry is incredibly delicious! You can eat it as is, serve it with some toasted pita or over rice.
Red lentils cook incredibly fast making them a great pantry staple.
