Name: Lentil Curry Recipe
Prep time: 60 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons Oil; 1 Onion (chopped); 4-5 garlic cloves (crushed); 2 tablespoons Grated ginger; 2 teaspoons Curry powder; 1/2 teaspoon Cumin; 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric; Salt to taste; Pepper to taste; 1 can (14oz/400g Tomato sauce/crushed tomatoes); 3 cups 720ml Water; 1 can (14oz/400g Coconut milk); 1 cup 190g Dried lentils; 1 teaspoon Garam masala (optional); 1-2 tablespoons Coriander leaves (chopped *optional)

Lentil Curry Recipe

By David | Published: Jan 19, 2021 | Updated: Jan 03, 2025

4 from 191 votes

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This lentil curry is creamy, rich, healthy and very easy to make. If you have never tried lentil curry, you must try this coconut lentil curry! This is a one-pot recipe, vegan and gluten free. Perfect a midweek dinner or lunch.

A bowl filled with white rice and a serving of lentil curry. The curry is yellow-orange in color and includes visible chunks of vegetables and green herbs. The bowl is placed on a wooden surface.

Lentil Curry Recipe

4 from 191 votes

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Prep Time 1

WORK TIME 15

DIFFICULTY Easy

Cuisine Indian

Servings yields

Ingredients

2 tablespoons Oil
1 Onion chopped
4-5 garlic cloves crushed
2 tablespoons Grated ginger
2 teaspoons Curry powder
½ teaspoon Cumin
½ teaspoon Turmeric
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
1 can 14oz/400g Tomato sauce/crushed tomatoes
3 cups 720ml Water
1 can 14oz/400g Coconut milk
1 cup 190g Dried lentils
1 teaspoon Garam masala optional
1-2 tablespoons Coriander leaves chopped *optional

Instructions

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DIRECTIONS
1. Rinse the lentil under cold water and set aside.
2. Heat oi in a large pan/pot. Add chopped onion and sauté over medium heat, until lightly golden, about 5-6 minutes. Add crushed garlic, grated ginger, curry powder, cumin and turmeric. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
3. Add tomato sauce, water, coconut milk, lentils, salt, pepper. Stir well, bring to a boil, then cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30-40 minutes.
4. Lentils should be soft and the sauce should be creamy. If too thick, add more water, too thin, simmer for 10-15 more (with a lid off).
5. Check the seasoning, if needed add salt/pepper. Turn the heat off add chopped coriander and stir.
6. Serve with rice, naan or as is.
Frequently asked questions:
WHAT TYPE OF LENTILS ARE THE BEST FOR LENTIL CURRY?
In this recipe I used green lentils, but to make the perfect lentil curry you can also use green lentils, red lentils, brown lentils, green lentil or any kind of dried lentils.
HOW TO STORE LENTIL CURRY?
Lentil curry can be stored, covered, in the fridge, for up to 4-5 days.
CAN WE MAKE LENTIL CURRY WITHOUT COCONUT MILK?
Yes, you can make lentil curry without coconut cream, but remember, the curry will not be as creamy, the texture and the taste will be totally different. Therefore, I would not recommend skipping coconut milk.
MORE RECIPES:
- Chickpea Curry
- Butter Chicken
- Chicken Meatballs with Coconut Curry
- Quick and Easy Chicken Curry

Video

Nutrition information is automatically generated and thus we can not guarantee it is 100% accurate.

4 Comments

Do You think this could be made in the Instapot?

January 21, 2021

What is the calories in one serving size?

May 19, 2022

Marna Olsen says:

at

What I do is add the total of all ingredients put in and divide by 6. This dish has 6 servings.

May 25, 2023
Reply

Just made this recipe and it’s a keeper. Doubled the spices and only added 2 cups of water instead of three and it turned out great. I don’t think this is a serving for six people, though — more like four.

March 26, 2024