Lentil Curry
This red lentil curry is more like a soup than a thick stew and can be made on the stove or in the Instant Pot. It’s perfect served over rice or cauliflower rice. Adding a little lime and cilantro at the end improves and brightens the flavor. Best of all, the curry can stay in the fridge all week for leftovers, and it freezes well. I am always trying to eat more lentils throughout the week because they’re a simple way to achieve my fiber goals (at least 25 grams per day). More lentil recipes I love are this lentil soup and lentil salad. This healthy lentil curry recipe is from the new cookbook Plantifully Lean by Kiki Nelson, which features “more than 125 simple, plant-based, low-fat recipes.” She offers satisfying and delicious plant based dishes, including Shiitake Rice with Thai Peanut Sauce and French Onion Soup. I was fascinated to read about her weight loss journey following a high-carbohydrate, low-fat, plant based diet. So many of her recipes looked amazing, but I was most excited to try this vegan curry, and I’m happy I did.
Lentil Curry Ingredients
Spices: Cumin seeds, garam masala, curry powder, coriander, salt Aromatics: Fresh minced garlic and ginger, diced onion Tomatoes: Dice two Roma tomatoes. Lentils: I used one cup of red lentils. Water for the lentils to cook in Garnish: Cilantro leaves and lime wedges
Do you need to soak red lentils?The great thing about lentils is that they don’t require soaking like beans do. Plus, they cook much faster than dried beans. You may want to rinse the lentils in a fine mesh strainer to ensure there’s no debris. Do you have to cook lentils before adding them to curry?No! The lentils cook in the curry, making this dish a one-pot meal. How long do lentils take to cook in a curry?Red lentils take about 20 to 30 minutes on the stove and 20 minutes in the Instant Pot. Is lentil curry good for you? This lentil curry without coconut milk is full of fiber and protein and under 300 calories. Lentils are also packed with vitamins and minerals, like iron, B6, and potassium.
How to Make Lentil Curry
How to Serve Lentil Curry
I like this lentil curry over white or brown rice or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. You could also serve it with a piece of naan or roti to scoop up the lentils. If you want a vegetable to go with it, try this Warm Curry Roasted Vegetable Salad, Rainbow Carrots with Ginger, or Roasted Cauliflower.
How to Store Lentil Curry
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for up to a month. The red lentil curry is even more delicious the next day, making it perfect for meal prep! Reheat it in the microwave until warm.
Variations
Lentils: You can swap red lentils with green or brown ones. Vegetables: Add spinach or kale at the end. Cumin: If you don’t have cumin seeds, add ground cumin with the other spices.
More Lentil Recipes You’ll Love
Lebanese Lentil Soup Lentil Bowl with Avocado, Eggs, and Cholula Chicken and Lentil Soup (Instant Pot) Lentils and Rice with Eggs and Bacon Lentil Soup with Butternut and Kale
