When you hear lentils, you probably don’t think of decadence. You probably think of healthy, nourishing, and if we’re being honest, maybe even boring. But, I’m here to change your perception of lentils with this ultra creamy, ultra indulgent Vegan Red Lentil Curry that comes together in a snap.
This recipe has been a fan favorite for the last 2 years, so I figured it was time to update the blog post and give it a video too!
Here’s why you’ll love this Vegan Red Lentil Curry
Weeknight ready: It’s ready in 35-45 minutes so you can easily make it for a weeknight dinner.
Creamy and dreamy: This curry is extremely creamy and indulgent. You can thank the full-fat coconut milk and the creamy almond butter for that.
Flavorful beyond belief: It’s packed with flavor thanks to the fresh garlic, ginger, and chili peppers, along with a generous dose of Indian spices.
Nourishing: This red lentil curry might be dangerously delicious and indulgent, but it’s also quite nourishing. The garlic, ginger, and turmeric boast tons of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, while the lentils make this a hearty, protein-packed meal. Plus, you’ll stay full for hours due to the high content of healthy fat from coconut milk and almond butter.
And if you already love this curry, I have more delicious curries for you to try!
For more Indian flavors, this Vegan Pumpkin Curry with Tofu is packed with protein and totally delicious. Or if you’re looking for something different (but still in the curry family), this Thai Butternut Squash Curry with Chickpeas is a fan favorite. Like the Red Lentil Curry, both recipes are weeknight friendly and totally delicious.
And if you own an instant pot, I have a number of curries in my cookbook, The Vegan Instant Pot Cookbook.
Ingredient Rundown
Aromatics. This curry starts with fresh ginger, garlic, and green chili peppers to provide lots of those classic Indian flavors. My mom starts most Indian dishes with these ingredients (sometimes, onions too), so you can’t go wrong with this trio!
Turmeric. Most Indian lentil curry recipes contain turmeric. And why not? It’s a nutritional superstar with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. The main active in turmeric—curcumin—not only blocks damage-causing free radicals in the body but also stimulates the body’s own antioxidant mechanisms.
I love using fresh turmeric in this recipe. It’s earthy and peppery, slightly bitter yet slightly sweet. It looks like ginger but its interior flesh is bright orange. You can find fresh turmeric at Indian and Asian grocery stores, health food stores, and the produce department of stores like Whole Foods and Sprouts.
That said, it’s totally fine to use ground turmeric in this recipe! I’ve made it both ways, and it’s always delicious.
Ground Indian Spices. While I love adding some whole spices to my Indian recipes, I wanted to keep this recipe weeknight friendly and very accessible. You’ll add the spices after sautéing the aromatics, and they need just 30 to 60 seconds to toast.
Red Lentils. The main ingredient in this recipe are red lentils, no surprise! You can use regular red lentils, or red split lentils. The split variety is more commonly available in South Asian grocery stores, and sold as masoor dal. The split lentils cook a bit quicker than the whole variety because their skins have been removed, but there isn’t a huge difference in cook time.
Need another use for those red lentils in your pantry? My 10-Ingredient Red Lentil Bolognese is a must-make (and pantry-friendly!).
Crushed Tomatoes. I prefer to use crushed canned tomatoes (instead of diced tomatoes or fresh tomatoes) because I love their thick, saucy texture in a creamy curry.
Coconut Milk. I use full-fat canned coconut milk in this recipe, and I must say it’s an essential ingredient. The creaminess and high-fat content not only makes this curry extremely luxurious, but they are also necessary to balance the spice and tanginess in this curry.
If you taste the curry before adding the coconut milk, you’ll notice it is quite acidic (from the tomatoes) and very spicy, almost too spicy to eat. But after the coconut milk cooks down for a few minutes, it transforms into a totally different dish.
Almond Butter. This is my secret ingredient! Almond butter is definitely not traditional in Indian curries, but many North Indian curries do rely on blended cashews to bring creaminess…so it’s not that different, right? The almond butter brings another level of richness to this curry, in addition to a subtly sweet nuttiness that is just lovely.
Lemon Juice and Cilantro. My mom finishes many of her Indian dishes with these ingredients—the lemon juice adds a pop of freshness and livens the flavors, as well as helps balance the spices, while the cilantro adds flavor—so I usually finish my curries this way too.
How to make this Vegan Red Lentil Curry
First, gather your ingredients.
Dice up your ginger, garlic, chili peppers, and turmeric (if using fresh).
Sauté the ginger, garlic, chili peppers, and turmeric (if using fresh) in hot oil for about 2 minutes, until fragrant.
Then, add the ground spices and cook for 30-60 seconds, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Deglaze with the vegetable broth, then add in the red lentils and crushed tomatoes.
Simmer, covered, for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the lentils are cooked through.
Stir in the coconut milk and almond butter.
Continue cooking, uncovered, for 5 to 8 minutes, until the curry has thickened.
Finally, stir in the lemon juice and cilantro, and season to taste.
You can also view a web story of me making the the red lentil curry here.
Tips for Making this Vegan Red Lentil Curry
Don’t skimp on the garlic and ginger and spices. This is what infuses the dish with tons of flavor!
If you can’t tolerate spicy food whatsoever, you can omit the chili peppers. If you can handle a little heat, use one Serrano pepper (remove the seeds) or one jalapeño pepper (keep the seeds; jalapeño peppers are less spicy than Serranos). If you can handle a moderate amount of heat, try one serrano pepper with the seeds intact. And if you really like things on the spicy side, use two Serrano peppers, with seeds intact. This is what I do :)
If you can’t find fresh turmeric, just substitute 1 teaspoon ground turmeric and add it with the other ground spices. The easiest way to mince fresh turmeric (and ginger) is by using a microplane or a small cheese grater.
If your can of coconut milk is not mixed well (i.e., the solid cream part is very distinct from the liquid part), you might want to first pour the milk into a large bowl and whisk to break up the clumps. That’ll make it easier to whisk the milk into the curry.
Make sure you use smooth almond butter, as it’ll be harder to incorporate crunchy almond butter into the curry and you might end up with chunks of almond butter.
The cook time will vary slightly depending on the type of pan you use and the variety of lentils. When I make this in a wide, shallow pan like this, the lentils get softened and cooked through more quickly (about 20-22 minutes) than when I use a soup pot or Dutch oven (closer to 30 minutes). Also, as mentioned earlier, red split lentils will cook a bit more quickly than standard red lentils.
Vegan Red Lentil Curry Recipe Video
If I could only cook one dish for a vegan skeptic…
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use another nut butter besides almond butter?
Cashew butter would be the next best option, as it’s equally creamy and neutral in taste. Peanut butter might overwhelm the other flavors in this dish, but if it’s the only option you have, I recommend starting off with a smaller amount (1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons, instead of 3) and taste as you go. That said, many users have made it with peanut butter and enjoyed it. And for a nut-free option, you can try tahini.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
I’ve probably only frozen this recipe once because it’s my partner’s favorite, so he usually eats it within a day or two. That said, it does freeze pretty well, and I’ve had many readers freeze it with good results.
Can I use water instead of vegetable broth?
Yes! Just add a tad more salt, as needed.
Can I add vegetables to this curry?
Many readers have added sweet potatoes when adding the lentils (I recommend grating them so they melt into the texture-it’s so good!), as well as mushrooms or greens like spinach when adding the coconut milk. You could add in quick-cooking vegetables when adding the coconut milk, or for extra protein, you can add in a can of chickpeas at this time.
Can I make Red Lentil Curry in the Instant Pot?
Yes! I have a recipe for how to make this recipe in the instant pot in my cookbook, The Vegan Instant Pot Cookbook. The cookbook has 90 more nutritious (and colorful!) recipes you can make easily with the magic of an instant pot pressure cooker. It’s currently rated at 4.7 stars with over 2600 reviews on Amazon. Check it out!
More Recipes You Might Like
In the mood for more curries? Check these out:
- Thai Butternut Squash Chickpea Curry
- Vegan Pumpkin Curry with Tofu
- Instant Pot Butternut Squash Lentil Curry
And if you’re looking for more lentil recipes, well, I have loads of those for you, too!
If you give this Vegan Red Lentil Curry recipe a try, be sure to tag me on Instagram with your recreations and please comment with your feedback below!
Vegan Red Lentil Curry
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon refined or virgin coconut oil, or a neutral-flavored oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced or grated
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh turmeric, or 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1-2 serrano peppers, diced (see recipe note below on spice level)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon Indian red chili powder (if you only have regular chili powder, which is a blend, use 1 teaspoon)
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- Kosher salt or sea salt to taste (I use about 1 tsp kosher salt, and add more at the end)
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 1 cup (180-190g) red lentils, or split red lentils (the split variety will cook a bit quicker)
- 2 cups (480 mL) low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 (14-ounce / 400g) can crushed tomatoes (or half of a 28-ounce can)
- 1 (13.5-ounce/400 mL) can full-fat coconut milk
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened creamy almond butter
- 1/2 a small lemon, juiced
- 1/2 cup (~8g) fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- For serving: Basmati or Jasmine rice and Indian flatbread such as roti, paratha, or naan
Instructions
- Rinse the lentils in cold water until the water runs clear.
- Heat a large, deep skillet or large saucepan over medium-high heat and add the coconut oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add the garlic, ginger, fresh turmeric (if using), and Serrano pepper and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent garlic from burning.
- Add the cumin, coriander, chili powder, curry powder, garam masala, salt, and black pepper to taste, and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant, tossing frequently to prevent burning. If using ground turmeric instead of fresh turmeric, add the ground turmeric now, along the the rest of the spices.
- Pour in the vegetable broth, and use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot. Add in the lentils and the crushed tomatoes and mix well. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan with a lid. Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the lentils are cooked through and have mostly softened. If you find that the lentils are not quite soft after 25 minutes, add a few spoons more of broth or water and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Remove the lid and stir in the coconut milk, almond butter, along with salt and pepper to taste Continue cooking on low heat, uncovered for 5 to 8 minutes, until the curry has thickened and is creamy.
- Finally, stir in the lemon juice and cilantro, and turn off the heat. If you want your lentils to even creamier and more on the puréed side, use an immersion blender to lightly purée the curry.
- Serve the curry with rice and/or Indian flatbread and garnish with additional cilantro. Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Notes
- If you can’t tolerate spicy food whatsoever, you can omit the chili peppers. If you can handle a little heat, use one Serrano pepper (remove the seeds) or one jalapeño pepper (with the seeds), and if you really like things on the spicy side, use two Serrano peppers (with seeds intact).
Amazing recipe, I’m definitely adding this one to my weekly dinner rotation! Thank you 😊
Thanks for the lovely feedback, Anna!
Thanks for an epic recipe, this curry is amazing, it’s on repeat at my place 😋 I pimp it out with veggies too, it’s so flavourful 👏😊
Marj, So glad to hear you loved the curry! :)
This was incredible! So cozy and the perfect level of spice. Can’t wait to make it again! Thank you!
Awesome, Stacey. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!
I don’t know how many times I did this curry but it’s a 10/10 with everyone !
Thanks for the lovely feedback, Lorraine!
I have been following your videos and recipes for some time now and finally want to start saying thank you by commenting on the recipes I use. I love the way you season your dishes (you cannot go wrong with 4+ cloves of garlic of course). Every recipe I have tried so far has been a success not only with me but also my partner. The Lentil Curry above is amazing – complex and satisfying taste while requiring only pantry staples and little to no cooking skills. We make it when we run out of fresh vegetables and still want to feel like eating something hearty and nourishing. 5 stars!
Thank you so much for trying the recipes, Karo, and we’re thrilled you especially enjoyed the curry :)
An absolutely phenomenal curry. I didn’t have almond butter so I pureed cashews with a bit of oat milk. Just fabulous flavors. Thank you so much!
Thanks for sharing, Ruth! :) You’re welcome!
Delicious and easy, thanks! Here for the third time, it’s my top meal prep, I could eat it twice a day every day! Does anyone add veggies? I’m trying sweet potato and spinach this time.
Hi Leesa, you’re welcome for the recipe- great to learn you enjoyed it! And as for veggies: besides sweet potato and spinach- kale and mushrooms are nice additions!
The instructions were so great even I made this and it was perfect!
Awesome, Danno. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!
Amazing, all 3 of my kids ate it without complaining…it’s a win! Will definitely make this again!
Lovely to hear, Jess! :)
This recipe is amazing and has been in regular rotation at our home. I like to make it for people who say they don’t like curry, because it always changes their mind! Even super picky eaters end up loving it! It comes out great every time, you can really count on this recipe.
Awesome, Drew. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!
Love, love, love this recipe , Nisha! It freezes so well too! I make double and put half in the freezer for another day.Great with roasted potatoes as well!
Thank you for all your hard work.
We also love your tofu scramble recipe and make it every weekend!
Karena, So glad to hear you love the recipes! :)
I’m making this tonight and wondering if there is a nut-free sub I could use in place of the almond butter? Would tahini or sunflower butter work?
Hi Sydney, tahini works well!
I made this for the umpteenth time tonight. I water sauté the aromatics, instead of coconut cream I blend oats, almond milk, and coconut extract. Gotta watch my sat fat. Thank you again for this great recipe. My church loves it at our pot lucks.
We’re delighted you’re such a fan of the recipe, David! Thanks for sharing :)
I’m making this tonight and I only have peanut butter not almond butter, can I use that instead?
I use peanut butter. Seems to work.
Hi Liz, in our opinion peanut butter is a bit too strong, but cashew butter and tahini both work well.
SO fantastic!! I played around with the spices since I know which I like and which I don’t. Still amazing 🤩
De Schraf, So glad to hear you loved this recipe!
This is really tasty.
A few notes:
I used only half the coconut milk and half the almond butter to make it a bit lighter . Worked just fine.
Added spinach. Would definitely make again.
One note: my lentils almost burned because the water was absorbed at only 10 minutes, but they weren’t yet cooked through, so make sure to check on them!
We’re happy you loved it, Esen! Interesting about the lentils, sounds like the water was boiling too much so the liquid evaporated?
Luv luv luv this curry. Always freeze half so I have a few super fast meals on nights it’s “too hard” to think or cook (basically I feel lazy 😂)✨✨✨🧡.
Anyone I share this with also totally enjoys it.
Immense gratitude Nisha
Hi Lisa, we’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed this recipe! We’re so happy you love it enough to share :)
Next time, would you mind leaving a rating alongside your review? Star ratings are big help to readers who are thinking of making the recipe. Thanks!
I made this recipe for the first time for dinner tonight after work and it has made my day! Such a delicious culmination of flavours and I’m eating it out of the pan as I type. Thank you for such delicious recipes :)
Awesome, Claire. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!
This curry is amazing!
I have made this recipe too many times to count, and it has never failed.
I have made it with chilli flakes instead of fresh chilli’s, I have made it when I didn’t have curry powder or garam masala, and another time when I didn’t have any ginger, and every single time it turns out incredible.
My friends and family love it too.
And as a bonus, it is super easy to make.
Thanks for sharing, Gabi! We are so happy everyone enjoys the recipe :)
I made this recipe tonight and the flavours were delicious! First time cooking with red lentils. Mine turned out very watery, almost like a soup. Wondering where you think I went wrong for next time? Thanks!
Hi professional Chef here, When i look at this recipe the only things i see that would make it watery are if you had a 28oz can of tomatoes and while splitting it for the recipe you added half the tomatoes but all the liquid, or you measured the broth or coconut milk incorrectly. but besides that there is not much liquid in the recipe and next time see if it turns out better its all about experience and after enough time you will just know.
Hi Kristen, we’re happy you enjoyed the curry! The first step would be to check to see if you used the correct measurements: Did you use a full cup of lentils, 2 cups vegetable broth and 14 oz of crushed tomatoes? The next thing I’d suggest is to check the cooking temperature. The heat could have potentially not been high enough to cook off the excess liquid in order to thicken it up. I hope we can figure it out so you can get it just right next time!