Does indulgence come to mind when you think of lentils? Probably not. But that will all change after your first bite of this vegan Red Lentil Curry!
Itโs a gourmet-tasting yet weeknight-friendly meal that packs rich and decadent flavors into a simple one-pot recipe. Using pantry staples, like red lentils, coconut milk, aromatics, ground Indian spices, and almond butter, this hearty lentil curry comes together in a snap. One spoonful and youโll understand why it has over 1,800 5-star ratings!
Table of Contents:
1. Why this recipe works
2. Ingredient notes
3. Step-by-step instructions
4. Tips for making this recipe
5. Variations
6. Frequently Asked Questions
7. Recipe card with notes
Why this recipe works
Creamy, dreamy, and flavorful
Red lentils are pros at softening and practically melting into curries, stews, gravies, and soups, and are often used in traditional Indian dals (which this recipe is a loose adaptation of).
This makes them the perfect match for this lentil curry. Unlike green or brown lentils, they take on a heavenly melt-in-your-mouth texture and give the dish its signature smooth texture.
The curry is given a boost of indulgence when full-fat coconut milk and creamy almond butter are added. These two rich ingredients change the dish for the better, transforming it from thin and spicy to a well-balanced, ultra-creamy, and family-friendly meal.
And with a handful of aromatics and a generous dose of ground Indian spices, this lentil curry takes on the classic (and addictive) Indian flavors you know and love.
Deeply nourishing
You may think of this red lentil curry as comfort food because of its ultra-rich and indulgent flavors. However, itโs made with wholesome ingredients (which you can find at most grocery stores!).
Red lentils make this a hearty, protein-packed meal. Youโll also stay full for hours from the fat in the coconut milk and almond butter. As a bonus, the aromatic trio of garlic, ginger, and turmeric infuses it with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
So while it may not taste healthy, you can feel good about getting a hefty dose of plant-based protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in every bite. Head to the FAQ section to learn more about the benefits of this rich and hearty dish.
1,800+ 5-star reviews!
This recipe has been a fan favorite for years, gathering over 1,800 5-star ratings! This is what readers are saying about it:
Dianne says, โThis was the most incredible recipe! I absolutely loved it and it came out magnificently!โ
Abhik says, โSo easy to make and delicious! Itโs the first curry Iโve been able to make and definitely going to be one that I make again and again!โ
Emily says, โI just made this dish for my family for dinner & it was amazing! Everyone thought it was delicious. It was so quick and easy to make which is super helpful. Also very filling and satisfying. This is definitely going to be a go-to dish for me now!โ
Ingredient notes
Red lentils
No surprise here – red lentils are the star ingredient! When simmered in a creamy curry, vegan bolognese sauce, or hearty soup, red lentils break down and become super soft. This results in melt-in-your-mouth bites you just couldnโt achieve with any other type of lentil.
You can use either regular red lentils or split red lentils to make this recipe. Split lentils are more commonly available in South Asian grocery stores, often labeled as masoor dal. They also tend to cook a bit quicker than whole lentils because their skins have already been removed.
Substitute: Use yellow split lentils (moong dal in Indian grocery stores) instead of red lentils. I wouldnโt recommend green or brown lentils, as they donโt break down in the same way, so the texture will be different.
Aromatics
The lentils may be the star of the show here but they (and the rest of the curry) would not be anywhere near as flavorful without the Holy Trinity of aromatics: garlic, fresh ginger, and green chiles (serrano or jalapeรฑo peppers). They form the base of endless Indian dishes and curries, including my Chickpea Curry and Vegan Curry with Tofu recipes.
Fresh turmeric
Turmeric is a staple in Indian curries. Compared to dried turmeric, fresh turmeric is 10 times as flavorful and offers an abundance of earthy, peppery, and slightly bitter notes.
Where to buy: You can find fresh turmeric at Indian and South Asian grocery stores, health food stores, and well-stocked grocery stores, like Whole Foods and Sprouts. It looks just like ginger but has bright orange flesh.
Substitute: Itโs totally fine to use 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric if you canโt find it fresh. The curry will still be delicious!
Ground Indian spices
This is a weeknight-friendly lentil curry, which is why weโre using ground spices instead of whole. You need a simple blend of cumin, coriander, Indian red chili powder, curry powder, garam masala, salt, and pepper.
The spices are toasted/bloomed in the oiled skillet after sautรฉing the aromatics, which brings out their hidden flavors and, ultimately, makes your curry much more layered and flavorful.
Substitute: If you canโt find Indian red chili powder (lal mirch), you can use 1 teaspoon of regular chili powder instead.
Coconut milk
A can of full-fat coconut milk is stirred in at the end, giving the curry an essential luxurious component. Its creaminess and high-fat content help balance the entire meal and temper the strong spicy, acidic, and tangy flavors. The curry wouldnโt be as family-friendly without it.
Substitute: If you are looking for a lighter meal, you can use light-coconut milk, but the curry wonโt be as creamy. Also, it may be too spicy, so go easy on the green chile peppers.
Almond butter
It may not be a traditional ingredient in Indian curries or dals, but almond butter brings another level of richness to this curry, along with the coconut milk. Plus, its subtle sweet nutty flavor is just lovely and adds that special something. North Indian curries sometimes rely on blended cashews to bring creaminessโฆ so itโs not that different, right?
Make sure you use natural smooth almond butter in this recipe. Crunchy almond butter is harder to incorporate and might leave chunks of almond butter behind. Also, avoid flavored almond butter because it has additives, like sugar, oil, salt, and emulsifiers, that will affect the flavors in the curry.
Substitute: Cashew butter would be the next best option, as itโs equally creamy and neutral in taste. Peanut butter might overwhelm the other flavors in this dish, but if itโs the only option you have, I recommend starting 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.
Nut allergy? Use tahini instead of almond butter.
Cilantro and lemon juice
Two finishing ingredients that enliven every bite and add a pop of freshness to the curry.
Step-by-step instructions
Sautรฉ the aromatics. Melt the coconut oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Once itโs hot and shimmering, add the garlic, ginger, fresh turmeric, and Serrano pepper. Sautรฉ until theyโre soft and fragrant.
Add the spices and let them toast for up to 1 minute to bring out their hidden flavors.
Deglaze the skillet with the vegetable broth, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom. Pour in the lentils and crushed tomatoes next. Stir to combine.
Turn down the heat and cover the pan with a lid. Let the curry simmer until the lentils are mostly softened.
Stir in the coconut milk, almond butter, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
Continue cooking until the curry is thick and creamy.
To finish, stir in the lemon juice and cilantro, then turn off the heat. Serve the curry with rice and Indian flatbread, and enjoy!
Tips for making this recipe
Rinse and pick through the lentils
There may be small pebbles and specks of dirt in your bag of lentils, so pick through the lentils and rinse them under water before starting this recipe.
Play with the spice level
There are a handful of ways to find your perfect spice level here, whether you love heat or canโt tolerate spicy food whatsoever:
- No spice: Omit the fresh chile peppers altogether.
- Less spice: Use only one Serrano pepper (membranes and seeds removed) or one jalapeรฑo pepper (membranes and seeds intact; jalapeรฑo peppers are less spicy than Serranos).
- More spice: Use two serrano peppers with the membranes and seeds intact (this is what I do). It sounds spicy, but the coconut milk does a lot to balance the spices.
Puree the curry
You can give the curry a smoother and ultra-creamy consistency by pureeing about half of the curry with an immersion blender.
The equipment matters
The cook time will vary slightly depending on the type of pan you use and the variety of lentils. The lentils will cook even faster (about 20-22 minutes) if you make the curry in a wide, shallow pan like this (affiliate link). A soup pot or Dutch oven will cause them to cook slower (about 30 minutes).
Also, as mentioned earlier, red split lentils will cook a bit more quickly than standard red lentils.
Variations
There are plenty of ways to customize this curry, either with added veggies or plant-based proteins. Check out the variations below:
- Fold in roasted or steamed sweet potatoes, roasted potatoes, or roasted cauliflower when you add the coconut milk.
- Add baby spinach or other tender greens in the last few minutes of cooking.
- Try sautรฉing onion and/or a few carrots before adding the garlic, ginger, and turmeric for more dynamic flavors.
- Try adding quick-cooking vegetables when you add the coconut milk, like peas, green beans, or mushrooms.
- A can of chickpeas will give the curry a ton of protein! Add them in when you add the coconut milk.
Frequently Asked Questions
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. Itโs currently rated at 4.7 stars with over 4300 reviews on Amazon. Check it out!
The whole foods that make up the ingredients list make this vegan curry a superbly wholesome meal. Youโll never know it, though, because of the dangerously delicious and indulgent flavors.ย
Red lentils pack this dish full of plant-based protein (about 18 grams per 1 cup), iron, fiber, potassium, and many more vitamins and minerals. Turmeric is also a nutritional superstar with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Its main compound, curcumin, not only blocks damage-causing free radicals in the body but also stimulates the bodyโs antioxidant mechanisms.
The best and easiest way to serve red lentil curry is with a side of white basmati rice, although cooked brown rice or a whole grain like farro or quinoa would be nice as well. A batch of Homemade Vegan Naan is perfect for scooping up the soft lentils and savory gravy, but if you donโt have the time, store-bought pita or vegan naan works fine too. Garnish every bowl with cilantro or fresh mint for even more freshness, then dig in.
To maintain freshness and the layers of flavors, store the leftover curry in an airtight container in the fridge. It should last for up to 3 or 4 days. The curry freezes well, 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!
Big Vegan Flavor
Techniques and 150 recipes to master vegan cooking.
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 purรฉed side, use an immersion blender to lightly purรฉe 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 jalapeรฑo pepper (with the seeds), and if you really like things on the spicy side, use two Serrano peppers (with seeds intact).
I made this tonight and Nisha, it was delicious! Perfectly spiced and creamy!! We had it over some baked potatos and it was a very satisfying meal. Two thumbs up from both the vegans and non vegans in my household! I canโt wait to receive your cookbook (I ordered online) and try more of your recipes:)
Hi Andrea, it’s amazing to hear everyone’s a big fan of the recipe! We hope you’re loving cooking your way through Big Vegan Flavor, thank you so much for your support!
Could I use my instapot to make this meal? If so, how long should I set it at for the lentils to cook?
Hi Jessica, yes! You can saute the aromatics using the IP Saute setting. Deglaze the pot, and be sure to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom so they don’t trigger the IP’s burn notice. Add the lentils, coconut milk, and tomatoes (but use fresh tomatoes, 2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped; crushed tomatoes from a can will trigger the IP burn notice). Pressure cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then stir in the almond butter and simmer using the Saute setting for a few minutes to incorporate. Hope that helps!
Hi – disappointed to see that this recipe (which is my favorite) is not in Big Vegan Flavor. Any reason why?
This is on a free website.
Hi JM, the only recipes from the blog that made it to BVF are some of Nisha’s favorite staples. She wanted to create exclusive recipes for the cookbook so people really felt they were getting a good value by buying the cookbook! What I do with my favorite recipes is print them out and add them to a binder with clear sheet protectors…. aka my own little cookbook!
Cheers!
This recipe is fantastic! I used tahini in place of almond butter, which thickened the curry nicely. I also added chickpeas and spinach near the end to make it more filling and contrast with the creamy lentils.
Hi Alessandro, Thank you so much for such a sweet review! Appreciate you taking the time!
This is spot on!
Hi Pam, thank you so much for your kind review!
Do you have a preferred brand of crushed tomatoes, Nisha? Iโve made this recipe countless times (always a success!) but my favorites are when the crushed tomatoes are on the chunkier, saucier side. Can never remember which brand to use!
Hi there, Nisha uses the Bianco DiNapoli brand! Happy to hear this recipe is a winner in your book :)
This was flavorful, healthy, delicious, and easy to make. One question, though, is how to get the sauce thicker and creamier. I have this problem when making Indian food. This time I resorted to stirring in some corn starch bc I don’t want the sauce to be so watery. Also, I cubed a few small Yukon gold potatoes for some variety and added them to the pot when the dry lentils were mixed in.
Hi Barbara, we’re thrilled you love the recipe! Instead of cornstarch, you can try blending some of it in a stand blender/with an immersion blender. This curry also thickens significantly in the fridge overnight! We appreciate your feedback, Barbara. Cheers!
This is so delicious that I make it almost weekly. When measuring out spices, I make several batches and save them in ziplock baggies to make prep easier on a busy night.
Also, I sometimes use Trader Joeโs Zhoug sauce (in cooler near salsa) to replace serranos and cilantro if Iโm out of those. (Itโs made of cilantro, jalepenos and garlic.) Freeze cubes of it and pull them out as needed. I also keep my ginger root in the freezer, and grate as much as I need on a micro plane.
Smart move measuring out the spices, Julie! Thanks for the sweet review!
Totally delicious, god for guests too :-)
Hi Katharina, thank you so much for your kind review!
Wow the best curry Iโve ever made at home!!! This is so delicious and satisfying and simple! This is going to become a regular weeknight dish. For heat, I just used a few slices of pickled jalapeรฑo because I have baby mouth and a teaspoon of regular chili powder. Perfect
Hi Aubrey, it’s great to hear you had success with the recipe. Thanks for the review!
We make this almost weekly in my house. It is absolutely delicious and so easy to make. Keeping the base of the ingredients in the pantry is very handy. When you start cooking, it comes together very quickly, so I usually have all of the ingredients measured out and ready to avoid burning.
Hi Kate, it’s great to hear you are such a fan of the recipe. Thanks for the review!
Love this recipe I use it atleast once a fortnight
Thanks for the lovely feedback, Helen!
This is my favourite curry and I get all excited every time my wife makes it for me. The flavours are amazing and works so well together. One addition we make is adding broken up cauliflower florets, which adds some nice bulk to the dish.
Thanks Nisha, love your work.
We’re thrilled you love the curry, David! :) Cauliflower sounds like a lovely addition.
Excellent recipe. Creamy and delicious, full of flavour. I used peanut butter instead of almond as it’s what we had, and was still great
Hi Joe, Thank you so much for such a fantastic review! Appreciate you taking the time!
Fantastic. Do you think adding some red wine would complement the flavors or would it clash? Thanks
Having made this dish many, many times, I think it would clash.
Hi Michael – I love curiosity! I would go ahead and skip adding red wine, I donโt think itโs needed and will clash with the other flavors (like almond butter), etc., There is already enough acidity from the crushed tomatoes and lemon juice too. Please feel free to eat the curry with a glass of red wine on the side if desired, though I think white wine typically pairs with Indian food better ๐
This was delicious! I will definitely be including this in our regular rotation.
It was my first time trying almond butter, it’s incredible. Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you for your lovely comment, Harjot! It makes us happy to know that you enjoyed the recipe.
Just made this tonight and, OMG, itโs just wonderful. So flavorful and pretty easy to make. Thank you.
Thanks for the lovely feedback, Patti!
I absolutely love this recipe. I have eaten Indian food my whole life and I’m bored of it (spoilt!) The addition of coconut milk and almond butter really make this stand out. Thank you so much, it has given me confidence to cook Indian food for vegetarian and vegan friends and have everyone come around.
We’re over the moon to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Alifya. Thanks for your kind words!
What do you use for “curry powder”? I heard that this is an invention of the British and that garam masala is the authentic “curry powder”. I made this with extra garam masala and no curry powder and it was good! Thank you.
Iโm suspecting thatโs what made it a tinge bitter. My mom usually never uses curry powder and I went to make Indian food myself today, followed this recipe, and it turned out good but there was something unfamiliar and a smidge bitter in the flavor and I suspect it was the curry powder. Iโll have to try it without that. I do think itโs either the garam masala or the curry powder since itโs a bit redundant and repetitive of the other spices called for.
Hi Star, the curry powder shouldn’t make the curry bitter. If you accidentally burned the spices in step 3 that could have turned the curry bitter! Hopefully you figure it out the next time around.
I use… Curry powder. Because it’s not garam masala, hence why it’s listed as two separate ingredients. I’m astonished that you’re making such sweeping statements about what is and isn’t “authentic” ingredients on a recipe written by someone with obvious heritage when you don’t even know what curry powder is of all things! I think she knows what she’s doing and why it’s listed as a necessary ingredient. Good grief.
Hi Lila, Our go-to brand is this Madra’s curry powder, which is our preference has a little more heat than standard curry powder blends. Good to hear this recipe worked out well for you, though! :)
Really tasty recipe. Will make it again! Thank you.
Thanks for the lovely feedback, Debby!