It's soup day here on WGC and this Curry Lentil Soup is going to go right up there with your other favs like Chicken Tortilla Soup, Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili, and Potato Leek Soup I can guarantee it! No questions asked!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
You didn't think I'd let the first few days of October go by without a soup did you? I think not!! Just disregard the fact that it is literally 80+ degrees in LA today... it's fall on the calendar and we're going with it.
Soups are an essential part of the next few months. And we are solid when it comes to soups here on WGC over in the soup section - but one that kept popping up was a lentil soup! Random, I know, but apparently everyone loves it. I'll be honest, I was hesitant at first because I was somewhat skeptical of lentils as a kid - but mix it with coconut milk and curry and a TON of garlic and ginger and I could eat this lentil soup every day.
This Curry Lentil Soup is the perfect soup no matter who you're feeding. It's naturally vegan, incredibly filling and packed with flavor from the curry and the coconut milk. All in all... it's perfection. And, if this soup is on your rotation and want to try something similar, try the curry coconut noodle soup, which is also delicious.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Coconut Oil
- Yellow Onion
- Red Bell Pepper
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Curry Powder red, yellow or green curry powders all work
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Lentils you can use any color lentils you have on hand
- Canned Crushed Tomatoes
- Cilantro feel free to sub for chives or basil
- Salt and Pepper
- Unsweetened Coconut Milk
- Limes
*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below.
How to Make Curry Lentil Soup
Step 1: Heat the oil in a medium dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and sauté, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
Step 2: Add garlic, ginger, curry powder, and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
Step 3: Add the lentils and cook for about 1 minute more, stirring occasionally.
Step 4: Add tomatoes, cilantro, 2½ cups water and season with salt and pepper. Set aside a few tablespoons of the coconut milk and add remaining coconut milk to dutch oven.
Step 5: Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce heat to simmer, stirring occasionally, until lentils are soft but not mushy, 20-25 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
How to Store Curry Lentil Soup
You can store this soup in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. When time to eat, warm it in the microwave or on stovetop in a saucepan till its warmed through.
How to Freeze Curry Lentil Soup
You can freeze this soup for about 3 months in airtight container. It would be much easier if you pre-portioned before freezing. This way you can just thaw as much as you need overnight and just warm it through in a microwave or stovetop when its time to eat.
Tips & Tricks
You can use any color lentils you have on hand for this lentil soup recipe! And some goes for curry powder... red, yellow and green all work in this recipe interchangeably! The rest is pretty self explanatory. If you're anti-cilantro then use some chives or basil on top! Just promise me that you won't forget to garnish with the lime juice. That fresh pop of flavor really makes this lentil soup sing!
FAQs
Why is my lentil soup not thick?
It's usually because too much liquid was added or the lentil soup did not simmer long enough for the lentils to absorb all of the cooking liquid.
Can I use any lentils?
Yes, you can use any type of lentils you have on hand. Just keep in mind that cooking time may vary depending on the type of lentils.
Similar Recipes
If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today
Curry Lentil Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 yellow onion finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper finely chopped
- 8 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 2 ½ inch piece of ginger peeled and finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¾ cup lentils
- 14.5 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup cilantro finely chopped, plus more for garnish
- kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 13.5 ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
- lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a medium dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and sauté, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
- Add garlic, ginger, curry powder, and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the lentils and cook for about 1 minute more, stirring occasionally.
- Add tomatoes, cilantro, 2½ cups water and season with salt and pepper. Set aside a few tablespoons of the coconut milk and add remaining coconut milk to dutch oven.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce heat to simmer, stirring occasionally, until lentils are soft but not mushy, 20-25 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- To serve, divide soup among bowls. Drizzle with reserved coconut milk and top with plenty of cilantro. Serve with lots of lime wedges.
So yummy! I had to cook the lentils a little longer than the recipe suggests. We loved this recipe!
Hi Gaby,
what other milk can i use instead of coconut, maybe soy or rice ?
soy or rice milk would absolutely work
Hi! Could you do this in a slow cooker? Any recommendations for that?
Thanks!
I haven't but I'm sure you could!
Love love loved this!! It was so easy to throw together early in the afternoon and then heat up at dinner time along side some naan. So good! Thanks Gaby!
Another great one to add to my winter menu! My 12 year old son loved this recipe, and wasn't happy that I finished off the leftovers! This recipe is simple and will defiantly make it again.
Made this recipe and loved it!! It is the best lentils I have ever made.
This was easy and delicious! A great weeknight meal. I used an blender to blend the veggies prior to adding the lentils to make it smoother (it's a texture thing). It was filling and nutritious! Would definitely make it again.
Sooooo delish and had a ton of flavor! I put rotisserie chicken in mine and had garlic naan bread to dip in it.
Super simple to make and so tasty! Don’t leave out the lime as it really enhances it!
do we add the lentils dry?
yes!
Could you make this in an Instantpot? Looks delish!
I'm sure you could!! I don't see why not!
This was delicious! I’m eating it as I type. I added a bit more ginger and curry because i used a 28oz can of tomatoes (all I could find in Toronto) and I can’t get enough.
So hearty and delicious! Incredibly easy to put together and inexpensive to make ALOT. Great for leftovers or to freeze. I left out the cilantro and I did add a little more coconut milk and curry powder but thats just a personal preference.
Ok I am loving this soup!!! Made it yesterday morning before work...it is that easy and fast! Ate it for lunch 2x and loved every bite. Thank you!
Bless your heart for this bomb ass recipe! Love it!