Go Back
+ servings
Vegetarian lentil curry in a bowl.
4.67 from 6 votes

Lentil Curry

This vegetarian lentil curry is flavor packed and oh so delicious. Serve it alongside a grain of your choice.
Prep 40 minutes
Cook 40 minutes
Total 1 hour 20 minutes
Fat 18
Carbs 80
Protein 15
Yield 8

Ingredients

Spinach

  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • ½ yellow onion minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt separated
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
  • 5 oz. fresh spinach
  • 15 oz. crushed tomatoes

Lentils

  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 2 teaspoons turmeric powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
  • ½ large yellow onion diced
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt separated
  • 4 cups diced sweet potatoes peeled and diced in ¼-inch cubes (~ 2 medium sweet potatoes)
  • 1 cup sliced carrot rounds
  • 1 cup green lentils
  • 15 oz. crushed tomatoes
  • 15 oz. full-fat coconut milk
  • 1.5 cups vegetable broth

Other Ingredients

  • 3.5 cups water
  • 2 cups basmati rice
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro

Instructions

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in a large Dutch oven over medium/high heat. Add onion to the coconut oil with ¼ teaspoon of salt and turmeric. Saute the onion for 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook them until fragrant or for 1-2 minutes.
  • Add spinach, crushed tomatoes, and the remaining salt, and toss all of the ingredients together. Cover the pot and allow the spinach to wilt, for about 2-3 minutes.
    A pot with meat and spinach in it.
  • Remove the pot from the heat and scrape the spinach into a high-powered blender and blend on high until smooth. Set aside.
    A blender filled with tomato sauce and spinach.
  • Wipe the Dutch oven clean and melt 2 tablespoons of coconut oil over medium heat. Add the turmeric, cumin, and coriander seeds to the coconut oil. Toss all the ingredients together and toast the spices over medium heat until fragrant.
    A pot with a sauce in it on a white surface.
  • Add the onion and 1 teaspoon of salt to the spices and toss. Sauté the onion for 2-3 minutes and then add the garlic and ginger. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
  • Transfer the sweet potatoes, carrots, and lentils to the onion and toss. Cook everything together for 3-4 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, coconut milk, broth the spinach puree to the vegetables and bring to a boil.
    A pot filled with carrots and lentils.
  • Turn the heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring periodically to make sure the lentils are not sticking to the bottom of the pot.
    A pot of lentil soup with a spoon in it.
  • Prepare the basmati rice while the lentils are cooking. Bring 3.5 cups water to a boil and add rice to the water and cover. Turn the heat to low and let the rice simmer for bout 20 minutes.
  • Remove the rice from the heat and fluff it with a fork. Set aside.
  • The curry is done when the lentils still have a bite to them. Serve with rice and top with cilantro.
    Vegetarian lentil curry in a bowl.

Tips & Notes

  • Fresh spinach works best for this recipe.
  • Be sure you use a high-speed blender when you make the spinach puree. Everything must be blended and smooth.
  • We suggest using brown or green lentils instead of red lentils.
  • You can use any root vegetables in place of sweet potatoes and carrots.
  • If you like a spicy curry, add ½ - 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the pot in step #4.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 523kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 18g | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 10g