Lentil Curry - mega flavour lentil recipe! (2024)

This lentil recipe is an eye opener – an incredible creamy coconut Lentil Curry made with just TWO spices! It’s a streamlined version of Indian Dal, delivering a similar intoxicating curry flavour but a whole lot less complicated.Make this with any type of dried lentils, canned, or even split peas!

Don’t let the simplicity of this recipe fool you. This is knock-your-socks-off good, and proof that you can eat amazing food on a budget.

Lentil Curry - mega flavour lentil recipe! (1)

“I’ll be honest and say I thought this would be lacking in flavour because I’m used to trying curries from scratch rather than with curry powder……How wrong was I?? I apologise wholeheartedly Nagi!! Amazing recipe, please try this people. Tasty, easy, mind blowingly awesome. xx” – Emily,10 April 2020

Lentil Recipe – easy – mega flavour!

I know it’s childish of me to complain, but this Lentil Curry took anirritatingly long time to create.

I wanted simple. Minimal ingredients. And meat-free. Not like, say, this more complex (but equally delicious) Beef and Lentil Soup.

Quick to make. Very little chopping, very few ingredients.

A “go to” lentil recipe I could make any night that didn’t sacrifice flavour for speed.

And it had to stack up to real Indian Dal.I love it. I just don’t always have the time or everything I need to make it.

I knew it was a pretty high benchmark. Creatingkapow! flavours out of plain lentils without going crazy with a list of spices.

But finally, I’m happy – and ready to share. Here it is!! (And just TWO SPICES!!)

Lentil Curry - mega flavour lentil recipe! (2)

Two little steps make all the difference…..

The key to cooking amazing food with bare minimum ingredients is good produce and knowing what to do to extract the most flavour out of what you have.

For this recipe, we’re going for the latter. We take our time sautéing the onions, ginger and garlic so they transform from raw harshness to a sweet, savoury flavour base. Then we cook off the two spices to make the flavour bloom.

These two little steps make all the difference so weonly need water for this curry, no stock!

What goes in Lentil Curry with Coconut Sauce

Here’s what you need:

Lentil Curry - mega flavour lentil recipe! (3)

  • Lentils –use any dried lentils or canned here. Brown, green, red, yellow, whether split or whole OR any type of dried split peas. Green split peas will result in an an interesting colour in your pot, but it will still be phenomenally delicious. Just avoid French lentils (Puy lentils / black lentils) as they don’t soften as well as other lentils so you won’t get the same creamy, thick texture.

  • Curry powder – This is the main shortcut, The beauty of this is that you don’t need any fancy curry powder, just your run-of-the-mill jar from the grocery store. I’ve made this with Clives of India, Keens, and a generic brand and they all tasted just as good. Just be mindful of using SPICY curry powder – check the label!

  • Garlic and ginger – while fresh is ideal (followed by jarred), powder is a sufficient substitute;

  • Coconut milk – if you use low fat instead of full fat, you are not allowed to complain if your sauce isn’t as good as you hoped!😂

How to make this lentil recipe

And here’s how to make it. It takes about 50 minutes start to finish, but the active effort is only around 10 minutes – and there’s a nice flow to it because you can gather and measure ingredients while you stir the onions every now and then.

Lentil Curry - mega flavour lentil recipe! (4)

The Secret to an amazing Lentil Recipe

The key step here is sautéing the onions, garlic and ginger over a low-ish heat until tinged with gold, and they transform into a sweet, savoury flavour base for the sauce so we only need waterinstead of stock or broth.

Then we also cook off the curry powder and turmeric which lets the spicesbloom before adding the lentils and everything else in to simmer away.

Just LOOK at that incredible sauce! So creamy! Loaded with flavour! (There are not enough exclamation marks in this world!!!)

Lentil Curry - mega flavour lentil recipe! (5)

What to serve with lentil curry

A sauce this good demands rice to soak it up, though if you’re on a low carb kick thencauliflower rice will work a treat. Basmati is on theme (being a curry and all) though plain white rice or brown rice is just fine too.

And if you really want to go all out, add a side of flatbread: Either real-deal naan or my general-purpose flatbread (an easy, no yeast recipe and I serve it as naan all the time with Indiancurries).

How to cook Basmati Rice
Easy Soft Flatbread Recipe (No Yeast)
How to cook white rice – easily and perfectly
Cauliflower Rice

Now, go forth and experience the greatness that is lentils!! Economical, filling, nourishing – the world’s greatest source of plant based protein, all wrapped up in a coconut curry sauce. YESS!!! – Nagi x

Watch how to make it

Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.

Lentil Curry - mega flavour lentil recipe! (11)

Lentil Curry - mega flavour lentil recipe!

Author: Nagi

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 55 minutes mins

Mains

Indian

4.99 from 215 votes

Servings5 - 6

Tap or hover to scale

Print

Recipe video above. This will be an eye opener for you - an incredible creamy coconut curry made with just TWO spices! Hugely economical, this is essentially a streamlined version of Indian Dahl, delivering a similar intoxicating curry flavour but a whole lot less complicated.

Ingredients

  • 50g (3 tbsp) butter , unsalted (sub 2 tbsp neutral oil)
  • 4 garlic cloves , finely minced (Note 1)
  • 1.5 tbsp ginger , finely minced (Note 1)
  • 1 onion , finely chopped (white, yellow, brown)
  • 2 tbsp curry powder , mild or spicy (your choice!) (Note 2)
  • 1/2 tsp tumeric powder
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper , optional
  • 1 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup dried lentils , green or brown (or any other dried lentils or split peas, Note 3)
  • 400 ml / 14 oz coconut milk , full fat
  • 400g/ 14 oz canned tomato , crushed or diced
  • 3 cups (750 ml) water

Serving:

  • 1/2 cup coriander/cilantro , finely chopped
  • Yogurt , optional
  • Basmati rice (or other rice)

Instructions

  • Saute onion: Melt butter in a pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and ginger. Slowly cook, stirring every now and then, for 10 minutes until tinged with gold and the onion is sweet.

  • Cook off spices: Turn heat up to high, add curry powder and turmeric, stir for 1 1/2 minutes.

  • Add everything else: Add remaining ingredients and stir. Bring to simmer, then place lid on and adjust heat to low / medium low so it's simmering gently.

  • Simmer: Simmer for 30 minutes, then remove lid and simmer for a further 10 minutes to reduce the sauce. {Note 2 for cook times of other lentils}

  • Lentils should be soft, sauce should be thickened and creamy. Too thick, add water. Too thin, simmer with lid off - thickens quickly.

  • Coriander: Stir through half the coriander, then taste and add more salt if needed.

  • Serve over basmati rice, sprinkled with more coriander and a dollop of yogurt. (Low carb option - cauliflower rice).

Recipe Notes:

1. Garlic and ginger - while fresh is ideal (followed by jarred), powder is a sufficient substitute - use 1 tsp of each and add with curry powder.

2. Curry powder - I use Clives of India, Keens, and a generic brand and all tasted the same. The beauty of this recipe is that you don't need any fancy curry powder, just your run-of-the-mill jar from the grocery store.

3. Lentils -use any dried lentils or canned here, or split peas (will result in an an interesting colour in your pot, but it will still be phenomenally delicious!).

NOTE: Age of lentils will affect cook times. Very old dried lentils can take double the cook time. Just keep adding water until it is cooked. Cook times provided are packets purchased within the past few months from a grocery store (ie not super fresh but not extremely old).

COOK TIMES:

  • Green and brown lentils - most common & cheapest, cook per recipe
  • Canned lentils (2 cans drained) - 25 min, uncovered the whole time
  • Red split lentils - 25 min, uncovered the whole time
  • Yellow or green split peas - 25 min, uncovered the whole time
  • Any dal (Indian lentils) such as channa dal, toor dal or moong dal - per recipe
  • French lentils (Puy lentils / black lentils) - not recommended as they don't soften as well as other lentils so you won't get the same creamy, thick texture.

4. Storage - will keep in fridge for up to 5 days, and in freezer for 3 months (thaw, heat, give it a good stir and it will be as good as new. Use water to thin slightly if needed.)

5. Nutrition per serving, excluding rice.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 414cal (21%)Carbohydrates: 36g (12%)Protein: 14g (28%)Fat: 26g (40%)Saturated Fat: 20g (125%)Cholesterol: 22mg (7%)Sodium: 782mg (34%)Potassium: 865mg (25%)Fiber: 15g (63%)Sugar: 5g (6%)Vitamin A: 544IU (11%)Vitamin C: 13mg (16%)Calcium: 91mg (9%)Iron: 7mg (39%)

Keywords: lentil curry, lentil recipe

Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @recipe_tin.

Life of Dozer

Dozer in lockdown mode. This is what passer byes see.

(Don’t worry, he still gets out once a day to the dog park! He just doesn’t go out as much as he used to. Like all of us. 😩)

Lentil Curry - mega flavour lentil recipe! (12)

Lentil Curry - mega flavour lentil recipe! (2024)

FAQs

How long does lentil curry last in the fridge? ›

How long does it keep? This red lentil curry will keep well in the fridge for 4 to 5 days and it's easily reheated in a pot on the stovetop. It also freezes really well, for up to 3 months. Thaw it fully in the fridge overnight before reheating.

How long do lentils take to cook? ›

Bring to a boil, cover tightly, reduce heat and simmer until they are tender. For whole lentils, cook time is typically 15-20 minutes. For split red lentils, cook time is typically only about 5-7 minutes. Be sure to season with salt after cooking – if salt is added before, the lentils will become tough.

How to make and eat lentils? ›

To prepare lentils, first rinse them in a strainer. Next, place one cup of lentils in a large pot with 2½ cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain well.

Can I use yogurt instead of coconut milk in curry? ›

Yogurt. Like heavy cream and half and half, higher fat plain yogurts of all types could also substitute coconut milk for the color and a similarly smooth and creamy texture. Because yogurt has a lower fat content than coconut milk, the consistency could be slightly thinner with the 1:1 substitution ratio.

How do you know if lentils have gone bad? ›

Any off-putting odor, noticeable changes in color, or signs of mold are clear indicators that the lentils have gone bad. Additionally, lentils that appear cracked, very dry, or have a chalky texture should not be consumed.

How to know if curry is spoiled? ›

Foul Odor: If the food emits an unpleasant or sour odor, it's likely spoiled and should be discarded. Mold Growth: Any visible mold on the food is a clear sign of spoilage.

How much does 1 cup of lentils make? ›

As a general rule, one cup of dried lentils yields two to two-and-a-half cups of cooked lentils. Because of their rather delicate, earthy flavor, lentils work well in a variety of dishes and in almost any type of cuisine.

What happens if you don't soak lentils before cooking? ›

Here's why soaking lentils is important

Fact 1: Soaking lentils improves digestion and nutrition absorption as it can neutralise lectins and phytates present that may cause gas and bloating. Fact 2: Soaking lentils also reduces its cooking time. It also brings prana (life) into the legume.

Can you overcook lentils? ›

Yes, you can overcook lentils; they will become mushy. Much depends on the type of lentil you're using. Some cook quicker and hold their shape better than others. To avoid overcooking them, always follow the cooking directions in your recipe and use the type of lentils called for in the ingredient list.

What makes lentils taste better? ›

Think more like you're cooking pasta- you just need significantly more water than lentils. You can also use broth instead of adding an extra layer of flavor. I like adding a bay leaf, an onion cut in half, and a clove of garlic to add flavor to the lentils.

What is the best thing to eat with lentils? ›

If you have a few root vegetables hanging out in your fridge, those are also great with lentils, like in this warm lentil and root vegetable salad with parsnips and carrots. Lentils are particularly nice with cheese, as in this grilled halloumi and lentil salad.

Should you rinse lentils before cooking? ›

Lentils do not require it but can be soaked in order to reduce cooking time by about half. Before cooking, rinse lentils in cold water, pick over to remove debris or shrivelled lentils, then drain.

Why do you put yogurt in curry? ›

It's common practice in India to add yogurt to Indian cooking. People add it to curry to balance the spices and lighten the dish. It can also make thick curry, a thin. Hence, it can really elevate the flavors of the dish.

When to add yogurt to curry? ›

Yogurt should be thick Greek yogurt which is not very sour. If you are not sure about yogurt use or afraid it will curdle.. Use half yogurt and half cream and mix it in last step after the curry is ready.

Can you use vanilla yogurt in curry? ›

VERY tasty curry indeed, TRUE! Used vanilla low fat yogurt too! GREAT for entertaining, worked for me! As I LOVE it HOT, I added diced chilli!

How long does cooked lentil curry last? ›

Once you've put it out, ideally you should eat it within 4 hours. If you allow any leftovers to cool, make sure to refrigerate in a container with a lid and chill. You can keep leftovers of Lentil Curry in the fridge for approximately 3 days.

How long can you store lentil curry? ›

I also really enjoy crushed cashews as a topping. Storage: Store leftover Kale Lentil Curry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze in individual servings for up to 3 months.

How long does dhal curry last in the fridge? ›

Dal will keep refrigerated for about five days and can be gently reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave. You can also freeze dal for up to three months (try this method).

Do cooked lentils go bad in the fridge? ›

Cooked lentils and lentil puree can be frozen and used within three months, or refrigerated for up to one week. Be sure that they are sealed tight in air-tight containers or plastic bags to prevent freezer burn.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Sen. Emmett Berge

Last Updated:

Views: 5589

Rating: 5 / 5 (60 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Sen. Emmett Berge

Birthday: 1993-06-17

Address: 787 Elvis Divide, Port Brice, OH 24507-6802

Phone: +9779049645255

Job: Senior Healthcare Specialist

Hobby: Cycling, Model building, Kitesurfing, Origami, Lapidary, Dance, Basketball

Introduction: My name is Sen. Emmett Berge, I am a funny, vast, charming, courageous, enthusiastic, jolly, famous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.