Vegan Curry with Green Lentils

Gluten Free

Vegan One-Pot Curry with Green Lentils

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Green Lentil Curry in a serving dish with two hands holding it.

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

35 minutes

Yield

4

This creamy, vegan curry made with green lentils can be made in one-pot in less than an hour. Perfect to warm you up on a cold winter day.

Does anyone love curry as much as I do? It’s so easy to make but NEVER falls short of bold flavor. This vegan one-pot green lentil curry is exactly that. It’s creamy, full of flavor you love in a curry, but still healthy and only takes 50 minutes to make. I think you’re going to love this recipe for wintertime. It’ll warm you up on a cold day, and your whole family will love it!

Green Lentil Curry in a serving dish with a serving spoon.

❤️ Why You’ll Love Curry with Green Lentils

  • Quick: This green lentil recipe takes less than an hour to make
  • Protein-Packed: This green lentil recipe is packed with protein from the lentils which makes it a filling and hearty meal
  • One-Pot: Mess-free and made in only one pot. You can even make this recipe in an instant pot if you wish
  • Vegan-friendly: Vegan-friendly and perfect for anyone in your family with dairy allergies
  • Super flavorful: If there is one thing curry should be, it’s flavorful. This lentil curry does not fall short

🍲 Ingredients

Green Lentils: Low in sodium and saturated fat but high in potassium, fiber, folate, and antioxidants, lentils are truly a magical legume, especially for a plant-based diet in need of protein. This lentil curry recipe is loaded with flavor but also the health benefits of lentils. For this green lentil recipe, I used green lentils, but as you might know, there are so many types of lentils out there that can be overwhelming. Lentils are an inexpensive way to get a wide range of nutrients.

👩‍🍳 How to Make Curry with Green Lentils

  1. Heat a large pot on medium heat before adding the coconut oil.  Heat for 30 seconds then sautee the ginger, onion, and garlic.  Sweat it out for around 5- 6 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning or heavy browning.
  2. To the pot, add the green curry paste, coconut milk, turmeric, curry powder, seasoning, lentils, soy sauce, and brown sugar.
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil then simmer with the lid on for 30 minutes.
  4. At the last minute, add the lime juice and cook for another few minutes.
  5. Serve with fresh cilantro and lime on a bed of hot rice or rice noodles.

🪄 Tips and Tricks

  • Lentils: You can use your fav lentils or legumes in this recipe but I find lentils end up with the best consistency. However, get creative and try other things. Chickpeas can be great too!
  • Gluten-Free: To make this green lentil recipe gluten-free use tamari instead of soy sauce.
  • Curry Paste: I prefer traditional green curry paste from a Thai grocery market for the most flavor in my green lentil curry.
green lentil recipe in a serving dish with two hands holding it.


🗒 Best served with

👝 How to Store Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the fridge, you can also freeze this by packing cooled curry in a sealed container(s) and storing for quick and easy meal prep.

🤔 Common Questions

What are the differences between green and regular lentils?

They have thicker skin which helps them keep their shape during cooking. This also means their cooking time is longer than other lentils. However, they are great in curries, soups, and stews because they hold their shape.

What can I use instead of coconut milk?

You can use a thicker, full-fat milk product like whipping cream or half-and-half cream. If you don’t have either, you can use plain Greek yogurt.

One-Pot Curry with Green Lentils

4.10 from 40 votes
This creamy, vegan curry made with green lentils can be made in one-pot in less than an hour. Perfect to warm you up on a cold winter day.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Vegan Meals
Cuisine Indian Inspired
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 2 tbsp. minced ginger
  • 1 small onion thinly sliced
  • 3-4 garlic cloves pressed
  • 4 tbsp. store bought green curry paste
  • 2 400 mL cans of whole fat coconut milk
  • 2 tsp. ground turmeric
  • 1 tbsp. curry powder
  • season to taste
  • 1 1 mL can of green lentils washed and drained
  • 1 tbsp. soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp. brown sugar
  • juice of half a lime
  • serve with: more lime and fresh cilantro

Instructions
 

  • Heat a large pot on medium heat before adding the coconut oil.  Heat for 30 seconds then sautee the ginger, onion and garlic.  Sweat it out for around 5- 6 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning or heavy browning.
  • To the pot, add the green curry paste, coconut milk, turmeric, curry powder, seasoning, lentils, soy sauce and brown sugar.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil then simmer with the lid on for 30 minutes.
  • At the last minute, add in the lime juice and cook for another few minutes.
  • Serve with fresh cilantro and lime on a bed of hot rice or rice noodles.

Notes

You could also use vegetable oil.
If you are GF, use Tamari instead of soy sauce.
I recommend a traditional Green Curry Paste from a Thai Grocery Market.
Review This Recipe Let us know how it was!
Tieran

How much lentils is your “can of lentils” exactly?

Maria Koutsogiannis

It’s 300 mL!

Julie stava

What sort of curry powder to use? The green curry paste was that Thai green curry paste???

Julie Stava

Question a Thai green curry paste? Curry powder, an Indian curry powder??? Or Malaysian curry powder….or doesn’t it matter??

Maria Koutsogiannis

I believe either would do the trick!

Adrian C

We don’t have canned lentils where I live. How would one adapt this using dry lentils?

Maria Koutsogiannis

Cook the lentils you have first then add as instructed in the recipe!

Vic

I soak them for 15 -20 minutes, follow the recipe, but cook jn a slow cooker.

Maria Koutsogiannis

That sounds great!

Sandy Kelston

5 stars
Made it for supper tonight
OMG! Delicious!!!

Maria Koutsogiannis

isn’t it just so good!!! Thanks for the love hun!

Sabrina Clermont

5 stars
This is delicious! I kept the last leftovers for myselft 🙃. You really have the touch!!

Maria Koutsogiannis

thank you so much!!!

Cara Geist

5 stars
This recipe adapts well for use with dry lentils also- which is how I made it- and it turned out sooooo good!

Maria Koutsogiannis

YES!!! that makes me so happy!

Henry Peters

5 stars
The spices and flavours in this are just perfect!

Maria Koutsogiannis

Thank you so much, Henry!

Roberta Bertoll

5 stars
I made this and enjoyed it with naan bread, it was great!

Maria Koutsogiannis

So glad you loved this!

Olivia

5 stars
So creamy and delicious loved how easy it was so make

Maria Koutsogiannis

Thank you!!

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