Vegan One-Pot Green Lentil Curry

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 really going to love this recipe for wintertime. It’ll warm you up on a cold day, and your whole family will love it!

Why you’ll love this green lentil curry:

• Quick: This green lentil recipe takes less than an hour to make
• Protein-Packed: This green lentil recipe is packed with protein from the green lentils which make 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

Ingredient Notes for Green Lentil Recipe: 

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 from the green 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 really overwhelming. Lentils are an inexpensive way to get a wide range of nutrients, which as someone who eats primarily plant-based, is why I love them. They’re packed with things like B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, and potassium. Lentils also have a ton of protein which makes them a great meat alternative and they fill you up!

Green lentils, next to brown lentils, are the most popular types. These types cook quickly and split and fall apart when cooked through which adds a great thickness and texture to soups and stews (or curries). Since these usually fall apart, they aren’t great for when you want whole lentils like for salads, but they work great in recipes like this green lentil curry.

How do you make curry with green lentils?

People always think curries must be hard to make because there is so much flavor in them, but you’re in luck, they aren’t! This green lentil recipe is simple and can be made in just a few steps. Here’s how you do it:

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

Expert Tips & FAQ: 

Lentils: You can use your fav lentils or legume in this recipe but I find green lentils end up with the best consistency. However, get creative and try other things. Chickpeas can be great too!

Freezing: Pack green lentil curry in sealed containers when cooled and store in your freezer for quick and easy meal prep.

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.

Other recipes you’ll love:

• Creamy Lentils with Spinach
• Maple Butter Roasted Acorn Squash
• Vegan Gluten-Free Stuffing
• Vegan Lentil Chili
• Lentil Shepherd’s Pie with Parsnip Mash

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One-Pot Green Lentil Curry

4.20 from 25 votes

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

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Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 35 mins

Total Time 50 mins

Course Vegan Meals

Cuisine Indian Inspired

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 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 cans of whole fat coconut milk
• 2 tsp. ground turmeric
• 1 tbsp. curry powder
• season to taste
• 1 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!

4.20 from 25 votes