5-Ingredient Red Lentil Curry

Last Updated on December 17, 2024 by Christin Gillespie

This vegan 5-Ingredient Red Lentil Curry recipe is packed with cozy spices & is super creamy, thanks to coconut milk. It’s the perfect easy curry recipe to whip up on a busy weeknight!

A creamy coconut infused vegan red lentil curry recipe is my ultimate comfort food. It’s super satisfying, yet made with good-for-you ingredients. My favorite part is that it requires just 5-ingredients to make. 

Most dal recipes use a variety of spices like ground cumin, turmeric, coriander, etc. I chose to keep it simple, just using curry powder, as well as the option of cayenne pepper. If you want to go the traditional route, check out my Vegan Red Lentil Dal recipe. I promise, it’s still easy to make & very delicious.

No matter which vegan dish you decide on, this 5-Ingredient Red Lentil Curry recipe is still quick to make & is on the table in 20 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This 5-Ingredient Red Lentil Curry

• Quick & Easy: This vegan curry recipe requires 5 ingredients, uses one-pot, & is on the table in 20 minutes.
• Fully Customizable: Feel free to crank up the heat with some additional spice or take it down a notch if you can’t handle the heat. The option to add extra veggies is also available too!
• Great for Meal Prep: This 5-Ingredient Red Lentil Curry recipe stores well in the fridge, making it a great recipe to meal prep for quick vegan dinners throughout the week.

Ingredients

• Organic Red Lentils: Red lentils are essential for making this curry recipe. You cannot substitute black, green, or brown lentils here, because they will cook very differently. Oh and be sure to rinse your lentils before adding them to the pot. 
• Organic Full-Fat Unsweetened Coconut Milk: This is essential to make a creamy curry. I don’t recommend subbing for regular non-dairy milk and be sure that your coconut milk comes from a can, not the carton. My favorite brand is Native Forest.
• Organic Low-Sodium Vegetable Broth: Along with the coconut milk, we’ll be adding in some broth to ensure that the lentils are cooked perfectly. Spring water will also work if you’re in a pinch.
• Organic Spices: Curry powder, cayenne pepper, sea salt, & black pepper, are used to spice up this vegan curry recipe.

How To Make

1. Simmer the Curry. In a large pot, add the rinsed red lentils, coconut milk, & vegetable broth or spring water. Bring to a boil & cook for 15 minutes, until lentils have softened.
2. Add Spices. Stir in the spices and cook for another 5 minutes.
3. Serve. Serve with cooked cauliflower rice, fresh greens, and a dollop of coconut yogurt. Garnish with cilantro & a pinch of red pepper flakes, if desired. Enjoy!

Tips for Making this Vegan Curry Perfectly

• Organic Red Lentils: Be sure to rinse your red lentils before adding them to the pot. This will remove any bitterness from the lentils.
• Organic Vegetables: Feel free to add in veggies! I think adding some chopped onions, carrots, or bell peppers, would pair perfectly! Be sure to sauté first, before adding the lentils, coconut milk, & vegetable broth/water.
• Spice Level: If you’re a fan of spicy curry, add a few more dashes of cayenne pepper. And if you don’t do spicy, reduce the amount or simply leave it out. 
• Organic Full-Fat Unsweetened Coconut Milk: Use organic full-fat unsweetened coconut milk from the can, not the carton. This will ensure that your curry is super creamy. My favorite brand is Native Forest.

Storing & Reheating

As mentioned above, this vegan 5-Ingredient Red Lentil Curry recipe is perfect for leftovers & meal prep!

Fridge Storage. Transfer curry to an air-tight glass container & refrigerator for up to 5 days. 

Reheating. To reheat, transfer the curry to a saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a little extra water or broth as needed until warm.

More Vegan Curry Recipes You’ll Love

• Curry Butternut Squash Red Lentil Stew
• Vegan Curried Chickpea Salad
• Vegan Curry Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Bowls with Coconut Yogurt
• Butternut Squash Red Lentil Curry Soup

Sharing Is Caring!

If you make this recipe, please leave a review & rating below! I love hearing from you and it helps others learn more about the recipe too. Lastly, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, & TikTok for even more deliciousness & wellness tips!

Xoxo.

Christin.

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