This vegan lentil curry is absolutely amazing. It's simple, exotic, spicy, tasty, creamy and has an intense coconut flavor. I like to serve it with rice.
I'm in love with this vegan lentil curry, it's my favorite lentil recipe, I eat it almost every week. Besides, it's a super easy and flavorful dish. If you love Indian cuisine as mush as I do, you need to try this awesome lentil curry.
I usually eat lentils with rice, it's a satisfying and nutritious meal, and also a great combination, so delicious! This recipe is diet-friendly, especially if you don't add any oil.
I love coconut milk, it has fat, but if you include it in moderation in a healthy, balanced diet, it's not a problem and you can make it at home, it's so easy, you only need water and coconut (fresh or shredded). Anyway, if you don't like coconut milk or if you prefer a lighter version use water or any other plant milk. The rest of the ingredients are pretty light and nutritious. It's a flavorful recipe because we added so many spices (feel free to add other spices or remove any).
Garam masala is a mixture of spices very popular in Indian cuisine. If you can't find it, just make it at home or use the spices you have on hand. The composition of garam masala differs regionally. The components of the mix are toasted, then ground together. A typical Indian version of garam masala contains: turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, cumin seeds and cardamom pods, but you can also add other spices such as garlic powder, ginger, sesame seeds, mustard seeds, coriander, nutmeg, fennel or cayenne powder.
I eat legumes at least 3 or 4 times a week and I'm always trying new legume recipes. This vegan lentil curry is a staple for me, it's a pretty simple recipe, but it takes time, although it's totally worth it. If you like curry, lentils and coconut, you need to try it.
If you like this vegan lentil curry, check out these lentil recipes: low-fat vegan Shepherd's pie, lentil salad, easy lentil curry and vegan sloppy joes.
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment below, share it, rate it or tag a picture @simpleveganblog on Instagram and hashtag it #simpleveganblog. We'd love to see what you cook!
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Vegan Lentil Curry
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked lentils
- 1 cup uncooked basmati rice
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves of garlic
- ½ onion
- 16 ounces tomato sauce
- ⅔ cup full-fat coconut milk
- 2 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
Instructions
- Cook lentils according to package directions (we cooked them for 40 minutes over medium-high heat). Drain and set aside.
- Cook basmati rice according to package directions. We cooked them for 12 minutes over medium-high heat. Drain and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a frying pan, add the garlic and the onion (finely chopped) and cook them over medium-high heat until golden brown.
- Add the tomato sauce, coconut milk and spices and cook for about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Add cooked lentils, stir and cook for at least 15 or 20 minutes.
- Serve the lentils over the basmati rice. You can add some chopped cilantro on top.
- Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
- I like brown lentils, but any type of lentils will do.
- Use your favorite type of rice or even other grains like quinoa or buckwheat.
- If you want to make this recipe oil-free, just sauté the veggies in some water or oil-free broth.
- Chopped tomatoes can be used instead of the tomato sauce.
- If you don't like coconut, add water or any plant milk instead of the coconut milk.
- Use your favorite veggies and spices.
Laura says
Hi Iosune, just wondering about the lentils....220g I am assuming is the uncooked weight yeah? If let's say I was using already cooked canned lentils....how many grams would I need to make your recipe?? Looks great....looking forward to making it!!! Thanks heaps, Laura ?
Iosune says
Hi Laura! Yes, 220 g of uncooked lentils. I'm so sorry, but I don't know how many grams of cooked or canned lentils you should add to the recipe. I'd add 1 cup of canned lentils and then I'd add more if needed. Hope the recipe works for you!
Laydia says
This was DELICIOUS! I made a few minor tweaks because I decided to double the recipe and use precooked lentils from Trader Joes, but it still came out perfectly. The changes I made were using the full 2.25 cup pack of lentils, using one can of tomato sauce and one can of diced tomatoes instead of doubling the amount of tomato sauce and also using the full can of coconut milk (waste not, want not lol). Thanks for such a killer recipe!
Iosune says
Hi Laydia! I'm so glad you liked it 😀 Thank you so much for your comment!
Charlotte says
Is this freezable? I only eat for one and I don't want to eat it everyday so I was wondering if I could freeze it and have it another day 🙂
Iosune says
Hi Charlotte! It is 🙂 Have a nice day!
Lizzie says
wow, this was just amazing. I'll be making this a lot : )) AND checking out your other recipes.
Iosune says
Thanks a lot Lizzie! I'm so glad you enjoyed the curry 😉
Marie says
so easy and delicious!!!
Iosune says
Thanks a lot Marie!
jack says
Im sure it would be tasty but who in there right mind would make a curry without any vegetables?!
Iosune says
Hi Jack! You can add your favorite veggies if you want 🙂
Danielle says
can I use canned coconut milk or will it be to thick?
Iosune says
Hi Danielle! Yes, you can 🙂
Tuuliki says
I can't count the times I've made it, since I discovered it. It wasn't that long ago, but I love it so much. It's so easy, it tastes good and when you heat it up, it's as good as the day you made it.
I must admit, I've skipped the oil, onion and garlic lately, as it makes the preparation even faster.
But I don't miss those ingredients.
Iosune says
Hi Tuuliki! I'm so glag to read that! 😀 We also make this oil-free now and it also tastes great! <3
Fia says
Hi what's a substitute for gram masala please
Iosune says
Hi Fia! You can make it at home https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garam_masala or add some curry powder instead. Have a nice day!
Nuria says
Absolutely delicious!
Iosune says
Thanks a lot Nuria!
Jessica says
I love this recipe, I make it all the time!
I only use 1/2 Tbs of coconut oil instead of the olive but other than that I follow it as written. Absolutely delicious with pappadams. Thank you!
Iosune says
Hi Jessica! Thanks a lot 🙂 You can also make it oil-free using a little bit of water or veggie broth 😉
Corinne says
This was so easy (I must admit to using tinned lentils though as well as improvising on the technique) and was soooo good. Looked better than an Indian take away - and considering my first lentil curry so happy.
Iosune says
Hi Corinne! I'm so glad you liked it 🙂 Have a beautiful day!
Hannah says
Thanks for the amazing recipe! I think this is my new favourite. I added some chickpeas and diced tomatoes to it. ?
Iosune says
Hi Hannah! Thank you so much 😀 It sounds sooo good!!