Red Curry Lentils Recipe (Vegan)

Name: Red Curry Lentils Recipe (Vegan)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 cup cooked lentils ((green, brown or red)); 15 ounces canned diced tomatoes; 1 ½ tablespoons red curry paste ((mild)); ⅓ cup unsweetened plant-based milk ((almond, oat, cashew)); ½ large onion, diced ((yellow or white)); 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon cumin; 1 teaspoon turmeric powder

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This Red Curry Lentils Recipe is a delicious and easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love. Enjoy a low-fat version made with lentils, diced tomatoes, fresh curry paste, creamy almond milk, onion and spices. In this article, I will show you how to make the perfect vegan comfort food that is heathy and hearty.

This Red Curry Lentils Recipe is the ultimate healthy and hearty comfort food. I was always under the impression that curry was a very spicy ingredient, but I was wrong. When I first tested this recipe, I was pleasantly surprised to find that curry was rich in flavor, incredibly tasty and mild in spice. No wonder curry lentils are such a popular dish in the vegan community. It reminds me of beef bolognese since the lentils are hearty and meaty. This dish is sure to fill up even the hungriest!

Making this dish for Red Curry Lentils is really easy, making it a great weeknight meal to whip up. I always have a bowl of pre-cooked lentils stocked in my fridge as part of my meal prep. Otherwise, making lentils is as easy as letting it cook in a pot of boiling water until tender. Then, all you do is add the onion, garlic, curry, almond milk, and spices and it’s ready to serve.

What are lentils?

Lentils are another inexpensive legume that many vegans use regularly. Just like chickpeas, canned lentils go for around $1 or less and are non-perishable. They are packed with protein for energy and are high in fiber which is great for keeping you feeling full like meat would. Lentils are small and can be compared to the texture of ground beef or turkey which is why many vegans use lentils in soups and chilis.

Ingredients for Red Curry Lentils Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need for Red Curry Lentils

Making this dish only requires a few ingredients, most of which are pantry staples. Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make red curry lentils.

Lentils: you can use green, brown or red lentils for this recipe. Boil 3-4 cups of water to 1 cup dry lentils.
Crushed Tomatoes: use canned crushed tomatoes or diced petite tomatoes for the sauce.
Curry Paste: a few tablespoons of curry paste adds amazing flavors to the recipe and it’s very cheap.
Unsweetened Plant Milk: most recipes use coconut milk which is super creamy but very high in fat. If you don’t mind the high fat content, use that. If you want a low-fat dish, use unsweetened plant-based milk like almond milk. The dish still turns out creamy and delicious.
Onion: diced yellow or white onion.
Spices: garlic powder, cumin and turmeric powder.

How To Make Red Curry Lentils Recipe

Time needed: 25 minutes.

Step by step instructions to make red curry lentils.

Cook the Lentils
Bring 3-4 cups of water to boil. Stir in 1 cup of dry lentils. Cover with a lid and cook for 13-15 minutes.
Sauté
In a large pan, add a tablespoon of olive oil and diced onion. Cook the onion 3-4 minutes until it begins to soften. Then, add in cooked lentils, curry paste, garlic powder, cumin and turmeric powder.
Add in remaining ingredients
Finally, add in the unsweetened plant-based milk and diced tomatoes. Let the lentil curry recipe simmer on medium for 5-6 minutes.
Serve
Plate a half cup of rice on a large serving plate. Then spoon the red curry lentils over the rice and garnish with fresh parsley.

Storage and Reheating Red Curry Lentils Recipe

Fridge: store red curry lentils in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. This makes a great meal prep dish if you want to individually store the lentils for the work week.
Freezer: yes you can freeze this recipe! Simply add to a freezer safe container or zip block bag. Keep in the fridge for a month and reheat for dinner whenever you’re craving delicious curry lentils.
Reheating: reheating from the fridge is as easy as letting the curry lentils simmer in a medium sauce pan over low heat for 5-7 minutes. Alternatively, microwave for 1 minute, stir, then microwave another minute until the dish is completely reheated. To defrost, let the lentils thaw on the counter for 15 minutes before reheating on the stove top in a sauce pan. Stir the lentils until excess moisture evaporates.

Make the Lentils in the Pressure Cooker

If you’re anything like me, you want the easiest and most convient way to make things. Thats why sometimes I make my lentils in the Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker. Here is how I do it.

Measure 1 cup dry lentils and add to the pressure cooker with 3 cups of vegetable broth
Close the lid and set the steam value to ‘steal’ position
Select ‘manual’ button and cook for 10 minutes.
When the cook time is up, turn to quick release pressure.
Add the cooked lentils to a container and let cool before serving, storing or adding to your next recipe.

Serving Suggestions

This recipe is a hearty and filling dish, so I always like to serve it with a lighter side dish. Here are some serving recommendations below.

Soak up the creamy sauce with crispy Vegan French Baguettes
Pair with a light Mediterranean Summer Chopped Salad, Greek Chickpea Salad or 5 Ingredient Kale Caesar Salad
Serve over a bed of white rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, quinoa, or noodles

Commonly Asked Questions

What is red curry paste?

Red curry paste consists of red chili peppers, garlic, sea salt, lemongrass, turmeric and pepper.

Can I use curry powder in place of curry paste?

Yes. Simply substitute 1 teaspoon curry powder for 1 tablespoon curry paste.

Why are my lentils coming out mushy?

Lentils overcook quickly. To prevent the lentils from becoming too mushy, reduce the flame or temperature. The higher the flame, the more the lentils will bounce around when boiling and cause them to become mushy.

Can you make red lentil curry with almond milk?

Yes. This recipe uses unsweetened plant-based almond milk instead of coconut milk to reduce the amount of fat in the dish. Alternatively, you can use coconut milk for a creamier sauce.

I promise you will love this dish just as much as I do. If you try this Red Curry Lentils Recipe, please let me know in the comments below. I love to hear how it turned out or any changes you made. Cheers.