Coconut Curry Lentil with Spinach (Print Version)

Creamy coconut lentils with warming curry spices and fresh spinach make this comforting bowl perfect for any season.

# What You Need:

→ Lentils and Legumes

01 - 1 cup dried red lentils, rinsed

→ Aromatics and Vegetables

02 - 1 tablespoon coconut oil
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
06 - 2 medium carrots, diced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced

→ Spices

08 - 1 1/2 tablespoons curry powder
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
11 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
12 - 1 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Liquids

14 - 1 (14-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
15 - 4 cups vegetable broth

→ Greens

16 - 4 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped

→ Finishing

17 - Juice of 1 lime
18 - Fresh cilantro for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat coconut oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic and ginger; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add carrots and red bell pepper; sauté for another 3 minutes.
04 - Sprinkle in curry powder, cumin, turmeric, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute to toast spices.
05 - Add rinsed lentils, coconut milk, and vegetable broth. Stir well to combine.
06 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes, until lentils are tender and vegetables are soft.
07 - Stir in spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted.
08 - Remove from heat, add lime juice, and adjust seasoning to taste.
09 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • One pot, minimal cleanup, and the whole house smells like an Indian restaurant
  • Red lentils practically dissolve into the broth, making every spoonful silky and comforting
  • The combination of coconut milk and curry spices is somehow warming yet refreshing
02 -
  • Red lentils cook faster than green or brown, so do not substitute them or you will need much longer cooking time
  • The lime juice at the end is not optional—it wakes up all the flavors and cuts through the richness
  • This soup thickens as it sits, so add more broth if reheating leftovers
03 -
  • Use a Microplane or smallest grater holes for the ginger—it should almost dissolve into the soup
  • If your curry powder seems mild, add an extra half teaspoon for more depth

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