Coconut Curry Lentil Soup (Print Version)
A flavorful blend of lentils, coconut milk, spinach, and curry spices creating a warm, satisfying dish.
# What You Need:
→ Lentils & Legumes
01 - 1 cup dried red lentils, rinsed
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
05 - 2 medium carrots, diced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 4 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
→ Liquids
08 - 1 can (14 fl oz) full-fat coconut milk
09 - 4 cups vegetable broth
→ Spices & Seasonings
10 - 2 tablespoons curry powder (mild or medium)
11 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
13 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
14 - Salt, to taste
15 - Black pepper, to taste
16 - 2 tablespoons olive oil or coconut oil
→ Garnish (optional)
17 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - Lime wedges
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until translucent.
02 - Incorporate minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in diced carrots and red bell pepper; cook for an additional 3 minutes.
04 - Add curry powder, ground cumin, turmeric, and chili flakes; stir continuously for 1 minute to release aromas.
05 - Add rinsed lentils, coconut milk, and vegetable broth; stir to combine thoroughly.
06 - Bring mixture to a boil, then lower heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until lentils are tender and soup thickens.
07 - Stir in chopped spinach and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until wilted. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls, garnishing with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice if desired.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- It comes together in under an hour, so weeknight dinners don't feel like a production.
- The coconut milk makes it creamy and luxurious without any heavy cream or dairy.
- Lentils give you real staying power, so you won't be hungry again in two hours.
- One pot means minimal cleanup, which feels like a win on any cooking day.
02 -
- Don't add the spinach until the very end, or it'll turn dark and lose its fresh appeal.
- Taste the soup before you serve it; every curry powder is different, and you might want more spice or salt than the recipe suggests.
- If your lentils are taking longer than expected, your heat might be too low or your stove might run cold, so adjust accordingly.
03 -
- Add a splash of coconut cream right before serving if you want it to feel richer and more indulgent than the recipe already does.
- If you like more spice, add chili flakes during the toasting step rather than at the end, so they distribute throughout the soup instead of settling at the bottom.