One Pot Curry Lentil Soup (Vegan)

Curry lentil soup is an easy soup recipe that is very comforting. Learn how to make lentil soup with coconut milk with step-by-step photos. 

I love soup for any season especially the cold season. Our easy Mediterranean green lentil soup is packed with nutrients and if you’re looking for a light soup with delicious spices, try turmeric red lentil soup or Chicken Lentil Soup which is super easy.

A curry red lentil soup with so much flavor

This curry lentil soup is one of our favorite dishes to makes. It’s an easy soup that’s flavored with coconut milk. This smooth lentil soup doesn’t take long to make. I love a good and easy soup especially when it’s packed with flavors.

This curried lentil soup is made with red lentils which are very tender and easy to work with. Red lentils are thought to be originated in near East and Mediterranean area but now they are common all around the world and people use them in different cuisines. Some of the recipes made with red lentils are Turkish red lentil soup (mercimek corbasi) and our favorite Turkish vegan meatballs. 

Are lentils good for you?

Lentils are very versatile and can be used in different ways. They are also a good source of protein and are full of fiber. Lentils are a great source of iron and folic acid. They are also very good for your bones. You can read more about lentils on the Spruce Eats. 

Ingredients for curry lentil soup recipe

To make a delicious vegan lentil soup you need the following ingredients:

• Onion
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Curry powder
• Red lentils
• Crushed tomatoes
• Coconut milk

This soup is vegan and naturally gluten free. It’s flavored with ginger, garlic and curry powder and would be great as an appetizer or a light lunch or dinner. What I love the most about this red lentil curry soup is that it’s so simple and quick to make. The combination of flavors is perfect for a chilly evening to make you all warm and cozy. To us, this is comfort food. 

How to make red lentil curry soup

Like any other lentil soup recipe, this curried lentil soup is a one pot recipe that is very simple to make and takes only 30 minutes from start to finish:

• Start with sauteing onion, garlic and ginger. Once the onion is translucent, add in the spice and red lentils.

• Cook for about two minutes and add in crushed tomatoes and water.
• Bring to a simmer and cook until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom.
• Add in coconut milk and stir well. Cook for another ten minutes and serve warm with a splash of lemon juice.

How much water should I use? 

Red lentils absorb a lot of liquid. Start with amount of liquid that’s mentioned in the recipe. Keep a close eye and if it looks like the soup doesn’t contain enough liquid, add more water or vegetable stock, 1/2 cup at a time. 

How long should I cook the lentils for?

Red lentils cook very fast. You only need to cook them for about 20 minutes in this curry lentil soup recipe. You will know red lentils are cooked completely when they’re tender and can be blended easily. 

How long does curried lentil soup last

Usually there is no leftover of this soup in our home because we finish it in one sitting. However, you can refrigerate the leftover curry lentil soup in an airtight container for up to three days. Reheat the soup in microwave or in a small sauce pan over medium heat.

Can I freeze curry lentil soup?

You sure can. Lentil soups are very freezer friendly. Cool the lentil soup completely and then freeze in an airtight container for up to three months. To serve, thaw in the fridge overnight or place it in a pot with 1/2 – 1 cup water and turn the heat to medium. Stir occasionally to break the frozen soup and heat it through.

Looking for more soup recipes?

• Greek lemon chicken orzo soup
• Instant pot lentil soup
• Sausage gnocchi soup

Notes and tips to make curry lentil soup

• I usually use water to make curry lentil soup but you can also use vegetable broth.
• To make this red lentil soup non-vegan, you can use chicken broth as well.
• Sweet potatoes compliment this curry lentil soup very well. Cut one sweet potato into 1/2 inch cubes and add it to the soup with the red lentils.
• I use full fat coconut milk for this curried lentil soup. It makes the soup very creamy and smooth.
• This vegan curry lentil soup doesn’t require blending since red lentils fall apart while cooking. However, you can always blend this soup if you like your soup to be ultra creamy.