Coconut Curry Lentil Soup
This coconut curry lentil soup recipe is wholesome, cozy, and absolutely delicious. It’s made with flavorful ingredients like coconut milk, curry paste, garam masala, and fresh ginger for a dish you’ll be craving again and again.
I’ve stated before that I love to eat soup year round. But this is one of the rare soup recipes I make only during the cold weather months. I think that is because of the spices and that it has curry in it. I associate the flavor of curry as a warming and comforting dish, so I love any curry soup best in the winter.
The wonderful balance of herbs and spices in this gluten-free coconut curry lentil soup makes for a robust and tasty broth. Adding lentils and vegetables makes it a satisfying, full-bodied soup.
Want a vegan curry dish that is spectacular? Try out this delicious Thai chickpea curry recipe.
We are a participant in Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. #CommisionsEarned. You can read my disclosure here.
Helpful tips
- You can use either yellow or red type of lentils in this recipe.
- Rinse and wash your lentils thoroughly before cooking them. I always get a big bowl and place a wire strainer in it before adding lentils. I run water over the lentils and swish my fingers around, dislodging any debris and picking out any foreign objects. I empty the water and repeat 2 more times.
- You can make this soup vegetarian or vegan just by substituting the chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- You can either use coconut milk or coconut cream. Coconut cream is thicker and creamier.
- You can use any color lentils; you’ll see I use red lentils in this post.
- Whenever you sauté, you need to heat the pot before adding oil. Then you must heat the oil for at least a minute before adding whatever you are cooking.
How to make coconut curry lentil soup
Step one
Get a medium sized stockpot or Dutch oven and gather the ingredients – onion, olive oil, fresh ginger and garlic paste. (A)
Step two
Chop the onion and mince the ginger. (B)
Step three
Heat the Dutch oven on medium. Once it has heated up, add and heat oil until it shimmers. Add the onion and sauté for 8 minutes. Add the ginger and garlic and sauté for an additional 2 minutes.
Step four
Gather the washed lentils, curry paste, chicken broth, garam masala, curry powder, turmeric, salt and coconut milk. (C)
Step five
Add the curry paste, salt and the spices to the onion mixture. (D)
Step six
Stir the ingredients together. (E)
Step seven
Add the broth and lentils. (F)
Step eight
Stir together and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes until lentils are soft. (G)
Step nine
Add coconut milk, stir together and bring back to a light simmer. Remove from heat. (H)
Time to serve the coconut curry lentil soup. It has such a lovely creamy texture.
I ladle the soup into a crock, sprinkle on fresh cilantro and gather some homemade naan bread.
And now the overhead shot.
Doesn’t that look delicious?
Sometimes when Christopher eats the leftovers, he ladle it on rice. I still enjoy it as soup.
I hope you enjoyed this coconut curry lentil soup recipe. It’s hearty, thick and delicious!
And as always, may all your dishes be delish!
If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love the know what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Coconut Curry Lentil Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion
- 1 tablespoon ginger root (minced)
- 2 teaspoons garlic paste (or 2 cloves, crushed)
- .25 cups curry paste (Pinch of Yum’s recipe)
- 1 teaspoon garam masala (or more to your taste)
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1.75 cups red lentils (rinsed and picked over)(or any colored lentils)
- 1 can coconut milk
Instructions
- Heat Dutch oven on medium heat and once that heats up and olive oil and let that heat up.2 tablespoons olive oil
- Add onions and sauté for 8 minutes. Add ginger and garlic and sauté for an additional 2 minutes.1 medium onion, 1 tablespoon ginger root, 2 teaspoons garlic paste
- Add curry paste, garam masala, curry powder, turmeric and salt and stir until combined..25 cups curry paste, 1 teaspoon garam masala, 1 teaspoon curry powder, 1 teaspoon turmeric, 1 teaspoon salt
- Add chicken broth and lentils and bring to a boil. Once it boils, turn it down to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.4 cups chicken broth, 1.75 cups red lentils
- Add coconut milk, stir and bring back to a simmer. Once it does, take off heat.1 can coconut milk
- Serve
- Eat
- Enjoy
Equipment
See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!Notes
- Rinse and wash your lentils thoroughly before cooking with them. I always place the lentils in a wire strainer and place the whole thing in a big bowl. I run water over the lentils and swish my fingers around, dislodging any debris. I also pick through the lentils for any foreign object and remove them.
- You can make this soup vegetarian just by substituting the chicken broth with vegetable broth
- You can either use coconut milk or coconut cream. Coconut cream is thicker and creamier.
- You can use any color lentils; I use yellow lentils in this post.
- Whenever you sauté, you need to heat the pan up before adding oil. Then you must let the oil heat up for at least a minute before adding whatever you are cooking.
Nutrition
From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.
Looks so flavorful and delicious! I need to make this for dinner!
Awww, thanks Taylor! It’s easy and delicious!
This looks so wonderfully hearty and comforting. I don’t make lentil soup nearly often enough but when I do, I agree curry flavors just naturally go well. Sounds tasty.
Thanks Caroline. I appreciate it!
I love all things curry! This looks so delicious. I can’t wait to make this especially because it not only has curry it has lentils! Yum! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Juli! Me too. I adore curry!
Coconut and curry is one of my favorite combinations. I love the warm spices with the rich creamy coconut. This soup sounds wonderful!
Thanks, Valentina! I so appreciate it!
This lentil soup looks so delicious and filling. Warm and filling and perfect for the colder weather.
Thanks Sharon! 🙂
What a cozy looking bowl! I can almost taste it! And you’re so right, coconut goes sooo well with curry, I love the texture and aroma it adds to any dish!
Thank you so much, Anna! I really appreciate it.
Well, this recipe addresses two great foods. Not sure if you want soup or curry? You get the best of both worlds in this bowl of goodness. Perfect for all the snow days we have been getting.
It really is Gloria! Thanks for your comment, I appreciate it!
This does look like a warm, comforting soup! I love those flavors! I will have to try this soon.
Thank you Denise. I hope you enjoy it when you do!
Ahh this looks so delicious for the cold weather. I love love lentil soup and the addition of curry and coconut makes it perfect.
Thanks so much Analida. I appreciate it!
It’s been so long since I’ve made a lentil soup and this one looks mighty worthy of changing that fact! I love a good curry and this one looks fantastic. I love that you’ve added fresh ginger to this because I think it really makes the flavors sing!
Thanks so much Jenni! 🙂 The ginger makes a big difference!
I love super flavorful soups, and this absolutely looks like it fits the bill! The perfect way to warm up from these cold snowy days we keep having.
I know! It’s so annoying isn’t it with the snow? But, yes, Julie. Perfect for snowy days!
This looks so warm and comforting which bold flavors! Definitely a soup for a chilly winter day!
Thank you Lauren! 🙂
This soup looks so delicious, so flavorful and so healthy. I absolutely love how creamy this looks. This is perfect easy family dinner. I’m saving this and putting on my next week dinner menu. My family will love this.
Thanks so much Natalie! I love this soup and hope you enjoy it too when you make it.
This soup is right down my alley! I always have lentils and coconut milk at home so this is a recipe I can whip up spontaneously whenever I have a craving! Looks SO GOOD!
Thanks Kiki! I hope you enjoy it. I too always have lentils and coconut milk in my cupboards!
I’ve been nursing a sore throat for weeks…ugh WINTER!!! With the ginger and turmeric, this soup looks like just the type of comforting dish to nourish me back to health. Thanks!
Thanks Charity. I hope you feel better soon!
Ok, yum! This looks delish! I’ve never had a curry coconut lentil soup before but I’m loving the ingredient combination!! Definitely going to give this a try!
Thanks Amanda. It’s so yummy! I hope you enjoy it when you try it!
This soup has all the great things I love, curry, lentils and coconut. What’s not love about this soup! Looks absolutely delicious ????
Thanks, Jo! I really appreciate it!