Coconut Curry Lentil Soup (Printer-friendly)

A comforting blend of coconut milk, curry spices, lentils, and vibrant spinach in a warming soup.

# What You'll 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

# Directions:

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 Advice:

01 -
  • The way your kitchen will smell while this simps is basically free aromatherapy
  • Red lentils practically dissolve into this silky, creamy texture without any actual cream required
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day, if they last that long
02 -
  • Red lentils cook faster than brown or green, so don't substitute them directly or you'll be waiting forever
  • The soup thickens as it sits, so add a splash of water or broth when reheating leftovers
  • That lime juice at the end isn't optional—it's what cuts through the richness and makes every flavor stand up straight
03 -
  • Rinse your lentils until the water runs clear—this removes any bitterness and ensures they cook evenly
  • Curry powder blends vary wildly in flavor and heat, so taste your soup before the final simmer and adjust accordingly

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