Irresistible Red Lentil Curry Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

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Irresistible Red Lentil Curry Recipe: A creamy Thai Red Curry made with red lentils. This healthy one-pot dish is gluten-free, vegan, and delicious!

Irresistible Red Lentil Curry Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (1)

Thai Red Curry Paste & Red Lentils

My family is crazy over curries.

Indian curries, Southeast Asian curries, Jamaican curries, Ethiopian curries… We love them all!

It’s satisfying to make traditional curry recipes that have been around for generations, and in some cases for thousands of years.

Yet it is just as satisfying to mix things up, and make mashup curry creations!

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Irresistible Red Lentil Curry

Today’s Red Lentil Curry Recipe is just such a fusion of Indian and Thai ingredients.

You’ve got the red lentils and tomatoes used in Indian (or Middle Eastern) curries, along with Thai red curry paste and coconut milk associated with Thai (or Southeast Asian) curry dishes.

The collision of these two styles of curry makes an utterly irresistible blend of flavors.

The soft thick “refried bean” texture is also appealing.

It makes this healthy Red Lentil Curry dish feel like a stick-to-your-bones kind of meal, even though it’s gluten-free, vegan, and packed with fiber and nutrients.

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Healthy Meal Prep

I am addicted to this red curry lentils recipe.

Two of the things I love most about it, other than the deep tantalizing spicy flavor, is that it makes a large batch of 8+ hearty servings, and it tastes fabulous days later.

That makes our Irresistible Red Lentil Curry a perfect meal prep recipe!

You can cook it on Sunday and box it up for the whole week, with cashews, pickled onions, and rice (or with greens if you are cutting out grains.)

It tastes just as lovely on day 4, 5, and 6 as it did on the first day. Some might even argue it tastes better as the spices have had a longer time to mix and mingle.

However, if you don’t want such a large batch, you can easily half this recipe using our serving slider in the recipe form below.

I’d personally rather have yummy leftovers than half-used cans of tomato and coconut milk in my fridge.

  • Irresistible Red Lentil Curry Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (4)
  • Irresistible Red Lentil Curry Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (5)

Irresistible Red Lentil Curry Ingredients

  • Coconut oil. To saute the veggies and spices. You can use olive oil or avocado oil if you prefer.
  • Onions and garlic. Because all great curries need onions and garlic.
  • Carrots. To add a little natural sweetness.
  • Ginger. This offers a fresh punch of sweet spice.
  • Thai red curry paste. All brands of red curry paste are different. Some are much saltier and spicier than others. Taste your red curry paste so you know what you’re dealing with before adding it to the curry recipe. If you are concerned about overpowering spicy-heat, you can add a small amount of curry paste at first, then add more later.
  • Ground cumin. For an underlying smoking essence.
  • Dried red lentils. Red lentils are hulled so they do not retain their shape quite like brown lentils. This is what creates the soft velvety texture in the curry. If you cannot find red lentils, buy yellow lentils instead.
  • Vegetable broth. To add additional flavor while keeping this dish meatless.
  • Crushed tomatoes. For extra acidity and texture.
  • Coconut milk. To give the curry a silky finish.
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You can see, with this lineup of ingredients, we’ve got a heavy hitter on our hands in the flavor department.

It’s a multicultural curry dish that everyone will enjoy… Even your classic meat-and-potato eaters will find it irresistible!

Try serving it with:

  • Rice
  • Quinoa
  • Spinach
  • Chopped Kale
  • Spice-rubbed grilled chicken
  • Or as-is!
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Best Red Lentil Curry Recipe FAQ

Is Red Lentil Curry Really Gluten Free?

Yes, as long as the red curry paste you buy is gluten free, the entire recipe is as well.

How Many Days Will Red Curry Keep?

Packed in an airtight container it will last up to 10 days.

Can You Freeze Red Lentil Curry?

Yes. Thaw it at room temperature, before rewarming.

Does This Recipe Have To Be Vegan?

Of course not. If you are not vegan, feel free to use chicken broth, or top it with meat before serving.

What If The Curry Starts To Get Too Thick?

You can stir in additional water to loosen it up, if it needs more cooking time. This will not affect the overall flavor.

I Don’t Like (Or Can’t Eat) Coconut. Substitutions?

You can swap the oil for any kind of oil you prefer. You can also substitute the coconut milk for half & half, although I would add it at the end, instead of the beginning. Please note, this will change the flavor of the dish.

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More Tantalizing Curry Dishes

  • Best Panang Chicken Curry
  • Instant Pot Butter Chicken Curry
  • One-Pot Thai Curry Shrimp Pasta
  • Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry
  • Quick Shrimp Rogan Josht
  • Malabar Chicken Curry
Irresistible Red Lentil Curry Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (9)

Irresistible Red Lentil Curry Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (10)

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Irresistible Red Lentil Curry Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Irresistible Red Lentil Curry Recipe: A creamy Thai Red Curry made with red lentils. This healthy one-pot dish is gluten-free, vegan, and delicious!

Servings: 8

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

For the Red Lentil Curry:

For the Pickled Onions:

Additional Garnishes:

Instructions

  • For the Pickled Onions: In a small microwave-safe bowl mix the water, vinegar, sugar, and salt. Microwave for 60-90 seconds to dissolve the sugar.Slice the onions thin. Then mix them into the pickling water. Allow them to soak as you make the lentil curry.

  • For the Red Lentil Curry: Chop the onions, carrots, garlic and grate the ginger. Set a large 6-8 quart pot over medium heat. Add the oil.

  • Once hot, add the onions, carrots, garlic, ginger, 2-5 tablespoons curry paste, cumin, and salt. Saute until the onions are soft and tender. *If your curry paste tastes/smells very spicy, add only 2 tablespoons. You can always add more later.

  • Pour in the dried red lentils, chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, and coconut milk. Stir well. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring every 3-5 minutes, so the lentils don’t stick to the bottom of the pot.

  • If the liquid seems to absorb before the lentils are fully cooked, add some water to loosen up the mixture. After 20 minutes, the lentil curry should be soft and thick.

  • Drain the pickled onions. Serve the lentil curry warm, on its own, with rice, or with baby spinach. Top with pickled onions, cashews, and cilantro leaves.

Notes

Curry paste brands vary greatly in salt and spice. Taste the curry paste to determine how much you want to use. I recommend 2-5 tablespoons.

If gluten-free is important to you, also check the curry paste label. Most are gluten-free, but not all.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 452kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 20g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 1252mg, Potassium: 1089mg, Fiber: 20g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 6590IU, Vitamin C: 12.9mg, Calcium: 94mg, Iron: 8.3mg

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: Thai

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

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Irresistible Red Lentil Curry Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

FAQs

How to make red curry spicier? ›

But for a more pungent, spicy paste, double up on spicy chilies and skip the bell pepper. Spices come in the form of turmeric, coriander, cumin, sea salt, and black peppercorn. And for a little acidity, I used both lime and lemon juice as well as lime zest.

Which Thai curry is the hottest? ›

Made from young chillies, basil and coriander to give it its vibrant colour, the Thai Green Curry is considered the hottest, and is a fond favourite for those who adore Thai food.

Which Thai curry is the least spicy? ›

In general, Thai yellow curry is the mildest, Thai red curry is medium-hot and Thai green curry is spicy, although it can sometimes vary depending on what region of Thailand you are in.

How to make curry extra spicy? ›

If you want to bring a bit of heat to the curry, try adding some chili powder or cayenne pepper. If you want to add a bit of smokiness, try adding some smoked paprika or cumin. You can also add fresh herbs such as cilantro or mint to bring freshness and flavor.

What is the main spice in curry? ›

What's In Curry Powder? Curry powders usually consist of turmeric, cumin, ginger, and black pepper. Some blends also incorporate garlic and cinnamon. What all curry powders share is a sweet warmth and pleasant pungency that adds a toasty depth to everything it touches.

Does adding water to a curry make it less spicy? ›

Peanut, almond, or cashew butter are all rich in fat and can help dissolve capsaicin and mitigate some of the heat from chiles. If you're hesitant to add fat, you can also dilute the heat of a curry or stew by adding more water.

What neutralizes spicy? ›

Balancing it with an acid can help neutralize the molecule's activity. This means drinking or eating something acidic — such as lemonade, limeade, orange juice or a tomato-based food item or drink — may also help cool your mouth down. (Milk is also acidic, by the way.) DO down some carbs.

Does butter make curry less spicy? ›

Other great options to reduce the spiciness include sour cream, cream, plain yoghurt, ghee, butter, and even nut butter. HOT TIP: Dairy products do have a tendency to split when boiled vigorously, so only simmer gently for a few minutes.

What is the spiciest curry dish in the world? ›

Phaal is the hottest curry in the world because it is made from Bhut Jolokia, the world's hottest chilli.

Which Thai curry is healthiest? ›

People love green curry because of the gentle balance of heat, sweet, and acid from the chiles, lime, and fresh herbs. Green curry is great with chicken and shrimp because it offers a punch of seasoning to the protein. The long list of herbs also makes green curry one of the healthiest Thai cuisine dishes.

Which is nicer, red or green Thai curry? ›

The preference of Thai red curry or green curry depends on personal taste. Some people might prefer the spicier and bolder taste of red curry, while others might enjoy the more herbal and fragrant flavor of green curry. Both are delicious in their own ways, and it's worth trying both to see which one you like better.

What is the weakest curry? ›

Originating in Northern India and Pakistan, the Korma is traditionally made up of yoghurt, coconut milk and almonds, making it one of the mildest curries available. The thick, creamy sauce has a sweet tang to it from the coconut and almonds, and is most commonly made with chicken and served with rice.

How do you add heat to Thai red curry? ›

In order to temper the considerable heat of dried Thai chiles (usually the only chili used in traditional Thai Red Curries), I use a combination of large, mild dried chiles (like Anaheim, Guajillo, or New Mexico chiles) and spicy Thai chiles. To increase the intensity of your curry, simply add more spicy chiles.

What makes red Thai curry spicy? ›

Red Curry. This type of curry is moderately spiced and one of the most versatile. Red curry is made with several red chilies, which gives it a bold and spicy flavor. Ingredients for the curry base include coriander, cumin, red bell pepper, red chile, lemongrass, and ginger.

How do you fix bland red curry? ›

Another simple way to improve the taste of bland curries is by adding some slightly roasted onions, garlic, ginger. You can toss or caramelize them separately and add them to the curry and simmer for sometime so that it can absorb the flavours.

How to make red curry taste better? ›

Add salt (I added ¼ teaspoon for optimal flavor), to taste. If the curry needs a little more punch, add ½ teaspoon more tamari, or for more acidity, add ½ teaspoon more rice vinegar. Divide rice and curry into bowls and garnish with chopped cilantro and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, if you'd like.

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