Korma-Spiced Lentil Stew with Cucumber Raita
Creamy lentil stew simmered with toasted cumin and cardamom, served with cooling raita. This indian-inspired vegetarian (vegan option) ready in about 55 minutes pairs brown lentils, onion, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown lentils
- 1 onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 3 cardamom pods
- 14 oz coconut milk
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup brown lentils and cook in 2 cups water for 25 minutes until tender, then drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Sauté 1 chopped onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger in 1 tsp oil over medium heat for 5 minutes until soft.
- Step 3: Add 1 tsp cumin seeds and 3 crushed cardamom pods to the skillet, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in cooked lentils, 14 oz coconut milk, and 1/2 cup plain yogurt, simmering for 10 minutes until thickened.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, dice 1/2 cucumber and mix with 1/2 cup yogurt and a pinch of salt for raita. Serve stew with cucumber raita.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Korma-Spiced Lentil Stew with Cucumber Raita take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Korma-Spiced Lentil Stew with Cucumber Raita?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep brown lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Korma-Spiced Lentil Stew with Cucumber Raita?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Korma-Spiced Lentil Stew with Cucumber Raita for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Korma-Spiced Lentil Stew with Cucumber Raita vegan option?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan option based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
