Mostly Perfectly Balanced Lentil Curry
A hearty curry with red lentils, coconut milk, and aromatic spices, served with rice or naan. This indian-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs rinsed red lentils, coconut milk, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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 rinsed red lentils
- 2 cups coconut milk
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 cup chopped spinach
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, sauté diced onion, garlic, and ginger in 1 tbsp oil over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add curry powder and tomato paste, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, and coconut milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20-25 minutes until lentils are tender and sauce thickens.
- Step 3: Stir in chopped spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Season with salt and pepper, then serve over rice or with naan for a complete meal.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mostly Perfectly Balanced Lentil Curry take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Mostly Perfectly Balanced Lentil Curry?
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 rinsed red lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mostly Perfectly Balanced Lentil Curry?
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 Mostly Perfectly Balanced Lentil Curry 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 Mostly Perfectly Balanced Lentil Curry vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
