Red Lentil Parippu Curry with Coconut and Mustard Seeds

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-22 · Updated 2026-06-22

A comforting, creamy red lentil curry enriched with coconut milk and tempered with mustard seeds and curry leaves for a fragrant, authentic Sri Lankan side dish. This Sri Lankan-inspired vegetarian recipe (gluten-free), ready in about 40 minutes, pairs red lentils (masoor dal), water, turmeric powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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 red lentils (masoor dal)
• 3 cups water
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• to taste salt
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 2 dried red chilies
• 10 curry leaves
• 3 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 (optional) green chili, sliced

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup red lentils under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium pot, combine lentils with 3 cups water, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until lentils are tender.
2. Step 2: Stir in 1 cup coconut milk and continue cooking on low heat for 5 minutes until creamy, then adjust salt to taste.
3. Step 3: In a small frying pan, heat 2 tbsp coconut oil over medium heat. Add 1 tsp mustard seeds and 2 dried red chilies, and fry until mustard seeds start to pop.
4. Step 4: Add 10 curry leaves, 3 sliced garlic cloves, 1 finely chopped small onion, and 1 sliced green chili (if using). Sauté for 3 minutes until onions soften and garlic is golden and fragrant.
5. Step 5: Pour this tempering over the cooked lentils, stir gently to combine, and serve warm with steamed rice or flatbreads.